Genomic analysis and functional properties of Lactobacillus johnsonii GJ231 isolated from healthy beagles.

Probiotics are one of the management tools to improve the host's healthy microbiota. The positive effects of probiotics on host health are species-specific, so probiotics isolated from host's own gut may be most beneficial. Many of the metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and hydrogen peroxide) produced by Lactobacillus johnsonii have specific inhibitory profiles against invading pathogens. In this study, we isolated L. johnsonii GJ231 from the intestinal tract of healthy female beagles. The genome size of 1.763 M encoded a total of 1,691 predicted genes. Many carbohydrate-active enzymes responsible for carbohydrate degradation and the production of short-chain fatty acids were also predicted. The metabolic profile of short-chain fatty acids in L. johnsonii GJ231 was determined using LC-MS/MS. The bacteriocin-producing gene bacteriocin (lactacin F) in L. johnsonii GJ231 was also predicted. In vitro, experiments demonstrated that GJ231 can thrive in weak acids, 0.3% bile salts, and artificial gastrointestinal fluid models. It was tolerant of to high temperatures up to 70°C, was non- hemolytic, inhibited pathogenic bacteria, and had a high antioxidant capacity. In vivo safety experiments conducted in mice revealed that oral administration of GJ231 not only had no toxic side effect but also increased their antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, combining the above test results, which collectively demonstrate that canine-derived L. johnsonii GJ231 was a non-pathogenic, acid-tolerant and bile-salt-tolerant probiotic strain that inhibits pathogenic bacteria and improves host antioxidant function. This may make it a promising candidate for the development of innovative functional foods for pets.

Thioclava arctica sp. nov. and Zhongshania arctica sp. nov., isolated from the surface sediment of the Arctic Ocean and reclassification of Marortus luteolus Yu et al. 2019 as a later heterotypic synonym of Zhongshania marina On et al. 2019.

Two Gram-stain-negative bacterial strains, 15-R06ZXC-3T and R06B22T, were isolated from the surface sediment of the Arctic Ocean. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences indicated that strain 15-R06ZXC-3T belongs to the genus Thioclava, while strain R06B22T belongs to the genus Zhongshania. Strain 15-R06ZXC-3T showed the closest relationship to Thioclava indica DT23-4T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain 15-R06ZXC-3T and all of the type strains of the genus Thioclava ranged from 20.8 to 30.4% and 79.1 to 85.7%, respectively. Strain R06B22T was most closely related to Zhongshania marina DSW25-10T. The dDDH and ANI values between strain R06B22T and all of the type strains of the genus Zhongshania ranged from 18.6 to 20.4% and 77.5 to 79.4%, respectively. These dDDH and ANI values were all below the standard cutoff criteria for the delineation of bacterial species, indicating that the two strains may represent novel species within their respective genera. Furthermore, their phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics also differentiated them from closely related species. Based on the polyphasic analyses, strains 15-R06ZXC-3T and R06B22T separately represent novel species of the genera Thioclava and Zhongshania, for which the names Thioclava arctica sp. nov. (type strain 15-R06ZXC-3T = MCCC 1A07434T= KCTC 8342T) and Zhongshania arctica sp. nov. (type strain R06B22T = MCCC 1A08273T= KCTC 8343T) are proposed. Additionally, phylogenomic analyses showed that the strain Marortus luteolus ZX-21T was clustered with the strain Z. marina DSW25-10T and all other type strains of the genus Zhongshania. Furthermore, the ANI and dDDH values between strains ZX-21T and DSW25-10T were 97.6% and 78.8±2.5%, respectively, strongly indicating that they represented a single species. Therefore, it is proposed that M. luteolus Yu et al. 2019 be recognized as a later heterotypic synonym of Z. marina On et al. 2019.

The inhibition effect and mechanism of typical hydrocolloids on the formation of heterocyclic amines: A study based on quantum chemical computation analysis.

