Optimizing antigen selection for the development of tuberculosis vaccines.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a prevalent global infectious disease caused by genetically closely related tubercle bacilli in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). For a century, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been the primary preventive measure against TB. While it effectively protects against extrapulmonary forms of pediatric TB, it lacks consistent efficacy in providing protection against pulmonary TB in adults. Consequently, the exploration and development of novel TB vaccines, capable of providing broad protection to populations, have consistently constituted a prominent area of interest in medical research. This article presents a concise overview of the novel TB vaccines currently undergoing clinical trials, discussing their classification, protective efficacy, immunogenicity, advantages, and limitations. In vaccine development, the careful selection of antigens that can induce strong and diverse specific immune responses is essential. Therefore, we have summarized the molecular characteristics, biological function, immunogenicity, and relevant studies associated with the chosen antigens for TB vaccines. These insights gained from vaccines and immunogenic proteins will inform the development of novel mycobacterial vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines, for effective TB control.

[Meteorological Impact Assessment of PM2.5 and O3 Complex Pollution in Key Regions of China Based on Meteorological Conditions Index].

Meteorological conditions play a key role in the occurrence and evolution of atmospheric complex pollution. Considering the different pollution formation mechanisms of PM2.5 and O3, statistical calculation and in-depth learning methods were used to construct the PM2.5 and O3 meteorological condition indexes based on long-term pollution meteorological observation data. A research method was developed to study the meteorological characteristics and impact contribution of atmospheric complex pollution by using the meteorological condition index, and quantitative analysis of the distribution and variation of pollution excluding the influence of regional meteorological differences was also conducted. The results showed that in the summer of 2021, the pollution meteorological conditions in the key regions in central and eastern China were generally worse in the north and better in the south(index:"2+26" cities>the border area of Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, and Henan>the Yangtze River Delta) and the worst in June and the best in July. The "double high" pollution began to appear when the PM2.5 meteorological condition index>30 and O3 meteorological condition index>100; meanwhile, the unfavorable meteorological conditions for O3 also promoted the increase in PM2.5 concentration, resulting in the frequency of "double high" increases with the increase in O3 meteorological condition index. Compared with that during the same period last year, ρ(PM2.5) of each region decreased by 3.9 µg·m-3, 3.3 µg·m-3, and 1.4 µg·m-3 due to the contribution of the improvement in the pollution meteorological conditions, which is nearly 58.5% on average of the total decrease in PM2.5 concentration. However, the change in O3 pollution meteorological conditions was better in the north and worse in the south, and the overall deterioration in the Yangtze River Delta Region led to approximately 2.8 µg·m-3 growth for the O3 concentration. The PM2.5 and O3 concentrations after excluding the impact of meteorological differences showed different distribution characteristics from the air quality monitoring, in which the high concentrations of PM2.5 were distributed along the Bohai Sea, the inter-provincial border, and the south of the region, whereas the high concentrations of O3 were concentrated along the Taihang Mountains, around Mount Tai, and in parts of the Yangtze River Delta. The daily concentration variations in a single city during a specific pollution control period could be used as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of local supervision and control, which will provide a reference for the dynamic supervision and daily scheduling of local control management.

Sustainable treatment of nitrate-containing wastewater by an autotrophic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium.

Bacteria are key denitrifiers in the reduction of nitrate (NO3 --N), which is a contaminant in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). They can also produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O). In this study, the autotrophic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Rhodoblastus sp. TH20 was isolated for sustainable treatment of NO3 --N in wastewater. Efficient removal of NO3 --N and recovery of biomass nitrogen were achieved. Up to 99% of NO3 --N was removed without accumulation of nitrite and N2O, consuming CO2 of 3.25 mol for each mole of NO3 --N removed. The overall removal rate of NO3 --N reached 1.1 mg L-1 h-1 with a biomass content of approximately 0.71 g L-1 within 72 h. TH20 participated in NO3 --N assimilation and aerobic denitrification. Results from 15N-labeled-nitrate test indicated that removed NO3 --N was assimilated into organic nitrogen, showing an assimilation efficiency of 58%. Seventeen amino acids were detected, accounting for 43% of the biomass. Nitrogen loss through aerobic denitrification was only approximately 42% of total nitrogen. This study suggests that TH20 can be applied in WWTP facilities for water purification and production of valuable biomass to mitigate CO2 and N2O emissions.

