A simplified homogeneous approach for non-linear analysis of masonry infill panels under in-plane loads.

This paper aims to create a unified model that effectively combines continuous 2-dimensional elements and discrete components to capture the nonlinear characteristics and failure mechanisms of solid and perforated masonry infill panels. Given that masonry infill behavior is primarily influenced by shear deformations, an equivalent model is developed by using multiple small square panels arranged diagonally and interconnected by two-component springs, encompassing axial and shear behavior at their intersections. For the sake of simplicity, the divided panels are assumed to behave elastically, with plasticity concentrated only in the axial component of the connector springs. Plastic behavior in the boundary elements was considered to involve both flexural and shear plastic hinges to provide an accurate estimation of the entire infill panel's behavior. To validate this approach, the simplified model is benchmarked against eight experimental masonry infill panels surrounded by steel or reinforced concrete frames and with or without openings. The results including global behavior and crack pattern were compared with available numerical predictions based on finite element method from the literature in addition to experimental outcomes. Ultimately, this comparison demonstrated that the homogeneous model could effectively predict the non-linear lateral behavior of the panels and accurately forecast crack patterns. Additionally, the use of unidirectional non-linear springs and the appropriate arrangement of elastic panels significantly reduced both pre-processing and analysis time.

Enhancing aerobic composting performance of high-salt oily food waste with Bacillus safensis YM1.

To alleviate the inhibitory effects of salt and oil on food waste compost, the compost was inoculated with salt-tolerant and oil-degrading Bacillus safensis YM1. The YM1 inoculation could effectively improve compost maturation index. Compared with uninoculated group, the oil content and Cl- concentration in the 0.5% YM1-inoculated compost decreased significantly by 19.7% and 8.1%, respectively. The addition of the YM1 inoculant substantially altered the richness and composition of the microbial community during composting, as evidenced by the identification of 47 bacterial and 42 fungal biomarker taxa. The enrichment of some oil-degrading salt-tolerant microbes (Bacillus, Haloplasma, etc.) enhanced nutrient conversion, which is crucial for the improved maturity of the YM1 compost. This study demonstrated that YM1 could regulate both abiotic and biotic processes to improve high-salt and oily food waste composting, which may be an effective inoculant in the industrial-scale composting.

Bromocriptine protects perilesional spinal cord neurons from lipotoxicity after spinal cord injury.

Recent studies have revealed that lipid droplets accumulate in neurons after brain injury and evoke lipotoxicity, damaging the neurons. However, how lipids are metabolized by spinal cord neurons after spinal cord injury remains unclear. Herein, we investigated lipid metabolism by spinal cord neurons after spinal cord injury and identified lipid-lowering compounds to treat spinal cord injury. We found that lipid droplets accumulated in perilesional spinal cord neurons after spinal cord injury in mice. Lipid droplet accumulation could be induced by myelin debris in HT22 cells. Myelin debris degradation by phospholipase led to massive free fatty acid production, which increased lipid droplet synthesis, ß-oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Excessive oxidative phosphorylation increased reactive oxygen species generation, which led to increased lipid peroxidation and HT22 cell apoptosis. Bromocriptine was identified as a lipid-lowering compound that inhibited phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 by reducing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, thereby inhibiting myelin debris degradation by cytosolic phospholipase A2 and alleviating lipid droplet accumulation in myelin debris-treated HT22 cells. Motor function, lipid droplet accumulation in spinal cord neurons and neuronal survival were all improved in bromocriptine-treated mice after spinal cord injury. The results suggest that bromocriptine can protect neurons from lipotoxic damage after spinal cord injury via the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2-cytosolic phospholipase A2 pathway.

Mechanism of Shugan Yidan fan, a Chinese herbal formula, in rat model of premature ejaculation.