Hydrocolloids, as thickeners, have been receiving increasing attention from researchers. Although they exhibit significant free radical quenching abilities, which demonstrate potential heterocyclic amines (HAs) inhibitory capabilities by blocking the free radical pathway, the inhibitory effect and mechanism are still unclear. This study investigated the effects of three typical hydrocolloids (alginic acid, chitosan, and carrageenan) on both free and bound HAs in fried meatballs, along with their mechanisms of free radical quenching using density functional theory. The result showed that all three hydrocolloids can effectively inhibit the generation of HAs. The maximum inhibition rate reached 33.33% for free HAs and 23.18% for bound HAs. Phenylacetaldehyde, glyoxal and methyl glyoxal, were significantly inhibited, indicating that hydrocolloids alleviated the production of HAs by inhibiting the generation of intermediates. At moment, three hydrocolloids effectively inhibited the generation of total free radicals. Frontier orbital and density functional theory analysis revealed that carrageenan had the lowest HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, ionization potential, highest nucleophilic index, chemical potential, and was more likely to react with free radicals. The results of this study indicate that three hydrocolloids can effectively inhibit HAs and provide theoretical support for their applications in food processing and safety.

The Systemic Inflammatory Response Index as a Novel Diagnostic Indicator for Bell's Palsy.

Aims/Background The systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), an emerging hematological marker of inflammation, has shown promise as a promising biomarker for a variety of inflammatory conditions. This study aims to explore the diagnostic role of SIRI in Bell's palsy (BP). Methods For this retrospective study, 73 people diagnosed with BP between January 2021 and December 2023 were recruited, along with 73 healthy controls who were age- and sex-matched. The SIRI and other blood inflammatory markers, including the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were determined for all participants, by enumerating their peripheral blood cell counts. Facial nerve function was assessed upon admission and after one month of treatment using the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System (H-B). According to this system, patients with an H-B grade of 1-2 are considered recovered, while those with an H-B grade of 3-6 are regarded as not recovered. Results The SIRI (0.94 vs 0.48, p < 0.001), SII (480.3 vs 329.12, p < 0.001), NLR (2.42 vs 1.41, p < 0.001), and PLR (141.05 vs 117.28, p = 0.001) showed a significant increase in the BP group compared to the control group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for SIRI was higher than those for SII, NLR, and PLR, respectively. Upon one-month follow-up, significant differences in the values of SIRI, SII, and NLR were observed between the favorable prognosis group and the poor prognosis group (SIRI: 1.07 vs 0.87, p = 0.011; SII: 647.85 vs 422.11, p = 0.005; NLR: 3.31 vs 2.11, p = 0.013). The AUC of ROC curve for SIRI was found to be lower than that of SII but higher than that of NLR. Conclusion The SIRI has the potential to be an important BP diagnostic and prognostic marker.

Ceramic Matrix Composite Cyclic Ablation Behavior under Oxyacetylene Torch.

To study the ablation properties and differences of plain-woven SiC/SiC composites under single and cyclic ablation. The ablation test of plain-woven SiC/SiC composites was conducted under an oxyacetylene torch. The results indicate that the mass ablation rate of cyclic ablation is lower than that of single ablation, whereas the line ablation rate is higher. Macro-microstructural characterization revealed the presence of white oxide formed by silica on the surface of the ablation center region. The fibers in the central region of the ablation were ablated layer by layer, and the broken fiber bundles exhibited a spiky morphology with numerous silica particles attached. The oxide layer on the surface and the silica particles on the fibers, which are in the molten state formed in the high-temperature ablation environment, contribute to resisting ablation. Thermal shock during cyclic ablation also played a role in the ablation process. The thermal shock causes cracks in the fiber bundles and matrix of the SiC/SiC composites. This study helps to apply SiC/SiC composite to complex thermal shock environments.

Potential Probiotic Properties and Complete Genome Analysis of Limosilactobacillus reuteri LRA7 from Dogs.

