Enantioselective Optical Trapping of Multiple Pairs of Enantiomers by Focused Hybrid Polarized Beams.

Enantiomers (opposite chiral molecules) usually exhibit different effects when interacting with chiral agents, thus the identification and separation of enantiomers are of importance in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Here an optical approach is proposed to enantioselective trapping of multiple pairs of enantiomers by a focused hybrid polarized beam. Numerical results indicate that such a focused beam shows multiple local optical chirality of opposite signs in the focal plane, and can trap the corresponding enantiomers near the extreme value of optical chirality density according to the handedness of enantiomers. The number and positions of trapped enantiomers can be changed by altering the value and sign of polarization orders of hybrid polarized beams, respectively. The key to realizing enantioselective optical trapping of enantiomers is that the chiral optical force exerted on enantiomers in this focused field is stronger than the achiral optical force. The results provide insight into the optical identification and separation of multiple pairs of enantiomers and will find applications in chiral detection and sensing.

Preparation and Characterization of a Photo-Crosslinked Methacryloyl-Collagen Composite Film to Promote Corneal Nerve Regeneration via Surface Grafting of Taurine Molecules.

Blindness is frequently caused by corneal abnormalities, and corneal transplantation is the most effective treatment method. It is extremely important to develop high-quality artificial corneas because there are not enough donor corneas accessible for cornea transplantation. One of the most-often utilized materials is collagen, which is the primary component of natural cornea. Collagen-based corneal repair materials have good physicochemical properties and excellent biocompatibility, but how to promote the regeneration of the corneal nerve after keratoplasty is still a big challenge. In this research, in order to promote the growth of nerve cells on a collagen (Col) substrate, a novel collagen-based material was synthesized starting from the functionalization of collagen with unsaturated methacryloyl groups that three-dimensionally photopolymerize to a 3D network of chemically crosslinked collagen (ColMA), onto which taurine molecules were eventually grafted (ColMA-Tr). The physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the Col, ColMA and ColMA-Tr films were evaluated. By analyzing the results, we found that all the three samples had good moisture retention and aq high covalent attachment of methacryloyl groups followed by their photopolymerization improved the mechanical properties of the ColMA and ColMA-Tr. Most importantly, compared with ColMA, the taurine-modified collagen-MA film significantly promoted the growth of nerve cells and corneal epithelial cells on its surface. Our preliminary results suggest that this novel ColMA-Tr film may have potential use in cornea tissue engineering in the future.

A Multiparametric Fusion Deep Learning Model Based on DCE-MRI for Preoperative Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of microvascular invasion (MVI) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) by using a noninvasive method is an unresolved issue. Deep learning (DL) methods based on multiparametric fusion of MR images have the potential of preoperative assessment of MVI. PURPOSE: To investigate whether a multiparametric fusion DL model based on MR images can be used for preoperative assessment of MVI in ICC. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: A total of 519 patients (200 females and 319 males) with a single ICC were categorized as a training (n = 361), validation (n = 90), and an external test cohort (n = 68). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 1.5 T and 3.0 T; axial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence, diffusion-weighted imaging with a single-shot spin-echo planar sequence, and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging with T1-weighted three-dimensional quick spoiled gradient echo sequence. ASSESSMENT: DL models of multiparametric fusion convolutional neural network (CNN) and late fusion CNN were both constructed for evaluating MVI in ICC. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping was used for visual interpretation of MVI status in ICC. STATISTICAL TESTS: The DL model performance was assessed through the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) with the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were measured. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. RESULTS: In the external test cohort, the proposed multiparametric fusion DL model achieved an AUC of 0.888 with an accuracy of 86.8%, sensitivity of 85.7%, and specificity of 87.0% for evaluating MVI in ICC, and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 63.2% and 95.9%, respectively. The late fusion DL model achieved a lower AUC of 0.866, with an accuracy of 83.8%, sensitivity of 78.6%, specificity of 85.2% for evaluating MVI in ICC. DATA CONCLUSION: Our DL model based on multiparametric fusion of MRI achieved a good diagnostic performance in the evaluation of MVI in ICC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Identification and separation of chiral particles by focused circularly polarized vortex beams.