BACKGROUND: Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common forms of sexual dysfunction in men, and multimodal therapeutic regimens should be considered to treat the condition. We developed a Chinese medicine herbal medicine, Shugan Yidan fang that had a significant clinical effect on PE patients, extending the time between penetration and ejaculation. However, the mechanism of this formula remains unclear. There is evidence that PE is associated with peripheral neuropathology, and the actions of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Shugan Yidan fang's effect on PE through the relationship between sexual behavioristics and the level of neurotransmitters and dopamine receptors (DARs). RESULTS: We showed that the male PE groups had a significant PE phenotype compared to healthy rats. Treatment with Shugan Yidan fang improved the behavioristics of the PE rats, and reduced the expression of DAR mRNA and protein while improving dopamine transporter levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided evidence for the beneficial effect of Shugan Yidan fang in PE therapy, and proposed a preliminary potential mechanism for the clinical application of the formula.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: L'éjaculation précoce (EP) est l'une des formes les plus courantes de dysfonction sexuelle chez les hommes, et des régimes thérapeutiques multimodaux doivent être envisagés pour traiter la maladie. Nous avons développé une phytothérapie de médecine chinoise, dénommée Shugan Yidan fang, qui a eu un effet clinique significatif sur les patients atteints d'EP, prolongeant le temps entre la pénétration et l'éjaculation. Le mécanisme d'action de cette formule reste cependant flou. Il existe des preuves que l'EP est associée à une neuropathologie périphérique et aux actions de la dopamine (DA) et de la 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Le but de cette étude était d'étudier le mécanisme de l'effet de Shugan Yidan sur l'EP à travers la relation entre les comportements sexuels et le niveau de neurotransmetteurs et de récepteurs de la dopamine (DAR). RéSULTATS: Nous avons montré que les groupes PE mâles avaient un phénotype PE significatif par rapport aux rats sains. Le traitement avec Shugan Yidan fang a amélioré les comportements sexuels des rats PE et a réduit l'expression de l'ARNm DAR et des protéines, tout en améliorant les niveaux de de transporteurs de la dopamine. CONCLUSIONS: Notre étude a fourni des preuves de l'effet bénéfique du Shugan Yidan dans la thérapie de la PE, et a proposé un mécanisme potentiel préliminaire pour l'application clinique de la formule.

[Current situation and related of overweight and obesity in children aged 3-6 years old in Urumqi City in 2021].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current situation and related factors of overweight and obesity in children aged 3-6 years old in Urumqi City. METHODS: From October to December 2021, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the general information of 1897 children and their fathers or mothers from 10 kindergartens in Urumqi City by stratified cluster sampling, and the height and weight of the children were measured. SPSS 25.0 was used for χ~2 test and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 1897 children out of which 961(50.66%) were boys, 936(49.34%) were girls, 334(17.60%) were 3 years old, 592(31.21%)were 4 years old, 667(35.16%) were 5 years old, and 304(16.03%) were 6 years old. The prevalence rate of obesity and overweight in children aged 3-6 years old was 31.21%(592). Single factor analysis showed that child's age, the child's sex, the child's dietary habits, whether the child's father had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother suffered from hypertension during pregnancy, whether the child's father smoked, whether the child's mother smoked during pregnancy(including passive smoking), the child's family per capita monthly income, the child's family structure type, and the child's mother's pregnancy age were all statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that child's age, the child's sex, the child's dietary habits, whether the child's father had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother suffered from hypertension during pregnancy, whether the child's father smoked, whether the child's mother smoked during pregnancy(including passive smoking), the child's family structure type, and the child's mother's pregnancy age were overweight and obesity children aged 3-6 years old of related factors in Urumqi(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of overweight and obesity in children aged 3-6 years old in Urumqi City is high.

Plant growth promoting endophyte promotes cadmium accumulation in Solanum nigrum L. by regulating plant homeostasis.

The homeostasis regulating mechanism of endophyte enhancing cadmium (Cd) extraction by hyperaccumulator is poorly understood. Here, an endophyte strain E3 that belonged to Pseudomonas was screened from Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L., which significantly improved the Cd phytoextraction efficiency of S. nigrum by 40.26%. The content and translocation factor of nutrient elements indicated that endophyte might regulate Cd accumulation by affecting the uptake and transport of magnesium and iron in S. nigrum. Gene transcriptional expression profile further revealed that SnMGT, SnIRT1, and SnIRT2, etc., were the key genes involved in the regulation of S. nigrum elements uptake by endophyte. However, changes in elemental homeostasis did not negatively affect plant growth. Endophyte inoculation promoted plant growth by fortifying photosynthesis as well as recruiting specific bacteria in S. nigrum endosphere, e.g., Pseudonocardiaceae, Halomonas. Notably, PICRUSt2 analysis and biochemical characterization jointly suggested that endophyte regulated starch degradation in S. nigrum leaves to maintain photosynthetic balance. Our results demonstrated that microecological characteristics of hyperaccumulator could be reshaped by endophyte, also the homeostasis regulation in endophyte enhanced hyperaccumulator Cd phytoextraction was significant.

