Ectomycorrhizal trees rely on nitrogen resorption less than arbuscular mycorrhizal trees globally.

Nitrogen (N) resorption is an important pathway of N conservation, contributing to an important proportion of plant N requirement. However, whether the ratio of N resorption to N requirement may be affected by environmental factors, mycorrhizal types or atmospheric CO2 concentration remains unclear. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis on the impacts of environmental factors and mycorrhizal types on this ratio. We found this ratio in ectomycorrhizal (EM) trees decreased with mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, soil total N content and atmospheric CO2 concentration and was significantly lower than that in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees. An in situ 15 N tracing experiment further confirmed that AM trees have a stronger reliance on N resorption than EM trees. Our study suggests that AM and EM trees potentially have different strategies for alleviation of progressive N limitation, highlighting the necessity of incorporating plant mycorrhizal types into Earth System Models.

A "Prime and Expand" strategy using the multifunctional fusion proteins to generate memory-like NK cells for cell therapy.

Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) using memory-like (ML) natural killer (NK) cells, generated through overnight ex vivo activation with IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, has shown promise for treating hematologic malignancies. We recently reported that a multifunctional fusion molecule, HCW9201, comprising IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 domains could replace individual cytokines for priming human ML NK cell programming ("Prime" step). However, this approach does not include ex vivo expansion, thereby limiting the ability to test different doses and schedules. Here, we report the design and generation of a multifunctional fusion molecule, HCW9206, consisting of human IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 cytokines. We observed > 300-fold expansion for HCW9201-primed human NK cells cultured for 14 days with HCW9206 and HCW9101, an IgG1 antibody, recognizing the scaffold domain of HCW9206 ("Expand" step). This expansion was dependent on both HCW9206 cytokines and interactions of the IgG1 mAb with CD16 receptors on NK cells. The resulting "Prime and Expand" ML NK cells exhibited elevated metabolic capacity, stable epigenetic IFNG promoter demethylation, enhanced antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo, and superior persistence in NSG mice. Thus, the "Prime and Expand" strategy represents a simple feeder cell-free approach to streamline manufacturing of clinical-grade ML NK cells to support multidose and off-the-shelf ACT.

Diagnostic Value of Clear Cell Likelihood Score v1.0 and v2.0 for Common Subtypes of Small Renal Masses: A Multicenter Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) is reliable for diagnosing small renal masses (SRMs). However, the diagnostic value of Clear cell likelihood score version 1.0 (ccLS v1.0) and v2.0 for common subtypes of SRMs might be a potential score extension. PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of ccLS v1.0 and v2.0 for characterizing five common subtypes of SRMs. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: 797 patients (563 males, 234 females; mean age, 53 ± 12 years) with 867 histologically proven renal masses. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCES: 3.0 and 1.5 T/T2 weighted imaging, T1 weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, a dual-echo chemical shift (in- and opposed-phase) T1 weighted imaging, multiphase dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. ASSESSMENT: Six abdominal radiologists were trained in the ccLS algorithm and independently scored each SRM using ccLS v1.0 and v2.0, respectively. All SRMs had definite pathological results. The pooled area under curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ccLS v1.0 and v2.0 for characterizing common subtypes of SRMs. The average κ values were calculated to evaluate the interobserver agreement of the two scoring versions. STATISTICAL TESTS: Random-effects logistic regression; Receiver operating characteristic analysis; DeLong test; Weighted Kappa test; Z test. The statistical significance level was P < 0.05. RESULTS: The pooled AUCs of clear cell likelihood score version 2.0 (ccLS v2.0) were statistically superior to those of ccLS v1.0 for diagnosing clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) (0.907 vs. 0.851), papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) (0.926 vs. 0.888), renal oncocytoma (RO) (0.745 vs. 0.679), and angiomyolipoma without visible fat (AMLwvf) (0.826 vs. 0.766). Interobserver agreement for SRMs between ccLS v1.0 and v2.0 is comparable and was not statistically significant (P = 0.993). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of ccLS v2.0 surpasses that of ccLS v1.0 for characterizing ccRCC, pRCC, RO, and AMLwvf. Especially, the standardized algorithm has optimal performance for ccRCC and pRCC. ccLS has potential as a supportive clinical tool. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Polymer Dielectrics with Outstanding Dielectric Characteristics via Passivation with Oxygen Atoms through C-F Vacancy Carbonylation.