The identification and separation of chiral substances are of importance in the biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Here, we demonstrate that a focused circularly polarized vortex beam can, in the focal plane, selectively trap and rotate chiral dipolar particles via radial and azimuthal optical forces. The handedness and topological charge of the incident beam have strong influence on identifying and separating behavior: left- and right-handed circular polarizations lead to opposite effects on the particle of trapping and rotating, while the sign of topological charge will change the particle's rotation direction. Such effects are a direct result of the handedness and topological charge manifesting themselves in the directions of the spin angular momentum (SAM) and Poynting vector. The research provides insight into the chiral light-matter interaction and may find potential application in the identification and separation of chiral nanoparticles.

A predictive model integrating deep and radiomics features based on gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI for postoperative early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer worldwide, and early recurrence of HCC after curative hepatic resection is indicative of poor prognoses. We aim to develop a predictive model for postoperative early recurrence of HCC based on deep and radiomics features from multi-phasic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 472 HCC patients were included and divided into the training (n = 378) and validation (n = 94) cohorts in the retrospective study. We separately extracted radiomics features and deep features from eight phases of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and utilized the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression algorithm for feature selection and model construction. We integrated the selected two types of features into a combined model and established a radiomics model as well as a deep learning (DL) model for comparison. RESULTS: In the training and validation cohorts, the combined model demonstrated better performance for stratifying patients at high risk of early recurrence (AUC of 0.911 and 0.840, accuracy of 0.779 and 0.777, sensitivity of 0.927 and 0.769, specificity 0.720 and 0.779) than the radiomics model (AUC of 0.740 and 0.780) and the DL model (AUC of 0.887 and 0.813). CONCLUSION: The combined model integrating deep and radiomics features from multi-phasic MRI is efficient for noninvasively stratifying patients at high risk of early HCC recurrence after resection.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes liver cell pyroptosis under oxidative stress through NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a pivotal factor for HBV-induced hepatitis. Herein, we sought to investigate HBx-mediated NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and pyroptosis under oxidative stress. METHODS: The effect of HBx on the NLRP3 inflammasome was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence in hepatic HL7702 cells. Pyroptosis was evaluated by western blotting, lactate dehydrogenase release, propidium iodide staining, and transmission electron microscopy. NLRP3 expression in the inflammasome from liver tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated HL7702 cells, HBx triggered the release of pro-inflammatory mediators apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-18, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1); activated NLRP3; and initiated pro-inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis). HBx localized to the mitochondria, where it induced mitochondrial damage and production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS). Treatment of HL7702 cells with a mitoROS scavenger attenuated HBx-induced NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis. Expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1ß in liver tissues from patients were positively correlated with HBV DNA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by elevated mitoROS levels and mediated HBx-induced liver inflammation and hepatocellular pyroptosis under H2O2-stress conditions.

Hepatitis B Virus X protein elevates Parkin-mediated mitophagy through Lon Peptidase in starvation.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most prevalent cancer worldwide. Specially, Hepatitis B viurs X protein (HBx) is a leading factor in the progression of Hepatitis B viurs-related HCC. Nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment also contributes to tumor development. However, the role of HBx in nutrient-deprived HCC has received little investigation. Here, we show that HBx elevates PINK1-Parkin mediating mitophagy in starvation. HBx not only increases the PINK1/Parkin gene expression but also accelerates Parkin recruitment to partial mitochondria. Further analysis indicates that, HBx either promotes mitochondrial unfolded protein response, with remarkable mitochondrial LONP1 increases, or reduces LONP1 expression in cytosol inducing LONP1-Parkin pathway, both consequently enhancing mitophagy. Moreover, the enhanced mitophagy lowers mitochondrial apoptosis in starved hepatoma cells, and Bax is implied in the machinery. In addition, we define differential centrifuge, 3000 g or 12,000 g to pellet mitochondria, as an effective method to obtain distinct mitochondria. In collect, HBx regulates diverse aspects of LONP1 and Parkin, enhancing mitophagy in starvation. This study may shed new insights into the machinery development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Robust Entangled-Photon Ghost Imaging with Compressive Sensing.

