Harnessing Multiscale Physiochemical Interactions on Nanobiointerface for Enhanced Stress Resilience in Rice.

Nanoagrochemicals present promising solutions for augmenting conventional agriculture, while insufficient utilization of nanobiointerfacial interactions hinders their field application. This work investigates the multiscale physiochemical interactions between nanoagrochemicals and rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves and devises a strategy for elevating targeting efficiency of nanoagrochemicals and stress resilience of rice. We identified multiple deposition behaviors of nanoagrochemicals on hierarchically structured leaves and demonstrated the crucial role of leaf microarchitectures. A transition from the Cassie-Baxter to the Wenzel state significantly changed the deposition behavior from superlattice assembly, ring-shaped aggregation to uniform monolayer deposition. By fine-tuning the formulation properties, we achieved a 415.9-fold surge in retention efficiency, and enhanced the sustainability of nanoagrochemicals by minimizing loss during long-term application. This biointerface design significantly relieved the growth inhibition of Cd(II) pollutant on rice plants with a 95.2% increase in biomass after foliar application of SiO2 nanoagrochemicals. Our research elucidates the intricate interplay between leaf structural attributes, nanobiointerface design, and biological responses of plants, fostering field application of nanoagrochemicals.

The prognostic value of 11th Japanese classification and 8th AJCC staging systems in Chinese patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Two staging systems, the 8th staging system by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the 11th Japanese classification by Japan Esophageal Society (JES), are currently applied in the clinic for predicting the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The differences between the two staging systems have been widely researched. However, little studies focus on the differences in specific staging between the two systems. Therefore, we aimed to compare the performance of different staging in predicting overall survival (OS) of Chinese patients with ESCC. METHODS: This retrospective study included 268 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection for ESCC between January 2008 and December 2013. Patients were staged by the 8th AJCC and 11th JES staging systems. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between N stages and between stage groupings using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently related to outcome. Further, we compared the concordance indexes (C-indexes) of the two staging systems. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.25 ± 7.056 years, median follow-up was 44.82 months, and 5-year OS rate was 47%. The OS was well predicted by the 8th AJCC N staging (P < 0.001) and the 11th JES N staging (P < 0.001), with a c-index of 0.638 (95% CI: 0.592-0.683) for AJCC N staging and 0.627 (95% CI: 0.583-0.670) for JES N staging (P = 0.13). In addition, the OS was also well predicted by stage groupings of the 8th AJCC (P < 0.001) and the 11th JES systems (P < 0.001), with a c-index of 0.658 (95% CI: 0.616-0.699) for 8th AJCC stage grouping and 0.629 (95% CI: 0.589-0.668) for the11th JES stage grouping (P = 0.211). CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic effect of 11th JES staging system is comparable with that of AJCC 8th staging system for patients with ESCC. Therefore, both systems are applicable to clinical practice.

Perirenal Fat Thickness is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: Recent advances in perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) highlighted that PAT might involve in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and dysfunctional metabolic diseases. This study assessed the association between perirenal fat thickness (PrFT) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MALFD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This study comprised 867 eligible participants with T2DM. Trained reviewers collected anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the latest international expert consensus statement. PrFT and fatty liver were evaluated by computed tomography. The visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index were used to assess progressive liver fibrosis in MAFLD. Results: Overall, the prevalence of MAFLD was 62.3% in T2DM. The PrFT in the MAFLD group was statistically increased than in the non-MAFLD group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that PrFT was significantly correlated with dysfunctional metabolic factors like body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, uric acid, and insulin resistance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that PrFT was positively correlated with NFS (ß=0.146, P<0.001) and FIB-4 (ß=0.082, P=0.025) in the MAFLD. In contrast, PrFT was negatively correlated with CTL-S (ß=-0.188, P<0.001). Furthermore, PrFT was also significantly associated with MAFLD independent of VFA and SFA, the OR (95% CI) was 1.279 (1.191-1.374). Meanwhile, PrFT also had a good identifying value for MAFLD as VFA. The area under the curve (95% CI) value of PrFT identifying MAFLD was 0.782 (0.751-0.812). The optimal cut-off value of PrFT was 12.6mm, with a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 70.8%. Conclusion: PrFT was independently associated with MAFLD, NFS, and FIB-4 and showed a similar identifying value for MAFLD as VFA, which suggested that PrFT can be used as an alternative index to VFA.