Long-read Sequencing Data Reveals Dynamic Evolution of Mitochondrial Genome Size and the Phylogenetic Utility of Mitochondrial DNA in Hercules Beetles (Dynastes; Scarabaeidae).

The evolutionary dynamics and phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been of particular interest to systematists and evolutionary biologists. However, certain mitochondrial features, such as the molecular evolution of the control region in insects, remain poorly explored due to technological constraints. Using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing data, we assembled ten complete mitogenomes from ten Hercules beetles. We found large-sized mitogenomes (from 24 to 28 kb), which are among the largest in insects. The variation in genome size can be attributed to copy-number evolution of tandem repeats in the control region. Furthermore, one type of tandem repeat was found flanking the conserved sequence block in the control region. Importantly, such variation, which made up around 30% of the size of the mitogenome, may only become detectable should long-read sequencing technology be applied. We also found that, although different mitochondrial loci often inferred different phylogenetic histories, none of the mitochondrial loci statistically reject a concatenated mitochondrial phylogeny, supporting the hypothesis that all mitochondrial loci share a single genealogical history. We on the other hand reported statistical support for mito-nuclear phylogenetic discordance in 50% of mitochondrial loci. We argue that long-read DNA sequencing should become a standard application in the rapidly growing field of mitogenome sequencing. Furthermore, mitochondrial gene trees may differ even though they share a common genealogical history, and ND loci could be better candidates for phylogenetics than the commonly used COX1.

[Analysis of Characteristics and Causes of a Typical Haze Pollution in Beijing in the Winter of 2019].

In order to study the pollution characteristics and causes of winter haze pollution in Beijing, a typical PM2.5 pollution process in Beijing in December 2019 was used as the analysis object using aerosol vertical detection data, boundary layer meteorological field and near-ground turbulence data, and the difference in haze. The characteristics of the pollution stage and the evolution of the physical and chemical characteristics of the boundary layer were comprehensively analyzed. The results showed that ① the pollution process in Beijing during the observation period lasted 5 d and experienced two generations and eliminations. The maximum hourly PM2.5 concentration was 220 µg·m-3 and the time exceeding the severe pollution standard was 64 h, thereby accounting for 53% of the total time. ② The aerosol optical properties and meteorological field observation data showed that the pollution originated from the regional transmission of aerosols and water vapor on the surface of the southwest urban agglomeration in Beijing, which accounted for 48% of the total pollution transmission, followed by a stable high-altitude situation and ground pressure field configuration. The near-surface layer maintained weak southerly winds (wind speed: 1-2 m·s-1), a strong inversion temperature close to the ground ï¼»0.8 K·(100 m)-1ï¼½, high humidity (relative humidity above 80%), and other unfavorable diffusion weather conditions, thereby promoting the accumulation of pollutants and the conversion of moisture absorption. Superimposing local pollution emissions were the main reasons for the maintenance of haze days. In addition, the near-ground extinction coefficient increased from 0.070 km-1 to 5.954 km-1, and the depolarization ratio decreased from 0.05 to 0.02 during the two pollution generation and disappearance processes, thereby indicating that the spherical characteristics of aerosols gradually became significant as the pollution increased. ③ The analysis of the turbulence observation data showed that the characteristic quantities of different pollution stages were significantly different and negatively correlated with the pollutant concentration. Before the occurrence of heavy pollution, the turbulence statistics (turbulence intensity, friction velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy) suddenly decreased from high values (the hourly variation rate was 77%, thereby far exceeding the daily fluctuation of 33%), and the turbulence intensity responded first. During the pollution accumulation stage, the friction velocity (0.04-0.21 m·s-1), turbulence intensity (average: 0.678 m2·s-2), and turbulence energy (average: 0.643 m2·s-2) were maintained at a low level, and the bottom atmosphere had a poor mixing and diffusion ability, which is important for continuous pollution accumulation. Four hours before the end of the pollution event, the turbulence intensity again showed a sharp increase (increment of more than one order of magnitude); thus, the turbulence intensity can be used as a predictive indicator of the occurrence and end of a heavy pollution event, and the response time is the same as the continuous turbulence intensity after the turbulence peak. In addition, the sensible heat fluxes on sunny days and haze days were both transported from the ground to the atmosphere, and showed clear daily single-peak changes. The sensible heat flux on haze days (20 W·m-2) was smaller than that on sunny days (60 W·m-2). The latent heat flux was approximately 0 W·m-2 in the whole process. ④ There was a feedback effect between the meteorological conditions of the pollution layer and the boundary layer. On the one hand, unfavorable diffusion of the meteorological conditions was conducive to the accumulation of pollution. On the other hand, the aerosol layer and water vapor cooling effect that accumulated near the ground were worse than the night cooling radiation on the inversion layer The contribution was greater, thereby further inhibiting the development of turbulent motion and ultimately resulting in increased pollution.