This work experimentally demonstrates that the imaging quality of quantum ghost imaging (GI) with entangled photons can be significantly improved by properly handling the errors caused by the imperfection of optical devices. We also consider compressive GI to reduce the number of measurements and thereby the data acquisition time. The image reconstruction is formulated as a sparse total least square problem which is solved with an iterative algorithm. Our experiments show that, compared with existing methods, the new method can achieve a significant performance gain in terms of mean square error and peak signal⁻noise ratio.

Electrochemical method for the quantitative determination of Escherichia coli based on gold functionalized FTO substrate.

This work presents a novel rapid and sensitive label-free electrochemical method for the detection of bacteria on surface nanostructures. A simple electrochemical deposition and calcination method is employed to prepare different gold nanostructures on FTO substrate. The sensor based on nanostructure gold exhibits excellent linear relation between E. coli DH5α bacteria and the changes of ΔRct, especially FTO-GEDC-D30, with a correction coefficient R2 = 0.998. Both the spectrophotometric (OD600 methods) and fluorescence-staining methods also verified the reliability of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods for evaluating the antibacterial activity of the gold nanostructure.

A facile one-step folic acid modified partially oxidized graphene for high sensitivity tumor cell sensing.

A highly sensitive and selective tumor cell sensor based on partially oxidized graphene (POG) and folate acid (FA) composite was constructed. The POG was prepared through a modified Hummers method and characterized by means of Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The as-prepared POG exhibited the advantages of high electrochemical activity and a good capacity of linking amine derivatives. Using a facile one step reaction, the FA-modified POG was endowed with a more sensitive response to folate-expressing tumor cells than those sensors constructed by the two-step reaction, as well as high selectivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability.

An electrochemical DNA sensor based on polyaniline/graphene: high sensitivity to DNA sequences in a wide range.

A label-free electrochemical DNA sensor was fabricated by deposition of polyaniline and pristine graphene nanosheet (P/G(ratios)) composites in different mass ratios, DNA probe and bovine serum albumin (BSA) layer by layer on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to monitor every step of fabrication of P/G(ratio)-based DNA sensors and to evaluate the detection results in terms of the hybridization of complementary DNA, mutant DNA and non-complementary DNA. The results illustrate that the P/G(ratio)-based DNA sensor could highly efficiently detect complementary DNA from 0.01 pm to 1 µm and discriminate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In the process of detection, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), resulting from hybridization of a DNA probe, escaping from or remaining on the sensor surface, was monitored by changing the ratio of polyaniline (PANI) to graphene, which was decided by the competition between the electrostatic interaction and Brownian motion.

Expression and Function of FAM72A Gene in Multiple myelomaFAM72A.

AIMS: This study aims to comprehensively investigate the role of Family Member A with sequence similarity 72-A (FAM72A) in multiple myeloma. BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma poses significant challenges. This study delves into FAM72A's impact on key cellular processes, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets and enhancing our understanding of multiple myeloma progression. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the impact of FAM72A on the proliferation, apoptosis, and bortezomib sensitivity of multiple myeloma cell line U266. METHODS: qRT-PCR analyzed FAM72A expression levels in bone marrow samples from 30 patients with multiple myeloma and 10 healthy donors at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. Cell lines overexpressing FAM72A were constructed, and Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry were used to assess U266 cell proliferation, apoptosis, and sensitivity to bortezomib. Biological predictions for FAM72A were performed to find transcription factors binding to the FAM72A promoter region, verified using a luciferase assay. U266 cells were transfected with si-POU2F2 (POU class 2 homeobox 2), and the impact on cell proliferation was validated. Western blot analysis detected the expression of downstream proteins in the p53 signaling pathway. In vivo, experiments established a xenograft mouse model further to study the role of FAM72A in multiple myeloma. RESULTS: FAM72A was upregulated in multiple myeloma bone marrow tissues. Compared to the OE-NC group, the OE-FAM72A group showed increased Mouse Double Minute 2 homolog (MDM2) expression, decreased p53 expression, increased cell proliferation, and decreased apoptosis. POU2F2 was identified as the upstream transcription factor for FAM72A. Compared to the si-NC group, the si-POU2F2 group exhibited decreased MDM2 expression, increased p53 expression, slowed cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis. Silencing POU2F2 could reverse the pro-proliferative effect of over-expressing FAM72A in U266 cells. In vivo experiments in a xenograft mouse model further studied the role of FAM72A in multiple myeloma. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of FAM72A promotes U266 cell proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, and reduces sensitivity to bortezomib by regulating the POU2F2/FAM72A/p53 signaling pathway.