Unraveling the role of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a corn-soil system: Plant growth, oxidative stress and heavy metal(loid)s behavior.

In the age of nanotechnological advancement, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are drawing global attention. However, few studies have been published on the crop growth responses to CNTs in heavy metal(loid)s contaminated environments. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on plant development, oxidative stress, and heavy metal(loid)s behavior in a corn-soil system. Corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings were cultivated in soil containing Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) that had been primed with 0, 100, 500, and 1000 mg kg-1 MWCNTs. The application of 100 and 500 mg kg-1 MWCNTs improved shoot length by 6.45% and 9.21% after 45 days, respectively. Total plant dry biomass increased by 14.71% when treated with 500 mg kg-1 MWCNTs but decreased by 9.26% when exposed to 1000 mg kg-1 MWCNTs. MWCNTs treatment did not affect Cd accumulation in plants. On the other hand, the bio-concentration factor of As was inversely associated with plant growth (p < 0.05), which was declined in MWCNTs treatments. Oxidative stress was aggravated when plants were exposed to MWCNTs, thus activating the antioxidant enzymes system in the corn. In contrast, TCLP-extractable Cd and As in soil significantly decreased than in the control. Additionally, the soil nutrients were changed under MWCNTs treatments. Our findings also revealed that a particular concentration of MWCNTs can mitigate the toxicity of Cd and As in corn seedlings. Therefore, these results suggest the prospective application of CNTs in agricultural production, ensuring environmental and soil sustainability.

Employing salt-tolerant bacteria Serratia marcescens subsp. SLS for biodegradation of oily kitchen waste.

The high oil and salt content of kitchen waste (KW) inhibit bioconversion and humus production. To efficiently degrade oily kitchen waste (OKW), a halotolerant bacterial strain, Serratia marcescens subsp. SLS which could transform various animal fats and vegetable oils, was isolated from KW compost. Its identification, phylogenetic analysis, lipase activity assays, and oil degradation in liquid medium were assessed, and then it was employed to carry out a simulated OKW composting experiment. In liquid medium, the 24 h degradation rate of mixed oils (soybean oil: peanut oil: olive oil: lard = 1:1:1:1, v/v/v/v) was up to 87.37% at 30 °C, pH 7.0, 280 rpm, 2% oil concentration and 3% NaCl concentration. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method demonstrated that the mechanism of SLS strain metabolizing long-chain triglycerides (TAGs) (C53-C60), especially the biodegradation of TAG (C18:3/C18:3/C18:3) by the strain can reach more than 90%. Degradation of 5, 10, 15% concentrations of total mixed oil were also calculated to be 64.57, 71.25, 67.99% respectively after a simulated composting duration of 15 days. The results suggest that the isolated strain of S. marcescens subsp. SLS is suitable for OKW bioremediation in high NaCl concentration within a reasonably short period of time. The findings introduced a salt-tolerant and oil-degrading bacteria, providing insights into the mechanism of oil biodegradation and offering new avenues of study for OKW compost and oily wastewater treatment.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Revealed a Pain-related Gut Microbiota Community in Ovariectomized Mice.

Higher sensitivity to pain is a common clinical symptom in postmenopausal females. The gut microbiota (GM) has recently been identified as participating in various pathophysiological processes and may change during menopause and contribute to multiple postmenopausal symptoms. Here, we investigated the possible correlation between GM alteration and allodynia in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Results showed that OVX mice exhibited allodynia from 7 weeks after surgery compared with sham-operated (SHAM) mice by comparing pain-related behaviors. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from OVX mice induced allodynia in normal mice while FMT from SHAM mice alleviated allodynia in OVX mice. Microbiome 16S rRNA sequencing and linear discriminant analysis revealed alteration of the GM after OVX. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis showed associations between pain-related behaviors and genera, and further verification identified the possible pain-related genera complex. Our findings provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of postmenopausal allodynia, and suggest pain-related microbiota community as a promising therapeutic target. PERSPECTIVE: This article provided the evidence of gut microbiota playing essential roles in postmenopausal allodynia. This work intended to offer a guidance for further mechanism investigation into gut-brain axis and probiotics screening for postmenopausal chronic pain.

Comparative study of temperature effects on white sandstone and rockburst-like materials.

