Co-metabolic degradation and metabolite detection of hexabromocyclododecane by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a widely used brominated flame retardant; however, it is a persistent organic pollutant as well as affects the human thyroid hormones and causes cancer. However, the degradation of HBCD has received little attention from researchers. Due to its bioaccumulative and hazardous properties, an appropriate strategy for its remediation is required. In this study, we investigated the biodegradation of HBCD using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 under optimized conditions. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was implemented for the optimization of the physical degradation parameters of HBCD. S. oneidensis MR-1 showed the best degradation performance at a temperature of 30 °C, pH 7, and agitation speed of 115 rpm, with an HBCD concentration of 1125 µg/L in mineral salt medium (MSM). The strain tolerated up to 2000 µg/L HBCD. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified three intermediates, including 2-bromo dodecane, 2,7,10-trimethyldodecane, and 4-methyl-1-decene. The results provide an insightful understanding of the biodegradation of HBCD by S. oneidensis MR-1 under optimized conditions and could pave the way for further eco-friendly applications. KEY POINTS: • HBCD biodegradation by Shewanella oneidensis • Optimization of HBCD biodegradation by the Box-Behnken analysis • Identification of useful metabolites from HBCD degradation.

Role of metabolic risk factors in the relationship between ambient fine particulate matter and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a longitudinal population study.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence indicating a connection between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and depressive symptoms. Metabolic risk factors are critical determinants of depressive symptoms. However, the mediating role of these factors on the association between PM2.5 and depressive symptoms remains elusive. We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent metabolic risk factors mediated the link between long-term PM2.5 exposure and depressive symptoms. METHODS: This study comprised 7794 individuals aged between 30 and 79 years who participated in two waves of the on-site surveys in the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort. Ambient PM2.5 concentrations were assessed utilizing a random forest method based on satellite data. We employed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess depressive symptoms at wave 2, and the overall as well as three sub-domain symptom scores (emotional, neurovegetative, and neurocognitive symptoms) were calculated. Three metabolic risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, were considered. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess the indirect effects of PM2.5 on depressive symptoms through metabolic risk factors. RESULTS: We found a positive association between chronic exposure to ambient PM2.5 and overall depressive symptoms as well as the three sub-domains. In mediation analyses, metabolic risk factors partially mediated the associations of PM2.5 on depressive symptoms. The natural indirect effects (RR, 95% CI) of PM2.5 on overall, emotional, neurovegetative, and neurocognitive symptoms mediated through metabolic risk factors were 1.004(1.001, 1.007), 1.004 (1.001, 1.008), 1.004 (1.001, 1.007), and 1.003(0.999, 1.007), respectively. Larger indirect effects were found in elderly participants (mediated proportion, 29.3%), females (13.3%), and people who did not consume alcohol (19.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic risk factors may act as mediators in the relationship between chronic PM2.5 exposure and depression. Treatment of metabolic risk factors may be an opportunity to reduce the burden of depression caused by long-term exposure to PM2.5.

Complications of Fat Grafting and Repositioning for Correction of Lower Eyelid Pouch With Tear Trough Deformity or Lid-Cheek Junction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Fat grafting and repositioning may serve as a convenient, economical, and effective surgical method for correcting lower eyelid pouch with a tear trough deformity or lid-cheek junction. However, comprehensive systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the complications associated with this technique are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to summarize and gather data on complications related to fat grafting and repositioning for the correction of tear trough deformity or lid-cheek junction in lower eyelid blepharoplasty. METHODS: A thorough search was performed across multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, ProQuest, Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to screen the articles. The occurrence of complications was analyzed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies involving 4671 patients met the criteria for systematic evaluation and were included in this meta-analysis. The overall complication rates were 0.112 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.060-0.177) for total complications, 0.062 (95% CI: 0.003-0.172) for unsatisfactory correction or contour irregularity, 0.062 (95% CI: 0.009-0.151) for hematoma, swelling (not specified as bulbar conjunctiva), ecchymosis, or oozing of blood, and 0.024 (95% CI: 0.013-0.038) for reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting and repositioning for correcting a lower eyelid pouch with tear trough deformity or lid-cheek junction was associated with high rates of complications. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor the rates of unsatisfactory correction or contour irregularity, hematoma, swelling (not specified as bulbar conjunctiva), ecchymosis, or oozing of blood, and reoperation. In addition, effective communication with patients should be prioritized.

