Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with schizophrenia from the perspectives of seroepidemiology and serum metabolomics in Hunan Province, China.

Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) can influence the host's neurotransmission, central immune responses, and brain structure, potentially impacting the onset and development of various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. We employed Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) to measure anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in 451 schizophrenic patients and 478 individuals from the general population in Hunan, China. The incidence rate of T.gondii infection in schizophrenic patients (8.87 %) was higher than that in the general population (3.77 %). A significant difference was observed among females, but not in males. Age-stratified analysis revealed significant differences in the 21-40 and 41-60 age groups. The two populations had no significant difference in the antibody titer for T. gondii infection. Additionally, the profile of circulating metabolites in the serum of schizophrenic patients with or without T. gondii infection was examined using non-targeted metabolomics assay. A total of 68 metabolites were differentially expressed between Toxoplasma-positive and Toxoplasma-negative groups, potentially mediating the connection between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia. Our research suggests that schizophrenic patients are susceptible to T. gondii infection with distinct metabolic program.

Prioritization of pharmaceuticals in water environment in China based on environmental criteria and risk analysis of top-priority pharmaceuticals.

Numerous studies have shown that a wide range of pharmaceuticals are present in the environment and many of their adverse biological effects on the aquatic ecosystem and human health are unknown. Due to the high population density and large number of pharmaceuticals produced and consumed in China, a systematic approach is needed to identify pharmaceuticals that require greater attention. The present study provides a ranking of pharmaceuticals in China in terms of their occurrence (O), persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) based on the predicted environmental concentration (PEC). The total and partial ranking method implemented in the decision analysis by ranking techniques (DART) tool was used, which is an easy-to-use tool for the analysis of datasets. Using the DART approach, 10 pharmaceuticals were selected as priority compounds. These pharmaceuticals included antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antilipidemic. In order to identify the characteristics of the priority pharmaceuticals, ecotoxicological endpoints were considered. The results of this study and the priority list facilitate the selection of candidate pollutants in future monitoring studies.

Improving the growth of Rubrivivax gelatinosus cultivated in sewage environment.

Rubrivivax gelatinosus cultivated in wastewater environment can combine the biomass resource recycling for generating chemicals with sewage purification. However, low biomass accumulation restricts the exertion of this advantage. Thus, this paper investigated Fe(3+) advancement for biomass production in starch wastewater under light-anaerobic condition. Results showed that addition of Fe(3+) was successful in enhancing biomass production, which certainly improved the feasibility of biomass recycling in R. gelatinosus starch wastewater treatment. With optimal Fe(3+) dosage (20 mg/L), biomass production reached 4,060 mg/L, which was 1.63 times that of control group. Amylase activity was improved by 48 %. Both COD removal and starch removal reached 90 %. Hydraulic retention time was shortened by 25 %. Proper Fe(3+) dosage enhanced biomass production, but excess Fe(3+) was harmful for biomass accumulation.

Strengthening the growth of Rubrivivax gelatinosus in sewage purification through ferric ion regulated photophosphorylation and respiration.

Rubrivivax gelatinosus has the potential of biomass resource recycling combined with sewage purification. However, low biomass production and yield restricts the potential for sewage purification. Thus, this research investigated the improvement of biomass production and yield and organics reduction by Fe(3+) in R. gelatinosus wastewater treatment. Results showed that 10-30 mg/L Fe(3+) improved biomass yield in wastewater to a level found in culture medium. With optimal dosage (20 mg/L), biomass production reached 4,300 mg/L, which was 1.67 times that of the control group. Biomass yield was improved by 43.3%. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal reached above 91%. Hydraulic retention time was shortened by 25%. Mechanism analysis indicated that Fe(3+) enhanced the succinate and NADH dehydrogenase activities and, bacteriochlorophyll content in three energy metabolism pathways. These effects then enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, which led to more biomass accumulation and COD removal. With 20 mg/L Fe(2+) dosage, succinate and NADH dehydrogenase, coproporphyrinogen III oxidase activities, bacteriochlorophyll content and ATP production were improved, respectively, by 48.4, 50.8, 50, 67 and 56% compared to those of the control group.

Improving biomass resource recycling capacity of Rubrivivax gelatinosus cultivated in wastewater through regulating the generation and use of energy.