Rockburst physical model test, as one of the important means to study deep tunnel engineering, reflects the main influencing factors of rockburst into the model test through similar theory, so as to reveal the formation mechanism, influencing factors and evolution law of different types of rockburst in deep tunnels. In order to study the mechanical properties of white sandstone in deeply buried tunnels at high ground temperatures, materials suitable for conducting rockburst physical and mechanical tests were developed on the basis of the Daqian Shi Ling tunnel project, and similar material ratios were preferentially selected on the basis of white sandstone. Judged by the rock burst propensity, similar materials with low strength and high brittle characteristics, can better simulate the characteristics of white sandstone, and all show a strong propensity to rock burst, is the ideal rock burst similar materials. Uniaxial compressive tests were conducted on similar materials and the original rock at different temperatures, and comparative analysis was performed. Through the study of stress, displacement and modulus of elasticity, it was concluded that the compressive strength of similar materials gradually increased with temperature in the range of 20-100°C, and the vertical displacement at peak strength decreased with increasing temperature. The damage forms of white sandstone and similar materials at different temperatures were comparatively analyzed, and it was obtained that the damage forms of white sandstone and similar materials were basically the same, with a few specimens showing tensile and shear damage, and most specimens showing the form of combined tensile and shear damage. The study of rock burst similar materials and the development of the failure characteristics of rock burst under the action of thermal coupling are of great significance to the mechanism of rock burst generation and prediction.

Unraveling the superior aqueous Na-ion storage in a multicyano-substituted phenazine-based electrode material.

A novel cyano-substituted diquinoxalino-phenazine (CDPZ) organic compound was prepared and integrated with graphene to create a heterostructured electrode material for aqueous Na-ion batteries. With active cyano groups and imino moieties in the CDPZ molecule, the CDPZ@G electrode undergoes highly reversible redox reactions upon Na+ uptake/removal, which is confirmed by electrochemical tests, in situ FTIR analysis and DFT calculations. As a result, the composite electrode achieves superior aqueous Na+ storage with a large specific capacity of ∼265.1 mA h g-1, superior to those of reported organic-based electrodes in alkali-ion aqueous electrolytes.

[Correlation of neck circumference with body mass index in preschool children]. / å­¦é¾„å‰å„¿ç«¥é¢ˆå›´ä¸Žä½“é‡æŒ‡æ•°çš„ç›¸å ³æ€§.

OBJECTIVES: To study the correlation between neck circumference and body mass index and the value of neck circumference in identifying overweight and obesity in preschool children. METHODS: The stratified cluster sampling method was used to recruit 3 719 children under 7 years from 10 kindergartens in Urumqi, China. General data were collected, and physical measurements were performed. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between neck circumference and body mass index. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the accuracy of neck circumference in identifying overweight/obesity. The Kappa consistency test was used to assess the consistency of neck circumference and body mass index in identifying overweight/obesity. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between neck circumference and body mass index in boys and girls of all ages (r≥0.50, P<0.001). According to body mass index as the criteria for overweight/obesity, the children were divided into an overweight/obesity group and a non-overweight/obesity group, and the analysis showed that the overweight/obesity group had a significantly larger neck circumference than the non-overweight/obesity group (P<0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that neck circumference had an area under the ROC curve of >0.7 in identifying overweight/obesity for boys and girls. The Kappa consistency test showed that the neck circumference and body mass index had a Kappa value of >0.40 in identifying overweight/obesity in boys and girls of all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Neck circumference is positively correlated to body mass index, and neck circumference can be used to identify overweight/obesity in preschool children.

Insights into growth-promoting effect of nanomaterials: Using transcriptomics and metabolomics to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MWCNTs in enhancing hyperaccumulator under heavy metal(loid)s stress.

Carbon nanotubes present potential applications in soil remediation, particularly in phytoremediation. Yet, how multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) induced hyperaccumulator growth at molecular level remains unclear. Here, physio-biochemical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses were performed to determine the effect of MWCNTs on Solanum nigrum L. (S. nigrum) growth under cadmium and arsenic stresses. 500 mg/kg MWCNTs application significantly promoted S. nigrum growth, especially for root tissues. Specially, MWCNTs application yields 1.38-fold, 1.56-fold, and 1.37-fold enhancement in the shoot length, root length, and fresh biomass, respectively. Furthermore, MWCNTs significantly strengthened P and Fe absorption in roots, as well as the activities of antioxidative enzymes. Importantly, the transcriptomic analysis indicated that S. nigrum gene expression was sensitive to MWCNTs, and MWCNTs upregulated advantageous biological processes under heavy metal(loid)s stress. Besides, MWCNTs reprogramed metabolism that related to defense system, leading to accumulation of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (amino acid), 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (xenobiotic), and (S)-abscisic acid (lipid). In addition, key common pathways of differentially expressed metabolites and genes, including "tyrosine metabolism" and "isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis" were selected via integrating transcriptome and metabolome analyses. Combined omics technologies, our findings provide molecular mechanisms of MWCNTs in promoting S. nigrum growth, and highlight potential application of MWCNTs in soil remediation.

