Structural Evolution of Bacterial Polyphosphate Degradation Enzyme for Phosphorus Cycling.

Living organisms ranging from bacteria to animals have developed their own ways to accumulate and store phosphate during evolution, in particular as the polyphosphate (polyP) granules in bacteria. Degradation of polyP into phosphate is involved in phosphorus cycling, and exopolyphosphatase (PPX) is the key enzyme for polyP degradation in bacteria. Thus, understanding the structure basis of PPX is crucial to reveal the polyP degradation mechanism. Here, it is found that PPX structure varies in the length of ɑ-helical interdomain linker (ɑ-linker) across various bacteria, which is negatively correlated with their enzymatic activity and thermostability - those with shorter ɑ-linkers demonstrate higher polyP degradation ability. Moreover, the artificial DrPPX mutants with shorter ɑ-linker tend to have more compact pockets for polyP binding and stronger subunit interactions, as well as higher enzymatic efficiency (kcat/Km) than that of DrPPX wild type. In Deinococcus-Thermus, the PPXs from thermophilic species possess a shorter ɑ-linker and retain their catalytic ability at high temperatures (70 °C), which may facilitate the thermophilic species to utilize polyP in high-temperature environments. These findings provide insights into the interdomain linker length-dependent evolution of PPXs, which shed light on enzymatic adaption for phosphorus cycling during natural evolution and rational design of enzyme.

Mendelian randomization and transcriptome analysis identified immune-related biomarkers for osteoarthritis.

Background: The immune microenvironment assumes a significant role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the current biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of OA are not satisfactory. Our study aims to identify new OA immune-related biomarkers to direct the prevention and treatment of OA using multi-omics data. Methods: The discovery dataset integrated the GSE89408 and GSE143514 datasets to identify biomarkers that were significantly associated with the OA immune microenvironment through multiple machine learning methods and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The identified signature genes were confirmed using two independent validation datasets. We also performed a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) study to generate causal relationships between biomarkers and OA using OA genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data (cases n = 24,955, controls n = 378,169). Inverse-variance weighting (IVW) method was used as the main method of causal estimates. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness and reliability of the IVW results. Results: Three signature genes (FCER1G, HLA-DMB, and HHLA-DPA1) associated with the OA immune microenvironment were identified as having good diagnostic performances, which can be used as biomarkers. MR results showed increased levels of FCER1G (OR = 1.118, 95% CI 1.031-1.212, P = 0.041), HLA-DMB (OR = 1.057, 95% CI 1.045 -1.069, P = 1.11E-21) and HLA-DPA1 (OR = 1.030, 95% CI 1.005-1.056, P = 0.017) were causally and positively associated with the risk of developing OA. Conclusion: The present study identified the 3 potential immune-related biomarkers for OA, providing new perspectives for the prevention and treatment of OA. The MR study provides genetic support for the causal effects of the 3 biomarkers with OA and may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms leading to the development of OA.

Topologically Protected Quantum Logic Gates with Valley-Hall Photonic Crystals.

Topological photonics provide a promising way to realize more robust optical devices against some defects and environmental perturbations. Quantum logic gates are fundamental units of quantum computers, which are widely used in future quantum information processing. Thus, constructing robust universal quantum logic gates is an important way forward to practical quantum computing. However, the most important problem to be solved is how to construct the quantum-logic-gate-required 2 × 2 beam splitter with topological protection. Here, the experimental realization of the topologically protected contradirectional coupler is reported, which can be employed to realize the quantum logic gates, including control-NOT and Hadamard gates, on the silicon photonic platform. These quantum gates not only have high experimental fidelities but also exhibit a certain degree of tolerances against certain types of defects. This work paves the way for the development of practical optical quantum computations and signal processing.

