Soil keystone viruses are regulators of ecosystem multifunctionality.

Ecosystem multifunctionality reflects the capacity of ecosystems to simultaneously maintain multiple functions which are essential bases for human sustainable development. Whereas viruses are a major component of the soil microbiome that drive ecosystem functions across biomes, the relationships between soil viral diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality remain under-studied. To address this critical knowledge gap, we employed a combination of amplicon and metagenomic sequencing to assess prokaryotic, fungal and viral diversity, and to link viruses to putative hosts. We described the features of viruses and their potential hosts in 154 soil samples from 29 farmlands and 25 forests distributed across China. Although 4,460 and 5,207 viral populations (vOTUs) were found in the farmlands and forests respectively, the diversity of specific vOTUs rather than overall soil viral diversity was positively correlated with ecosystem multifunctionality in both ecosystem types. Furthermore, the diversity of these keystone vOTUs, despite being 10-100 times lower than prokaryotic or fungal diversity, was a better predictor of ecosystem multifunctionality and more strongly associated with the relative abundances of prokaryotic genes related to soil nutrient cycling. Gemmatimonadota and Actinobacteria dominated the host community of soil keystone viruses in the farmlands and forests respectively, but were either absent or showed a significantly lower relative abundance in that of soil non-keystone viruses. These findings provide novel insights into the regulators of ecosystem multifunctionality and have important implications for the management of ecosystem functioning.

Comments and illustrations of the WFUMB CEUS liver guidelines: rare benign hematological focal liver lesions (hepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis, Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia).

The manifestation of benign hematological infiltration in the liver is a challenge due to their rare occurrence and therefore, limited awareness and the general need for biopsy and histological confirmation. Owing to the rarity of these lesions, there are limited data concerning their appearance on ultrasound and, specifically, contrast-enhanced ultrasound. In a series of papers, we have compiled the US and CEUS characteristics of rare FLL, where there are few reports and images available, in order to build up a library of these cases. This paper describes the US and CEUS features of benign hematological FLL which include hepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH). Although these lesions occur rarely in the liver, their correct identification is imperative for appropriate patient`s management.

Avermectin induced vascular damage in zebrafish larvae: association with mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and VEGF/Notch signaling pathway.

Avermectin is a highly effective insecticide that has been widely used in agriculture since the 1990s. In recent years, the safety of avermectin for non-target organisms has received much attention. The vasculature is important organs in the body and participate in the composition of other organs. However, studies on the vascular safety of avermectin are lacking. The vasculature of zebrafish larvae is characterized by ease of observation and it is a commonly used model for vascular studies. Therefore, zebrafish larvae were used to explore the potential risk of avermectin on the vasculature. The results showed that avermectin induced vascular damage throughout the body of zebrafish larvae, including the head, eyes, intestine, somite, tail and other vasculature. The main forms of damage are reduction in vascular diameter, vascular area and vascular abundance. Meanwhile, avermectin induced a decrease in the number of endothelial cells and apoptosis within the vasculature. In addition, vascular damage may be related to impairment of mitochondrial function and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Finally, exploration of the molecular mechanisms revealed abnormal alterations in the expression of genes related to the VEGF/Notch signaling pathway. Therefore, the VEGF/Notch signaling pathway may be an important mechanism for avermectin-induced vascular damage in zebrafish larvae. This study demonstrates the vascular toxicity of avermectin in zebrafish larvae and reveals the possible molecular mechanism, which would hopefully draw more attention to the safety of avermectin in non-target organisms.

Screening of morphology-related genes based on predator-induced transcriptome sequencing and the functional analysis of Dagcut gene in Daphnia galeata.