New insight into enhanced carbon recovery from anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge with cation exchange resin coupled with NaCl pretreatment.

Carbon recovery from waste activated sludge has been attracting considerable attention. However, the migration and transformation patterns of carbon sources between the phases have rarely been reported. In this study, a novel strategy using cation exchange resin (CER) coupled with sodium chloride (NaCl) to enhance carbon recovery through anaerobic fermentation (AF) was proposed. The results demonstrated that CER coupled with NaCl destroyed OH and CO stretching in amide I while promoting the formation of ß-sheet and random coil structures, leading to sludge disintegration. This significantly improved the kinetics of endogenous carbon release, resulting in the release of 1146.33 mg/L of carbon from the solid sludge into the liquid phase. Approximately 75.61 % of the initial carbon source was bio-transformed into short-chain fatty acids. Correspondingly, carbon recovery was significantly increased up to 852.23 mg C/L, 4.57 times that of the control. Mechanism exploration revealed that carbon source recovery was significantly elevated by the synergistic effect of CER and NaCl. CER effectively removed high-valence cations from extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), weakening its bridging and adsorption-electro neutralization capabilities, promoting protein deflocculation, and triggering EPS disruption to release extracellular carbon sources. NaCl disrupted the ionic strength and distribution inside and outside microbial cells, creating an osmotic pressure difference that resulted in cell plasmolysis and lysis, ultimately inducing the release of intracellular carbon sources. Economic and carbon emission reduction benefit analyses verified that the CER coupled with NaCl pretreatment is a cost-effective sludge treatment strategy. This study illustrates the carbon source migration and transformation pathways in the CER coupled with NaCl-assisted AF process, providing guidance for sustainable sludge management.

Nonparametric Bayesian functional selection in 1-M matched case-crossover studies.

The matched case-crossover study has been used in many areas such as public health, biomedical, and epidemiological research for humans, animals, and other subjects with clustered binary outcomes. The control information for each stratum is based on the subject's exposure experience, and the stratifying variable is the individual subject. It is generally accepted that any effects associated with the matching covariates by stratum can be removed in the conditional logistic regression model. However, when there are numerous covariates, it is important to perform variable selection to study the functional association between the variables and the relative risk of diseases or clustered binary outcomes by simultaneously adjusting effect modifications. The methods for simultaneously evaluating effect modifications by matching covariates such as time, as well as performing automatic variable and functional selections under semiparametric model frameworks, are quite limited. In this article, we propose a unified Bayesian approach due to its ability to detect both parametric and nonparametric relationships between the predictors and the relative risk of diseases or binary outcomes, accounting for potential effect modifications by matching covariates such as time, and perform automatic variable and functional selections. We demonstrate the advantages of our approach using simulation study and an epidemiological example of a 1-4 bidirectional case-crossover study.

Preparation and investigation of a novel antibacterial collagen-based material loaded with gentamicin following surface modification with citric acid for corneal tissue engineering.