The development of advanced electrical equipment necessitates polymer dielectrics with a higher electric strength. Unfortunately, this bottleneck problem has yet to be solved because current material modification methods do not allow direct control of deep traps. Here, we propose a method for directly passivating deep traps. Measurements of nanoscale microregion charge characteristics and trap parameters reveal a significant reduction in the number of deep traps. The resulting polymer dielectric has an impressively high electrical strength, less surface charge accumulation, and a significantly increased flashover voltage and breakdown strength. In addition, the energy storage density is increased without sacrificing the charge-discharge efficiency. This reveals a new approach to increasing the energy storage density by reducing the trap energy levels at the electrode-dielectric interface. We further calculated and analyzed the microscopic physical mechanism of deep trap passivation based on density functional theory and characterized the contributions of orbital composition and orbital hybridization.

The impact of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei GMNL-143 toothpaste on gingivitis and oral microbiota in adults: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the oral health benefits of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei GMNL-143, particularly its potential in oral microbiota alterations and gingivitis improvement. METHODS: We assessed GMNL-143's in vitro interactions with oral pathogens and its ability to prevent pathogen adherence to gingival cells. A randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial was performed on gingivitis patients using GMNL-143 toothpaste or placebo for four weeks, followed by a crossover after a washout. RESULTS: GMNL-143 showed coaggregation with oral pathogens in vitro, linked to its surface layer protein. In patients, GMNL-143 toothpaste lowered the gingival index and reduced Streptococcus mutans in crevicular fluid. A positive relationship was found between Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and gingival index changes, and a negative one between Campylobacter and gingival index changes in plaque. CONCLUSION: GMNL-143 toothpaste may shift oral bacterial composition towards a healthier state, suggesting its potential in managing mild to moderate gingivitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ID NCT04190485 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ); 09/12/2019, retrospective registration.

Isotopic evidence for increased carbon and nitrogen exchanges between peatland plants and their symbiotic microbes with rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations since 15,000 cal. year BP.

Whether nitrogen (N) availability will limit plant growth and removal of atmospheric CO2 by the terrestrial biosphere this century is controversial. Studies have suggested that N could progressively limit plant growth, as trees and soils accumulate N in slowly cycling biomass pools in response to increases in carbon sequestration. However, a question remains over whether longer-term (decadal to century) feedbacks between climate, CO2 and plant N uptake could emerge to reduce ecosystem-level N limitations. The symbioses between plants and microbes can help plants to acquire N from the soil or from the atmosphere via biological N2 fixation-the pathway through which N can be rapidly brought into ecosystems and thereby partially or completely alleviate N limitation on plant productivity. Here we present measurements of plant N isotope composition (δ15 N) in a peat core that dates to 15,000 cal. year BP to ascertain ecosystem-level N cycling responses to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We find that pre-industrial increases in global atmospheric CO2 concentrations corresponded with a decrease in the δ15 N of both Sphagnum moss and Ericaceae when constrained for climatic factors. A modern experiment demonstrates that the δ15 N of Sphagnum decreases with increasing N2 -fixation rates. These findings suggest that plant-microbe symbioses that facilitate N acquisition are, over the long term, enhanced under rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations, highlighting an ecosystem-level feedback mechanism whereby N constraints on terrestrial carbon storage can be overcome.

Development, Evaluation, and Application of Machine Learning Models for Accurate Prediction of Root Uptake of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.

Machine learning (ML) models were developed for understanding the root uptake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) under complex PFAS-crop-soil interactions. Three hundred root concentration factor (RCF) data points and 26 features associated with PFAS structures, crop properties, soil properties, and cultivation conditions were used for the model development. The optimal ML model, obtained by stratified sampling, Bayesian optimization, and 5-fold cross-validation, was explained by permutation feature importance, individual conditional expectation plot, and 3D interaction plot. The results showed that soil organic carbon contents, pH, chemical logP, soil PFAS concentration, root protein contents, and exposure time greatly affected the root uptake of PFASs with 0.43, 0.25, 0.10, 0.05, 0.05, and 0.05 of relative importance, respectively. Furthermore, these factors presented the key threshold ranges in favor of the PFAS uptake. Carbon-chain length was identified as the critical molecular structure affecting root uptake of PFASs with 0.12 of relative importance, based on the extended connectivity fingerprints. A user-friendly model was established with symbolic regression for accurately predicting RCF values of the PFASs (including branched PFAS isomerides). The present study provides a novel approach for profound insight into the uptake of PFASs by crops under complex PFAS-crop-soil interactions, aiming to ensure food safety and human health.

