Development and validation of [18 F]-PSMA-1007 PET-based radiomics model to predict biochemical recurrence-free survival following radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Biochemical recurrence (BCR) following radical prostatectomy (RP) is a significant concern for patients with prostate cancer. Reliable prediction models are needed to identify patients at risk for BCR and facilitate appropriate management. This study aimed to develop and validate a clinical-radiomics model based on preoperative [18 F]PSMA-1007 PET for predicting BCR-free survival (BRFS) in patients who underwent RP for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 236 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer who underwent RP were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had a preoperative [18 F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT scan. Radiomics features were extracted from the primary tumor region on PET images. A radiomics signature was developed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model. The performance of the radiomics signature in predicting BRFS was assessed using Harrell's concordance index (C-index). The clinical-radiomics nomogram was constructed using the radiomics signature and clinical features. The model was externally validated in an independent cohort of 98 patients. RESULTS: The radiomics signature comprised three features and demonstrated a C-index of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.60-0.91) in the training cohort and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63-0.79) in the validation cohort. The radiomics signature remained an independent predictor of BRFS in multivariable analysis (HR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.47-4.17, p < 0.001). The clinical-radiomics nomogram significantly improved the prediction performance (C-index: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66-0.95, p = 0.007) in the training cohort and (C-index: 0.78 95% CI: 0.63-0.89, p < 0.001) in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated a novel [18 F]PSMA-1007 PET-based clinical-radiomics model that can predict BRFS following RP in prostate cancer patients. This model may be useful in identifying patients with a higher risk of BCR, thus enabling personalized risk stratification and tailored management strategies.

Core-Shell Filament with Excellent Wound Healing Property Made of Cellulose Nanofibrils and Guar Gum via Interfacial Polyelectrolyte Complexation Spinning.

Natural polymer-based sutures have attractive cytocompatibility and degradability in surgical operations. Herein, anionic cellulose nanofibrils (ACNF) and cationic guar gum (CGG) are employed to produce nontoxic CGG/ACNF composite filament with a unique core-shell structure via interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation (IPC) spinning. The comprehensive characterization and application performance of the resultant CGG/ACNF filament as a surgical suture are thoroughly investigated in comparison with silk and PGLA (90% glycolide and 10% l-lactide) sutures in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Results show that the CGG/ACNF filament with the typical core-shell structure and nervation pattern surface exhibits a high orientation index (0.74) and good mechanical properties. The tensile strength and knotting strength of CGG/ACNF suture prepared by twisting CGG/ACNF filaments increase by 69.5%, and CGG/ACNF suture has a similar friction coefficient to silk and PGLA sutures. Moreover, CGG/ACNF suture with antibiosis and cytocompatibility exhibits better growth promotion of cells than silk suture, similar to PGLA suture in vitro. In addition, the stitching experiment of mice with the CGG/ACNF suture further confirms better healing properties and less inflammation in vivo than silk and PGLA sutures do. Hence, the CGG/ACNF suture with a simple preparation method and excellent application properties is promising in surgical operations.

Comparison of [18F]-OC PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT/MRI in the detection and evaluation of neuroendocrine neoplasms.

OBJECTIVES: Gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled somatostatin analog (SSA) PET imaging has been widely used in clinical practice of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Compared with 68Ga, 18F has a great practical and economic advantage. Although a few studies have shown the characteristics of [18F] AlF-NOTA-octreotide ([18F]-OC) in healthy volunteers and small NEN patient groups, its clinical value needs further investigation. Herein, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of [18F]-OC PET/CT in detecting NENs, as well as to compare it with contrast-enhanced CT/MRI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 93 patients who had undergone [18F]-OC PET/CT and CT or MRI scans. Of these patients, there were 45 patients with suspected NENs for diagnostic evaluation, and 48 patients with pathologically confirmed NENs for detecting metastasis or recurrence. [18F]-OC PET/CT images were evaluated visually and semi-quantitatively by measuring maximum standardized uptake value of tumor (SUVmax), tumor-to-background SUVmax ratio (TBR), and SUVmax of hypophysis (SUVhypophysis). A total of 276 suspected NEN lesions were found in these 93 patients. The results of histopathology or radiographic follow-up served as the reference standard for the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with suspected NENs were confirmed by histopathological examination via resection or biopsy. [18F]-OC PET/CT showed high radiotracer uptake in the lesions of G1-G3 NENs. [18F]-OC PET/CT showed superior performance with 96.3% of sensitivity, 77.8% of specificity, and 88.9% of accuracy in diagnosing NENs compared to CT/MRI. When cutoffs of SUVmax, TBR, and SUVhypophysis were 8.3, 3.1, and 15.4, [18F]-OC PET/CT had the best equilibrium between sensitivity and specificity for differentiating NEN from non-NEN lesions. For a total of 276 suspected NEN lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of [18F]-OC PET/CT for diagnosis of NENs were 90.5%, 82.1%, and 88.8%, respectively, and were higher than those of CT and MRI. G1 and G2 NENs had higher TBR and lower CT enhancement intensity than G3. The SUVmax and TBR had a positive correlation with CT enhancement intensity in G2 rather than in G1 or G3. CONCLUSIONS: [18F]-OC PET/CT is a promising imaging modality for initial diagnosis and detecting metastasis or postoperative recurrence in NENs.