This study aimed to isolate and screen canine-derived probiotics with excellent probiotic properties. Strain characterization was conducted using a combination of in vitro and in vivo probiotic characterization and safety assessments, as well as complete genome analysis. The results showed that Limosilactobacillus reuteri LRA7 exhibited excellent bacteriostatic and antioxidant activities. The survival rate at pH 2.5 was 79.98%, and the viable counts after exposure to gastrointestinal fluid and 0.5% bile salts were 7.77 log CFU/mL and 5.29 log CFU/mL, respectively. The bacterium also exhibited high hydrophobicity, self-coagulation, and high temperature tolerance, was negative for hemolysis, and was sensitive to clindamycin. In vivo studies in mice showed that the serum superoxide dismutase activity level was 53.69 U/mL higher in the MR group of mice compared to that of the control group, the malondialdehyde content was 0.53 nmol/mL lower in the HR group, and the highest jejunal V/C value was 4.11 ± 1.05 in the HR group (p < 0.05). The L. reuteri LRA7 gene is 2.021 megabases in size, contains one chromosome and one plasmid, and is annotated with 1978 functional genes. In conclusion, L. reuteri LRA7 has good probiotic potential and is safe. It can be used as an ideal probiotic candidate strain of canine origin.

Aequorivita flava sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediments.

Three Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, chemoheterotrophic, short-rod-shaped bacteria, designated CDY1-MB1T, CDY2-MB3, and BDY3-MB2, were isolated from three marine sediment samples collected in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these strains were related to the genus Aequorivita and close to the type strain of Aequorivita vitellina F4716T (with similarities of 98.0-98.1%). Strain CDY1-MB1T can grow at 15-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) and in media with pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 7), and tolerate up to 10% (w/v) NaCl. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain CDY1-MB1T were iso-C15 : 0 (20.7%) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (12.8%); the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6; the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization/average nucleotide identity values between strains CDY1-MB1T, CDY2-MB3, and BDY3-MB2 and A. vitellina F4716T were 24.7%/81.6-81.7%, thereby indicating that strain CDY1-MB1T should represent a novel species of the genus Aequorivita. The genomic DNA G+C contents were 37.6 % in all three strains. Genomic analysis showed the presence of genes related to nitrogen and sulphur cycling, as well as metal reduction. The genetic traits of these strains indicate their possible roles in nutrient cycling and detoxification processes, potentially shaping the deep-sea ecosystem's health and resilience. Based upon the consensus of phenotypic and genotypic analyses, strain CDY1-MB1T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Aequorivita, for which the name Aequorivita flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CDY1-MB1T (=MCCC 1A16935T=KCTC 102223T).

TVDO: Tchebycheff Value-Decomposition Optimization for Multiagent Reinforcement Learning.

In cooperative multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL), centralized training with decentralized execution (CTDE) has recently attracted more attention due to the physical demand. However, the most dilemma therein is the inconsistency between jointly-trained policies and individually executed actions. In this article, we propose a factorized Tchebycheff value-decomposition optimization (TVDO) method to overcome the trouble of inconsistency. In particular, a nonlinear Tchebycheff aggregation function is formulated to realize the global optimum by tightly constraining the upper bound of individual action-value bias, which is inspired by the Tchebycheff method of multiobjective optimization (MOO). We theoretically prove that, under no extra limitations, the factorized value decomposition with Tchebycheff aggregation satisfies the sufficiency and necessity of individual-global-max (IGM), which guarantees the consistency between the global and individual optimal action-value function. Empirically, in the climb and penalty game, we verify that TVDO precisely expresses the global-to-individual value decomposition with a guarantee of policy consistency. Meanwhile, we evaluate TVDO in the StarCraft multiagent challenge (SMAC) benchmark, and extensive experiments demonstrate that TVDO achieves a significant performance superiority over some SOTA MARL baselines.

Machine learning-driven assessment of heavy metal contamination in the impounded lakes of China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project: Identifying spatiotemporal patterns and ecological risks.