Maternal hypercholesterolemia exacerbates atherosclerosis lesions in female offspring through potentiating macrophage polarization toward an inflammatory M1 phenotype.

Maternal hypercholesterolemia induces early onset of cardiovascular diseases in offspring; however, its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that maternal hypercholesterolemia increases offspring susceptibility to atherosclerosis in adulthood through developmental modifications of macrophages. Female apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice were fed a Western-type diet (WD) or a control diet (CD) prior to and throughout gestation and lactation. The offspring were all fed a WD after weaning. Sixteen-week-old female offspring of WD-fed dams showed a significant increase in atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta and aortic root compared with those of CD-fed dams. This effect was associated with increased macrophage accumulation within lesions, macrophage inflammation and an increase in circulating Ly6Chigh monocyte and F4/80 macrophage counts. We further evidenced that in utero WD exposure promoted macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype by elevating M1 markers (Cd86, Inos/Nos2) without affecting M2 markers (Cd206, Arg1). Proinflammatory cytokine synthesis was also enhanced in response to LPS. Finally, maternal WD intake strongly inhibited the macrophage expression of Pparg and Lxra, which was associated with aberrant DNA methylation of Lxra promoter. Our findings demonstrate that maternal hypercholesterolemia exacerbates atherosclerosis, in part by altering the epigenetic state of the macrophage genome of the offspring, imprinting gene expression, and changing macrophage polarization, which ultimately contributes to plaque macrophage burden.

The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-like phenotype and lowered serum VLDL are associated with decreased expression and DNA hypermethylation of hepatic ApoB in male offspring of ApoE deficient mothers fed a with Western diet.

Increasing evidence indicates that the intra-uterine environment has consequences for later life. However, the mechanisms of this fetal programming remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of diet-induced maternal hypercholesterolemia on the predisposition of offspring to nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) and metabolic diseases and its underlying mechanisms. Female apolipoprotein (Apo) E-deficient mice were fed a control diet (CD) or high fat/high cholesterol Western-type diet (WD) before and throughout pregnancy and lactation, and their offspring were weaned onto a CD postnatally. Strikingly, male offspring of WD-fed dams developed glucose intolerance and decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity and exhibited hepatic steatosis. Hepatic steatosis could be attributed, at least in part, to increased hepatic lipogenesis in E18.5 embryos and decreased serum VLDL levels in adulthood. In addition, males born to WD-fed dams had lower serum ApoB levels and hepatic ApoB gene expression compared with males born to CD-fed dams. DNA methylation analysis revealed increased methylation of CpG dinucleotides on the promoter region of the ApoB genes in the livers of male offspring of WD-fed dams. Our findings suggest that maternal WD intake can exacerbate the development of NAFLD in male offspring potentially by affecting ApoB gene expression through epigenetic alterations.

Magnetic chitosan/sodium alginate gel bead as a novel composite adsorbent for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution.

Using sodium alginate hydrogel as skeleton, in combination with chitosan and magnetic Fe3O4, a new type of magnetic chitosan/sodium alginate gel bead (MCSB) was prepared. Adsorptive removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions was studied by using the MCSB as a promising candidate in environmental application. Different kinetics and isotherm models were employed to investigate the adsorption process. Based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscope, CHNS/O elements analysis, vibration magnetometer, and various means of characterization, a comprehensive analysis of the adsorption mechanism was conducted. The MCSB had a good magnetic performance with a saturation magnetization of 12.5 emu/g. Elemental analysis proved that the addition of chitosan introduced a considerable amount of nitrogen-rich groups, contributing significantly to copper adsorption onto gel beads. The contact time necessary for adsorption was optimized at 120 min to achieve equilibrium. Experimental data showed that the adsorption process agreed well with the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of MCSB for Cu(II) could reach as high as 124.53 mg/g. In conclusion, the MCSB in this study is a novel and promising composite adsorbent, which can be applied for practical applications in due course.

Lactobacillus pentosus GMNL-77 inhibits skin lesions in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mice.