Mechanism and Association between Microbial Nitrogen Transformation in Rhizosphere and Accumulation of Ciprofloxacin in Choysum (Brassica parachinensis).

Rhizosphere microbiota are an important factor impacting plant uptake of pollutants. However, little is known about how microbial nitrogen (N) transformation in the rhizosphere affects the uptake and accumulation of antibiotics in plants. Here, we determined recruitment of N transformation functional bacteria upon ciprofloxacin (CIP) exposure, by comparing differences in assembly processes of both rhizospheric bacterial communities and N transformation between two choysum (Brassica parachinensis) varieties differing in CIP accumulation. The low accumulation variety (LAV) of CIP recruited more host bacteria (e.g., Nitrospiria and Nitrolancea) carrying nitrification genes (mainly nxrA) but fewer host bacteria carrying denitrification genes, especially narG, relative to the high accumulation variety (HAV) of CIP. The nxrA and narG abundance in the LAV rhizosphere were, respectively, 1.6-7.8 fold higher and 1.4-3.4 fold lower than those in the HAV rhizosphere. Considering that nitrate can decrease CIP uptake into choysum through competing for the proton motive force and energy, such specific bacteria recruitment in LAV favored the production and utilization of nitrate in its rhizosphere, thus limiting its CIP accumulation with 1.6-2.4 fold lower than the HAV. The findings give insight into the mechanism underlying low pollutant accumulation, filling the knowledge gap regarding the profound effects of rhizosphere microflora and N transformation processes on antibiotic accumulation in crops.

Successful treatment of a severe Takotsubo syndrome case complicated by liver abscess.

The main manifestations of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) are a spherical expansion of the left ventricle or near the apex and decreased systolic function. TTS is mostly thought to be induced by emotional stress, and the induction of TTS by severe infection is not often reported. A 72-year-old female patient with liver abscess reported herein was admitted due to repeated fever with a history of hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. Her severe infection caused TTS, and her blood pressure dropped to 80/40 mmHg. IABP treatment was performed immediately and continued for 10 days, and comprehensive medication was administered. Based on her disease course and her smooth recovery, general insights and learnings may be: Adding to mental and other pathological stress reaction, serious infections from pathogenic microorganism could be of great important causation of stress reaction leading to TTS, while basic diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes were be of promoting factors; In addition to effective drug therapies for TTS, the importance of the timely using of IABP should be emphasized.

Immunotherapeutic HCW9218 augments anti-tumor activity of chemotherapy via NK cell-mediated reduction of therapy-induced senescent cells.

Therapy induced senescence (TIS) in tumors and TIS cancer cells secrete proinflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. SASP factors promote TIS cancer cells to re-enter the growth cycle with stemness characteristics, resulting in chemo-resistance and disease relapse. Herein, we show that the immunotherapeutic HCW9218, comprising transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) receptor II and interleukin (IL)-15/IL-15 receptor α domains, enhances metabolic and cytotoxic activities of immune cells and reduces TIS tumor cells in vivo to improve the efficacy of docetaxel and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel against B16F10 melanoma and SW1990 pancreatic tumors, respectively. Mechanistically, HCW9218 treatment reduces the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enhances immune cell infiltration and cytotoxicity in the tumors to eliminate TIS cancer cells. Immuno-depletion analysis suggests that HCW9218-activated natural killer cells play a pivotal role in TIS cancer cell removal. HCW9218 treatment following docetaxel chemotherapy further enhances efficacy of tumor antigen-specific and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice. We also show that HCW9218 treatment decreases TIS cells and lowers SASP factors in off-target tissues caused by chemotherapy of tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, HCW9218 has the potential to significantly enhance anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapy, therapeutic antibodies, and checkpoint blockade by eliminating TIS cancer cells while reducing TIS-mediated proinflammatory side effects in normal tissues.