The Eastern Route of China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP-ER) traverses through impounded lakes that are potentially vulnerable to heavy metals (HMs) contamination although the understanding remains elusive. This study employed machine learning approaches, including super-clustering of Self-Organizing Map (SOM) and Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA), to elucidate the spatiotemporal patterns and assess ecological risks associated with HMs in the surface sediments of Gao-Bao-Shaobo Lake (GBSL) and Dongping Lake (DPL). We collected 184 surface sediments from 47 stations across the two important impounded lakes over four seasons. The results revealed higher HMs concentrations in the south-central GBSL and west-central DPL, with a notable increase in contamination in autumn. The comprehensive risk assessment, utilizing various indicators such as the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), Improved Potential Ecological Risk Index (IPERI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF), and Enrichment Factor (EF), identified arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) as primary contaminants of concern. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model, coupled with Spearman analysis, attributed over 70 % of HMs pollution to anthropogenic activities. This research provides a nuanced understanding of HMs pollution in the context of large-scale water diversion projects and offers a scientific basis for targeted pollution mitigation strategies.

Animal models as windows into the pathogenesis of myopia: Illuminating new directions for vision health.

The incidence of myopia, particularly high myopia, is increasing annually. Myopia has gradually become one of the leading causes of global blindness and is a considerable public-health concern. However, the pathogenesis of myopia remains unclear, and exploring the mechanism underlying myopia has become an urgent scientific priority. Creating animal models of myopia is important for studying the pathogenesis of refractive errors. This approach allows researchers to study and analyze the pathogenesis of myopia from aspects such as changes in refractive development, pathological changes in eye tissue, and molecular pathways related to myopia. This review summarizes the examples of animal models, methods of inducing myopia experimentally, and molecular signaling pathways involved in developing myopia-induced animal models. This review provides solid literature for researchers in the field of myopia prevention and control. It offers guidance in selecting appropriate animal models and research methods to fit their research objectives. By providing new insights and a theoretical basis for studying mechanisms of myopia, we detail how elucidated molecular pathways can be exploited to translate into safe and effective measures for myopia prevention and control.

Clean air policy reduces the atherogenic lipid profile levels: Results from China Health Evaluation And risk Reduction through nationwide Teamwork (ChinaHEART) Study.

Evidence of the associations between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and O3 and human blood lipid concentrations is abundant yet inconclusive. Whether clean air policies could improve lipid profiles remains unclear. In total, 2979312 participants from a Chinese nationwide prospective study were included. For cross-sectional analyses, linear mixed-effects models were utilized to assess the associations of pollutants with lipid profiles (TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C). For longitudinal analyses, a quasi-experimental design and difference-in-differences models were employed to investigate the impact of China's Clean Air Act. In the cross-sectional analyses, each IQR increase in PM2.5 was associated with 2.49 % (95 % CI: 2.36 %, 2.62 %), 2.51 % (95 % CI: 2.26 %, 2.75 %), 3.94 % (95 % CI: 3.65 %, 4.23 %), and 1.54 % (95 % CI: 1.38 %, 1.70 %) increases in TC, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C, respectively. For each IQR increase in O3, TC, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C changed by 1.06 % (95 % CI: 0.95 %, 1.17 %), 1.21 % (95 % CI: 1.01 %, 1.42 %), 1.78 % (95 % CI: 1.54 %, 2.02 %), and -0.63 % (95 % CI: -0.76 %, -0.49 %), respectively. Longitudinal analyses showed that the intervention group experienced greater TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C reductions (1.77 %, 4.26 %, and 7.70 %, respectively). Our findings suggest that clean air policies could improve lipid metabolism and should be implemented in countries with heavy air pollution burdens.

Long-term impact of Hurricane Maria on point-of-use drinking water quality in Puerto Rico and associated potential adverse health effects.

Drinking water security in Puerto Rico (PR) is increasingly challenged by both regulated and emerging anthropogenic contaminants, which was exacerbated by the Hurricane Maria (HM) due to impaired regional water cycle and damaged water infrastructure. Leveraging the NIEHS PROTECT (Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats) cohort, this study assessed the long-term tap water (TW) quality changes from March 2018 to November 2018 after HM in PR, by innovatively integrating two different effect-based quantitative toxicity assays with a targeted analysis of 200 organic and 22 inorganic pollutants. Post-hurricane PR TW quality showed recovery after >6-month period as indicated by the decreased number of contaminants showing elevated average concentrations relative to pre-hurricane samples, with significant difference of both chemical and toxicity levels between northern and southern PR. Molecular toxicity profiling and correlation revealed that the HM-accelerated releases of certain pesticides and PPCPs could exert increased cellular oxidative and/or AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor)-mediated activities that may persist for more than six months after HM. Maximum cumulative ratio and adverse outcome pathway (AOP) assessment identified the top ranked detected TW contaminants (Cu, Sr, V, perfluorooctanoic acid) that potentially associated with different adverse health effects such as inflammation, impaired reproductive systems, cancers/tumors, and/or organ toxicity. These insights can be incorporated into the regulatory framework for post-disaster risk assessment, guiding water quality control and management for public health protection.