Psoriasis, which is regarded as a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disease, is characterized by hyperproliferation and poor differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. In this study, we aimed to determine the in vivo effect of a potentially probiotic strain, Lactobacillus pentosus GMNL-77, in imiquimod-induced epidermal hyperplasia and psoriasis-like skin inflammation in BALB/c mice. Oral administration of L. pentosus GMNL-77 significantly decreased erythematous scaling lesions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that treatment with L. pentosus GMNL-77 significantly decreased the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and the IL-23/IL-17A axis-associated cytokines (IL-23, IL-17A/F, and IL-22) in the skin of imiquimod-treated mice. In addition, we found that L. pentosus GMNL-77 decreased the spleen weights of the imiquimod-treated group and reduced the numbers of IL-17- and IL-22-producing CD4+ T cells in the spleen. In conclusion, the present study provides insight into the potential use of L. pentosus GMNL-77 in the future treatment of psoriasis.

Study on Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics of Cd2+ and Cu2+ on the Surface Sediments of Sanhuhekou of Yellow River by Using ICP-MS.

In order to study the interaction mechanism between Cd2+, Cu2+ and surface sediments in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the surface sediment of Sanhuhekou (YRSSM) was chosen as research object with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as analysis method. The adsorption reaction condition such as liquid-solid ratio, reaction time and pH were optimized, and the adsorption and desorption characteristics of Cd2+ and Cu2+ onto the surface sediments under the optimized experimental conditions were studied. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of Cu2+ was greater than that of Cd2+, the equilibrium absorption capacity were 0.88 and 0.13 mg·g-1 under each optimum experimental condition, respectively. The adsorptions of Cu2+ and Cd2+ were in accord with the pseudo-second-order kinetic, while adsorption rate of Cu2+ was also greater than that of Cd2+. The adsorption thermodynamics data were in accordance with the Freundlich model and the fitting. Results showed that the adsorption process of Cu2+ and Cd2+ belonged to the preferential adsorption, and were endothermic and spontaneous processes. The desorption process showed that the Elovich equation were suitable for Cd2+ and Cu2+ and belonged to the heterogeneous diffusion. Multi-ions competitive adsorption and desorption experiments indicated that Cu2+ was influenced more by co-existing ion. The study revealed not only the mechanism of adsorption and desorption between Cd2+, Cu2+ and surface sediment in Sanhuhekou, but also the influence of coexisting ions on the adsorption and desorption characteristics. The results demonstrated that the distribution mechanism of heavy metals between solid-liquid phases, and provided a theoretical basis for the migration ability of heavy metals. It also had a guiding significance for establishing heavy metals preventive and control measures of the study area.

[Eco-physiology and regulation of leaf senescence and maturity performance in cotton: A review].

Senescence is a natural termination process at the plant or organ level of cotton, leading to the inevitable end of the growth and development process. Maturity performance is termed as senescence performance and results of a cotton plant during boll opening, including normal maturity, premature senescence and late-maturity in cotton. Senescence and maturity performance are influenced by genotype and environment interactions. This paper summarized and reviewed the research progress in eco-physiology and molecular biology of cotton leaf senescence. Strategies were proposed to regulate cotton growth and aging through breeding of stably-developed varieties, rational application of plant growth regulators and agronomic cultivation measures, to realize normal maturity and improve yield and quality of cotton.

[Functional analysis of a novel SCN5A mutation G1712C identified in Brugada syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms of Brugada syndrome through functional analysis of a novel SCN5A gene mutation G1712C. METHODS: A recombinant plasmid pRc

Studied on Distribution and Heavy Metal Pollution Index of Heavy Metals in Water from Upper Reaches of the Yellow River, China.