High fish predation pressure can trigger "induced defense" in Daphnia species, resulting in phenotypic plasticity in morphology, behavior, or life-history traits. The molecular mechanisms of defense morphogenesis (e.g., the tail spine and helmet) in Daphnia remain unclear. In the present study, the tail spine, helmet, and body of Daphnia galeata under fish and non-fish kairomones conditions were collected for transcriptome analysis. A total of 24 candidate genes related to the morphological defense of D. galeata were identified, including 2 trypsin, one cuticle protein, 1 C1qDC protein, and 2 ferritin genes. The function of the Dagcut gene (D. galeata cuticle protein gene) in relation to tail spine morphology was assessed using RNA interference (RNAi). Compared with the EGFP (Enhanced green fluorescent protein) treatment, after RNAi, the expression levels of the Dagcut gene (D. galeata cuticle protein gene) showed a significant decrease. Correspondingly, the tail spines of the offspring produced by D. galeata after RNAi of the Dagcut gene appeared curved during the experiment. In whole-mount in situ hybridization, a clear signal site was detected on the tail spine of D. galeata before RNAi which disappeared after RNAi. Our results suggest that the Dagcut gene may play an important role in tail spine formation of D. galeata, and will provide a theoretical basis for studying the molecular mechanisms of the morphological plasticity in cladocera in the future.

Dazomet fumigation modification of the soil microorganism community and promotion of Panax notoginseng growth.

Introduction: Panax notoginseng, a medicinal herb in China, is attacked by several pathogens during its cultivation. Dazomet (DZ) is a soil fumigant that is effective in controlling soil-borne pathogens, but its long-term effects on P. notoginseng growth and soil properties are unknown. Methods: We conducted field experiments over two consecutive years to assess the impact of three concentrations of DZ fumigation (35 kg/666.7 m2, 40 kg/666.7 m2, and 45 kg/666.7 m2) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and P. notoginseng growth. Correlation analyses were performed between microbial community changes and soil properties, and functional predictions for soil microorganisms were conducted. Results: DZ fumigation increased total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available phosphorus, available potassium, and ammonia nitrogen levels in the soil. DZ fumigation promoted the nutrient accumulation and improvement of agronomic traits of P. notoginseng, resulted in a 2.83-3.81X yield increase, with the highest total saponin content increasing by 24.06%. And the 40 kg/666.7 m2 treatment had the most favorable impact on P. notoginseng growth and saponin accumulation. After DZ fumigation, there was a decrease in the relative abundance of pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium, Plectosphaerella, and Ilyonectria, while beneficial bacteria such as Ramlibacter, Burkholderia, and Rhodanobacteria increased. The effects of fumigation on soil microorganisms and soil physicochemical properties persisted for 18 months post-fumigation. DZ fumigation enhanced the relative abundance of bacteria involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, reduced the relative abundance of plant-animal pathogenic fungi, reduced the occurrence of soil-borne diseases. Conclusion: In conclusion, DZ fumigation enhanced soil physicochemical properties, increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the soil, and rebalanced soil microorganism populations, consequently improving the growth environment of P. notoginseng and enhancing its growth, yield, and quality. This study offers a theoretical foundation for DZ fumigation as a potential solution to the continuous cropping issue in perennial medicinal plants such as P. notoginseng.

Self-Growing Hydrogel Bioadhesives for Chronic Wound Management.

Hydrogel bioadhesives have emerged as a promising alternative to wound dressings for chronic wound management. However, many existing bioadhesives do not meet the functional requirements for efficient wound management through dynamically mechanical modulation, due to the reduced wound contractibility, frequent wound recurrence, incapability to actively adapt to external microenvironment variation, especially for those gradually-expanded chronic wounds. Here, a self-growing hydrogel bioadhesive (sGHB) patch that exhibits instant adhesion to biological tissues but also a gradual increase in mechanical strength and interfacial adhesive strength within a 120-h application is presented. The gradually increased mechanics of the sGHB patch could effectively mitigate the stress concentration at the wound edge, and also resist the wound expansion at various stages, thus mechanically contracting the chronic wounds in a programmable manner. The self-growing hydrogel patch demonstrated enhanced wound healing efficacy in a mouse diabetic wound model, by regulating the inflammatory response, promoting the faster re-epithelialization and angiogenesis through mechanical modulation. Such kind of self-growing hydrogel bioadhesives have potential clinical utility for a variety of wound management where dynamic mechanical modulation is indispensable.

Study on hormone induction of the male parent and embryonic development, gonad differentiation, and growth of "All-female No.1" Culter alburnus.