Molecular evidence of internal carbon-driven partial denitrification in a mainstream pilot A-B system coupled with side-stream EBPR treating municipal wastewater.

Achieving mainstream short-cut nitrogen removal via nitrite has become a carbon and energy efficient way, but still remains challenging for low-strength municipal wastewaters. This study integrated sidestream enhanced biological phosphorus removal system in a pilot-scale adsorption/bio-oxidation (A-B) process (named A-B-S2EBPR system) and nitrite accumulation was successfully achieved for treating the municipal wastewater. Nitrite could accumulate to 5.5 ± 0.3 mg N/L in the intermittently aerated tanks of B-stage with the nitrite accumulation ratio (NAR) of 79.1 ± 6.5 %. The final effluent concentration and removal efficiency of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) were 4.6 ± 1.8 mg N/L and 84.9 ± 5.6 %, respectively. In-situ process performance of nitrogen conversions, routine batch nitrification/denitrification activity tests and functional gene abundance of nitrifiers collectively suggested that the nitrite accumulation was mainly caused by partial denitrification rather than out-selection of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Moreover, the single-cell Raman spectroscopy analysis first demonstrated that there was a specific microbial population that could utilize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as the potential internal carbon source during the partial denitrification process. The integration of S2EBPR brings unique features to the conventional A-B process, such as extended anaerobic retention time, lower oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), much higher and complex volatile fatty acids (VFAs) etc., which can largely reshape the microbial communities. The dominant genera were Acinetobacter and Comamonadaceae, which accounted for (17.8 ± 15.5)% and (6.7 ± 3.4)%, respectively, while the relative abundance of conventional nitrifiers was less than 0.2%. This study provides insights into phylogenetic and phenotypic shifts of microbial communities when incorporating S2EBPR into the sustainable A-B process to achieve mainstream short-cut nitrogen removal.

CCL2 mediated IKZF1 expression promotes M2 polarization of glioma-associated macrophages through CD84-SHP2 pathway.

The proneural-mesenchymal (PN-MES) transformation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) can significantly increase proliferation, invasion, chemotherapy tolerance, and recurrence. M2-like polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has a strong immunosuppressive effect, promoting tumor malignancy and angiogenesis. There is limited understanding on the interactions between GSCs and TAMs as well as their associated molecular mechanisms. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis, GSC and TAM co-culture, determination of TAM polarization phenotypes, and other in vitro experiments confirmed that CCL2 secreted by MES-GSCs promotes TAM-M2 polarization via the IKZF1-CD84-SHP2 pathway and PN-MES transformation of GSCs via the IKZF1-LRG1 pathway in TAMs. IKZF1 inhibitors could significantly reduce tumor volumes in animal glioma models and improve survival, as well as suppress TAM-M2 polarization and the GSC malignant phenotype. The results of this study indicate the important interaction between TAMs and GSCs in the glioma microenvironment as well as its role in tumor progression. The findings also suggest a novel target for follow-up clinical transformation research on the regulation of TAM function and GSCs malignant phenotype.

Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus modulates MCLR-induced oogenesis disorders in zebrafish: Evidence from the transcriptome.