Genotyping of cerebrospinal fluid in lung cancer patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is poor. Detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) by next generation sequencing (NGS) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may facilitate diagnosis of LM and identification of drug resistance mechanisms, yet its clinical use needs to be further verified. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study to assess the genetic profiles of paired CSF and plasma samples in lung cancer patients with LM. Of 17 patients screened, a total of 14 patients with LM and paired NGS tests were enrolled. RESULTS: All patients harbor driver gene mutations, including 12 epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations, 1 anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, and 1 ROS-1 fusion. Genetic mutations were detected in CSF cfDNA from 92.9% patients (13/14), which was significantly higher than that from the plasma (9/14, 64.2%). The mutations were highly divergent between CSF and plasma cfDNA, with a concordance rate of 24.38% and 10 mutations shared by the two media. CSF cfDNA could also benefit the analysis of resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies. In five patients who experienced progression on 1st or 2nd generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), RB1 mutation, and amplification of MET and EGFR were detected in CSF cfDNA only. In eight patients with LM progression on osimertinib resistance, EGFR amplification was detected in CSF cfDNA from four patients, whereas no CNVs were detected in the matched plasma samples. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CSF could be superior to plasma in providing a more comprehensive genetic landscape of LM to find out drug resistance mechanisms and guide subsequent treatments.

Two plant growth-promoting bacterial Bacillus strains possess different mechanisms in affecting cadmium uptake and detoxification of Solanum nigrum L.

Microorganisms affect cadmium (Cd) extraction by hyperaccumulators to varying degrees, but the potential mechanism has not been completely studied. Here, two plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB, Bacillus paranthracis NT1 and Bacillus megaterium NCT-2) were assessed for their influence on Cd uptake by Solanum nigrum L. and their influence mechanisms. The results showed that both two strains could regulate phytohormones secretion, alleviate oxidative stress and promote S. nigrum growth when exposed to Cd (dry weight was significantly increased by 21.51% (strain NCT-2) and 21.23% (strain NT1) compared with the control, respectively). Additionally, strain NCT-2 significantly elevated the translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF), and thus significantly facilitated total Cd uptake by 41.80% of S. nigrum, whereas strain NT1 significantly reduced the BCF and TF, resulting in insignificant effect on total Cd uptake of S. nigrum compared with the control. Results of qPCR illustrated that the two strains influenced the detoxification of Cd in S. nigrum by affecting the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes and gene PDR2. Moreover, the differential expression of heavy metal transport genes IRT1 and HMA may lead to the difference of Cd accumulation in S. nigrum. Principal component analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis further verified the positive roles of salicylic acid and indole-3-acetic acid on Cd detoxification of S. nigrum, and the positive correlation relationship between transportation of Cd from underground to shoot, plant biomass and Cd uptake. Altogether, our results demonstrated that these two PGPB have great potential in helping plants detoxify Cd and could provide insights into the mechanism of PGPB-assisted phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

Clinical value of serum miR-92 and miR-122 expression level combined with pulmonary ultrasound score in the prognosis of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome.

PURPOSE: To explore the value of the expression of serum miR-92 and miR-122 combined with lung ultrasound score (LUS) in the prognosis of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 148 neonatal ARDS cases from January 2018 to October 2021, of which 77 children were discharged from hospital and 31 died. The children with ARDS were classified according to disease severity based on X-ray examination as mild (n = 69 cases) and severe (n = 39 cases). The expression of serum miR-92 and miR-122 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and the LUS score was recorded. The data were subjected to ROC curve analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The expression of serum miR-92, miR-122, and LUS score in the patients that died were significantly higher than in those who survived (p < 0.05). These indicators were also significantly higher in the severe disease group compared to the mild disease group (p < 0.05). ROC curve showed that serum miR-92 and miR-122 combined with the LUS score had the largest area under the curve (0.920, 95% CI: 0.860-0.977) for predicting death, with a sensitivity and specificity of 92.0% and 87.0%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of serum miR-92 and miR-122 were positively correlated with the LUS score (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of serum miR-92 and miR-122 is related to the severity and prognosis of children with ARDS, combined with the LUS score are of value to predict the prognosis of children with ARDS.