Female Culter alburnus was faster in growth rate than males. In this study, the gynogenetic G2 and the pseudo-male G2' were used as the female and male parents, respectively, to breed a new national variety "All-female No.1" C. alburnus (AFC). Hormone induction, embryonic development, gonadal differentiation, and growth of AFC were studied. The results showed induction with low concentrations of 17α-methyltestosterone in a indoor-net cage culture was not effective. Under the stimulation of 17α-methyltestosterone, some gonads had a tendency to transform into testis, but not completely. There were three types of gonads in 5-month-old and four types of gonads in 12-month-old fishes, however, they all differentiated into ovaries in 15-month-old fishes. Testosterone propionate and high concentrations of 17α-methyltestosterone in pond culture induction had a good effect resulting in ①a functional pseudo-male with normal testis development that could successfully extrude semen during the breeding period, ②a pseudo-male with normal testis development, but could not extrude semen, and ③the appearance of intersexual glands. The second experiment revealed that with common fish, all-female fish embryo had normal embryonic development. The development time and morphological characteristics of each stage were similar, but the development of the all-female embryo was slightly slower than the common embryos. The gonad differentiation of the all-female embryo were normal and none differentiated into testis, which indicated that all-female could ensure the female sex without affecting the normal gonad differentiation. The correlation between body weight, length, and month-age of all-female and common fish was strong. The all-female had faster growth rate and more uniform growth specification than the common fish. Therefore, the use of testosterone propionate and high concentrations of 17α-methyltestosterone in pond culture induction could avoid complete degeneration of gonads into ovaries. The all-female embryo had the advantages of normal embryonic development and gonadal differentiation, faster growth, and uniform growth specification.

Clinical Significance of Long Non-Coding RNA SNHG5 in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preventable and requires early screening. The study aimed to examine the clinical values of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG5 in COPD diagnosis and prognosis. Out of 160 COPD patients, 80 were in the stable stage and 80 were in the acute exacerbation of COPD stage (AECOPD). SNHG5 expression was detected via qRT-PCR. The survival analysis was conducted using Cox regression analysis and K-M curve. SNHG5 levels significantly reduced in both stable COPD and AECOPD groups compared with the control group, with AECOPD group recording the lowest values. SNHG5 levels were negatively correlated with GOLD stage. Serum SNHG5 can differentiate stable COPD patients from healthy individuals (AUC = 0.805), and can screen AECOPD from stable ones (AUC = 0.910). SNHG5 negatively influenced the release of inflammatory cytokines. For AECOPD patients, those with severe cough and wheezing dyspnea symptoms exhibited the lowest values of SNUG5. Among the 80 AECOPD patients, 16 cases died in the one-year follow-up, all of whom had low levels of SNHG5. SNHG5 levels independently influenced survival outcomes, patients with low SNHG5 levels had a poor prognosis. Thus, lncRNA SNHG5, which is downregulated in patients with COPD (especially AECOPD), can potentially protect against AECOPD and serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for AECOPD.

Corrigendum: Plastic biodegradation by in vitro environmental microorganisms and in vivo gut microorganisms of insects.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1001750.].

Natural aromatic extract of black tea improved the water retention of pork meat batter.

The effect of varying proportions (w/w) of natural aromatic extract of black tea (NAEBT) with pre-emulsification on the water-holding capacity (WHC) of pork meat batter was investigated. The addition of NAEBT significantly reduced the cooking loss (CL) of pork meat batter from 23.95 % to 18.30 % (P < 0.05). Furthermore, NAEBT with pre-emulsification significantly improved the color stability and increased the springiness (P < 0.05). The results of TBARS and carbonyls indicated that NAEBT with pre-emulsification significantly alleviated oxidative damage to proteins (P < 0.05), resulting in an increased level of ß-sheet (P < 0.05), as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. As a result, the water mobility of pork meat batter was restricted (P < 0.05), resulting in an increase in the energy storage modulus (P < 0.05) and a decrease in the pore size. In summary, the WHC of pork meat batter was improved by the antioxidant effect of the NAEBT.

Botulinum toxin type A in treating early-stage patients with small-angle acute acquired comitant esotropia.