cAMP-Epac1 signaling is activated in DDAVP-induced endolymphatic hydrops of guinea pigs

Abstract Objective To explore whether Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP)-Epac1 signaling is activated in 1-Desamino-8-D-arginine-Vasopressin-induced Endolymphatic Hydrops (DDAVP-induced EH) and to provide new insight for further in-depth study of DDAVP-induced EH. Methods Eighteen healthy, red-eyed guinea pigs (36 ears) weighing 200-350 g were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, which received intraperitoneal injection of sterile saline (same volume as that in the other two groups) for 7 consecutive days; the DDAVP-7d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/mL/kg DDAVP for 7 consecutive days; and the DDAVP-14d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 μg/mL/kg DDAVP for 14 consecutive days. After successful modeling, all animals were sacrificed, and cochlea tissues were collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1 and 2 (Epac1, Epac2), and Repressor Activator Protein-1 (Rap1) by Reverse Transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results Compared to the control group, the relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Epac2, Rap1A, and Rap1B in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-7d group was significantly higher (p< 0.05), while no significant difference in Rap1 GTPase activating protein (Rap1gap) mRNA expression was found between the two groups. The relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Rap1A, Rap1B, and Rap1gap in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-14d group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p< 0.05), while no significant difference in Epac2 mRNA expression was found between the DDAVP-14d and control groups. Comparison between the DDAVP-14d and DDAVP-7d groups showed that the DDAVP-14d group had significantly lower Epac2 and Rap1A (p< 0.05) and higher Rap1gap (p < 0.05) mRNA expression in the cochlea tissue than that of the DDAVP-7d group, while no significant differences in Epac1 and Rap1B mRNA expression were found between the two groups. Western blotting showed that Epac1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-14d group, followed by that in the DDAVP-7d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p< 0.05); Rap1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-7d group, followed by the DDAVP-14d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p< 0.05); no significant differences in Epac2 protein expression in the cochlea tissue were found among the three groups. Conclusion DDAVP upregulated Epac1 protein expression in the guinea pig cochlea, leading to activation of the inner ear cAMP-Epac1 signaling pathway. This may be an important mechanism by which DDAVP regulates endolymphatic metabolism to induce EH and affect inner ear function. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence Level 5.

cAMP-Epac1 signaling is activated in DDAVP-induced endolymphatic hydrops of guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP)-Epac1 signaling is activated in 1-Desamino-8-D-arginine-Vasopressin-induced Endolymphatic Hydrops (DDAVP-induced EH) and to provide new insight for further in-depth study of DDAVP-induced EH. METHODS: Eighteen healthy, red-eyed guinea pigs (36 ears) weighing 200-350 g were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, which received intraperitoneal injection of sterile saline (same volume as that in the other two groups) for 7 consecutive days; the DDAVP-7d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/mL/kg DDAVP for 7 consecutive days; and the DDAVP-14d group, which received intraperitoneal injection of 10 µg/mL/kg DDAVP for 14 consecutive days. After successful modeling, all animals were sacrificed, and cochlea tissues were collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1 and 2 (Epac1, Epac2), and Repressor Activator Protein-1 (Rap1) by Reverse Transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Epac2, Rap1A, and Rap1B in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-7d group was significantly higher (p <  0.05), while no significant difference in Rap1 GTPase activating protein (Rap1gap) mRNA expression was found between the two groups. The relative mRNA expression of Epac1, Rap1A, Rap1B, and Rap1gap in the cochlea tissue of the DDAVP-14d group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p <  0.05), while no significant difference in Epac2 mRNA expression was found between the DDAVP-14d and control groups. Comparison between the DDAVP-14d and DDAVP-7d groups showed that the DDAVP-14d group had significantly lower Epac2 and Rap1A (p <  0.05) and higher Rap1gap (p < 0.05) mRNA expression in the cochlea tissue than that of the DDAVP-7d group, while no significant differences in Epac1 and Rap1B mRNA expression were found between the two groups. Western blotting showed that Epac1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-14d group, followed by that in the DDAVP-7d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p <  0.05); Rap1 protein expression in the cochlea tissue was the highest in the DDAVP-7d group, followed by the DDAVP-14d group, and was the lowest in the control group, showing significant differences between groups (p <  0.05); no significant differences in Epac2 protein expression in the cochlea tissue were found among the three groups. CONCLUSION: DDAVP upregulated Epac1 protein expression in the guinea pig cochlea, leading to activation of the inner ear cAMP-Epac1 signaling pathway. This may be an important mechanism by which DDAVP regulates endolymphatic metabolism to induce EH and affect inner ear function. OXFORD CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE 2011 LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level 5.

