Effect of microbial inoculum on composting efficiency in the composting process of spent mushroom substrate and chicken manure.

This work aimed to investigate the microbial mechanisms for the improvement of composting efficiency driven by the compound microbial inoculum (MI) (Bacillus subtilis SL-44, Enterobacter hormaechei Rs-189 and Trichoderma reesei) during co-composting of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken manure (CM). The treatments used in the study were as follows: 1) MI (inoculation with microbial inoculum), 2) CI (inoculation with commercial microbial inoculum), and 3) CK (without inoculation). The results demonstrated that MI increased the seed germination index (GI) by 25.11%, and contents of humus, humic acid (HA) and available phosphorus (AP) were correspondingly promoted by 12.47%, 25.93% and 37.16%, respectively. The inoculation of MI increased the temperature of the thermophilic stage by 3-7 °C and achieved a cellulose degradation rate of 52.87%. 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that Actinobacteria (11.73-61.61%), Firmicutes (9.46-65.07%), Proteobacteria (2.86-32.17%) and Chloroflexi (0.51-10.92%) were the four major phyla during the inoculation composting. Bacterial metabolic functional analysis revealed that pathways involved in amino acid and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism were boosted in the thermophilic phase. There was a positive correlation between bacterial communities and temperature, humification and phosphorus fractions. The average dry weight, fresh weight and seedling root length in the seedling substrates adding MI compost were 1.13, 1.23 and 1.06 times higher than those of the CK, respectively. This study revealed that biological inoculation could improve the composting quality and efficiency, potentially benefiting the resource utilization of agricultural waste resources.

Biomimetic Charge-Neutral Anion Receptors for Reversible Binding and Release of Highly Hydrated Phosphate in Water.

Control of phosphate capture and release is vital in environmental, biological, and pharmaceutical contexts. However, the binding of trivalent phosphate (PO4 3-) in water is exceptionally difficult due to its high hydration energy. Based on the anion coordination chemistry of phosphate, in this study, four charge-neutral tripodal hexaurea receptors (L1-L4), which were equipped with morpholine and polyethylene glycol terminal groups to enhance their solubility in water, were synthesized to enable the pH-triggered phosphate binding and release in aqueous solutions. Encouragingly, the receptors were found to bind PO4 3- anion in a 1 : 1 ratio via hydrogen bonds in 100 % water solutions, with L1 exhibiting the highest binding constant (1.2×103 M-1). These represent the first neutral anion ligands to bind phosphate in 100 % water and demonstrate the potential for phosphate capture and release in water through pH-triggered mechanisms, mimicking native phosphate binding proteins. Furthermore, L1 can also bind multiple bioavailable phosphate species, which may serve as model systems for probing and modulating phosphate homeostasis in biological and biomedical researches.

Insight into the microbial mechanisms for the improvement of spent mushroom substrate composting efficiency driven by phosphate-solubilizing Bacillus subtilis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial mechanisms for the improvement of composting efficiency after Bacillus subtilis inoculation with soluble phosphorus function in the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) aerobic composting. The methods in this study, including redundant analysis (RDA), co-occurrence network analyze and Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt 2) were carried out studying the dynamic changes of phosphorus (P) components, microbial interactions and metabolic characteristics in the SMS aerobic composting inoculated with phosphorus-solubilizing B. subtilis (PSB). An increase in germination index (GI) (up to 88.4%), total nitrogen (TN) (16.6 g kg-1), available P content (0.34 g kg-1) and total P (TP) content (3.20 g kg-1) and a decrease in total organic carbon (TOC), C/N and electrical conductivity (EC) in final composting stage indicated B. subtilis inoculation could further improve maturity quality of the composting product compared with CK. Other results also demonstrated that PSB inoculation increased the stability of compost, humification degree and bacterial diversity, contributing to P fractions transformation in the composting process. Co-occurrence analysis suggested that PSB strengthened microbial interactions. Metabolic function of bacterial community analysis showed pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism, and amino acid metabolism in the composting were increased by effects of PSB inoculation. In summary, this study reveals a useful basis for better regulating the P nutrient level of the SMS composting and reducing environmental risks by inoculating B. subtilis with P solubilizing function.