Future Directions in Optimizing Anesthesia to Reduce Perioperative Acute Kidney Injury.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in surgical patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are currently few options for AKI prevention and treatment. Due to its complex pathophysiology, there is no efficient medication therapy to stop the onset of the injury or repair the damage already done. Certain anesthetics, however, have been demonstrated to affect the risk of perioperative AKI in some studies. The impact of anesthetics on renal function is particularly important as it is closely related to the prognosis of patients. Some anesthetics can induce anti-inflammatory, anti-necrotic, and anti-apoptotic effects. Propofol, sevoflurane, and dexmedetomidine are a few examples of anesthetics that have protective association with AKI in the perioperative period. SUMMARY: In this study, we reviewed the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and pathogenesis of AKI. Subsequently, the protective effects of various anesthetic agents against perioperative AKI and the latest research are introduced. KEY MESSAGE: This work demonstrates that a thorough understanding of the reciprocal effects of anesthetic drugs and AKI is crucial for safe perioperative care and prognosis of patients. However, more complete mechanisms and pathophysiological processes still need to be further studied.

Changes in the gene expression and gut microbiome to the infection of decapod iridescent virus 1 in Cherax quadricarinatus.

As a new emerging viral pathogen, Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) seriously threatens crustacean farming in recent years. However, limited research progresses have been made on the immune mechanism between host and viral factors in response to DIV1 infection. In the current study, a natural occurrence of DIV1 infection with obvious clinical signs was found in farmed redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus, and confirmed by nested PCR detection and histopathological examination. Besides, gene expression profiles were analyzed after being challenged with DIV1, and results showed that 27 immune related genes were upregulated compared with the control group. Moreover, the gut microbiota from healthy and DIV1-infected crayfish were investigated by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that significant differences in the microbial composition and function were observed after DIV1 challenge. Furthermore, we discovered that changes in gene expression profiles were correlated with microbiota alterations under DIV1 challenge. Taken together, our findings will provide new insights into the immune response mechanism of DIV1 infection in crustaceans.

Electrospinning micro-nanofibers immobilized aerobic denitrifying bacteria for efficient nitrogen removal in wastewater.

Electrospinning micro-nanofibers with exceptional physicochemical properties and biocompatibility are becoming popular in the medical field. These features indicate its potential application as microbial immobilized carriers in wastewater treatment. Here, aerobic denitrifying bacteria were immobilized on micro-nanofibers, which were prepared using different concentrations of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution (8%, 12% and 15%). The results of diameter distribution, specific surface area and average pore diameter indicated that 15% PAN micro-nanofibers with tighter surface structure were not suitable as microbial carriers. The bacterial load results showed that the cell density (OD600) and total protein of 12% PAN micro-nanofibers were 107.14% and 106.28% higher than those of 8% PAN micro-nanofibers. Subsequently, the 12% PAN micro-nanofibers were selected for aerobic denitrification under the different C/N ratios (1.5-10), and stable performance was obtained. Bacterial community analysis further manifested that the micro-nanofibers effectively immobilized bacteria and enriched bacterial structure under the high C/N ratios. Therefore, the feasibility of micro-nanofibers as microbial carriers was confirmed. This work was of great significance for promoting the application of electrospinning for microbial immobilization in wastewater treatment.