In order to understand the spatial distribution and evaluate the pollution degree of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in upper reaches of the Yellow River, surface water samples were collected from 12 selected sites during two field surveys in April 2014 (drought season) and October 2014 (normal season). The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for spatial variation and heavy metal pollution index. The average concentrations of the metals in the drought season and normal season decreased respectively in the order: Cr (18.56 µg·L-1)>As (2.95 µg·L-1)>Ni (1.87 µg·L-1)>Mn (1.20 µg·L-1)>Cu (1.12 µg·L-1)>Zn (0.59 µg·L-1)>Pb (0.08 µg·L-1)>Cd (0.01 µg·L-1); Mn (596.89 µg·L-1)>Zn (52.46 µg·L-1)>Cu (36.27 µg·L-1)>Ni (25.11 µg·L-1)>Cr (23.19 µg·L-1)>Pb (19.51 µg·L-1)>As (7.30 µg·L-1)>Cd (0.37 µg·L-1). The results were compared with national and international water quality guidelines, as well as literature values reported for the same river in flood season. To assess the composite influence of all the considered metals on the overall quality of the water, heavy metal pollution indices were calculated. The Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of the river calculated for the individual locations showed ranging from 6.46 to 11.95 in drought season, 4.53 to 210.53 in normal season, respectively. Both the distribution of metals and HPI of two seasons revealed obvious seasonal variation. The results showed that the degree of heavy metal contaminant was not very high and had seasonal variation; both the concentrations of metals and HPIs indicated the pollution level of the normal season was higher than it of the drought season. The results of this paper provided reliable experimental data and theoretical basis for the relevant departments to make further policy decision.

In situ prepared polypyrrole for low humidity QCM sensor and related theoretical calculation.

In situ preparation of polypyrrole (Ppy) by photo-polymerization coated on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a low humidity sensor was reported. Different concentrations of Ppy films say 0wt.% (as blank), 0.1, 1, and 10wt.% were investigated to measure humidity concentrations between 14.7 and 5412.5ppm(v). The adsorption/desorption behavior was also examined at humidity concentration 510.2ppm(v). The sensitivities of 0, 0.1 and 1wt.% Ppy films at 51.5ppm(v) were 0.143, 0.219 and 0.427, respectively. For 1wt.% Ppy, the highest sensitivity was obtained. The slope and correlation coefficients (R(2)) for 1wt.% Ppy at the ranges of 14.7-898.6ppm(v) were 0.0646 and 0.9909, respectively. A series of molecular simulations have been carried out to calculate bond energy for the water molecule interaction with Ppy, which was found to be approximately 3kcal/mol indicating the existence of hydrogen bonding during the sorption process. Based on Langmuir isotherm adsorption assumption, for 0.1 and 1wt.% Ppy films, the association constants were 2606.30 and 5792.98, respectively. This larger association constant for 1wt.% Ppy film explains higher sensitivity.

[The quality status of anesthetic units used in Shanghai and the supervision countermeasures].

Based on the testing results of samples, this article represents the safety status of anesthetic units used in Shanghai medical institutions. In order to guarantee the safety and efficacy of the anesthetic devices, the medical institutions should set up some effective management systems, the related government departments should immediately perfect their administration system and bring in the market-operated professional maintenance organizations.

[Expression of neutrophil adhesion molecule CD11b as an early diagnostic marker for neonatal sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis is a common disease and the sepsis-related mortality rate is still high. Until now, there has no ideal diagnostic marker to early identify neonatal sepsis. Expression of neutrophil adhesion molecule CD(11b) was showed as the earlier reaction to the infection/inflammation, and may be applied as an early diagnostic marker for sepsis. This study was to investigate this antigen for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis related to bacterial infection. METHODS: According to clinical symptoms, signs and four indices (WBC, PLT, plasma CRP and ratio of I/T), fifty-one neonates with established or suspected sepsis were allocated retrospectively into two groups of sepsis [n = 23, gestational age of (38.3 +/- 2.4) weeks, postnatal age of (12.7 +/- 8.8) days, body weight: (3.1 +/- 0.8) kg] and suspected sepsis [n = 28, gestational age of (38.8 +/- 1.6) weeks, postnatal age of (11.7 +/- 7.3) days, body weight: (3.3 +/- 0.6) kg]. Fifteen healthy neonates were served as controls [gestational age: (38.5 +/- 1.4) weeks, postnatal age: (8.2 +/- 5.5) days, body weight: (3.3 +/- 0.3) kg]. CD(11b) was quantified with the whole blood flow cytometry and direct immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS: The expressions of neutrophil CD(11b) in neonates with sepsis and suspected sepsis were (320 +/- 189) MFI and (456 +/- 213) MFI, respectively, which was lower than that of controls [(1,090 +/- 338) MFI, t = -9.01 and -7.56, respectively; P < 0.001]. The expression of CD(11b) was lower in neonates with sepsis than that with suspected sepsis (t = -2.39, P < 0.05). The expression of CD(11b) in neonates with CRP >or= 30 mg/L was (211 +/- 164) MFI, which was lower than those with CRP < 30 mg/L [(505 +/- 265) MFI, t = 2.64, P < 0.05]. The detection of CD(11b) (