AIM: To investigate botulinum toxin A (BTXA) efficacy on small-angle (≤25Δ) acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE) in early-stage patients. METHODS: The electronic medical record data of AACE patients during March 2019 and June 2023 were collected in this retrospective and hospital-based cohort study. A total of 72 small-angle AACE patients received BTXA extraocular muscle injection. Patients were grouped by onset-to-treatment time (Group A: ≤6mo, Group B: >6mo). Deviation of esotropia, eye alignment and stereopsis were analyzed at the period of pre/post-injection (1wk, 1, 3, and 6mo). Orthophoria rate at 6mo (horizontal deviation <10Δ and binocular single vision) were considered as outcome index. RESULTS: There were no significant baseline differences (P>0.05) between two groups except onset-to-treatment time (2mo vs 11mo, P<0.001). Higher orthophoria rates were in Group A at last follow-up (94.74% vs 73.53%, P=0.013). Post-BTXA deviations of two groups at 1mo showed no difference (P>0.05); while in 3 and 6mo Group A was significantly smaller than group B (all P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed among all post-BTXA deviations of near and distance in Group A. In Group B, deviation at 3mo (near: 2Δ vs 0, P<0.001; distance: 4Δ vs 0, P<0.001) and 6mo (near: 6Δ vs 0, P<0.001; distance: 6Δ vs 0, P<0.001) was significant increased compared to deviation at 1wk after treatment. Group A showed better stereopsis recovery in last follow-up compared to Group B (80″ vs 200″, P=0.002). Both groups obtained improved stereopsis after treatment (Group A: 80″ vs 300″, P<0.001; Group B: 200″ vs 300″, P=0.037). CONCLUSION: BTXA is effective for AACE with small deviation (≤25Δ) in early stage. Delayed treatment (>6mo) may reduce BTXA efficacy. Early BTXA intervention benefits long-term eye alignment and stereopsis recovery.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Viral Activity of Sweet Potato Trypsin Inhibitor via Downregulation of TMPRSS2 Activity and ACE2 Expression In Vitro and In Vivo.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. Known as COVID-19, it has affected billions of people worldwide, claiming millions of lives and posing a continuing threat to humanity. This is considered one of the most extensive pandemics ever recorded in human history, causing significant losses to both life and economies globally. However, the available evidence is currently insufficient to establish the effectiveness and safety of antiviral drugs or vaccines. The entry of the virus into host cells involves binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a cell surface receptor, via its spike protein. Meanwhile, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), a host surface protease, cleaves and activates the virus's S protein, thus promoting viral infection. Plant protease inhibitors play a crucial role in protecting plants against insects and/or microorganisms. The major storage proteins in sweet potato roots include sweet potato trypsin inhibitor (SWTI), which accounts for approximately 60% of the total water-soluble protein and has been found to possess a variety of health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, ACE-inhibitory, and anticancer functions. Our study found that SWTI caused a significant reduction in the expression of the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteins, without any adverse effects on cells. Therefore, our findings suggest that the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 axis can be targeted via SWTI to potentially inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Investigating the Mechanism of Microwave-Assisted Enzymolysis Synergized with Magnetic Bead Adsorption for Reducing Ovalbumin Allergenicity through Biomass Spectrometry Analysis.

This study found that, after microwave treatment at 560 W for 30 s, alkaline protease enzymolysis significantly reduced the allergenicity of ovalbumin (OVA). Furthermore, specific adsorption of allergenic anti-enzyme hydrolyzed peptides in the enzymatic products by immunoglobulin G (IgG) bound to magnetic bead further decreased the allergenicity of OVA. The results indicated that microwave treatment disrupts the structure of OVA, increasing the accessibility of OVA to the alkaline protease. A comparison between 17 IgG-binding epitopes identified through high-performance liquid chromatography-higher energy collisional dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry and previously reported immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding epitopes revealed a complete overlap in binding epitopes at amino acids (AA)125-135, AA151-158, AA357-366, and AA373-381. Additionally, partial overlap was observed at positions AA41-59, AA243-252, and AA320-340. Consequently, these binding epitopes were likely pivotal in eliciting the allergic reaction to OVA, warranting specific attention in future studies. In conclusion, microwave-assisted enzymolysis synergized with magnetic bead adsorption provides an effective method to reduce the allergenicity of OVA.