Metabolic impairments associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the potential effects of exercise therapy: An exploratory randomized trial based on untargeted metabolomics.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common condition that is characterized by metabolic impairments. Exercise therapy has proven effective in improving the physiological and psychological states of patients with T2DM; however, the influence of different exercise modalities on metabolic profiles is not fully understood. This study first aimed to investigate the metabolic changes associated with T2DM among patients and then to evaluate the potential physiological effects of different exercise modalities (Tai Chi and brisk walking) on their metabolic profiles. METHODS: This study included 20 T2DM patients and 11 healthy subjects. Patients were randomly allocated to either the Tai Chi or walking group to perform Dijia simplified 24-form Tai Chi or brisk walking (80-100 m/min), with 90 minutes each time, three times per week for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 sessions. The healthy group maintained daily living habits without intervention. Glycemic tests were conducted at the baseline and after 12 weeks. Serum and urine samples were collected for untargeted metabolomic analyses at baseline and 12 weeks to examine the differential metabolic profiles between T2DM and healthy subjects, and the metabolic alterations of T2DM patients before and after exercise therapy. RESULTS: Compared to the healthy group, T2DM patients exhibited metabolic disturbances in carbohydrates (fructose, mannose, galactose, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis), lipids (inositol phosphate), and amino acids (arginine, proline, cysteine, methionine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine) metabolism, including 20 differential metabolites in the serum and six in the urine. After exercise, the glycemic results showed insignificant changes. However, patients who practiced Tai Chi showed significant improvements in their post-treatment metabolic profiles compared to baseline, with nine serum and six urine metabolites, including branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs); while those in the walking group had significantly altered nine serum and four urine metabolites concerning steroid hormone biosynthesis and arachidonic acid metabolism compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: T2DM patients displayed impaired carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, and exercise therapy improved their metabolic health. Different modalities may act through different pathways. Tai Chi may improve disrupted BCAAs metabolism, whereas brisk walking mainly regulates steroid hormone biosynthesis and arachidonic acid metabolism.

Differences in organic carbon accumulation in mangrove soils due to foraging by herbivorous crabs.

Crabs in mangroves could enhance the transfer of organic carbon (OC) from leaf litter to soils, whose variation with the difference in crab size is, however, not well known. A 32-day laboratory feeding experiment was conducted to explore the effects of different sizes of the crabs Parasesarma plicatum foraging on leaf litter of Kandelia obovata on OC accumulation in mangrove soils. Mean rates of soil OC accumulation due to leaf foraging by large, medium, and small crabs were 21.11, 16.11, and 0.77 mg C ind-1 d-1, corresponding to the rates of OC removal from leaf litter of 62.60%, 51.37%, and 2.19%, respectively. Large and medium crabs ingested larger amounts of leaf litter, and soil OC accumulation rates resulting from leaf foraging by large and medium crabs were approximately 8 times higher than those by leaf litter decomposition and triple those by non-leaf foraging. Small crabs ingested the smallest amount of leaf litter, which was almost used for their growth and metabolism. These results underline the key ecological roles of leaf foraging by crabs, especially those with large and medium sizes, in OC accumulation in mangrove soils, which is conducive to estimating carbon sequestration in mangrove soils.

[Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Impact Factors Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value in the Liaohe River Delta over the Past 30 Years].

An in-depth study of the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and driving factors of ecosystem service values in the Liaohe River Delta is of great significance to its ecological environment governance and protection. Based on the land use data of the Liaohe River Delta for seven periods from 1990 to 2020, the ecosystem service value (ESV) was evaluated according to the equivalent factor coefficient correction method, establishing models for estimating the value of ecosystem services; the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the ESV in the study area were comprehensively analyzed; and the driving influencing factors and mechanisms of the ESV were explored. The results showed that:① From 1990 to 2020, the most common land use type in the Liaohe River Delta was cultivated land, and the areas of forest land, wetland, and unutilized land showed a decreasing trend; grassland, water, and construction land showed an increasing trend; and the area of cultivated land was basically unchanged during the 30 year period. ② In terms of the temporal evolution, the ESV in the study area showed a trend of first decreasing, then increasing, and then decreasing. In terms of the spatial distribution of ESV, the total value of ecosystem services as a whole showed a spatial divergence pattern of a high value in the southwest and low value in the northeast. ③ The sensitivity index of all land use types in the Liaohe River Delta was less than 1, indicating that the ESV was inelastic. ④ The value of ecosystem services in the Liaohe River Delta showed positive spatial coherence. On the whole, the Liaohe River Delta was dominated by HH and LL clusters, with HL clusters mostly distributed at the boundaries of LL clusters and LH clusters distributed at the boundaries of HH clusters. ⑤ Among the factors influencing the evolution of ESV in the Liaohe River Delta, DEM had the least influence, and HAI had the greatest influence on the ESV, followed by precipitation. The interaction results of all influencing factors had an enhancing effect on the spatial distribution of the ESV, among which HAI and precipitation had the strongest interaction effect, reaching 95.58%.