Impact of revascularization in patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm and ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmia is a leading cause of cardiac death among patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm (PI-LVA). The effect of coronary revascularization in PI-LVA patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmia remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the impact of revascularization therapy on clinical outcomes in these patients. METHODS: A total of 238 PI-LVA patients were enrolled, and 59 patients were presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Patients were classified into 4 groups by treatment strategies (medical or revascularization) and the presence of VT/VF: group 1 (n = 57): VT/VF- and revascularization-; group 2 (n = 122): VT/VF- and revascularization+; group 3 (n = 34): VT/VF+ and revascularization+; and group 4 (n = 25): VT/VF+ and revascularization-. The clinical outcomes were compared, and the primary endpoint was cardiac death or heart transplantation. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 45 ± 16 months, and 41 patients (17.2%) reached the primary endpoint. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that in VT/VF- patients, revascularization associated with higher cardiac survival compared with medical therapy (log-rank p = .002), but in VT/VF+ patients, revascularization did not predict better cardiac outcome (log-rank p = .901). Cox regression analysis revealed PET-EF (HR 4.41, 95% CI: 1.72-11.36, p = .002) and moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (HR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.02-5.30, p = .046) as independent predictors of adverse cardiac outcome in patients with VT/VF. CONCLUSION: PI-LVA patients with VT/VF are at high risk of adverse cardiac outcome, and coronary revascularization does not mitigate this risk, although revascularization was associated with higher cardiac survival in PI-LVA patients without VT/VF.

Linc00210 drives Wnt/ß-catenin signaling activation and liver tumor progression through CTNNBIP1-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: Liver tumor initiating cells (TICs) have self-renewal and differentiation properties, accounting for tumor initiation, metastasis and drug resistance. Long noncoding RNAs are involved in many physiological and pathological processes, including tumorigenesis. DNA copy number alterations (CNA) participate in tumor formation and progression, while the CNA of lncRNAs and their roles are largely unknown. METHODS: LncRNA CNA was determined by microarray analyses, realtime PCR and DNA FISH. Liver TICs were enriched by surface marker CD133 and oncosphere formation. TIC self-renewal was analyzed by oncosphere formation, tumor initiation and propagation. CRISPRi and ASO were used for lncRNA loss of function. RNA pulldown, western blot and double FISH were used to identify the interaction between lncRNA and CTNNBIP1. RESULTS: Using transcriptome microarray analysis, we identified a frequently amplified long noncoding RNA in liver cancer termed linc00210, which was highly expressed in liver cancer and liver TICs. Linc00210 copy number gain is associated with its high expression in liver cancer and liver TICs. Linc00210 promoted self-renewal and tumor initiating capacity of liver TICs through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Linc00210 interacted with CTNNBIP1 and blocked its inhibitory role in Wnt/ß-catenin activation. Linc00210 silencing cells showed enhanced interaction of ß-catenin and CTNNBIP1, and impaired interaction of ß-catenin and TCF/LEF components. We also confirmed linc00210 copy number gain using primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples, and found the correlation between linc00210 CNA and Wnt/ß-catenin activation. Of interest, linc00210, CTNNBIP1 and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling targeting can efficiently inhibit tumor growth and progression, and liver TIC propagation. CONCLUSION: With copy-number gain in liver TICs, linc00210 is highly expressed along with liver tumorigenesis. Linc00210 drives the self-renewal and propagation of liver TICs through activating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Linc00210 interacts with CTNNBIP1 and blocks the combination between CTNNBIP1 and ß-catenin, driving the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Linc00210-CTNNBIP1-Wnt/ß-catenin axis can be targeted for liver TIC elimination.

LncAPC drives Wnt/ß-catenin activation and liver TIC self-renewal through EZH2 mediated APC transcriptional inhibition.