Corneal disease is an important clinical problem that affects millions of blind people and keratoplasty is currently the most successful treatment for corneal blindness. Unfortunately, there is a very high risk of bacterial infection during corneal transplantation. In this study, we proposed a novel synthetic collagen-based film for corneal therapy, and we effectively incorporated aminoglycoside gentamicin molecules onto the surface of the collagen film. We anticipate that this collagen-based substance will be antimicrobial and repair corneal tissue damage. Three steps were used to create this gentamicin-modified carboxylated collagen film, including: (i) Cross-link the collagen molecules with 1-ethyl-3- (3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and n-hydroxysuccinimide to create a collagen (Col) film. (ii) Citric acid was used to modify the Col film's surface in order to increase the number of carboxyl groups there (ColCA). (iii) Gentamicin molecules were grafted onto the surface of ColCA film by forming amide bonds (ColCA-GM). We discovered that this ColCA-GM film has good physicochemical properties and excellent biocompatibility. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that treating collagen films with citric acid significantly improved the antibacterial properties of ColCA-GM film. The outcomes point to a variety of potential applications for this novel film in corneal tissue engineering.

Modulation of metal species as control point for Ni-catalyzed stereodivergent semihydrogenation of alkynes with water.

A base-assisted metal species modulation mechanism enables Ni-catalyzed stereodivergent transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes with water, delivering both olefinic isomers smoothly using cheap and nontoxic catalysts and additives. Different from most precedents, in which E-alkenes derive from the isomerization of Z-alkene products, the isomers were formed in orthogonal catalytic pathways. Mechanistic studies suggest base as a key early element in modulation of the reaction pathways: by adding different bases, nickel species with disparate valence states could be accessed to initiate two catalytic cycles toward different stereoisomers. The practicability of the method is showcased with nearly 70 examples, including internal and terminal triple bonds, enynes and diynes, affording semi-hydrogenated products in high yields and selectivity.

Preliminary observation of thyroid function changes in subclinical thyroid diseases.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 1.95% and 5.55% of adults in China suffer from subclinical thyroid diseases, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the development and prognosis of subclinical thyroid diseases to provide a reference from our single center experience. METHODS: A total of 240 cases from April 2019 to August 2021 in the laboratory information system database of Huanghua Development Boai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Binary logistic regression was conducted to analyze odds ratio (OR) of subclinical thyroid disease types returning to a normal state. RESULTS: Among the patients hypothyroidism Ia and hyperthyroidism Ia were the most common type with conversion to the normal state (P< 0.001). TSH level of patients with conversion to a normal state was significantly lower than that of those who developed to abnormal disease (P= 0.015). The OR values of hyperthyroidism Ia and hypothyroidism Ia that returned to a normal state compared with hyperthyroidism Ib were 2.659 (1.159 ∼ 6.096, P= 0.021) and 3.138 (1.1.278 ∼ 7.709, P= 0.013), respectively. The OR value of hypothyroidism Ib that returned to normal compared with hyperthyroidism Ib was 0.629 (0.131 ∼ 3.010, P= 0.561). Thyroid hormone levels, age, and gender at first diagnosis were not impact factor for prognosis of subclincal thyroid disease (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cases with grade hypothyroidism Ia and hyperthyroidism Ia are more likely to revert to normal state than other subclinical thyroid diseases. TSH reference range should be explored for diagnosis and treatment.

Short-term application of diquafosol ophthalmic solution benefits children with dry eye wearing orthokeratology lens.