An inorganic mineral-based protocell with prebiotic radiation fitness.

Protocell fitness under extreme prebiotic conditions is critical in understanding the origin of life. However, little is known about protocell's survival and fitness under prebiotic radiations. Here we present a radioresistant protocell model based on assembly of two types of coacervate droplets, which are formed through interactions of inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) with divalent metal cation and cationic tripeptide, respectively. Among the coacervate droplets, only the polyP-Mn droplet is radiotolerant and provides strong protection for recruited proteins. The radiosensitive polyP-tripeptide droplet sequestered with both proteins and DNA could be encapsulated inside the polyP-Mn droplet, and form into a compartmentalized protocell. The protocell protects the inner nucleoid-like condensate through efficient reactive oxygen species' scavenging capacity of intracellular nonenzymic antioxidants including Mn-phosphate and Mn-peptide. Our results demonstrate a radioresistant protocell model with redox reaction system in response to ionizing radiation, which might enable the protocell fitness to prebiotic radiation on the primitive Earth preceding the emergence of enzyme-based fitness. This protocell might also provide applications in synthetic biology as bioreactor or drug delivery system.

ß-sitosterol alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis via inhibition of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.

Background: Inflammation-related NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis is involved in the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). ß-sitosterol (SIT) was reported to have anti-inflammatory effects on experimental colitis, while the regulation of SIT on pyroptosis is unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to define the protective and healing effects of SIT on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental UC rats and human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and explore the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for its effects on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in UC. Methods: UC model rats were established by oral 4% DSS. Following colitis injury, the animals received SIT (doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) treatment for 2 weeks. For in vitro study, we exposed Caco-2-50 mg/mL DSS with or without SIT (concentrations of 8 and 16 µg/mL). Disease activity index (DAI) and histopathological injury were assessed in vivo. Activation proteins of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling axis, and tight junction-related proteins of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin were detected in colon tissues. TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-18 in serum and cell supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis signaling pathway activation were analyzed both in tissues and cells. Results: Our findings suggested that SIT treatment attenuated the severity of 4% DSS-induced UC by protecting rats from weight and colon length loss, and macroscopic damage. SIT also reduced proinflammatory factors production (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-18) in serum and cell supernatant. Mechanistically, SIT downregulated the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins including Caspase-1, cleaved-Caspase-1, NLRP3, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N in colon tissues and Caco-2 cells. Further analysis indicated that SIT maintained the colonic barrier integrity by enhancing the protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin. Conclusion: We confirmed that SIT exerts protective and therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis injury by suppressing NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and inflammation response. These findings demonstrated that SIT could be a potential medication for UC treatment.

Phthalate acid ester release from microplastics in water environment and their comparison between single and competitive adsorption.

The ability of microplastics (MPs) to adsorb environmental pollutants has been extensively studied. However, little is known about the ability of MPs to release inherent additives and the interaction between them. This paper explored the effects of environmental factors on the release of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from three different types of microplastics (polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs), and polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs)) by simulating water environments, as well as the differences in the adsorption of one or more PAEs by MPs. The results showed that the types of MPs, single environmental factors, and combined environmental factors had a great influence on the release of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In the influence of a single environmental factor, the releasing amount of DEHP increased significantly. When the pH value increased from 5 to 9, the release of three PAEs from all MPs decreased. Moreover, under the combined influence of three environmental factors, the DEHP release from PP-MPs was most affected by environmental factors, and the order of influence of the three environmental factors was ionic strength > organic matter > pH. The DEHP release of PS-MPs was the highest (0.058 ± 0.023 µg/L), followed by PP-MPs (0.038 ± 0.010 µg/L) and PE-MPs (0.035 ± 0.008 µg/L). Adsorption kinetics and isotherm fitting showed that the adsorption process of the three MPs was suitable for the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm had a higher fitting degree. Compared with single adsorption, the competitive adsorption of three PAEs increased the adsorption capacity of DEHP and decreased the adsorption capacity of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). These findings help predict the potential of MPs to release toxic additives under different environmental conditions.