Liver tumor initiating cells (TICs), a small subset cells in tumor bulk, are responsible for liver tumor initiation, metastasis, and relapse. However, the regulatory mechanism of liver TICs remains largely unknown. Here we found a long noncoding RNA lncAPC, locating near from APC locus, was highly expressed in liver cancer and liver TICs. LncAPC was required for liver TIC self-renewal. Silencing and overexpressing lncAPC showed impaired and enhanced sphere formation capacity of liver TICs, respectively. By recruiting EZH2 to APC promoter, LncAPC inhibits APC transcription and thus drives the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Attenuate binding between EZH2 and APC promoter was observed upon lncAPC knockdown. What is more, lncAPC-EZH2-APC axis can be targeted to eliminate liver TICs. Altogether, LncAPC promotes liver TIC self-renewal through EZH2-dependent APC transcriptional inhibition.

Prevalence and prognosis of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm: Analysis of 575 cases.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) in Post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm (PI-LVA) patients and analyze clinical outcomes in patients presenting with VT/VF. METHODS: 575 PI-LVA patients were enrolled and investigated by logistic regression analysis. Patients with VT/VF were followed up, the composite primary endpoint was cardiac death and appropriate ICD/external shocks. RESULTS: The incidence of sustained VT/VF was 11%. Logistical regression analysis showed male gender, enlarged LV end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and higher NYHA class were correlated with VT/VF development. During follow up of 46 ±â€¯15 months, 19 out of 62(31%) patients reached study end point. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that enlarged LVEDD and moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were independently predictive of clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, enlarged LVEDD and higher NYHA class associated with risk of sustained VT/VF in PI-LVA patients. Among VT/VF positive patients, enlarged LVEDD and moderate/severe MR independently predicted poor clinical prognosis.

Pharmacological Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice Cardiac Fibroblast and Post-Myocardial-Infarction Models.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-mediated signaling in hypoxia-induced cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) differentiation and cardiac fibrosis post-myocardial infarction (MI) on a mice model. METHODS: CFs of neonatal C57BL/6 mice were treated under normoxic, hypoxic, or hypoxic+PP2 (known as a Src kinase family inhibitor) conditions. Gene expressions of FAK, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1α1), or α-SMA and vimentin levels were performed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Thirty mice were surgically treated into Sham (n=7) and MI (n=23) groups; and FAK inhibitor PF-562271 was given to six survivor MI mice (as PF group, from 15 survivors). Heart function and collagenous tissues were examined by echocardiography, as well as by Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining, respectively. Type I collagen, FAK protein, mTOR, ERK1/2, AKT, P70S6K and phospho-FAK levels were also analyzed. RESULTS: FAK inhibition with PP2 significantly decreased CFs differentiation and collagen synthesis under hypoxia treatment. In vivo, PF-562271 treatment resulted in fibrosis attenuation; however, deteriorated heart function of MI mice could not be significantly improved. PF-562271 may affect phospho-mTOR (p<0.05), phospho-ERK1/2 (p<0.01), phospho-AKT (p<0.001) and phospho-P70S6K (p<0.05) to exert its benefits. FAK can be activated either under hypoxia in CFs or MI in a mouse model to promote fibrosis. However, pharmacological inhibition of FAK can attenuate fibrosis response. CONCLUSION: This study provides novel evidence that FAK inhibition may become a promising pharmaceutical strategy to attenuate fibrosis post-MI.

Digital economy, innovation factor allocation and industrial structure transformation-A case study of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster in China.

The attainment of regional high-quality development necessitates the critical role of the digital economy in facilitating the transformation of industrial structures. This study intends to investigate the effect of the digital economy on industrial structure transformation from the perspective of innovation factor allocation using a panel dataset of 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region for the period from 2011 to 2020. This paper considers four dimensions to measure the level of industrial structure transformation i.e. industrial structure servitization, industrial structure upgradation, service industry structure upgradation and industrial interaction level. The results of the study suggest that the digital economy can significantly improve industrial structure transformation. The results remain consistent even after several robustness checks. Further, the analysis of the mechanism of action shows that the digital economy can promote industrial structure transformation by optimizing the innovation factor allocation. The study provides several policy implications for the digital economy and its role in the promotion of industrial structure transformation.