Deciphering the microheterogeneous repartition effect of environmental matrix on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis for pollutants in natural waters.

Although surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offers a promising technology for sensitive detection of environmental pollutants in natural waters, its performance can be greatly affected by the environmental matrix. The lack of identification of the origin and the underlying mechanism of matrix effect hinders the application of SERS in practical environmental analysis. Herein, with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a solution-based SERS substrate, the matrix effect from environmental waters on SERS analysis and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. It was found that natural water matrix could deteriorate SERS performance and cause artefacts in SERS spectra. Among various aqueous components, natural organic matter (NOM), including humic substances and proteins, mainly contributed to the matrix effect on SERS detection, while polysaccharides or inorganic ions had minor influence. The matrix effect from NOM was found to be prevalent for different analytes and SERS substrates. The mechanism of the matrix effect from NOM in the ternary system of analyte, NOM, and nanoparticles was investigated through three mutual interactions. The microheterogeneous repartition of analytes by NOM, other than the formation of NOM-corona or competitive adsorption between NOM and analytes on nanoparticles, was found to play the dominating role in interfering with SERS detection. This work illuminates the origin and underlying mechanisms of the matrix effect, which will promote the practical application of SERS technology in environmental analysis.

Multiple roles of released c-type cytochromes in tuning electron transport and physiological status of Geobacter sulfurreducens.

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) can transfer electrons to extracellular insoluble electron acceptors and play important roles in geochemical cycling, biocorrosion, environmental remediation, and bioenergy generation. c-type cytochromes (c-Cyts) are synthesized by DMRB and usually transported to the cell surface to form modularized electron transport conduits through protein assembly, while some of them are released as extracellularly free-moving electron carriers in growth to promote electron transport. However, the type of these released c-Cyts, the timing of their release, and the functions they perform have not been unrevealed yet. In this work, after characterizing the types of c-Cyts released by Geobacter sulfurreducens under a variety of cultivation conditions, we found that these c-Cyts accumulated up to micromolar concentrations in the surrounding medium and conserved their chemical activities. Further studies demonstrated that the presence of c-Cyts accelerated the process of microbial extracellular electron transfer and mediated long-distance electron transfer. In particular, the presence of c-Cyts promoted the microbial respiration and affected the physiological state of the microbial community. In addition, c-Cyts were observed to be adsorbed on the surface of insoluble electron acceptors and modify electron acceptors. These results reveal the overlooked multiple roles of the released c-Cyts in acting as public goods, delivering electrons, modifying electron acceptors, and even regulating bacterial community structure in natural and artificial environments.

Anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor effectively mitigates antibiotic resistance genes proliferation under high antibiotic selection pressure.

The spread of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in environments has posed potential threats to public health. Unfortunately, conventional biological wastewater treatment technologies generally show insufficient removal of antibiotics and ARGs. Bioelectrochemical systems, which can effectively degrade refractory organic pollutants via enhancing microbial metabolisms through electrochemical redox reaction, may provide an alternative for the control of antibiotics and ARGs. Herein, an anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor (AnEMBR) was conducted by combining bioelectrochemical system and anaerobic membrane bioreactor to treat antibiotic-containing wastewater. The AnEMBR at open circuit showed stable CH4 production and high removal of COD and chlortetracycline (CTC) in treating 2.5-15 mg/L CTC. However, increasing CTC to 45 mg/L completely inhibited the methanogenesis of AnEMBR at open circuit. After applying external voltage in AnEMBR, the performances of AnEMBR were significantly improved (e.g., increased CH4 production and CTC removal). Moreover, CTC exposure significantly increased the relative abundances of ARGs in sludge, supernatant, and effluent in AnEMBR at open circuit. Applying voltage greatly attenuated the total relative abundances of ARGs in the supernatant and effluent of AnEMBR compared to those at open circuit. This could be attributed to the enrichment of tetracycline degradation gene tetX, which greatly enhanced the removal of CTC by the AnEMBR and thus reduced the selective pressure of CTC on the microorganisms in supernatant and effluent for ARGs proliferation. These results would provide an effective wastewater treatment technology for treating high-level antibiotic-containing wastewater to mitigate the potential risk of ARGs and antibiotics spread in receiving water body.