Clinical features and 18F-FDG PET/CT for distinguishing of malignant lymphoma from inflammatory lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: It is vital to distinguish between inflammatory and malignant lymphadenopathy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. The purpose of our study was to differentiate the variations in the clinical characteristics of HIV patients, and apply 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters for distinguishing of malignant lymphoma and inflammatory lymphadenopathy in such patients. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 59 consecutive HIV-infected patients who underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT. Of these patients, 37 had biopsy-proven HIV-associated lymphoma, and 22 with HIV-associated inflammatory lymphadenopathy were used as controls. The determined parameters were the maximum of standard uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmax of only lymph nodes (SUVLN), the most FDG-avid lesion-to-liver SUVmax ratio (SURmax), laboratory examinations and demographics. The optimal cut-off of 18F-FDG PET/CT value was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: Considering the clinical records, the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores in patients with inflammatory lymphadenopathy were obviously higher than those in patients with malignant lymphoma (P = 0.015), whereas lymphocyte counts and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were obviously lower (P = 0.014 and 0.010, respectively). For the 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, extra-lymphatic lesions, especially digestive tract and Waldeyer's ring, occurred more frequently in malignant lymphoma than inflammatory lymphadenopathy. Furthermore, the SURmax and SUVLN in malignant lymphoma were markedly higher than those in inflammatory lymphadenopathy (P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). The cut-off point of 3.1 for SURmax had higher specificity (91.9%) and relatively reasonable sensitivity (68.2%) and the cut-off point of 8.0 for the SUVLN had high specificity (89.2%) and relatively reasonable sensitivity (63.6%). CONCLUSION: Our study identified the distinctive characteristics of the clinical manifestations, the SURmax, SUVLN and detectability of extra-lymphatic lesions on 18F-FDG PET, and thus provides a new basis for distinguishing of malignant lymphoma from inflammatory lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients.

Genomic structure, expression, and functional characterization of the Fem-1 gene family in the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus.

The Fem-1 (Feminization-1) gene, encoding an intracellular protein with conserved ankyrin repeat motifs, has been proven to play a key role in sex differentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the present study, three members of the Fem-1 gene family (designating Fem-1A, Fem-1B, and Fem-1C, respectively) were cloned and characterized in the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Sequence analysis showed that all three Fem-1 genes contained the highly conserved ankyrin repeat motifs with variant repeat numbers, which shared similarity with other reported crustaceans. In addition, a phylogenetic tree revealed that the Fem-1 proteins from C. quadricarinatus were clustered with the crustacean Fem-1 homologs, and had the closest evolutionary relationship with Eriocheir sinensis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results demonstrated that Fem-1B exhibited a significant higher expression abundance in the ovary than in other tissues. In addition, a regular mRNA expression pattern of the Fem-1B gene appeared in the reproductive cycle of ovarian development. Furthermore, RNA interference experiments were employed to investigate the role of Fem-1B in ovarian development. Moreover, knockdown of Fem-1B by RNAi decreased the expression of VTG in the ovaries and hepatopancreas. In summary, this study pointed out that Fem-1B was involved in the sex differentiation process through regulating VTG expression in C. quadricarinatus, and provided new insights into the role of Fem-1B in ovary development.

Curaxin-Induced DNA Topology Alterations Trigger the Distinct Binding Response of CTCF and FACT at the Single-Molecule Level.

The candidate anticancer drug curaxins can insert into DNA base pairs and efficiently inhibit the growth of various cancers. However, how curaxins alter the genomic DNA structure and affect the DNA binding property of key proteins remains to be clarified. Here, we first showed that curaxin CBL0137 strongly stabilizes the interaction between the double strands of DNA and reduces DNA bending and twist rigidity simultaneously, by single-molecule magnetic tweezers. More importantly, we found that CBL0137 greatly impairs the binding of CTCF but facilitates trapping FACT on DNA. We revealed that CBL0137 clamps the DNA double helix that may induce a huge barrier for DNA unzipping during replication and transcription and causes the distinct binding response of CTCF and FACT on DNA. Our work provides a novel mechanical insight into CBL0137's anticancer mechanisms at the nucleic acid level.

LncRNA HOTTIP facilitates the stemness of breast cancer via regulation of miR-148a-3p/WNT1 pathway.

Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a key role in tumorigenesis. The lncRNA, HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP), has been reported to be up-regulated in multiple cancers, including breast cancer, and is involved in various biological processes, including the maintenance of stemness. However, the biological function and underlying modulatory mechanism of HOTTIP in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) remains unknown. In this study, we found that HOTTIP was markedly up-regulated in BCSCs and had a positive correlation with breast cancer progression. Functional studies revealed that overexpression of HOTTIP markedly promoted cell clonogenicity, increased the expression of the stem cell markers, OCT4 and SOX2, and decreased the expression of the differentiation markers, CK14 and CK18, in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of HOTTIP inhibited the CSC-like properties of BCSCs. Consistently, depletion of HOTTIP suppressed tumour growth in a humanized model of breast cancer. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that HOTTIP directly binds to miR-148a-3p and inhibits the mediation of WNT1, which leads to inactivation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway. Our study is the first to report that HOTTIP regulates the CSC-like properties of BCSCs by as a molecular sponge for miR-148a-3p to increase WNT1 expression, offering a new target for breast cancer therapy.

How halogenated aromatic compounds affect the electron supply and consumption in glucose supported denitrification?

Halogenated aromatic compounds possess bidirectional effects on denitrifying bio-electron behavior, providing electrons and potentially interfering with electron consumption. This study selected the typical 4-chlorophenol (4-CP, 0-100 mg/L) to explore its impact mechanism on glucose-supported denitrification. When COD(glucose)/COD(4-CP)=28.70-3.59, glucose metabolism remained the dominant electron supply process, although its removal efficiency decreased to 73.84-49.66 %. When COD(glucose)/COD(4-CP)=2.39-1.43, 4-CP changed microbial carbon metabolism priority by inhibiting the abundance of glucose metabolizing enzymes, gradually replacing glucose as the dominant electron donor. Moreover, 5-100 mg/L 4-CP reduced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by 15.52-24.67 % and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 31.13-63.47 %, causing severe lipid peroxidation, thus inhibiting the utilization efficiency of glucose. Activated by glucose, 4-CP dechlorination had stronger electron consumption ability than NO2--N reduction (NO3--N > 4-CP > NO2--N), combined with the decreased nirS and nirK genes abundance, resulting in NO2--N accumulation. Compared with the blank group (0 mg/L 4-CP), 5-40 mg/L and 60-100 mg/L 4-CP reduced the secretion of cytochrome c and flavin adenine dinucleotides (FAD), respectively, further decreasing the electron transfer activity of denitrification system. Micropruina, a genus that participated in denitrification based on glucose, was gradually replaced by Candidatus_Microthrix, a genus that possessed 4-CP degradation and denitrification functions after introducing 60-100 mg/L 4-CP.

Primary study of the relative and compound biological effectiveness model for boron neutron capture therapy based on nanodosimetry.

BACKGROUND: The current radiobiological model employed for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) treatment planning, which relies on microdosimetry, fails to provide an accurate representation the biological effects of BNCT. The precision in calculating the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and compound biological effectiveness (CBE) plays a pivotal role in determining the therapeutic efficacy of BNCT. Therefore, this study focuses on how to improve the accuracy of the biological effects of BNCT. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to propose new radiation biology models based on nanodosimetry to accurately assess RBE and CBE for BNCT. METHODS: Nanodosimetry, rooted in ionization cluster size distributions (ICSD), introduces a novel approach to characterize radiation quality by effectively delineating RBE through the ion track structure at the nanoscale. In the context of prior research, this study presents a computational model for the nanoscale assessment of RBE and CBE. We establish a simplified model of DNA chromatin fiber using the Monte Carlo code TOPAS-nBio to evaluate the applicability of ICSD to BNCT and compute nanodosimetric parameters. RESULTS: Our investigation reveals that both homogeneous and heterogeneous nanodosimetric parameters, as well as the corresponding biological model coefficients α and ß, along with RBE values, exhibit variations in response to varying intracellular 10B concentrations. Notably, the nanodosimetric parameter M 1 C 2 $M_1^{{{\mathrm{C}}}_2}$ effectively captures the fluctuations in model coefficients α and RBE. CONCLUSION: Our model facilitates a nanoscale analysis of BNCT, enabling predictions of nanodosimetric quantities for secondary ions as well as RBE, CBE, and other essential biological metrics related to the distribution of boron. This contribution significantly enhances the precision of RBE calculations and holds substantial promise for future applications in treatment planning.

Biomaterials-Based Technologies in Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering.