Effects of Sevoflurane and Propofol on Neurological Recovery of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients in the Early Postoperative Stage: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on neurological recovery of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the early postoperative stage.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of TBI patients who underwent craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy. Generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to analyze effects of propofol and sevoflurane on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze effects of the two anesthetics on Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge.Results A total of 340 TBI patients were enrolled in this study. There were 110 TBI patients who underwent craniotomy including 75 in the propofol group and 35 in the sevoflurane group, and 134 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy including 63 in the propofol group and 71 in the sevoflurane group. It showed no significant difference in GCS at admission between the propofol and the sevoflurane groups among craniotomy patients (ß = 0.75, 95%CI: -0.55 to 2.05, P = 0.260). However, elevation in GCS from baseline was 1.73 points (95%CI: -2.81 to -0.66, P = 0.002) less in the sevoflurane group than that in the propofol group on postoperative day 1, 2.03 points (95%CI: -3.14 to -0.91, P < 0.001) less on day 3, and 1.31 points (95%CI: -2.43 to -0.19, P = 0.022) less on day 7. The risk of unfavorable GOS (GOS 1, 2, and 3) at discharge was higher in the sevoflurane group (OR = 4.93, 95%CI: 1.05 to 23.03, P = 0.043). No significant difference was observed among two-group decompressive craniectomy patients in GCS and GOS.Conclusions Compared to propofol, sevoflurane was associated with worse neurological recovery during the hospital stay in TBI patients undergoing craniotomy. This difference was not detected in TBI patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy.

Climate change and women employment in agriculture in the Sahel region: An empirical insight

In recent times, the Sahel region has been particularly identified as the flash point of climate change crisis in Africa, due to the persistent reliance on both biophysical factors and natural resources, especially agriculture for economic livelihood. Agains t this scenario, this study provides an empirical evidence to establish the nexus between climate change and women employment in agriculture within the Sahel region. The study employed panel data from 1990 to 2020 of 9 countries within the Sahel region. Consequently, a panel Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) was used to estimate the relationship between the variables of interest. Thus, the results showed that about 60% of women in the Sahel region are actively employed in agriculture. However, change in rainfall pattern has a significant adverse effect on women employment in agriculture. In view of these findings, we conclude that a rise in women's employment in agriculture would be mitigated if adverse effects of changes in rainfall pattern are controlled. Additionally, policymakers should be proactive in policy formulation that increases the region's resilience and adaptation to the future adverse effects of agriculturally induced climate change.

Ces derniers temps, la région du Sahel a été particulièrement identifiée comme le foyer de la crise du changement climatique en Afrique, en raison de sa dépendance persistante à l'égard des facteurs biophysiques et des ressources naturelles, en particulier l'agriculture, pour ses moyens de subsistance. Face à ce scénario, cette étude fournit une preuve empirique permettant d'établir le lien entre le changement climatique et l'emploi des femmes dans l'agriculture dans la région du Sahel. L'étude a utilisé des données de panel de 1990 à 2020 provenant de 9 pays de la région du Sahel. Par conséquent, un panel de moindres carrés ordinaires entièrement modifiés (FMOLS) a été utilisé pour estimer la relation entre les variables d'intérêt. Ainsi, les résultats ont montré qu'environ 60 % des femmes de la région du Sahel sont activement employées dans l'agriculture. Cependant, le changement du régime des précipitations a un effet négatif important sur l'emploi des femmes dans l'agriculture. Au vu de ces résultats, nous concluons qu'une augmentation de l'emploi des femmes dans l'agriculture serait atténuée si les effets négatifs des changements dans le régime des précipitations étaient contrôlés. En outre, les décideurs politiques doivent être proactifs dans la formulation de politiques qui augmentent la résilience et l'adaptation de la région aux futurs effets néfastes du changement climatique induit par l'agriculture.