RNAi-based functional analysis of bursicon genes related to wing expansion in gypsy moths.

Bursicon is a heterodimeric neuropeptide composed of Burs-α and Burs-ß subunits that plays an important role in cuticle tanning and wing expansion in insects. In this study, full-length cDNAs of Burs-α (LdBurs-α) and Burs-ß (LdBurs-ß) genes were identified in gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and cloned. The 480 bp and 420 bp open reading frames (ORFs) encode 159 and 129 amino acid polypeptides, respectively. LdBurs-α and LdBurs-ß have 11 conserved cysteine residues, and LdBurs-α and LdBurs-ß genes were expressed during all developmental stages according to quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), with highest expression in the egg stage. High expression levels were also detected in the haemolymph, cuticle and head. To explore the physiological functions of LdBurs-α and LdBurs-ß, the genes were knocked down in larvae and pupae using RNA interference (RNAi), and expression levels of LdBurs-α and LdBurs-ß were decreased by 42.26-80.09%. Wing defects were observed in L. dispar pupae following Ldbursion silencing, with a phenotypic percentage ranging from 10.17% to 15.00%. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Ldbursicon prevented the expansion of male and female L. dispar adult wings, with malformation rates ranging from 6.38% and 30.00% to 57.69% and 69.23%, but no cuticle tanning defects were observed in pupae or adults. The results indicate that bursicon plays a key role in wing expansion in L. dispar adults, making it a potentially novel molecular target for insecticide-based control of this pest species.

Selectively Tracking Nanoparticles in Aquatic Plant Using Core-Shell Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Imaging.

Nanoparticles contribute to enormous environmental processes, but, due to analytical challenges, the understanding of nanoparticle fate remains elusive in complex environmental matrices. To address the challenge, a core-shell nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (CSNERS) imaging method was developed to selectively track prevalent SiO2 nanoparticles in an aquatic plant, Lemna minor. By encapsulating gold nanoparticles and Raman reporters inside, the resonance Raman signature was enhanced, thus enabling the sensitive and selective detection of SiO2 nanoparticles at an environmentally relevant concentration. The panoramic visualization of the translocation pathway of nanoparticles shows an unexpected, fast (in hours) and a preferential accumulation of nanoparticles on the node, leaf edge, root cap, etc., implying the ability of CSNERS to spectroscopically determine nanotoxicity. The core-shell design in CSNERS was capable of multiplex labeling two differently charged nanoparticles and distinguishing their biobehavior simultaneously. Meanwhile, the CSNERS method can be further applied for a variety of nanoparticles, implying its promising applications for nanotoxicity research and biogeochemical study.

MTNR1B polymorphisms with CDKN2A and MGMT methylation status are associated with poor prognosis of colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Identifying novel colorectal cancer (CRC) prognostic biomarkers is crucial to helping clinicians make appropriate therapy decisions. Melatonin plays a major role in managing the circadian rhythm and exerts oncostatic effects on different kinds of tumours. AIM: To explore the relationship between MTNR1B single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) combined with gene hypermethylation and CRC prognosis. METHODS: A total of 94 CRC tumour tissues were investigated. Genotyping for the four MTNR1B SNPs (rs1387153, rs2166706, rs10830963, and rs1447352) was performed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The relationships between the MTNR1B SNPs and CRC 5-year overall survival (OS) was assessed by calculating hazard ratios with 95%CIs. RESULTS: All SNPs (rs1387153, rs2166706, rs10830963, and rs1447352) were correlated with decreased 5-year OS. In stratified analysis, rs1387153, rs10830963, and rs1447352 risk genotype combined with CDKN2A and MGMT methylation status were associated with 5-year OS. A strong cumulative effect of the four polymorphisms on CRC prognosis was observed. Four haplotypes of MTNR1B SNPs were also associated with the 5-year OS. MTNR1B SNPs combined with CDKN2A and MGMT gene methylation status could be used to predict shorter CRC survival. CONCLUSION: The novel genetic biomarkers combined with epigenetic biomarkers may be predictive tool for CRC prognosis and thus could be used to individualise treatment for patients with CRC.