This paper investigated Mg2+ enhancement of biomass production through regulating the generation and use of energy in Rubrivivax gelatinosus wastewater treatment. Results showed that proper Mg2+ dosage range was 1.5-15 mg/L. With optimal Mg2+ dosage (10 mg/L), biomass production (5010 mg/L) was improved by 60%. Both protein and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals reached above 90%. Biomass yield improved by 38%. Hydraulic retention time was shortened by 25%. Mechanism analysis indicated that as activator, Mg2+ promoted specifically isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and Ca2+ / Mg2+ -ATPase activities in energy metabolism, and then improved the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the use of ATP. This enhanced the secretion and activity of protease, protein and COD removals, and then led to more biomass production. With 10 mg/L Mg2+, IDH and Ca2+ / Mg2+ -ATPase activities, ATP production, protease activity were improved by 43.8%, 40.6%, 39.4% and 46.5%, respectively.

Time-course whole blood transcriptome profiling provides new insights into Microtus fortis natural resistance mechanism to Schistosoma japonicum.

Microtus fortis is known as a non-susceptible animal host of S. japonicum. A better understanding of this animal immune defense mechanism during the early stage of infection may offer an alternative route for vaccine development or therapy. Here, we analyzed the whole blood transcriptome of M. fortis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify immune genes of biological relevance that might be involved in the mechanism of its resistance. The blood samples were collected from uninfected animals (control group) and infected animals at different time points (3, 7, 10 and 14 days post-infection). We identified 5310 sequences as unigenes and successfully annotated 4636 of them. The immune response was more intense at 10 dpi. The upregulated genes at this time point were mainly activated in the TNF and NF-kappa B signaling pathways, Th1, Th2and Th17 cell differentiation as well as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Based on the differentially expressed genes analysis, we report that the IF27L2B, RETN, PGRP, IFI35, TYROBP, S100A8, S100A11, CD162, CD88, CYBA, and LBP could play important roles in the mechanism of M. fortis resistance.

Inhibition of GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis triggered by Trichinella spiralis intervention contributes to the alleviation of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is increasing worldwide. Although there is currently no completely curative treatment, helminthic therapy shows certain therapeutic potential for UC. Many studies have found that Trichinella spiralis (T.s) has a protective effect on UC, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. METHODS: Balb/c mice drank dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce acute colitis and then were treated with T.s. In vitro experiments, the LPS combination with ATP was used to induce the pyroptosis model, followed by intervention with crude protein from T.s (T.s cp). Additionally, the pyroptosis agonist of NSC or the pyroptosis inhibitor vx-765 was added to intervene to explore the role of pyroptosis in DSS-induced acute colitis. The degree of pyroptosis was evaluated by western blot, qPCR and IHC, etc., in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: T.s intervention significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis by downregulating the expression of pyroptosis-related signatures in vitro (cellular inflammatory model) and in vivo (DSS-induced UC mice model). Furthermore, blockade of GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis by the caspase-1 inhibitor vx-765 has a similar therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC mice with T.s intervention, thus indicating that T.s intervention alleviated DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that T.s could alleviate the pathological severity UC via GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis, and it provides new insight into the mechanistic study and application of helminths in treating colitis.

Pattern recognition receptor signaling and innate immune responses to schistosome infection.

Schistosomiasis remains to be a significant public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite remarkable progress that has been made in the control of the disease over the past decades, its elimination remains a daunting challenge in many countries. This disease is an inflammatory response-driven, and the positive outcome after infection depends on the regulation of immune responses that efficiently clear worms and allow protective immunity to develop. The innate immune responses play a critical role in host defense against schistosome infection and pathogenesis. Initial pro-inflammatory responses are essential for clearing invading parasites by promoting appropriate cell-mediated and humoral immunity. However, elevated and prolonged inflammatory responses against the eggs trapped in the host tissues contribute to disease progression. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of innate immune responses is important for developing effective therapies and vaccines. Here, we update the recent advances in the definitive host innate immune response to schistosome infection, especially highlighting the critical roles of pattern recognition receptors and cytokines. The considerations for further research are also provided.

Lignocellulosic hydrogen production using dark fermentation by Clostridium lentocellum strain Cel10 newly isolated from Ailuropoda melanoleuca excrement.