The effect of green channel for stroke patients on treatment of severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of green channel for stroke patients on the treatment of severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study. The clinical data of patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to the emergency department of our hospital from January 2015 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage, confirmed intracranial aneurysm by preoperative CT angiography or digital subtraction, graded Hunt-Hess grade III, IV, and V, < 72 h from the onset to the time of consultation received surgical treatment in our hospital were included in this study. Patients with serious underlying diseases, such as heart, liver, kidney diseases, or malignant tumors, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, previous history of cerebral hemorrhage, and incomplete data were excluded. The control group included patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted from January 2015 to December 2018 before the establishment of the green channel for stroke patients, and the observation group included patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted from January 2019 to June 2022 after the establishment of the green channel. The control group received routine treatment in the emergency department; the observation group received improved treatment of green channel for stroke patients. Gender, age, Hunt-Hess grade on admission, modified Rankin scale (mRS) on admission, aneurysm location, aneurysm size and whether accompanied by intracerebral hemorrhage, the time from onset to emergency department, the time from emergency department to vascular diagnostic examination, the time from onset to surgery, the time from emergency department to surgery, the time from hospital admission to surgery, length of hospital stay, complications, treatment effect were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. SPSS 23.0 software was utilized to conduct comparisons between the 2 groups. The t-test, Chi-square test, or Mann-Whitney U test was chosen based on the data type. Statistical significance was established when p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were included in this study, of whom 37 were in the control group and 34 were in the observation group. There were no statistical differences in age, gender, Hunt-Hess grade, mRS scores, aneurysm location, aneurysm size, intracerebral hemorrhage, the time from onset to emergency department, length of hospital stay, complications between the observation group and the control group (all p > 0.05). The time (min) from visit to vascular diagnostic test (60.50 vs. 120.00, p = 0.027), the time (min) from onset to surgery (1792.00 vs. 2868.00, p = 0.023), the time (min) from emergency department to surgery (1568.50 vs. 2778.00, p = 0.016), the time (min) from hospital admission to surgery (1188.50 vs. 2708.00, p = 0.043), all of them were shorter in the observation group than those in the control group. The relative values of admission and 7-day postoperative mRS scores and the relative values of admission and discharge mRS scores ≥ 2 were used as the criteria for determining better efficacy, and the treatment effect was better than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (admission to 7 days postoperative mRS score ≥ 2, 17 (50.0 %) vs. 8 (21.6 %), p = 0.012; admission to discharge mRS score ≥ 2, 19 (55.9 %) vs. 11 (29.7 %), p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The green channel for stroke patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage can effectively shorten the time from arrival at the emergency department to vascular diagnostic examination and the time from the emergency department to surgery, and achieve a better therapeutic effect, which is worth popularizing and applying.

Insights Into to the KX (X = Cl, Br, I) Adsorption-Assisted Stabilization of CsPbI2 Br Surface.

Despite the excellent optoelectronic properties, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) still present significant challenges in terms of ambient stability. CsPbI2 Br, a member of all-inorganic perovskites, may respond to this challenge because of its inherent high stability against light, moisture, and heat, and therefore has gained tremendous attraction recently. However, the practical application of CsPbI2 Br is still impeded by the notorious phenomenon of photoinduced halide segregation. Herein, by applying first-principles calculations, the stability, electronic structure, defect properties, and ion-diffusion properties of the stoichiometric CsPbI2 Br (110) surface and that with the adsorption of KX (X = Cl, Br, I) are systematically investigated. It is found that the adsorbed KX can serve as an external substitute of the halogen vacancies on the surface, therefore inhibiting halogen segregation and improving the stability of the CsPbI2 Br surface. The KX can also eliminate deep-level defect states caused by antisites, thereby contributing to the promoted optoelectronic properties of CsPbI2 Br. The mechanistic understanding of surface passivation in this work can lay the foundation for the future design of CsPbI2 Br PSCs with optimized optoelectronic performance.