For many clinically prevalent severe injuries, the inherent regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle remains inadequate. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering (SMTE) seeks to meet this clinical demand. With continuous progress in biomedicine and related technologies including micro/nanotechnology and 3D printing, numerous studies have uncovered various intrinsic mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle regeneration and developed tailored biomaterial systems based on these understandings. Here, the skeletal muscle structure and regeneration process are discussed and the diverse biomaterial systems derived from various technologies are explored in detail. Biomaterials serve not merely as local niches for cell growth, but also as scaffolds endowed with structural or physicochemical properties that provide tissue regenerative cues such as topographical, electrical, and mechanical signals. They can also act as delivery systems for stem cells and bioactive molecules that have been shown as key participants in endogenous repair cascades. To achieve bench-to-bedside translation, the typical effect enabled by biomaterial systems and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms are also summarized. Insights into the roles of biomaterials in SMTE from cellular and molecular perspectives are provided. Finally, perspectives on the advancement of SMTE are provided, for which gene therapy, exosomes, and hybrid biomaterials may hold promise to make important contributions.

Recovery mechanism of bio-promoters on Cr(VI) suppressed denitrification: Toxicity remediation and enhanced electron transmission.

Although the biotoxicity of heavy metals has been widely studied, there are few reports on the recovery strategy of the inhibited bio-system. This study proposed a combined promoter-I (Primary promoter: l-cysteine, biotin, and cytokinin + Electron-shuttle: PMo12) to recover the denitrification suppressed by Cr(VI). Compared with self-recovery, combined promoter-I shortened the recovery time of 28 cycles, and the recovered reactor possessed more stable long-term operation performance with >95 % nitrogen removal. The biomass increased by 7.07 mg VSS/(cm3 carrier) than self-recovery due to the promoted bacterial reproduction, thereby reducing the toxicity load of chromium per unit biomass. The combined promoter-I strengthened the toxicity remediation by promoting 92.84 % of the intracellular chromium release and rapidly activating anti-oxidative stress response. During toxicity remediation, ROS content quickly decreased, and the PN/PS value was 2.27 times that of self-recovery. PMo12 relieved Cr(VI) inhibition on NO3--N reduction by increasing NAR activity. The enhanced intracellular and intercellular electron transmission benefited from the stimulated NADH, FMN, and Cyt.c secretion by the primary promoter and the improved transmembrane electron transmission by Mo. PMo12 and the primary promoter synergized in regulating community structure and improving microbial richness. This study provided practical approaches for microbial toxicity remediation and maintaining high-efficiency denitrification.

Anesthesia/surgery activate MMP9 leading to blood-brain barrier disruption, triggering neuroinflammation and POD-like behavior in aged mice.

Anesthesia and surgery activate matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), leading to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and postoperative delirium (POD)-like behavior, especially in the elderly. Aged mice received intraperitoneal injections of either the MMP9 inhibitor SB-3CT, melatonin, or solvent, and underwent laparotomy under 3 % sevoflurane anesthesia(anesthesia/surgery). Behavioral tests were performed 24 h pre- and post-operatively. Serum and cortical tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA. Levels of PDGFRß, MMP9, tight junction, Mfsd2a, caveolin-1, synaptophysin, and postsynaptic densin (PSD)-95 proteins in the prefrontal cortex were assayed using Western blotting. BBB permeability was assessed by detecting IgG in the prefrontal cortex and serum S100ß levels. Anesthesia/surgery-induced peripheral inflammation activated MMP9, which in turn injured pericytes and tight junctions and increased transcytosis, thereby disrupting the BBB. Impaired BBB allowed the migration of peripheral inflammation into the central nervous system (CNS), thereby inducing neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and POD-like behaviors. However, MMP9 inhibition reduced pericyte and tight junction injury and transcytosis, thereby preserving BBB function and preventing the migration of peripheral inflammation into the CNS, thus attenuating synaptic dysfunction and POD-like behavior. In addition, to further validate the above findings, we showed that melatonin exerted similar effects through inhibition of MMP9. The present study shows that after anesthesia/surgery, inflammatory cytokines upregulation is involved in regulating BBB permeability in aged mice through activation of MMP9, suggesting that MMP9 may be a potential target for the prevention of POD.