Effects of non-pharmacological interventions for adults with subjective cognitive decline: a network meta-analysis and component network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacological interventions have a myriad of available intervention options and contain multiple components. Whether specific components of non-pharmacological interventions or combinations are superior to others remains unclear. The main aim of this study is to compare the effects of different combinations of non-pharmacological interventions and their specific components on health-related outcomes in adults with subjective cognitive decline. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and China's two largest databases, CNKI and Wanfang, were searched from inception to 22nd, January 2023. Randomized controlled trials using non-pharmacological interventions and reporting health outcomes in adults with subjective cognitive decline were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Component network meta-analysis was conducted employing an additive component model for network meta-analysis. This study followed the PRISMA reporting guideline and the PRISMA checklist is presented in Additional file 2. RESULTS: A total of 39 trials with 2959 patients were included (range of mean ages, 58.79-77.41 years). Resistance exercise might be the optimal intervention for reducing memory complaints in adults with subjective cognitive decline; the surface under the cumulative ranking p score was 0.888, followed by balance exercise (p = 0.859), aerobic exercise (p = 0.832), and cognitive interventions (p = 0.618). Music therapy, cognitive training, transcranial direct current stimulation, mindfulness therapy, and balance exercises might be the most effective intervention components for improving global cognitive function (iSMD, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.29), language (iSMD, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.38), ability to perform activities of daily living (iSMD, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.89), physical health (iSMD, 3.29; 95% CI, 2.57 to 4.00), and anxiety relief (iSMD, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.26 to 1.16), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The form of physical activity performed appears to be more beneficial than cognitive interventions in reducing subjective memory complaints for adults with subjective cognitive decline, and this difference was reflected in resistance, aerobic, and balance exercises. Randomized clinical trials with high-quality and large-scale are warranted to validate the findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registry number. CRD42022355363.

Tripartite motif 8 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via mediating ubiquitination of HNF1α.

Tripartite motif 8 (TRIM8) is an E3 ligase that plays dual roles in various tumor types. The biological effects and underlying mechanism of TRIM8 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) is a key transcriptional factor that plays a significant role in regulating hepatocyte differentiation and liver function. The reduced expression of HNF1α is a critical event in the development of HCC, but the underlying mechanism for its degradation remains elusive. In this study, we discovered that the expression of TRIM8 was upregulated in HCC tissues, and was positively correlated with aggressive tumor behavior of HCC and shorter survival of HCC patients. Overexpression of TRIM8 promoted the proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells, while TRIM8 knockdown or knockout exerted the opposite effects. RNA sequencing revealed that TRIM8 knockout suppresses several cancer-related pathways, including Wnt/ß-catenin and TGF-ß signaling in HepG2 cells. TRIM8 directly interacts with HNF1α, promoting its degradation by catalyzing polyubiquitination on lysine 197 in HCC cells. Moreover, the cancer-promoting effects of TRIM8 in HCC were abolished by the HNF1α-K197R mutant in vitro and in vivo. These data demonstrated that TRIM8 plays an oncogenic role in HCC progression through mediating the ubiquitination of HNF1α and promoting its protein degradation, and suggests targeting TRIM8-HNF1α may provide a promising therapeutic strategy of HCC.

Mapping of lymph node metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant treatment: a prospective analysis from a high-volume institution in China.