Ghrelin and its relation with N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide, endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate ghrelin levels in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and the association of ghrelin with N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO). METHODS: Plasma ghrelin, N-BNP, ET-1 and NO were measured, and echocardiography was performed in 20 IPAH patients and in 20 control subjects matched for age, sex and body mass index. RESULTS: Plasma ghrelin and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in IPAH patients compared with values in control subjects (p < 0.05). In IPAH patients, ghrelin levels correlated positively with N-BNP (r = 0.616, p = 0.004), NO (r = 0.464, p = 0.039), right ventricle diameter (RVD; r = 0.485, p = 0.030) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP; r = 0.591, p = 0.006). N-BNP levels correlated positively with RVD (r = 0.551, p = 0.012) and ET-1 (r = 0.451, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma ghrelin levels were elevated in IPAH. Increased ghrelin levels correlated positively with N-BNP, PASP, RVD and NO, and N-BNP levels correlated positively with RVD and ET-1. Pulmonary vascular pathology is a complex imbalance of opposing forces. Ghrelin may not only provide a novel prognostic biomarker for IPAH but also be a potential new therapeutic strategy.

Big endothelin-1 as a clinical marker for ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is the leading cause of death in post-infarction patients. Big endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide and plays a role in ventricular tachyarrhythmia development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the serum concentration of big ET-1 and ventricular tachyarrhythmia in post-infarction left ventricular aneurysm (PI-LVA) patients. METHODS: A total of 222 consecutive PI-LVA patients who had received medical therapy were enrolled in the study. There were 43 (19%) patients who had ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) at the time of admission. The clinical characteristics were observed and the plasma big ET-1 level was measured. Associations between big ET-1 and the presence of VT/VF were assessed. Patients were followed up to check for outcomes related to cardiovascular mortality, VT/VF attack, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The median concentration of big ET-1 was 0.635 pg/mL. Patients with big ET-1 concentrations above the median were more likely to have higher risk clinical features. There was a positive correlation between the level of big ET-1 with VT/VF attack (r=0.354, p<0.001). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, big ET-1 (OR=4.06, 95% CI: 1.77-9.28, p<0.001) appeared as an independent predictive factor for the presence of VT/VF. Multiple Cox regression analysis suggested that big ET-1 concentration was independently predictive of VT/VF attack (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5, p<0.001). NT-proBNP and left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤35% were demonstrated to be independently predictive of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Increased big ET-1 concentration in PI-LVA patients is a valuable independent predictor for the prevalence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and VT/VF attacks during follow-up after PI-LVA treatment.

Inhibitory effect of iron on in vitro proliferation of smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Iron is a biocorrodible metal that might be used in bioabsorbable stents. This study investigated the effects at the cellular and protein levels of soluble divalent iron (ferrous gluconate) and soluble trivalent iron (ferric chloride) on the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) in vitro. METHODS: The water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) test was used to evaluate the effect of iron on proliferation of HASMC and Western blotting was used to measure the levels of signaling proteins involved in proliferative and apoptosis pathways. RESULTS: HASMC proliferation was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner after treatment with soluble divalent and trivalent iron at concentrations of 100-500 µmol/L. Western blotting analysis showed that the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression following treatment with soluble divalent iron and trivalent iron at 100, 300 and 500 µmol/L was reduced compared to the control. The PCNA expression decreased with increasing iron concentration and to a greater extent with the trivalent iron than with the divalent iron treatment group. The p53 expression was markedly increased in a concentration dependent manner in both iron treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The soluble divalent iron and, to a greater degree trivalent iron, inhibited HASMC proliferation in a dosedependent manner, which may be attributed to reduction of PCNA expression and increase of p53 expression.