Different rhizosphere soil microbes are recruited by tomatoes with different fruit color phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: To explore and utilize abundant soil microbes and their beneficial functions, the bacterial and fungal compositions in rhizospheres between red- and yellow-fruited tomato varieties were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technique. RESULT: Our results indicated that different soil microbes in rhizospheres of tomatoes were exactly recruited by different color fruit tomatoes. For the reasons as not only soil bacterial community, but also soil fungal compositions were all different between red and yellow fruit tomatoes. For example, Nocardioides, norank_f_norank_o_Vicinamibacterales, norank_f_norank_o_norank_c_KD4-96, norank_f_Birii41, norank_f_norank_o_S085 and Bradyrhizobium were the specific dominant soil bacterial genera, and Lecythophora, Derxomyces and unclassified_f_Pyronemataceae were the dominant soil fungal genera in the rhizospheres of red tomato varieties. By contrast, unclassified_f__Micromonsporaceae, Acidipila, Roseisolibacter, Gaiella and norank_f_Xanthobacteraceae were the unique dominant soil bacterial genera in the rhizospheres of yellow tomato varieties. And unclassified_o__Onygenales, Trichocladium, unclassified_c__Sordariomycetes, Pseudogymnoascus, Acremonium, Oidiodendron, Phialemonium, Penicillium, Phialosimplex were the unique dominant soil fungal genera in rhizospheres of yellow tomato varieties. Moreover, a higher abundance of specific soil bacterial and fungal genera in the rhizosphere was found in rhizospheres of the yellow than those of the red tomato varieties. CONCLUSION: Soil bacterial and fungal compositions in rhizospheres between red- and yellow-fruited tomato varieties were found significantly different which growing in the same environment under the identical managements. It suggested that different soil microbes in rhizospheres exactly were recruited by different phenotypes tomato varieties related to fruit color formation.

Spatio-temporal distribution of vector borne diseases in Australia and Papua New Guinea vis-à-vis climatic factors.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Weather and climate are directly linked to human health including the distribution and occurrence of vector-borne diseases which are of significant concern for public health. METHODS: In this review, studies on spatiotemporal distribution of dengue, Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) and Ross River Virus (RRV) in Australia and malaria in Papua New Guinea (PNG) under the influence of climate change and/ or human society conducted in the past two decades were analysed and summarised. Environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and tides were the main contributors from climate. RESULTS: The Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) index (a product from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that ranks areas in Australia according to relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage) was important in evaluating contribution from human society. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: For future studies, more emphasis on evaluation of impact of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and human society on spatio-temporal distribution of vector borne diseases is recommended to highlight importance of the environmental factors in spreading mosquito-borne diseases in Australia and PNG.

Intraluminal Thrombus and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Large Vessel Occlusive Stroke Undergoing Endovascular Treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is an emerging imaging marker in acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to investigate the association of ILT with outcomes of acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients receiving endovascular treatment. METHODS: Acute LVO stroke patients who underwent endovascular treatment within 24 hours, in a prospective, nationwide registry were enrolled. Pretreatment digital subtraction angiography was reviewed for the presence of ILT. The primary outcome was 90-day functional dependence (modified Rankin Scale scores, 3-6). Secondary outcomes included 24-hour LVO, 90-day death, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: Among 711 patients enrolled, 75 (10.5%) with ILT were less likely to have 90-day functional dependence compared with those without ILT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.31-0.90]; P=0.021). The same trend was found among those with successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3; P=0.008) but not in those without successful reperfusion (P=0.107). Presence of ILT was also independently associated with a lower rate of 24-hour LVO (adjusted odds ratio 0.34 [95% CI, 0.13-0.89]; P=0.028). However, those with or without ILT had similar risks of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day death. CONCLUSIONS: Among acute LVO patients receiving endovascular treatment, pretreatment ILT-positive patients may have a better 90-day functional outcome (versus ILT-negative) but similar risk of death and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. The possibly favorable effect of ILT patients remained in those with successful reperfusion. Registration: URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn; Unique identifier: ChiCTR1900022154.