Due to the characteristics of renewable and carbon-neutral, lignocellulose is considered to be one of the most potential, feasible, and ample resources for biofuel production on the Earth. However, the low energy conversion capacity of microorganisms is the primary bottleneck for utilizing lignocellulosic biomass to produce biofuel. In the present study, a mesophilic bacterial strain Cel10 identified as Clostridium lentocellum, according to 16S rRNA sequence homology, which can produce hydrogen from lignocellulose was isolated and characterized. The optimal conditions of hydrogen production from carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) are 37 °C, pH 7.0, and 5.0 g L-1. The H2 production peaked at 5.419 mmol H2 g-1 CMC under these conditions, which is relatively high compared to the other reported mesophilic bacteria that use cellulose as a substrate. Moreover, the H2-producing performance of strain Cel10 using cassava residues, a type of natural lignocellulosic feedstock, was also investigated. The results show that the hydrogen production peaked at 4.08 mmol H2 g-1 after 72 h of incubation, which is almost 1.2-3.8 times higher than the production of other mesophilic and thermophilic strains, while the highest cassava residues degradation rate reached 45.43%. The results validate that Clostridium lentocellum strain Cel10, newly isolated from Ailuropoda melanoleuca excrement, can offer a new method for directly converting lignocellulosic biomass to bio-hydrogen.

Occurrence and ranking of pharmaceuticals in the major rivers of China.

Residual pharmaceuticals have received widespread attention worldwide due to their continuous release and potential hazard to the environment. As a result of rapid development and a large population, China has become a country with high production and consumption of pharmaceuticals. This may be the main reason for the high detection frequencies and concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment in China. Rivers represent an important water resource and play an important role in the sustainable development of the Chinese economy and society. This study summarizes the occurrence of frequently detected pharmaceuticals in major rivers. A hazard score based on the occurrence, exposure potential, and environmental effects of pharmaceuticals was calculated and a prioritization approach was used to rank 166 pharmaceuticals that were detected in the aquatic environment of major rivers in China. The priority list provides a basis for selecting candidate pharmaceuticals for future site-specific monitoring in rivers.

Ranking and prioritizing pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment of China.

Pharmaceuticals have become "persistent" pollutants in the aquatic environment, due to their wide usage in daily life and their continuous release into the aquatic environment. Hence, prioritization and ranking lists are required to screen for target compounds as part of risk assessments. A ranking system based on three criteria, such as occurrence, exposure potential and ecological effects, was developed in this study for specific application to China. A total of 100 pharmaceuticals were selected as candidates based on the ranking system and available consumption data. These pharmaceuticals have been previously reported by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China. 13 pharmaceuticals were classified as priority pharmaceuticals, among which diclofenac, erythromycin, and penicillin G were highly prioritized. Due to their abuse, antibiotics contributed a majority to the priority pharmaceuticals among all therapeutic classes, indicating that antibiotics should be considered based on their behaviors in WWTPs. The pharmaceuticals ranking list achieved good applicability and will help to establish a focus for future monitoring and management of pharmaceuticals. It will also provide an important basis for both ecological risk assessment and pollution control of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment.

The Detoxification and Degradation of Benzothiazole from the Wastewater in Microbial Electrolysis Cells.

In this study, the high-production-volume chemical benzothiazole (BTH) from synthetic water was fully degraded into less toxic intermediates of simple organic acids using an up-flow internal circulation microbial electrolysis reactor (UICMER) under the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h. The bioelectrochemical system was operated at 25 ± 2 °C and continuous-flow mode. The BTH loading rate varied during experiments from 20 g·m-3·day-1 to 110 g·m-3·day-1. BTH and soluble COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency reached 80% to 90% under all BTH loading rates. Bioluminescence based Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 ecotoxicity testing demonstrated that toxicity was largely decreased compared to the BTH wastewater influent and effluent of two control experiments. The results indicated that MEC (Microbial Electrolysis Cell) was useful and reliable for improving BTH wastewater treatment efficiency, enabling the microbiological reactor to more easily respond to the requirements of higher loading rate, which is meaningful for economic and efficient operation in future scale-up.

[Degradation of benzothiazole in electro-assisted microbial reactor].

The oxidative degradation of benzothiazole (BTH) in a single-chamber electro-assisted microbial reactor was investigated. The effects of applied voltage and COD/BTH ratio on the performance of degrading benzothiazole were studied. The research showed that BTH was oxidized to 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole (OHBT), then thiazole ring scission, and BTH translated into 2-methylsulfonylaniline eventually. The degrading of benzothiazole was in conformity with the pseudo first-order kinetic model, and the pseudo first-order kinetic constant can be increased by raising the applied voltage and co-metabolism. When the applied voltage was 0.7 V and COD/BTH ratio was 30, the degradation rate was 96% in 48 h, achieving the detoxification of BTH, and that is advantageous to the biochemical treatment.