Radioactive iodine therapy strategies for distinct types of differentiated thyroid cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: The management guidelines of radioactive Iodine (RAI) therapy for distinct types of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were the same in clinical practice. However, in distinct types DTC, differences in RAI avidity and response existed and the effect of RAI therapy could not be equated. Methods: DTC patients' data in SEER database were extracted to perform retrospective analysis. The differences between case group and control group were compared by chi-square tests. We used Kaplan-Meier statistics and Cox regression analyses to investigate cancer-specific survival (CSS). Propensity score-matched was performed to make 1:1 case-control matching. Results: 105195 patients who receiving total thyroidectomy were identified in SEER database. Compared to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) (52.3%), follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) (63.8%) and oncocytic carcinoma of thyroid (OCA) (64.4%) had higher rates of RAI therapy. In the multivariable Cox regression model, RAI therapy was independent prognosis factor in PTC but not in OCA and FTC. In subgroup analysis, RAI therapy could improve prognosis in PTC when gross extrathyroidal extension or lymph node metastases or early survival when distant metastases (DM) were presented. However, OCA and FTC patients with DM rather than regional lesions only could benefit from RAI therapy. High-risk patients receiving RAI therapy showed a better prognosis in PTC but not in OCA and FTC. Conclusion: RAI therapy was an effective treatment for DTC and should be considered individually in PTC, OCA and FTC patients. Our results provided further guideline for treatment selection in DTC.

Spatiotemporal variation in sensitivity of urban vegetation growth and greenness to vegetation water content: Evidence from Chinese megacities.

Understanding the sensitivity of vegetation growth and greenness to vegetation water content change is crucial for elucidating the mechanism of terrestrial ecosystems response to water availability change caused by climate change. Nevertheless, we still have limited knowledge of such aspects in urban in different climatic contexts under the influence of human activities. In this study, we employed Google Earth Engine (GEE), remote sensing satellite imagery, meteorological data, and Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM) to explore the spatiotemporal pattern of vegetation growth and greenness sensitivity to vegetation water content in three megacities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) located in eastern China from 2001 to 2020. We found a significant increase (slope > 0, p < 0.05) in the sensitivity of urban vegetation growth and greenness to vegetation water content (SLSWI). This indicates the increasing dependence of urban vegetation ecosystems on vegetation water resources. Moreover, evident spatial heterogeneity was observed in both SLSWI and the trends of SLSWI, and spatial heterogeneity in SLSWI and the trends of SLSWI was also present among identical vegetation types within the same city. Additionally, both SLSWI of vegetation growth and greenness and the trend of SLSWI showed obvious spatial distribution differences (e.g., standard deviations of trends in SLSWI of open evergreen needle-leaved forest of GPP is 14.36 × 10-2 and standard deviations of trends in SLSWI of open evergreen needle-leaved forest of EVI is 10.16 × 10-2), closely associated with factors such as vegetation type, climatic conditions, and anthropogenic influences.

Bevacizumab-induced arrhythmia in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma: A case report.

RATIONALE: Cardiotoxicity is an important side effect of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors therapy in the treatment of cancer. Massive studies have shown bevacizumab-related hypertension, venous, and arterial thrombosis. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 56-year-old female patient was treated with bevacizumab monotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma. The patient was detected a poor R-wave increase with slight ST segment elevation in V1-V3 leads, and ventricular arrhythmia. DIAGNOSIS: The incidental arrhythmia caused by bevacizumab was considered. INTERVENTIONS: The patients received aspirin and amiodarone (0.2 g tid) to treat arrhythmia. After consultation with the cardiology department, the patient received a diagnostic coronary angiography. Coronary angiography showed 30% of the right coronary artery stenoses and no obvious organic stenosis in the left main artery, left anterior ascending, or left circumflex. OUTCOMES: The patient exhibited disappearance of chest tightness and rapid heartbeat after the treatment of amiodarone. Electrocardiogram monitoring results returning to normal. LESSONS: This is the first reported case of bevacizumab-associated arrhythmia. It is advisable to consider the risk of arrhythmia in bevacizumab monotherapy or combines treatment.