Sex-specific impacts of thimerosal on the behaviors and brain monoaminergic systems in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Thimerosal (THI) is the most widely used form of organic mercury in pharmaceutical and personal care products, and has become a major source of ethylmercury pollution in aquatic ecosystems. However, knowledge about its potential risk to aquatic species is limited. In this study, zebrafish were exposed to THI for 7 days, and variations in their behavioral traits, brain monoaminergic neurotransmitter contents, and related gene expression were investigated. After the 7-day exposure, THI reduced locomotor activity and thigmotaxis in males but not females. Exposure to THI increased the social interaction between females but decreased that between males. The THI exposure also significantly reduced the serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, dopamine (DA), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid contents in the brain of males, but only significantly decreased the DA content in females. Correlation analysis revealed that the neurochemical alterations in the brain of zebrafish play critical roles in the behavioral abnormalities induced by THI exposure. Moreover, THI also significantly altered the expression of some genes associated with the synthesis, metabolism, and receptor binding of 5-HT and DA in the brain of zebrafish. The differences in these gene expressions between female and male zebrafish exposed to THI seem to be an important mechanism underlying their sex-specific responses to this chemical. This is the first report on the sex-specific effects of THI on behaviors and brain monoaminergic neurotransmitter contents in zebrafish, which can further improve our understanding of its toxic effects on teleost.

Safety, Immunogenicity, and Effectiveness of Chinese-Made COVID-19 Vaccines in the Real World: An Interim Report of a Living Systematic Review.

Background: Several COVID-19 vaccines were developed and approved in China. Of these, the BIBB-CorV and CoronaVac inactivated whole-virion vaccines were widely distributed in China and developing countries. However, the performance of the two vaccines in the real world has not been summarized. Methods: A living systematic review based on findings from ongoing post-licensure studies was conducted, applying standardized algorithms. Articles published between 1 May 2020 and 31 May 2022 in English and Chinese were searched for in Medline, Embase, WanFang Data, medRxiv, bioRxiv, arXiv, SSRN, and Research Square, using SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and vaccine as the MeSH terms. Studies with estimates of safety, immunogenicity, and effectiveness from receiving the BIBB-CorV or CoronaVac vaccine that met the predefined screening criteria underwent a full-text review. The Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist and the Cochrane risk of bias were used for assessment of the quality. A random-effects meta-regression model was applied to identify the potential impact factors on the vaccines' effectiveness. Results: In total, 32578 articles were identified, of these, 770 studies underwent a full-text review. Eventually, 213 studies were included. The pooled occurrence of solicited and unsolicited adverse events after any dose of either vaccine varied between 10% and 40%. The top five commonly reported rare adverse events were immunization stress-related responses (211 cases, 50.0%), cutaneous responses (43 cases, 10.2%), acute neurological syndrome (39 cases, 9.2%), anaphylaxis (17 cases, 4.0%), and acute stroke (16 cases, 3.8%). The majority (83.3%) recovered or were relieved within several days. The peak neutralization titers against the ancestral strain was found within 1 month after the completion of the primary series of either vaccine, with a GMT (geometric mean titer) of 43.7 (95% CI: 23.2-82.4), followed by a dramatic decrease within 3 months. At Month 12, the GMT was 4.1 (95% CI: 3.8-4.4). Homologous boosting could restore humoral immunity, while heterologous boosting elicited around sixfold higher neutralization titers in comparison with homologous boosting. The effectiveness of receiving either vaccine against death and severe disease was around 85% for both shortly after the primary series. At Month 12, the protection against death did not decline, while the protection against severe disease decreased to ~75%. Conclusions: Both the BIBP-CorV and CoronaVac inactivated vaccines are safe. Sustained vaccine effectiveness against death was determined 12 months after the primary series, although protection against severe disease decreased slightly over time. A booster dose could strengthen the waning effectiveness; however, the duration of the incremental effectiveness and the additional benefit provided by a heterologous booster need to be studied.

Cafestol inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in xenograft mice by activating LKB1/AMPK/ULK1-dependent autophagy.

Chemotherapy failure in colorectal cancer patients is the major cause of recurrence and poor prognosis. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop drugs that have a good chemotherapy effect while also being extremely safe. In this study, we found cafestol inhibited colon cancer growth and HCT116 proliferation in vivo and in vitro, and improved the composition of intestinal flora. Further metabolomic data showed that autophagy and AMPK pathways were involved in the process of cafestol's anti-colon cancer effects. The functional validation studies revealed that cafestol increased autophagy vesicles and LC3B-II levels. The autophagic flux induced by cafestol was prevented by using BafA1. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA blocked the cafestol-induced increase in LC3B-II and cell proliferation inhibition. Then we found that cafestol induced the increased expressions of LKB1, AMPK, ULK1, p-LKB1, p-AMPK, and p-ULK1 proteins in vivo and in vitro. Using the siRNA targeted to the Lkb1 gene, the levels of AMPK, ULK1, and LC3B-II were suppressed under cafestol treatment. These results indicated that the effect of cafestol is through regulating LKB1/AMPK/ULK1 pathway-mediated autophagic death. Finally, a correlation matrix of the microbiome and autophagy-related proteins was conducted. We found that cafestol-induced autophagic protein expression was positively correlated with the beneficial intestinal bacteria (Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, Prevotellacece, and Alloprevotella) and negatively correlated with the hazardous bacteria. Conclusions: This study found that cafestol inhibited colon cancer in vitro and in vivo by the mechanism that may be related to LKB1/AMPK/ULK1 pathway-mediated autophagic cell death and improved intestinal microenvironment.