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) produced by cyanobacterial blooms have received global attention. MCLR has been recognized as a reproductive toxin to fish and poses a threat to ecosystem stability. It has been proven that probiotic dietary management can improve reproductive performance of fish. It is worth paying attention to exploring whether probiotic management can alleviate the reproductive toxicity caused by MCLR. In this investigation, adult zebrafish were exposed to different doses of MCLR solution (0, 2.2, and 22 µg/L) with or without the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation for a duration of 28 days. The results showed that female zebrafish spawning was reduced after exposure to MCLR, but this reduction was reversed when L. rhamnosus GG was added. To elucidate how L. rhamnosus GG mitigates reproductive toxicity caused by MCLR, we examined a series of indicators of MCLR accumulation, ovarian histology, hormones, and transcriptome levels. Our study showed that L. rhamnosus GG could alleviate oogenesis disorders and ultimately attenuate MCLR-induced reproductive toxicity by reducing MCLR accumulation in the gonads, modulating the expression of endocrine system and auto/paracrine factors. The transcriptome results revealed that single or combined exposure of MCLR and L. rhamnosus GG mainly affected the endocrine system, energy metabolism, and RNA degradation and translation. Overall, our results provide new insights for alleviating MCLR-induced reproductive toxicity and help promote healthy aquaculture.

The effect of multi-tasks mechanism on cooperation in evolutionary game.

Human games are inherently diverse, involving more than mere identity interactions. The diversity of game tasks offers a more authentic explanation in the exploration of social dilemmas. Human behavior is also influenced by conformity, and prosociality is a crucial factor in addressing social dilemmas. This study proposes a generalized prisoner's dilemma model of task diversity that incorporates a conformity-driven interaction. Simulation findings indicate that the diversity of multi-tasks and the path dependence contribute to the flourishing of cooperation in games. Conformity-driven interactions also promote cooperation. However, this promotion effect does not increase linearly, and only appropriate task sizes and suitable proportions of conformity-driven interactions yield optimal results. From a broader group perspective, the interplay of network adaptation, task size, and conformity-driven interaction can form a structure of attractors or repellents.

Innovation and challenges of artificial intelligence technology in personalized healthcare.

As the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to permeate the fabric of healthcare, particularly in the realms of patient surveillance and telemedicine, a transformative era beckons. This manuscript endeavors to unravel the intricacies of recent AI advancements and their profound implications for reconceptualizing the delivery of medical care. Through the introduction of innovative instruments such as virtual assistant chatbots, wearable monitoring devices, predictive analytic models, personalized treatment regimens, and automated appointment systems, AI is not only amplifying the quality of care but also empowering patients and fostering a more interactive dynamic between the patient and the healthcare provider. Yet, this progressive infiltration of AI into the healthcare sphere grapples with a plethora of challenges hitherto unseen. The exigent issues of data security and privacy, the specter of algorithmic bias, the requisite adaptability of regulatory frameworks, and the matter of patient acceptance and trust in AI solutions demand immediate and thoughtful resolution .The importance of establishing stringent and far-reaching policies, ensuring technological impartiality, and cultivating patient confidence is paramount to ensure that AI-driven enhancements in healthcare service provision remain both ethically sound and efficient. In conclusion, we advocate for an expansion of research efforts aimed at navigating the ethical complexities inherent to a technology-evolving landscape, catalyzing policy innovation, and devising AI applications that are not only clinically effective but also earn the trust of the patient populace. By melding expertise across disciplines, we stand at the threshold of an era wherein AI's role in healthcare is both ethically unimpeachable and conducive to elevating the global health quotient.

Distinct microdiversity of phosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) between side-stream and conventional enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems with performance implications.

Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms (PAOs) microdiversity is a key factor to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal (S2EBPR) systems, which has been shown to improve the process stability over conventional EBPR. However, fast, effective and cost-efficient methods to resolve PAO microdiversity in real-world activate sludge samples is still in absence. In this study, we applied oligotyping analysis following the regular 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing standard operation pipeline (SOP) to resolve subgenus-level PAO oligotypes, which cannot be achieved using traditional 16S rRNA sequencing SOP. The identified oligotype profiles of PAO-containing genera Ca. Accumulibacter, Tetrasphaera and Comamonas showed distinguished community-level differences across 12 water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), which would not be revealed at the genus level. The WRRF-level differences were observed larger than the temporal differences in the same WRRF, indicating intrinsic sub-genus level microdiversity fingerprint between EBPR/S2EBPR systems. The identified oligotypes can be associated with known PAO clades phylogenetically, suggesting that oligotyping can suffice as a fast and cost-efficient approach for PAO microdiversity profiling. In addition, network analysis can be used to identify coexistence patterns between oligotypes with respect to EBPR/S2EBPR configurations and performance, enabling more detailed analysis between EBPR system performance and PAOs microdiversity. Correlation analyses between oligotype profiles and key EBPR performance parameters revealed potential different biological functional traits among these PAO species with P-removal performance implications.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease Risk, and Mortality in China.