Purpose: This aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3% Diquafosol Ophthalmic Solution (DQS) on children with dry eye from wearing overnight orthokeratology (OrthoK) lenses. Methods: Myopic children aged 8-18 years with dry eye syndrome were enrolled in this prospective observational study, and they were grouped according to their OrthoK treatment history for at least 1 year. All participants received DQS 4 times per day for 1 month. The following indicators were measured at baseline 1 month after treatment: the Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5), non-invasive tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive tear film break-up time (first and average, NIBUT-F and NIBUT-A), meibomian gland score (MG score), conjunctival hyperemia redness score (R-scan), and blink pattern analysis. Results: A total of 104 participants (189 eyes) including 40 OrthoK wearers (72 eyes) and 64 Orthok candidates (117 eyes) completed the study. Of all, after DQS treatment for 1 month, DEQ-5 scores reduced from 5.54 ± 3.25 to 3.85 ± 2.98 (t = -3.36, p = 0.00). TMH increased from 0.20 ± 0.05 mm to 0.21 ± 0.05 mm (t = 2.59, p = 0.01), NIBUT-F and NIBUT-A were prolonged from 6.67 ± 4.71 s to 10.32 ± 6.19 s and from 8.86 ± 5.25 s to 13.30 ± 6.03 s (all p = 0.00), respectively. R-scan decreased from 0.69 ± 0.28 to 0.50 ± 0.25 (t = -9.01, p = 0.00). Upper MG scores decreased from 1.04 ± 0.32 to 0.97 ± 0.36 (t = -2.14, p = 0.03). Lower MG scores, partial blink rate, partial blinks, and total blinks did not change significantly. Both break-up time (BUT) and R-scan improved significantly after DQS treatment for 1 month (all p = 0.00) in OrthoK candidates and OrthoK wearers. Among the OrthoK wearers, TMH and dry eye symptoms increased significantly (all p = 0.00) but did not increase in OrthoK candidates (p > 0.05). There were no adverse events related to DQS. Conclusion: Diquafosol Ophthalmic Solution was effective for children wearing overnight orthokeratology in relieving dry eye symptoms and improving ocular surface parameters, which may help improve children's OrthoK wearing tolerance and compliance.

New insights into the mechanisms underlying biochar-assisted sustained high-efficient co-digestion: Reducing thermodynamic constraints and enhancing extracellular electron transfer flux.

To clarify the roles of biochar in the anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) and food waste (FW), batch tests were conducted coupled with thermodynamics, extracellular electron transfer flux and microbial community analysis. Compared with the control group, biochar significantly facilitated the co-digestion at three periods, but its sustainable facilitation was mainly in the syntrophic methanogenesis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The thermodynamic analysis confirmed that biochar could alleviate limitations imposed by high hydrogen partial pressure during interspecies hydrogen transfer (IHT), the thermodynamic windows was expanded 137% and 92% in the syntrophic methanogenesis of acetate and propionate, respectively. Meanwhile, due to the redox capacity of biochar (4.85 and 0.35 µmol e-/g biochar), the equivalent current of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) flux for syntrophic methanogenesis of acetate and propionate obtained were 1.0 × 10-4 A and 0.9 × 10-4 A, which were 108 times than that of IHT. It should be noticed that the functional microorganisms like Methanosarcina which could participate DIET were only enriched on the surface of biochar, the dominant Methanothermobacter in suspended sludge probably indicate IHT was still the main pathway for syntrophic methanogenesis. Nevertheless, the DIET triggered by the redox-active moieties on the surface of biochar and the enhanced IHT by alleviating thermodynamic restrictions, promoted the syntrophic methanogenesis synergistically.

Biodiversity and Physiological Characteristics of Novel Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Strains Isolated from Human Feces.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is prevalent in the human gut and is a potential candidate for next-generation probiotics (NGPs) or biotherapeutics. However, the biodiversity and physiological characteristics of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii remain unclear. This study isolated 26 novel F. prausnitzii strains from human feces using a combination of negative screening and prime-specific PCR amplification (NSPA). Based on a 16S rRNA gene analysis, F. prausnitzii strains can be classified into two main phylogroups (phylogroups I and II), which were further clustered into five subgroups (I-A, II-B, II-C, II-D, and II-E). The ultrastructure, colony morphology, growth performance, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing ability were found to be variable among these F. prausnitzii isolates. The optimal pH for the isolates growth ranged between 6.0 and 7.0, while most isolates were inhibited by 0.1% of bile salts. Antimicrobial resistance profiles showed that all F. prausnitzii isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, whereas >80% were kanamycin and gentamicin resistant. Additionally, all strains can utilize maltose, cellulose, and fructose but not xylose, sorbose, and 2'-FL. Overall, our work provides new insights into the biodiversity and physiological characteristics of F. prausnitzii, as well as the choices of strains suitable for NGPs.