Cortical Microinfarcts Associated With Worse Outcomes in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Receiving Endovascular Treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the impact of cortical microinfarcts (CMIs) on functional outcome after endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In a multicenter registration study for RESCUE-RE (a registration study for Critical Care of Acute Ischemic Stroke After Recanalization), eligible patients with large vessel occlusion stroke receiving endovascular treatment, who had undergone 3T magnetic resonance imaging on admission or within 24 hours after endovascular treatment were analyzed. We evaluated the presence and numbers of CMIs with assessment of axial T1, T2-weighted images, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. The primary outcome was functional dependence or death defined as modified Rankin Scale scores of 3 to 6 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included early neurological improvement, any intracranial hemorrhage, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality. We investigated the independent associations of CMIs with the outcomes using multivariable logistic regression in overall patients and in subgroups. RESULTS: Among 414 patients (enrolled from July 2018 to May 2019) included in the analyses, 96 (23.2%) patients had at least one CMI (maximum 6). Patients with CMI(s) were more likely to be functionally dependent or dead at 90 days, compared with those without (55.2% versus 37.4%; P<0.01). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, presence of CMI(s) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.04-3.07]; P=0.04) and multiple CMIs (CMIs ≥2; adjusted odds ratio, 7.41 [95% CI, 2.48-22.17]; P<0.001) were independently, significantly associated with the primary outcome. There was no significant difference between subgroups in the associations between CMI presence and the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Acute large vessel occlusion stroke patients receiving endovascular treatment with CMI(s) were more likely to have a poor functional outcome at 90 days, independent of patients' characteristics. Such associations may be dose-dependent. Registration: URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn; Unique identifier: ChiCTR1900022154.

Correction: Time-dependent shear rate inhomogeneities and shear bands in a thixotropic yield-stress fluid under transient shear.

Correction for 'Time-dependent shear rate inhomogeneities and shear bands in a thixotropic yield-stress fluid under transient shear' by Yufei Wei et al., Soft Matter, 2019, 15, 7956-7967, DOI: 10.1039/C9SM00902G.

Time-dependent shear rate inhomogeneities and shear bands in a thixotropic yield-stress fluid under transient shear.

We study the rheological responses and shear-rate inhomogeneities and shear banding behaviors of a thixotropic fumed silica suspension in shear startup tests and flow reversal tests. We find that this suspension under transient shear exhibits not only viscoelasticity, yielding, kinematic hardening, and thixotropy, but also time-dependent shear inhomogeneities including bands when the apparent shear rate is below a critical value between 0.1 and 0.25 s-1. Through multiple shear startup tests and flow reversal tests, we find that thixotropy promotes flow heterogeneity while kinematic hardening suppresses it. We propose a simple thixo-plastic constitutive equation that can qualitatively predict the important features of the rheological response and banding dynamics in shear startup tests and flow reversal tests.

Endophytic Microorganisms in Tomato Roots, Changes in the Structure and Function of the Community at Different Growing Stages.

This study analyzed flower bud differentiation and fruiting stages to investigate how the structure of the plant endophytic microbial community in the roots of tomatoes changes with plant senescence. Based on high-throughput sequencing technology, the diversity and relative abundance of endophytic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in tomato stems at different growth stages were analyzed. At the same time, based on LEfSe analysis, the differences in endophytic microorganisms in tomato stems at different growth stages were studied. Based on PICRUSt2 function prediction and FUNGuild, we predicted the functions of endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in tomato stems at different growth stages to explore potential microbial functional traits. The results demonstrated that not only different unique bacterial genera but also unique fungal genera could be found colonizing tomato roots at different growth stages. In tomato seedlings, flower bud differentiation, and fruiting stages, the functions of colonizing endophytes in tomato roots could primarily contribute to the promotion of plant growth, stress resistance, and improvement in nutrient cycling, respectively. These results also suggest that different functional endophytes colonize tomato roots at different growth stages.

Oscillation of type IV pili regulated by the circadian clock in cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942.

Type IV pili (TFP) are known to be functionally related to cell motilities and natural transformation in many bacteria. However, the molecular and ecological functions of the TFP have rarely been reported for photosynthetic cyanobacteria. Here, by labeling pili in model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (Syn7942), we have quantitatively characterized the TFP and its driven twitching motility in situ at the single-cell level. We found an oscillating pattern of TFP in accordance with the light and dark periods during light-dark cycles, which is correlated positively to the oscillating pattern of the natural transformation efficiency. We further showed that the internal circadian clock plays an important role in regulating the oscillating pattern of TFP, which is also supported by evidences at the molecular level by tracking the expression of 16 TFP-related genes. This study adds a detailed picture toward the gap between TFP and its relations to circadian regulations in Syn7942.