Interleukin-10 Attenuates Behavioral, Immune and Neurotrophin Changes Induced by Chronic Central Administration of Interleukin-1ß in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Activated microglia can trigger pro-inflammatory cytokine releases and neuroinflammation, which may inhibit astrocytes to produce neurotrophins and anti-inflammatory factors. Both eventually lead to neuron apoptosis or death. Furthermore, effective antidepressant or anti-dementia treatments can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, while enhance interleukin (IL)-10 production. However, the underline mechanism by which IL-10 modulates glial cell function, hence improves cognitive impairment or depression-like behavior is unknown. This study evaluated whether and how IL-10 attenuated chronic IL-1ß administration-induced behavioral changes and the possible involved mechanisms. METHODS: Rats received intracerebroventricular injection of IL-1ß and/or IL-10 for 14 days. Then animal memory and depression-like behavior, pro-inflammatory cytokines, glial activities, expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Trk B, p75, and apoptosis-related genes were studied. RESULTS: Compared to controls, significantly increased latent time and swimming distance in the Morris-water-maze, decreased sucrose consumption, and decreased locomotor and center zone entries in the open-field were found in rats administrated with IL-1ß. These changes were associated with the reduction of GFAP expression, and concentrations of BDNF and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, but the increase in the expressions of CD11b, TrkB, p75, and Caspase-3, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and the concentrations of IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6. IL-10 treatment markedly attenuated IL-1ß-induced above changes, except for the expressions of neurotrophin receptors. CONCLUSION: IL-10-improved behavioral changes may be through suppressing microglia activity and inflammation, while restoring astrocyte function and BDNF expression.

Occurrence of Iodophenols in Aquatic Environments and the Deiodination of Organic Iodine with Ferrate(VI).

Toxic and odorous iodophenols are commonly identified as disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. Herein, ng/L levels of iodophenols were identified in river water, wastewater treatment plant effluent, and medical wastewater, with the simultaneous identification of µg/L to mg/L levels of iodide (I-) and total organic iodine (TOI). Oxidation experiment suggested that the I-, TOI, and iodophenols could be oxidized by ferrate [Fe(VI)], and more than 97% of TOI had been transformed into stable and nontoxic IO3-. Fe(VI) initially cleaved the C-I bond of iodophenols and led to the deiodination of iodophenols. The resulted I- was swiftly oxidized into HOI and IO3-, with the intermediate phenolic products be further oxidized into lower molecular weight products. The Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of the overall reaction was negative, indicating that the deiodination of iodophenols by Fe(VI) was spontaneous. In the disinfection of iodine-containing river water, ng/L levels of iodophenols and chloro-iodophenols formed in the reaction with NaClO/NH2Cl, while Fe(VI) preoxidation was effective for inhibiting the formation of iodinated DBPs. Fe(VI) exhibited multiple functions for oxidizing organic iodine, abating their acute toxicity/cytotoxicity and controlling the formation of iodinated DBPs for the treatment of iodide/organic iodine-containing waters.

Bifunctional TGF-ß trap/IL-15 protein complex elicits potent NK cell and CD8+ T cell immunity against solid tumors.

Advances in immunostimulatory and anti-immunosuppressive therapeutics have revolutionized cancer treatment. However, novel immunotherapeutics with these dual functions are not frequently reported. Here we describe the creation of a heterodimeric bifunctional fusion molecule, HCW9218, constructed using our soluble tissue factor (TF)-based scaffold technology. This complex comprises extracellular domains of the human transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) receptor II and a human interleukin-15 (IL-15)/IL-15 receptor α complex. HCW9218 can be readily expressed in CHO cells and purified using antibody-based affinity chromatography in a large-scale manufacturing setting. HCW9218 potently activates mouse natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells in vitro and in vivo to enhance cell proliferation, metabolism, and antitumor cytotoxic activities. Similarly, human immune cells become activated with increased cytotoxicity following incubation with HCW9218. This fusion complex also exhibits TGF-ß neutralizing activity in vitro and sequesters plasma TGF-ß in vivo. In a syngeneic B16F10 melanoma model, HCW9218 displayed strong antitumor activity mediated by NK cells and CD8+ T cells and increased their infiltration into tumors. Repeat-dose subcutaneous administration of HCW9218 was well tolerated by mice, with a half-life sufficient to provide long-lasting biological activity. Thus, HCW9218 may serve as a novel therapeutic to simultaneously provide immunostimulation and lessen immunosuppression associated with tumors.

Targeting pericyte-endothelial cell crosstalk by circular RNA-cPWWP2A inhibition aggravates diabetes-induced microvascular dysfunction.