Mapping of Candidate Genes for Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization in Japonica Rice at Seedling Stage.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the essential nutrients for the growth and development of crops. The adequate application of N not only increases the yield of crops but also improves the quality of agricultural products, but the excessive application of N can cause many adverse effects on ecology and the environment. In this study, genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) was performed under low- and high-N conditions based on 788,396 SNPs and phenotypic traits relevant to N uptake and utilization (N content and N accumulation). A total of 75 QTLs were obtained using GWAS, which contained 811 genes. Of 811 genes, 281 genes showed different haplotypes, and 40 genes had significant phenotypic differences among different haplotypes. Of these 40 genes, 5 differentially expressed genes (Os01g0159250, Os02g0618200, Os02g0618400, Os02g0630300, and Os06g0619000) were finally identified as the more valuable candidate genes based on the transcriptome data sequenced from Longjing31 (low-N-tolerant variety) and Songjing 10 (low-N-sensitive variety) under low- and high-N treatments. These new findings enrich the genetic resources for N uptake and utilization in rice, as well as lay a theoretical foundation for improving the efficiency of N uptake and utilization in rice.

Enhancing Milk Production by Nutrient Supplements: Strategies and Regulatory Pathways.

The enhancement of milk production is essential for dairy animals, and nutrient supplements can enhance milk production. This work summarizes the influence of nutrient supplements-including amino acids, peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, and other chemicals (such as phenolic compounds, prolactin, estrogen and growth factors)-on milk production. We also attempt to provide possible illuminating insights into the subsequent effects of nutrient supplements on milk synthesis. This work may help understand the strategy and the regulatory pathway of milk production promotion. Specifically, we summarize the roles and related pathways of nutrients in promoting milk protein and fat synthesis. We hope this review will help people understand the relationship between nutritional supplementation and milk production.

Polydopamine and calcium functionalized fiber carrier for enhancing microbial attachment and Cr(VI) resistance.

The formation of biofilm determines the performance and stability of biofilm system. Increasing the hydrophilicity of the carrier surface could efficiently accelerate the attachment and growth of microorganisms. Here, the surface of polypropylene (PP) fiber carrier was modified with polydopamine (PDA) and calcium (Ca(II)) to enhance microbial attachment and toxicity resistance. The results of surface characteristic confirmed the self-polymerization of PDA and the chelation mechanism of Ca(II). Subsequently, the biofilm formation experiments were conducted in sequencing batch biofilm reactors using both normal and chromium-containing wastewater. The biofilm on the surface of the modified carrier exhibited better nitrogen removal and Cr(VI) reduction ability. The biomass of the modified carrier was significantly increased, and the maximum microbial attachment amounts in normal wastewater and chrome-containing wastewater were 1153.34 and 511.78 mg/g carrier, respectively. Furthermore, the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) indicated that the modified carrier coated with PDA and Ca(II) were both biocompatible, and the cell activity was significantly increased. 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the modified carrier efficiently enriched both denitrification bacteria (Thauera and Flavobacterium) and chrome-reducing bacteria (Simplicispira and Arenimonas) to improve system stability and Cr(VI) resistance. Microbial phenotype prediction based on BugBase analysis further verified the enrichment effect of modified carriers on microorganisms responsible for biofilm formation and oxidative stress resistance. Overall, this work proposed a novel functional carrier that could provide references for advancing the application of biofilm systems in wastewater treatment.

Controllable and biocompatible 3D bioprinting technology for microorganisms: Fundamental, environmental applications and challenges.

3D bioprinting is a new 3D manufacturing technology, that can be used to accurately distribute and load microorganisms to form microbial active materials with multiple complex functions. Based on the 3D printing of human cells in tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting technology has been developed. Although 3D bioprinting technology is still immature, it shows great potential in the environmental field. Due to the precise programming control and multi-printing pathway, 3D bioprinting technology provides a high-throughput method based on micron-level patterning for a wide range of environmental microbiological engineering applications, which makes it an on-demand, multi-functional manufacturing technology. To date, 3D bioprinting technology has been employed in microbial fuel cells, biofilm material preparation, microbial catalysts and 4D bioprinting with time dimension functions. Nevertheless, current 3D bioprinting technology faces technical challenges in improving the mechanical properties of materials, developing specific bioinks to adapt to different strains, and exploring 4D bioprinting for intelligent applications. Hence, this review systematically analyzes the basic technical principles of 3D bioprinting, bioinks materials and their applications in the environmental field, and proposes the challenges and future prospects of 3D bioprinting in the environmental field. Combined with the current development of microbial enhancement technology in the environmental field, 3D bioprinting will be developed into an enabling platform for multifunctional microorganisms and facilitate greater control of in situ directional reactions.