Sirt6 regulates the proliferation of neural precursor cells and cortical neurogenesis in mice.

Sirt6, a member of the class III histone deacetylases (HDACs), functions in the regulation of genomic stability, DNA repair, cancer, metabolism and aging. Sirt6 deficiency is lethal, and newborn SIRT6-null cynomolgus monkeys show unfinished brain development. After the generation of a cortex-specific Sirt6 conditional knockout mouse model, we investigated the specific deletion of Sirt6 in NPCs at E10.5. This study found that Sirt6 deficiency causes excessive proliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) and retards differentiation. The results suggest that endogenous Sirt6 in NPCs regulates histone acetylation and limits stemness-related genes, including Notch1, in order to participate in NPC fate determination. These findings help elucidate Sirt6's role in brain development and in NPC fate determination while providing data on species generality and differentiation.

Endovascular therapy in acute ischaemic stroke with large infarction with matched or mismatched clinical-radiological severities: a post-hoc analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial.

Background: Endovascular therapy (EVT) was demonstrated effective in acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) with large infarction. Revealing subgroups of patients who would or would not benefit from EVT will further inform patient selection for EVT. Methods: This post-hoc analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial, a randomised controlled trial of 456 adult patients with acute anterior-circulation LVO and large infarction, defined by ASPECTS 3-5 or infarct core volume 70-100 mL, enrolled from 46 centres across China, between October 2, 2020 and May 18, 2022. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receiving EVT and medical management or medical management alone. One patient withdrew consent, 455 patients were included in this post-hoc analysis and categorised into 4 subgroups by lower or higher NIHSS (< or ≥16) and smaller or larger infarct core (< or ≥70 mL). Those with lower NIHSS & smaller core, and higher NIHSS & larger core were considered clinical-radiological matched subgroups; otherwise clinical-radiological mismatched subgroups. Primary outcome was 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). ANGEL-ASPECT is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04551664. Findings: Overall, 139 (30.5%) patients had lower NIHSS & smaller core, 106 (23.3%) higher NIHSS & larger core, 130 (28.6%) higher NIHSS & smaller core, and 80 (17.6%) lower NIHSS & larger core. There was significant ordinal shift in the 90-day mRS toward a better outcome with EVT in clinical-radiological matched subgroups: lower NIHSS & smaller core (generalised OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.18-2.62; p = 0.01) and higher NIHSS & larger core (1.64; 1.06-2.54; 0.01); but not in the two clinical-radiological mismatched subgroups. Interpretation: Our findings suggested that in patients with anterior-circulation LVO and large infarction, EVT was associated with improved 90-day functional outcomes in those with matched clinical and radiological severities, but not in those with mismatched clinical and radiological severities. Simultaneous consideration of stroke severity and infarct core volume may inform patient selection for EVT. Funding: Unrestricted grants from industry [Covidien Healthcare International Trading (Shanghai), Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Genesis MedTech (Shanghai), and Shanghai HeartCare Medical Technology].

Prediction of futile recanalisation after endovascular treatment in acute ischaemic stroke: development and validation of a hybrid machine learning model.

BACKGROUND: Identification of futile recanalisation following endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke is both crucial and challenging. Here, we present a novel risk stratification system based on hybrid machine learning method for predicting futile recanalisation. METHODS: Hybrid machine learning models were developed to address six clinical scenarios within the EVT and perioperative management workflow. These models were trained on a prospective database using hybrid feature selection technique to predict futile recanalisation following EVT. The optimal model was validated and compared with existing models and scoring systems in a multicentre prospective cohort to develop a hybrid machine learning-based risk stratification system for futile recanalisation prediction. RESULTS: Using a hybrid feature selection approach, we trained and tested multiple classifiers on two independent patient cohorts (n=1122) to develop a hybrid machine learning-based prediction model. The model demonstrated superior discriminative ability compared with other models and scoring systems (area under the curve=0.80, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.87) and was transformed into a web application (RESCUE-FR Index) that provides a risk stratification system for individual prediction (accessible online at fr-index.biomind.cn/RESCUE-FR/). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed hybrid machine learning approach could be used as an individualised risk prediction model to facilitate adherence to clinical practice guidelines and shared decision-making for optimal candidate selection and prognosis assessment in patients undergoing EVT.