Sediments nitrogen cycling influenced by submerged macrophytes growing in winter.

Restoration of submerged macrophytes is one of the important measures for ecological treatment of eutrophic lakes. The changes in physical and chemical conditions caused by submerged macrophytes also affect the process of benthic nitrogen cycling. The growth period of Potamogeton crispus is mainly in winter. In order to understand the effect of submerged macrophytes growing in winter on nitrification rate and denitrification rate in the process of nitrogen cycling, experiments were carried out from winter to summer with vegetated and non-vegetated treatments. The results showed that the effect of submerged macrophytes on water temperature was not significant in winter. The nitrogen cycling was mainly affected by variables, which were inorganic nitrogen and dissolved oxygen. Submerged macrophytes had little effect on nitrification rate, but had a certain inhibition on denitrification rate by providing oxygen from photosynthesis. In total, submerged macrophytes growing in winter have little effect on nitrogen cycling in sediment. However, submerged macrophytes growing in winter can increase the attachment surface of microbes and inhibit resuspension of sediment, which play a complementary role to submerged macrophytes growing in summer for maintaining stability of eutrophic lakes.

Highly efficient removal and detoxification of phenolic compounds using persulfate activated by MnOx@OMC: Synergistic mechanism and kinetic analysis.

Persulfate-based advanced oxidation technology exhibits great potential for hazardous organic pollutant removal from wastewater. Acceleration of pollutant degradation needs to be elucidated, particularly for heterogeneous catalytic systems. In this study, manganese oxide ordered mesoporous carbon composites (MnOx@OMC) were prepared by nano-casting method and used for persulfate activation to degrade phenol. Kinetics analysis indicate that the rate of phenol degradation using MnOx@OMC composites was improved by 34.9 folds relative to that using a mixture of MnOx and OMC. The phenol toxicity towards Caenorhabditis elegans could be totally reduced within 8 min. The different roles of MnOx and OMC in persulfate activation were confirmed to validate their synergistic effect. MnOx provided major active sites for persulfate activation in accordance with the surface Mn3+/Mn4+ cycle to induce SO4•- radicals. The OMC matrix provided the adsorption sites to enrich phenol molecules on the catalytic surface and promote the interfacial electron transfer process for persulfate activation. Moreover, a novel kinetic model with two distinct kinetic stages was established to verify the effects of phenol and persulfate on phenol removal.

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Domestic Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in Taiwan: A 19-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an illness caused by hantaviruses. Numerous factors modify the risk of hantavirus transmission. This study explored the epidemiological characteristics, differences, and trends in terms of gender, age, season, and living areas of those diagnosed with domestically acquired HFRS in Taiwan from 2001 to 2019. METHODS: We examined publicly available annual summary data on the domestic cases with HFRS from 2001 to 2019; these data were obtained from the web database of Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC). RESULTS: This study analyzed 21 domestic cases with HFRS from Taiwan's CDC databases. In this study of the cases of HFRS in Taiwan, a gradual increase in the cases of those aged ≥40 years acquiring the disease was noted, and a distinct pattern of seasonal variation (spring) was observed. Furthermore, more men had domestically acquired HFRS, and living in Taipei metropolitan area (6 cases [28.6%]) and the rural areas (Gao-Ping region, 9 cases [42.9%]) was identified as a potential risk factor. This study represents the first report of confirmed cases of domestically acquired HFRS from surveillance data from Taiwan's CDC, 2001-2019. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of longitudinal studies covering a wide geographical area, particularly for highly fluctuating pathogens, to understanding the implications of the transmission of zoonotic diseases in human populations. Important data were identified to inform future surveillance and research efforts in Taiwan.

Significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and prognostic nutritional index for predicting clinical outcomes in T1-2 rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation-related parameters have been revealed to have prognostic value in multiple caners. However, the significance of some inflammation-related parameters, including the peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), remains controversial in T1-2 rectal cancer (RC). METHODS: Clinical data of 154 T1-2 RC patients were retrospectively reviewed. The cut-off values for NLR, PLR, LMR, and PNI were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. The relationships of these parameters with postoperative morbidities and prognosis were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off values for preoperative NLR, PLR, LMR and PNI were 2.8, 140.0, 3.9, and 47.1, respectively. Significant but heterogeneous associations were found between NLR, PLR, LMR and PNI and clinicopathological factors. In addition, high NLR, high PLR, and low PNI were correlated with an increased postoperative morbidity rate. Patients with high NLR/PLR or low LMR/PNI had lower OS and DFS rates. On multivariate analysis, only high NLR was identified as an independent risk factor for poor DFS. CONCLUSIONS: NLR, PLR, and PNI are valuable factors for predicting postoperative complications in T1-2 RC patients. A preoperative NLR of more than 2.8 is an independent prognostic factor for poor DFS in T1-2 RC patients.

Redox state of microbial extracellular polymeric substances regulates reduction of selenite to elemental selenium accompanying with enhancing microbial detoxification in aquatic environments.

In nature, many microorganisms show resistance to toxic selenite by reducing selenite to non-soluble and low toxic elemental selenium. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), a high-molecular-weight biopolymers originated from microbial metabolism, contain many reducing groups and can induce reductive transformation of pollutants. However, the roles of EPS and its redox state in reductive detoxification or reduction removal of selenite, respectively, remain unknown yet. Herein, the reduction of selenite by different sources of EPS was investigated. Selenite was proved to be reduced by EPS and partly transformed to elemental selenium. The formed elemental selenium was mainly selenium nanoparticles confirmed by transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The redox state of EPS governed selenite reduction and elemental selenium formation, and the reduced state of EPS was in favor of selenite reduction. Dissolved oxygen concentration in water regulated EPS redox state and influenced selenite reduction. The thiols, aldehyde and phenolic groups in EPS were responsible for selenite reduction. Under selenite stress, EPS was capable of increasing cell survivability by enhancing microorganisms-mediated selenite reduction. This work revealed the previously undiscovered roles of EPS in selenite reduction and elemental selenium formation in aquatic environments and also suggested a possible crucial role of EPS in selenium biogeochemical cycle.

Unrecognized Contributions of Dissolved Organic Matter Inducing Photodamages to the Decay of Extracellular DNA in Waters.

Extracellular DNA (eDNA), which is derived from lysis or secretion of cells, is ubiquitous in various environments and crucial for gene dissemination, bacterial metabolism, biofilm integrity, and aquatic monitoring. However, these processes are largely influenced by damage to eDNA. Photodamage to eDNA, one of the most important types of DNA damage in natural waters, thus far remains unclear. In particular, the roles of the ubiquitous dissolved organic matter (DOM) in this process have yet to be determined. In this study, eDNA photodamage, including both deoxynucleoside damage and strand breaks, proved to be significantly influenced by DOM. DOM competed with eDNA for photons to inhibit the direct photodamage of eDNA. Nevertheless, DOM was photosensitized to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) (i.e., hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2)) to enhance the indirect photodamage of eDNA. The ·OH induced damage to four deoxynucleosides and strand breaks, and the 1O2 substantially enhanced deoxyguanosine damage. The presence of DOM changed the main photodamage products of deoxynucleosides, additional oxidation products induced by ROS formed besides pyrimidine dimers caused by UV. Results indicate that DOM-mediated indirect photodamage contributed significantly to eDNA photodamage in most water bodies. This study revealed the previously unrecognized crucial role of DOM in the decay of eDNA in waters.

Development of a recombinant vaccine against foot and mouth disease utilizing mutant attenuated Listeria ivanovii strain as a live vector.