The causality of physical activity status and intelligence: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest physical activity (PA) enhances intelligence, while sedentary behavior (SB) poses a risk. However, causality remains unclear. METHODS: We extracted genetic instruments from large genome-wide association studies summary data and employed an inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach within a random-effects model as the primary method of Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to estimate the overall effect of various physical activity statuses on intelligence. To assess IVW stability and MR sensitivity, we also utilized supplementary methods including weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO. Furthermore, multivariable MR analysis was conducted to examine the independent effects of each physical activity trait on intelligence. RESULTS: The MR primary results indicated that LST was negatively associated with intelligence (ß = -0.133, 95%CI: -0.177 to -0.090, p = 1.34×10-9), while SBW (ß = 0.261, 95% CI: 0.059 to 0.463, p = 0.011) may have a positive effect on intelligence; however, MVPA and SC did not show significant effects on intelligence. Inverse causality analyses demonstrated intelligence significantly influenced all physical activity states. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights a bidirectional causal relationship between physical activity states and intelligence.

A Mendelian randomization study for drug repurposing reveals bezafibrate and fenofibric acid as potential osteoporosis treatments.

Background: Lipid pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis (OP). Lipid-lowering drugs may be used to prevent and treat OP. However, the causal interpretation of results from traditional observational designs is controversial by confounding. We aimed to investigate the causal association between genetically proxied lipid-lowering drugs and OP risk. Methods: We conducted two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to investigate the causal association of genetically proxied lipid-lowering drugs on the risk of OP. The first step MR was used to estimate the associations of drug target genes expression with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The significant SNPs in the first step MR were used as instrumental variables in the second step MR to estimate the associations of LDL-C levels with forearm bone mineral density (FA-BMD), femoral neck BMD (FN-BMD), lumbar spine BMD (LS-BMD) and fracture. The significant lipid-lowering drugs after MR analyses were further evaluated for their effects on bone mineralization using a dexamethasone-induced OP zebrafish model. Results: The first step MR analysis found that the higher expression of four genes (HMGCR, NPC1L1, PCSK9 and PPARG) was significantly associated with a lower LDL-C level. The genetically decreased LDL-C level mediated by the PPARG was significantly associated with increased FN-BMD (BETA = -1.38, p = 0.001) and LS-BMD (BETA = -2.07, p = 3.35 × 10-5) and was marginally significantly associated with FA-BMD (BETA = -2.36, p = 0.008) and reduced fracture risk (OR = 3.47, p = 0.008). Bezafibrate (BZF) and Fenofibric acid (FBA) act as PPARG agonists. Therefore genetically proxied BZF and FBA had significant protective effects on OP. The dexamethasone-induced OP zebrafish treated with BZF and FBA showed increased bone mineralization area and integrated optical density (IOD) with alizarin red staining. Conclusion: The present study provided evidence that BZF and FBA can increase BMD, suggesting their potential effects in preventing and treating OP. These findings potentially pave the way for future studies that may allow personalized selection of lipid-lowering drugs for those at risk of OP.