Aging microplastic aggravates the pollution of heavy metals in rhizosphere biofilms.

Heavy metals (HMs) and microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in agricultural soils. Rhizosphere biofilms are important sites for HM adsorption, and biofilms are easily disturbed by soil MPs. However, the adsorption of HMs on rhizosphere biofilms induced by aged MPs is not clear. In this study, the adsorption behavior of Cd(II) on biofilms and pristine/aged polyethylene (PE/APE) was analyzed and quantified. The results showed that the adsorption amount of Cd(II) on APE was greater than that on PE, in which the oxygen-containing functional groups of APE could provide binding sites to increase the adsorption of HMs. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the binding energy of Cd(II) onto APE (-6.00 kcal·mol-1) was much stronger than that of PE (7.11 kcal·mol-1) due to hydrogen bonding interactions and oxygen atom-metal interactions. For HM adsorption on MP biofilms, APE increased the adsorption capacity of Cd(II) by 4.7 % relative to PE. The pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir models suitably described the adsorption kinetics and isothermal adsorption of Cd(II), respectively (R2 > 80 %), indicating that monolayer chemisorption dominated. However, the hysteresis indices of Cd(II) in the Cd(II)-Pb(II) system (< 1) were higher than those in the single system (> 1) due to the competitive adsorption of HMs. Overall, this study clarifies the effect of MPs on the adsorption of HMs in rhizosphere biofilms and will help researchers assess the ecological risks of HMs in soils.

Changes in Soil Phosphorus Availability and Microbial Community Structures in Rhizospheres of Oilseed Rapes Induced by Intercropping with White Lupins.

Oilseed rape is sensitive to soil phosphorus deficiencies. In contrast, white lupin is widely used as a model plant because it has efficient phosphorus utilization. Therefore, soil fertility and microbial composition in the rhizospheres of oilseed rapes and root exudate metabolites were compared under monocropping and intercropping systems. The main purpose was to explore whether the phosphorus absorption of rapeseed can be promoted by intercropping with white lupine. In comparison with oilseed rape monoculture (RR), the results showed that the contents of soil-available phosphorus, microbial biomass and phosphorus in the rhizospheres of oilseed rapes in the intercropping system (RL) were all higher than those of RR. Meanwhile, in comparison with RR, not only phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, such as Streptomyces, Actinomadura and Bacillus, but also phosphorus-solubilizing fungi, such as Chaetomium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, were enriched in the rhizospheres of the oilseed rape under the RL system. Moreover, more abundant soil bacterial functions, organic acids and metabolites were also detected in root exudates of the oilseed rapes under the RL system. All of the above results suggest that soil phosphorus availability in the rhizospheres of oilseed rape could be improved by intercropping with white lupin. Additionally, soil phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms, that are enriched in the rhizospheres of oilseed rapes under RL systems, have an important function in the improvement of phosphorus absorption of rapeseed by intercropping with white lupin.

Can endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots be shaped by different propagation methods.

In practical production, cane stems with buds are generally used as seed for propagation. However, long-terms cane stems only easily lead to some problems such as disease sensitivity, quality loss, etc. Recently, cane seedings, which are produced by tissue culture were used in sugarcane production, but few studies on cane health related to tissue culture seedings. Therefore, to evaluate the immunity and health of sugarcanes growing from different reproduction modes, the endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots between stem and tissue culture seedlings were analyzed using high-throughput techniques. The results showed that the endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots were significant differences between stem and tissue culture seedlings. At the genus level, Pantoea, Bacillus, Streptomyces, Lechevalieria, Pseudomonas, Nocardioides, unclassified_f__Comamonadaceae enriched as the dominant endophytic bacterial genera, and Rhizoctonia, Sarocladium, Scytalidium, Wongia, Fusarium, unclassified_f__Phaeosphaer, unclassified_c__Sordariom, unclassified_f__Stachybot, Poaceascoma, Microdochium, Arnium, Echria, Mycena and Exophiala enriched as the dominant endophytic fungal genera in cane roots growing from the tissue culture seedlings. In contrast, Mycobacterium, Massilia, Ralstonia, unclassified_f__Pseudonocardiacea, norank_f__Micropepsaceae, Leptothrix and Bryobacter were the dominant endophytic bacterial genera, and unclassified_k__Fungi, unclassified_f__Marasmiaceae, Talaromyces, unclassified_c__Sordariomycetes and Trichocladium were the dominant endophytic fungal genera in cane roots growing from stem seedlings. Additionally, the numbers of bacterial and fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in cane roots growing from tissue culture seedlings were significantly higher than those of stem seedlings. It indicates that not only the endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots can be shaped by different propagation methods, but also the stress resistance of sugarcanes can be improved by the tissue culture propagation method.

Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Naoxueshu oral liquid in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage through weighted gene co-expression network analysis, network pharmacological and experimental validation.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a life-threatening stroke subtype with high rates of disability and mortality. Naoxueshu oral liquid is a proprietary Chinese medicine that absorbs hematoma and exhibits neuroprotective effects in patients with ICH. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. PURPOSE: Exploring and elucidating the pharmacological mechanism of Naoxueshu oral liquid in the treatment of ICH. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to download the gene expression data on ICH. ICH-related hub modules were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of differentially co-expressed genes (DEGs). The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted using the obtained key modules to identify the ICH-related signaling pathways. Network pharmacology technology was applied to forecast the targets of Naoxueshu oral liquid and to establish a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of overlapping targets between Naoxueshu oral liquid and ICH. Functional annotation and enrichment pathway analyses of the intersectional targets were performed using the omicsbean database. Finally, we verified the therapeutic role and mechanism of Naoxueshu oral liquid in ICH through molecular docking and experiments. RESULTS: Through the WGCNA analysis, combined with network pharmacology, it was found that immune inflammation was closely related to the early pathological mechanism of ICH. Naoxueshu oral liquid suppressed the inflammatory response; hence, it could be a potential drug for ICH treatment. Molecular docking further confirmed that the effective components of Naoxueshu oral liquid docked well with CD163. Finally, the experimental results showed that Naoxueshu oral liquid treatment in the ICH rat model attenuated neurological deficits and neuronal injury, decreased hematoma volume, and promoted hematoma absorption. In addition, Naoxueshu oral liquid treatment also significantly increased the levels of Arg-1, CD163, Nrf2, and HO-1 around hematoma after ICH. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that Naoxueshu oral liquid attenuated neurological deficits and accelerated hematoma absorption, possibly by suppressing inflammatory responses, which might be related to the regulation of Nrf2/CD163/HO-1 that interfered with the activation of M2 microglia, thus accelerating the clearance and decomposition of hemoglobin in the hematoma.

Effect of left ventricular ejection fraction Spectrum on 1-Year mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate the association of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) spectrum with 1-year clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). METHODS: In a prospective registry for the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III), AIS or TIA patients with echocardiography records during hospitalization were recruited. All LVEFs were categorized into intervals of 5% in width. The lowest and highest intervals are ≤40% and >70%, respectively. The primary outcome was all-cause death at 1 year. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between baseline LVEF and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: This analysis included a total of 14,053 patients. In total, 418 patients died during 1-year follow-up. Overall, LVEF ≤60% was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death compared to LVEF >60%, independent of demographic and clinical characteristics (aHR 1.29 [95% CI 1.06-1.58]; p = 0.01). The cumulative incidence of all-cause death was significantly different among the eight LVEF groups that survival declined successively with the decrease of LVEF (log-rank p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AIS or TIA with decreased LVEF (≤60%) had a lower 1-year survival rate after onset. LVEF 50%-60% even within the normal range, may still contribute to poor outcomes in AIS or TIA. Comprehensive evaluation of cardiac function after acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease should be strengthened.

Chinese Stroke Association guidelines for clinical management of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases: executive summary and 2023 update.

BACKGROUND: China is one of the countries with the highest burden of stroke. Implementing multidimensional management guidelines will help clinicians practise evidence-based care, improve patient outcomes and alleviate societal burdens. This update of the 2019 edition will provide the latest comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search on MEDLINE (via PubMed) up to 31 August 2023. The writing team established the recommendations through multiple rounds of online and offline discussions. Each recommendation was graded using the evidence grading algorithm developed by the Chinese Stroke Association (CSA). The draft was reviewed and finalised by the CSA Stroke Guidelines Writing Committee. RESULTS: This update included revisions of 15 existing recommendations and 136 new recommendations in the following areas of stroke care: emergency assessment and diagnosis of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, acute-phase reperfusion therapy, evaluation of underlying mechanisms, antithrombotic therapy, prevention and treatment of complications, and risk factor management. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline updated the recommendations for the clinical management of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease from 2019.