The crosstalk between vascular pericytes and endothelial cells (ECs) is critical for microvascular stabilization and remodeling; however, the crosstalk is often disrupted by diabetes, leading to severe and even lethal vascular damage. Circular RNAs are a class of endogenous RNAs that regulate several important physiological and pathological processes. Here we show that diabetes-related stress up-regulates cPWWP2A expression in pericytes but not in ECs. In vitro studies show that cPWWP2A directly regulates pericyte biology but indirectly regulates EC biology via exosomes carrying cPWWP2A. cPWWP2A acts as an endogenous miR-579 sponge to sequester and inhibit miR-579 activity, leading to increased expression of angiopoietin 1, occludin, and SIRT1. In vivo studies show that cPWWP2A overexpression or miR-579 inhibition alleviates diabetes mellitus-induced retinal vascular dysfunction. By contrast, inhibition of cPWWP2A-mediated signaling by silencing cPWWP2A or overexpressing miR-579 aggravates retinal vascular dysfunction. Collectively, this study unveils a mechanism by which pericytes and ECs communicate. Intervention of cPWWP2A or miR-579 expression may offer opportunities for treating diabetic microvascular complications.

Favorable Biological Performance Regarding the Interaction between Gold Nanoparticles and Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are well known to interact with cells, leading to different cell behaviors such as cell proliferation and differentiation capacity. Biocompatibility and biological functions enhanced by nanomedicine are the most concerning factors in clinical approaches. In the present research, AuNP solutions were prepared at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 ppm for biocompatibility investigations. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was applied to identify the presence of AuNPs under the various concentrations. Dynamic Light Scattering assay was used for the characterization of the size of the AuNPs. The shape of the AuNPs was observed through a Scanning Electron Microscope. Afterward, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were treated with a differentiation concentration of AuNP solutions in order to measure the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. Our results demonstrate that AuNPs at 1.25 and 2.5 ppm could significantly enhance MSC proliferation, decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and attenuate platelet/monocyte activation. Furthermore, the MSC morphology was observed in the presence of filopodia and lamellipodia while being incubated with 1.25 and 2.5 ppm AuNPs, indicating that the adhesion ability was enhanced by the nanoparticles. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2/9) in MSCs was found to be more highly expressed under 1.25 and 2.5 ppm AuNP treatment, relating to better cell migrating ability. Additionally, the cell apoptosis of MSCs investigated with Annexin-V/PI double staining assay and the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) method demonstrated the lower population of apoptotic cells in 1.25 and 2.5 ppm AuNP treatments, as compared to high concentrations of AuNPs. Additionally, results from a Western blotting assay explored the possibility that the anti-apoptotic proteins Cyclin-D1 and Bcl-2 were remarkably expressed. Meanwhile, real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that the 1.25 and 2.5 ppm AuNP solutions induced a lower expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-8). According to the tests performed on an animal model, AuNP 1.25 and 2.5 ppm treatments exhibited the better biocompatibility performance, including anti-inflammation and endothelialization. In brief, 1.25 and 2.5 ppm of AuNP solution was verified to strengthen the biological functions of MSCs, and thus suggests that AuNPs become the biocompatibility nanomedicine for regeneration research.

Variety-Selective Rhizospheric Activation, Uptake, and Subcellular Distribution of Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) as an accumulative emerging persistent organic pollutant in crops poses severe threats to human health. Lettuce varieties that accumulate a lower amount of PFOS (low-accumulating crop variety, LACV) have been identified, but the regarding mechanisms remain unsolved. Here, rhizospheric activation, uptake, translocation, and compartmentalization of PFOS in LACV were investigated in comparison with those of high-accumulating crop variety (HACV) in terms of rhizospheric forms, transporters, and subcellular distributions of PFOS. The enhanced PFOS desorption from the rhizosphere soils by dissolved organic matter from root exudates was observed with weaker effect in LACV than in HACV. PFOS root uptake was controlled by a transporter-mediated passive process in which low activities of aquaporins and rapid-type anion channels were corrected with low expression levels of PIPs (PIP1-1 and PIP2-2) and ALMTs (ALMT10 and ALMT13) genes in LACV roots. Higher PFOS proportions in root cell walls and trophoplasts caused lower root-to-shoot transport in LACV. The ability to cope with PFOS toxicity to shoot cells was poorer in LACV relative to HACV since PFOS proportions were higher in chloroplasts but lower in vacuoles. Our findings provide novel insights into PFOS accumulation in lettuce and further understanding of multiprocess mechanisms of LACV.