Efficacy of endoscopic mucosal resection versus endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors ≤10mm: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are surgical methods used for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with diameters of ≤ 10 mm. However, which method has a higher performance remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate which of the two methods shows a higher performance. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis METHODS: Data from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 12 April 2022. Outcomes, including complete resection, en bloc resection, recurrence, perforation, bleeding, and procedure time, were pooled by 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using a fixed- or random-effects model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete resection, en bloc resection, and recurrence. SAMPLE SIZE: 18 studies, including 1168 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: Eighteen retrospective cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. There were no statistical differences in the rates of complete resection, en bloc resection, recurrence, perforation, and bleeding rates between EMR and ESD. However, a statistical difference was detected in the procedure time; EMR had a significantly shorter time (MD=-17.47, 95% CI=-22.31 - -12.62, P<.00001). CONCLUSIONS: EMR and ESD had similar efficacies and safety profiles in resectioning rectal NETs ≤ 10 mm. Even so, the advantages of EMR included a shorter operation time and expenditure. Thus, with respect to health economics, EMR outperformed ESD. LIMITATION: Most of these studies are retrospective cohort studies instead of RCTs. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Water Metabolism of Lonicera japonica and Parthenocissus quinquefolia in Response to Heterogeneous Simulated Rock Outcrop Habitats.

The karst carbon sink caused by rock outcrops results in enrichment of the bicarbonate in soil, affecting the physiological process of plants in an all-round way. Water is the basis of plant growth and metabolic activities. In heterogeneous rock outcrop habitats, the impact of bicarbonate enrichment on the intracellular water metabolism of plant leaf is still unclear, which needs to be revealed. In this paper, the Lonicera japonica and Parthenocissus quinquefolia plants were selected as experimental materials, and electrophysiological indices were used to study their water holding, transfer and use efficiency under three simulated rock outcrop habitats, i.e., rock/soil ratio as 1, 1/4 and 0. By synchronously determining and analyzing the leaf water content, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, the response characteristics of water metabolism within leaf cells to the heterogeneous rock outcrop habitats were revealed. The results showed that the soil bicarbonate content in rock outcrop habitats increased with increasing rock/soil ratio. Under the treatment of a higher concentration of bicarbonate, the leaf intra- and intercellular water acquisition and transfer efficiency as well as the photosynthetic utilization capacity of P. quinquefolia decreased, the leaf water content was lower, and those plants had low bicarbonate utilization efficiency, which greatly weakened their drought resistance. However, the Lonicera japonica had a high bicarbonate use capacity when facing the enrichment of bicarbonate within cells, the above-mentioned capacity could significantly improve the water status of the leaves, and the water content and intracellular water-holding capacity of plant leaves in large rock outcrop habitats were significantly better than in non-rock outcrop habitats. In addition, the higher intracellular water-holding capacity was likely to maintain the stability of the intra- and intercellular water environment, thus ensuring the full development of its photosynthetic metabolic capacity, and the stable intracellular water-use efficiency also made itself more vigorous under karstic drought. Taken together, the results suggested that the water metabolic traits of Lonicera japonica made it more adaptable to karst environments.

Characterization and heterologous expression of plasmalogen synthase MeHAD from Megasphaera elsdenii.

Plasmalogens (Pls) are vinyl-ether bond-containing glycerophospholipids or glycosyl diradyl glycerols, and are of great importance in the physiological functions and stability of cell membrane. Here, we identified and characterized that the plasmalogen synthase MeHAD from anaerobic Megasphaera elsdenii was responsible for vinyl-ether bond formation. Different from the 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase (HAD) family plasmalogen synthase PlsA-PlsR which are encoded by two genes in Clostridium perfringens, the HAD homolog (MeHAD) encoded by a single gene MELS_0169 was found in M. elsdenii. By heterologous expression of the MeHAD gene into a nonplasmalogen-producing Escherichia coli strain, the expressed MeHAD was found to be located in the cell membrane region. Plasmalogens were detected in the recombinant strain using GC-MS and LC-MS, demonstrating that MeHAD was the key enzyme for plasmalogen synthesis. Moreover, the synthesized plasmalogens could enhance the oxidative stress-resistance and osmotic pressure-resistance of the recombinant strain, probably due to the ROS scavenging and decreased membrane permeability by the plasmalogens, respectively. The four-cysteine (Cys125, Cys164, Cys445 and Cys484) site-mutant of MeHAD, which were predicted binding to the [4Fe-4S] cluster, was unable to synthesize plasmalogens, indicating that the cysteines are important for the catalytic activity of MeHAD. Our results revealed the single gene encoded plasmalogen synthase in M. elsdenii and established a recombinant E. coli strain with plasmalogen production potential.