Early versus delayed antihypertensive treatment in patients with acute ischaemic stroke: multicentre, open label, randomised, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compared the effect of early antihypertensive treatment started within 24-48 h of stroke onset versus delaying treatment until day eight on reducing dependency or death. DESIGN: Multicentre, randomised, open label trial. SETTING: 106 hospitals in China between 13 June 2018 and 10 July 2022. PARTICIPANTS: 4810 patients (≥40 years) were enrolled with acute ischaemic stroke within 24-48 h of symptom onset and elevated systolic blood pressure between 140 mm Hg and <220 mm Hg. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive antihypertensive treatment immediately after randomisation (aimed at reducing systolic blood pressure by 10%-20% within the first 24 h and a mean blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg within seven days) or to discontinue antihypertensive medications for seven days if they were taking them, and then receive treatment on day 8 (aimed at achieving mean blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the combination of functional dependency or death (modified Rankin scale score ≥3) at 90 days. Intention to treat analyses were conducted. RESULTS: 2413 patients were assigned to the early treatment group and 2397 were assigned to the delayed treatment group. Mean systolic blood pressure was reduced by 9.7% (from 162.9 mm Hg to 146.4 mm Hg) in the early treatment group and by 4.9% (from 162.8 mm Hg to 154.3 mm Hg) in the delayed treatment group within 24 h after randomisation (P for group difference <0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure was 139.1 mm Hg in the early treatment group and 150.9 mm Hg in the delayed treatment group on day seven (P for group difference <0.001). Additionally, 54.6% of patients in the early treatment group and 22.4% in the delayed treatment group had blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg (P<0.001 for group difference) on day seven. At day 90, 289 trial participants (12.0%) in the early treatment group, compared with 250 (10.5%) in the delayed treatment group, had died or experienced a dependency (odds ratio 1.18 (95% confidence interval 0.98 to 1.41), P=0.08). No significant differences in recurrent stroke or adverse events were reported between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with mild-to-moderate acute ischaemic stroke and systolic blood pressure between 140 mm Hg and <220 mm Hg who did not receive intravenous thrombolytic treatment, early antihypertensive treatment did not reduce the odds of dependency or death at 90 days. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03479554.

Interactions of microplastics and soil pollutants in soil-plant systems.

In recent years, increasing studies have been reported on characterization and detection of microplastics (MPs), and their interactions with organic pollutants (OPs) and heavy metals (HMs) in soils. However, a comprehensive review on the characteristics and factors that influence MPs distribution in soils, the sorption characteristics and mechanisms of soil contaminants by MPs, especially the interactions of MPs and their complexes with pollutants in the soil-plant systems remains rarely available at present. This review focuses on the sorption features and mechanisms of pollutants by MPs in soil and discussed the effects of MPs and their complexing with pollutants on soil properties, microbe and plants. The polarity of MPs significantly influenced the sorption of OPs, and different sorption mechanisms are involved for the hydrophobic and hydrophilic OPs. The sorption of OPs on MPs in soils is different from that in water. Aging of MPs can promote the sorption and migration of contaminants. The enhanced effects of biofilm in microplastisphere on the sorption of pollutants by MPs are critical, and interactions of soil environment-MPs-microbe-HMs-antibiotics increase the potential pathogens and larger release of resistance genes. The coexistence of HMs and MPs affected the growth of plants and the uptake of HMs and MPs by the plants. Moreover, the type, dose, shape and particle size of MPs have important influences on their interactions with pollutants and subsequent effects on soil properties, microbial activities and plant growth. This review also pointed out some knowledge gaps and constructive countermeasures to promote future research in this field.

Iron toxicity in intracerebral hemorrhage: Physiopathological and therapeutic implications.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced brain injury is a continuous pathological process that involves the deterioration of neurological functions, such as sensory, cognitive or motor functions. Cytotoxic byproducts of red blood cell lysis, especially free iron, appear to be a significant pathophysiologic mechanism leading to ICH-induced injury. Free iron has a crucial role in secondary brain injury after ICH. Chelating iron may attenuate iron-induced neurotoxicity and may be developed as a therapeutic candidate for ICH treatment. In this review, we focused on the potential role of iron toxicity in ICH-induced injury and iron chelation therapy in the management of ICH. It will hopefully advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of ICH and lead to new approaches for treatment.