A sustainable approach for bioremediation of secondary salinized soils: Studying remediation efficiency and soil nitrate transformation by bioaugmentation.

Nitrate is the main nitrogen source for plant growth, but it can also pollute the environment. A major cause of soil secondary salinization is the rising level of nitrates in the soil, which poses a threat to the sustainability and fertility of global greenhouse soils. Herein, Bacillus megaterium NCT-2 was used as a microbial agent to remove nitrate by bioaugmentation, and the remediation efficiency of secondary salinized soil in different degrees was evaluated. The findings showed that the highest nitrate removal rate of 62.76% was in a medium degree of secondary salinized soil. Moreover, the results of 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) demonstrated that NCT-2 agent reduced the microbial diversity, increased the microbial community stability, and changed the composition and function of the microbial community were changed by NCT-2 agent in all districts soil. Further analysis demonstrated that the NCT-2 bacterial agent significantly increased the key enzyme genes of the assimilation pathway (nitrite reductase gene NasD, 87-404 times, and glutamine reduction enzyme gene GlnA, 13-52 times) and dissimilatory reduction to ammonium (DNRA) (nitrate reductase gene NarG, 14-56 times) in different degrees of secondary salinized soils. This proved that NCT-2 agent could promote the nitrate assimilation and the dissimilation and reduction to ammonium in secondary salinized soil. Thus, the current findings suggested that the NCT-2 agent has a significant potential for reducing excessive nitrate levels in secondary salinized soil. The remediation efficiency was related to the microbial community composition and the degree of secondary salinization. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the remediation of secondary salinized soil in the future.

Case Report: An "Immune-Cold" EGFR Mutant NSCLC With Strong PD-L1 Expression Shows Resistance to Chemo-Immunotherapy.

Long-term survival benefit has been noticed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as PD-1 inhibitors. However, it is still controversial whether patients with EGFR-activating mutations may benefit from ICIs. Recently, in stage IIIA NSCLC, chemo-immunotherapy has led to significant pathological response, yet patients with the presence of known EGFR mutations were excluded from some randomized trials of neoadjuvant therapy. Herein, we report a case of a 50-year-old female patient, who was initially diagnosed as stage IIIA lung squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the patient presented with high PD-L1 expression. Then, chemo-immunotherapy was given to the patient but the disease progressed quickly with distant metastasis. A re-biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma together with EGFR p.L858R mutation. Then the patient received gefitinib, which resulted in significant regression of primary lung lesion. A detailed examination of pre-treatment tumor sections demonstrated rare infiltration of CD8+ T cells, indicating that the current patient presented with an "immune-cold" microenvironment, which might explain the primary resistance to chemo-immunotherapy. Taken together, our case indicated that comprehensive detection of PD-L1 expression, driver gene status, together with tumor immune microenvironment, may offer a better prediction of treatment efficacy.

Comparative cytology combined with transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of Solanum nigrum L. in response to Cd toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) triggers molecular alterations in plants, perturbs metabolites and damages plant growth. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the Cd tolerance in plants is necessary for assessing the persistent environmental impact of Cd. In this study, Solanum nigrum was selected as the test plant to investigate changes in biomass, Cd translocation, cell ultrastructure, metabolites and genes under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that the plant biomass was significantly decreased under Cd stress, and the plant has a stronger Cd transport capability. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that increased Cd concentration gradually damaged the plant organs (roots, stems and leaves) cell ultrastructure, as evidenced by swollen chloroplasts and deformed cell walls. Additionally, metabolomics analyses revealed that Cd stress mainly affected seven metabolism pathways, including 19 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). Moreover, 3908 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 1049 upregulated and 2859 downregulated) were identified via RNA-seq among five Cd treatments. Meanwhile, conjoint analysis found several DEGs and DEMs, including laccase, peroxidase, D-fructose, and cellobiose etc., are associated with cell wall biosynthesis, implying the cell wall biosynthesis pathway plays a critical role in Cd detoxification. Our comprehensive investigation using multiple approaches provides a molecular-scale perspective on plant response to Cd stress.