Importance: Limited evidence supports the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and mortality across different atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk stratifications. Objective: To explore the associations between LDL-C levels and mortality and to identify the optimal ranges of LDL-C with the lowest risk of mortality in populations with diverse ASCVD risk profiles. Design, Setting, and Participants: The ChinaHEART project is a prospective cohort study that recruited residents aged 35 to 75 years from 31 provinces in mainland China between November 2014 and December 2022. Participants were categorized into low-risk, primary prevention, and secondary prevention cohorts on the basis of their medical history and ASCVD risk. Data analysis was performed from December 2022 to October 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was all-cause mortality, and secondary end points included cause-specific mortality. Mortality data were collected from the National Mortality Surveillance System and Vital Registration. The association between LDL-C levels and mortality was assessed by using Cox proportional hazard regression models with various adjusted variables. Results: A total of 4 379 252 individuals were recruited, and 3 789 025 (2 271 699 women [60.0%]; mean [SD] age, 56.1 [10.0] years) were included in the current study. The median (IQR) LDL-C concentration was 93.1 (70.9-117.3) mg/dL overall at baseline. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 4.6 (3.1-5.8) years, 92 888 deaths were recorded, including 38 627 cardiovascular deaths. The association between LDL-C concentration and all-cause or cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was U-shaped in both the low-risk cohort (2 838 354 participants) and the primary prevention cohort (829 567 participants), whereas it was J-shaped in the secondary prevention cohort (121 104 participants). The LDL-C levels corresponding to the lowest CVD mortality were 117.8 mg/dL in the low-risk group, 106.0 mg/dL in the primary prevention cohort, and 55.8 mg/dL in the secondary prevention cohort. The LDL-C concentration associated with the lowest all-cause mortality (90.9 mg/dL vs 117.0 mg/dL) and CVD mortality (87 mg/dL vs 114.6 mg/dL) were both lower in individuals with diabetes than in individuals without diabetes in the overall cohort. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that the association between LDL-C and mortality varied among different ASCVD risk cohorts, suggesting that stricter lipid control targets may be needed for individuals with higher ASCVD risk and those with diabetes.

Association of the triglyceride-glucose index with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a population-based cohort study of 3.5 million adults in China.

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been recognized as a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between the TyG index and mortality in the general population remains elusive. Methods: Participants were enrolled from the China Health Evaluation And risk Reduction through nationwide Teamwork (ChinaHEART), a nationwide prospective cohort study. The outcomes of interest were all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Restricted cubic splines and Cox regression models were used to assess the associations between the TyG index and outcomes. Findings: In total, 3,524,459 participants with a median follow-up of 4.6 (IQR, 3.1-5.8) years were included. The associations of the TyG index with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were reverse L-shaped, with cut-off values of 9.75 for all-cause mortality and 9.85 for cardiovascular mortality. For each 1-unit increase in the TyG index, when below the cut-off values, the TyG index was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03) and was only modestly associated with cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06-1.11). Conversely, when the cut-off values were exceeded, the HRs (95% CI) were 2.10 (1.94-2.29) for all-cause mortality and 1.99 (1.72-2.30) for cardiovascular mortality. However, the association between the TyG index and cancer mortality was linearly negative (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99). Interpretation: The associations of the TyG index with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality displayed reverse L-shaped patterns, while an elevated TyG index showed a slight negative association with cancer mortality. We suggest that <9.75 could be the optimal TyG index cut-off value among the Chinese general population. Individuals at high risk of mortality might benefit from proper management of a high TyG index. Funding: The National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2023-GSP-ZD-2, 2023-GSP-RC-01), the Ministry of Finance of China and National Health Commission of China.