Laguerre Gaussian mode holography and its application in optical encryption.

Holography provides an approach to reconstructing both intensity and phase information, and has many applications for microscopic imaging, optical security, and data storage. Recently, the azimuthal Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode index, orbital angular momentum (OAM), has been implemented in holography technologies as an independent degree of freedom for high-security encryption. The radial index (RI) of LG mode, however, has not been implemented as an information carrier in holography. Here we propose and demonstrate the RI holography by using strong RI selectivity in the spatial-frequency domain. Furthermore, the LG holography is realized theoretically and experimentally with the (RI, OAM) spanning from (1, -15) to (7, 15), which leads to a 26bit LG-multiplexing hologram for high-security optical encryption. Based on LG holography, a high-capacity holographic information system can be constructed. In our experiments, a LG-multiplexing holography with a span of 217 independent LG channels has been realized, which is inaccessible at present for the OAM holography.

Comparison and Optimization of Cardiovascular Risk Scores in Predicting the 4-Year Outcome of Patients with Obstructive Coronary Arteries Disease.

Objective: How well cardiovascular risk models perform in selected atherosclerosis patients for predicting outcomes is unknown. We sought to compare the performance of cardiovascular risk models (Framingham, Globorisk, SCORE2 & SCORE2-OP, and an updated new model) in predicting the 4-year outcome of patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were recruited. Obstructive CAD was defined from CCTA as ≥ 50% stenosis. Computed tomography images, the scores of the cardiovascular risk models, and 4-year composite endpoints were assessed. Whether the patients underwent revascularization within 60 days after CCTA was also recorded. Multivariate regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis were performed. Results: A total of 95 patients (mean age: 69.5 ± 10.33 years; 69 males) with obstructive CAD were included in this study. After the ROC analysis, the Framingham, Globorisk, SCORE2 & SCORE2-OP risk score showed prediction values with AUC 0.628 (95% CI: 0.532-0.725), 0.647 (95% CI: 0.542-0.742), 0.684 (95% CI: 0.581-0.776), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, among the three risk models, only SCORE2 & SCORE2-OP risk score was associated with composite endpoints (hazard ratio: 1.050; 95% CI: 1.021-1.079; p = 0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors. The AUC of the new risk model by combing SCORE2 & SCORE2-OP risk score with revascularization and the number of obstructive vessels in predicting composite endpoints reached 0.898 (95% CI: 0.819-0.951). Conclusion: The SCORE2 & SCORE2-OP risk score combined with the number of obstructive vessels and revascularization is predictive for adverse outcomes in patients with obstructive CAD.

The Herbal Medicine Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) for Sleep Quality Improvements: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are common and bothersome among cancer and noncancer populations. Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) is commonly used to improve sleep, yet its efficacy and safety are unclear. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from inception through October 5, 2021, to identify randomized trials of Suanzaoren. We included randomized trials comparing Suanzaoren to placebo, medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or usual care for improving sleep outcomes in cancer and noncancer patients with insomnia or sleep disturbance. We performed a risk of bias analysis following Cochrane guidelines. Depending on heterogeneity, we pooled studies with similar comparators using fixed- and random-effects models. RESULTS: We included participants with insomnia disorder (N = 785) or sleep disturbance (N = 120) from 9 trials. Compared with placebo, Suanzaoren led to significant subjective sleep quality improvements in participants with insomnia and patients with sleep disturbance combined (standard mean difference -0.58, 95% CI -1.04, -0.11; P < .01); Compared with benzodiazepines or CBT, Suanzaoren was associated with a significant decrease in insomnia severity (mean difference -2.68 points, 95% CI -5.50, -0.22; P = .03) at 4 weeks in the general population and cancer patients. The long-term effects of Suanzaoren were mixed among trials. Suanzaoren did not increase the incidence of major adverse events. The placebo-controlled studies had a low risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Suanzaoren is associated with short-term patient-reported sleep quality improvements among individuals with insomnia or sleep disturbance. Due to the small sample size and variable study quality, the clinical benefits and harms of Suanzaoren, particularly in the long term, should be further assessed in a sufficiently powered randomized trial. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021281943.