The drawbacks of conventional inactivated Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, such as escaping of the virus during manufacture processes prompted researchers to explore novel types of vaccine to overcome these disadvantages. Listeria ivanovii (LI) is an intracellular microorganism that possesses immune-stimulatory properties, making it appropriate for use as a live bacterial vaccine vector. The Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) VP1 protein is the most immunogenic part of FMDV capsid, it has most of the antigenic sites for viral neutralization. The expression of antigen gene cassette in vitro was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Mice were able to eliminate LI△actAplcB-vp1 from the liver and spleen within few days revealed a safety of the candidate vaccine. Two doses of LI△actAplcB-vp1 with 14 days of interval were injected into mice. High levels of specific IgG antibodies and CD8+ and CD4+ T cells secreted cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 against FMDV-VP1 were achieved. Based on the obtained results, LI△actAplcB-vp1 candidate vaccine utilizing Listeria ivanovii as a live vector-based vaccine could enhance a specific cellular and humoral immune responses against the inserted FMDV-vp1 heterologous genes. LI△actAplcB-vp1 candidate vaccine could be a modern tool to overcome the disadvantages of the traditional inactivated FMD vaccine.

The role and clinical significance of programmed cell death- ligand 1 expressed on CD19+B-cells and subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-targeted therapies have enhanced T-cell response and demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of multiple cancers. However, the role and clinical significance of PD-L1 expression on CD19+ B-cells and their subsets, with particular reference to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have not yet been studied in detail. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate PD-L1 expression on CD19+ B-cells and their subsets, in addition to exploring its possible role in Tfh-cell activation and B-cell differentiation in SLE. METHODS: Frequencies of CD19+ B-cells, their subsets, PD-L1 and Tfh cells in the peripheral blood of SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs) were determined using cytometry. The clinical data of SLE patients were recorded in detail, and the correlation between their laboratory parameters, clinical parameters and disease activity indices was statistically analyzed. CD19+PD-L1+B-cells and CD19+PD-L1- B-cells were sorted and cultured with a stimulant, following which the supernatants were collected for immunoglobulin G and anti-double stranded DNA detection via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In SLE patients, CD19+B-cells and partial subgroups were enriched in peripheral blood. Also, the observed increase in the frequency of CD19+PD-L1+B-cells was significantly associated with a higher disease activity index. An in vitro culture test demonstrated that the amounts of anti-dsDNA and immunoglobulin G secreted by the CD19+PD-L1+B-cells of SLE patients and HCs were vastly different. In addition, a strong correlation existed between the frequencies of CD19+PD-L1+B-cells and defined Tfh cells of SLE patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the expression of CD19+PD-L1+B-cells in the peripheral blood of SLE patients was abnormal, and that disease-related laboratory parameters and clinical indicators were correlated. CD19+PD-L1+B-cells were enriched and played a critical role in activating the pathogenic T-cell and B-cell responses in patients with SLE.

Spectroscopic insights into photochemical transformation of effluent organic matter from biological wastewater treatment plants.

The photodegradation of discharged effluent organic matter (EfOM) changes its composition and shifts its impacts on pollutant migration and transformation in receiving waters. However, to date, EfOM photodegradation processes are not well understood due to the complexity and heterogeneity of EfOM. Herein, the spectroscopic analysis including ultra violet-visible (UV-Vis), fluorescence and FTIR spectroscopies coupled with two-dimensional correlation analysis (2D-COS) were used to draw a comprehensive view of EfOM photodegradation and involving mechanisms. Results revealed that the photolability of each component in EfOM followed the order: tannin-like > humic-like > protein-like > carbohydrate-like and aliphatic compounds. The photolability of different components of EfOM were found to be related to the photolability of their functional groups. Specifically, the aromatic, carboxylic, phenolic and quinonoid groups associated with humic or tannin-like compounds were more prone to be photodegraded than amides in proteins or C-OH and C-O-C in carbohydrates. Furthermore, the humic-like components, dominating the light absorption of EfOM, were found to be degraded by direct photolysis. Nevertheless, the photodegradation of tannin-like and protein-like components were mainly due to the indirect photodegradation by ROS and 3OM⁎. Furthermore, results indicated that UV light, rather than visible light, was responsible for the photodegradation of EfOM. The spectroscopic techniques integrated with 2D-COS analysis could serve as a powerful tool with which to clarify complex EfOM photodegradation process as well as to improve our understanding of the fate of discharged EfOM and related environmental processes.