The study aimed to describe the prevalence of lymph node metastases per lymph node station for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after neoadjuvant treatment. Clinicopathological variables of ESCC patients were retrieved from the prospective database of the Surgical Esophageal Cancer Patient Registry in West China Hospital, Sichuan University. A two-field lymphadenectomy was routinely performed, and an extensive three-field lymphadenectomy was performed if cervical lymph node metastasis was suspected. According to AJCC/UICC 8, lymph node stations were investigated separately. The number of patients with metastatic lymph nodes divided by those who underwent lymph node dissection at that station was used to define the percentage of patients with lymph node metastases. Data are also separately analyzed according to the pathological response of the primary tumor, neoadjuvant treatment regimens, pretreatment tumor length, and tumor location. Between January 2019 and March 2023, 623 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy followed by transthoracic esophagectomy were enrolled. Lymph node metastases were found in 212 patients (34.0%) and most frequently seen in lymph nodes along the right recurrent nerve (10.1%, 58/575), paracardial station (11.4%, 67/587), and lymph nodes along the left gastric artery (10.9%, 65/597). For patients with pretreatment tumor length of >4 cm and non-pathological complete response of the primary tumor, the metastatic rate of the right lower cervical paratracheal lymph nodes is 10.9% (10/92) and 10.6% (11/104), respectively. For patients with an upper thoracic tumor, metastatic lymph nodes were most frequently seen along the right recurrent nerve (14.2%, 8/56). For patients with a middle thoracic tumor, metastatic lymph nodes were most commonly seen in the right lower cervical paratracheal lymph nodes (10.3%, 8/78), paracardial lymph nodes (10.2%, 29/285), and lymph nodes along the left gastric artery (10.4%, 30/289). For patients with a lower thoracic tumor, metastatic lymph nodes were most frequently seen in the paracardial station (14.2%, 35/247) and lymph nodes along the left gastric artery (13.1%, 33/252). The study precisely determined the distribution of lymph node metastases in ESCC after neoadjuvant treatment, which may help to optimize the extent of lymphadenectomy in the surgical management of ESCC patients after neoadjuvant therapy.

[Synthesis of fluorinated nitrogen-rich porous organic polymers and removal of perfluorooctanoic acid from water].

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent contaminant with detrimental effects on the natural environment. This persistence leads to potential enrichment and osmotic transfer, which can affect normal circulation in the environment. PFOA poses significant threats to both the natural environment and human health. Therefore, the development of cost-effective, highly efficient, and environment-friendly PFOA adsorbents is a crucial endeavor. This paper presents the catalyst-free one-pot synthesis of fluorinated nitrogen-rich porous organic polymers (POP-3F) via a Schiff-base condensation reaction. The reaction between the nitrogen-rich compound 1,4-bis(2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)benzene and p-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde yielded POP-3F. The introduction of fluorine atoms into the nitrogen-rich porous organic polymer enhanced its hydrophobicity, thereby facilitating favorable fluoro-fluorine interactions with PFOA and, thus, improving the efficacy of the adsorbent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to confirm the successful synthesis and characterization of POP-3F. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was conducted in negative electrospray ionization (ESI) mode coupled with multi-reaction monitoring mode (MRM). The instrument was equipped with an Atlantis T3 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 3 µm), and analysis was conducted using an external standard method. The influences of various factors on PFOA adsorption by POP-3F, including pH, salt concentration, and humic acid presence, were investigated. The highest PFOA removal rate (98.6%) was achieved at a pH of 2, indicating the applicability of POP-3F for the effective removal of PFOA from acidic industrial wastewater. The removal rate of PFOA was unaffected by increases in NaCl concentration. This phenomenon can be attributed to electrostatic interactions between the protonated secondary amines in POP-3F and deprotonated PFOA. Upon the addition of NaCl, a double electric layer is formed on the POP-3F surface, with Cl- ions in the outer layer and Na+ ions in the inner layer, which weakened these interactions. Humic acid is competitively adsorbed with PFOA. However, POP-3F demonstrated good removal rates even in the presence of high humic acid concentrations in water. Adsorption isotherm and kinetics experiments were conducted at the optimal pH to explore the relevant adsorption mechanism. The results showed a rapid initial adsorption rate, with 95.4% PFOA removal within 5 min. Optimal adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 6 h, and the removal rate decreased by only 0.3% after 24 h. This finding indicates that POP-3F exhibits sustained efficacy for PFOA removal. Langmuir fitting analysis revealed a theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of 191 mg/g for POP-3F; this value surpasses those of activated carbon materials and most other adsorbents, highlighting the superior PFOA-adsorption performance of POP-3F. Additionally, matrix effects minimally affected the removal of PFOA by POP-3F, with only a slight reduction (0.1%) observed in simulated natural water. The recyclability of POP-3F was assessed over five adsorption-desorption cycles. The removal efficenecy exhibited a minor decrease of only 0.67% after five cycles. These results demonstrate the recyclability of the proposed adsorbent, which translates into cost reduction through reusability. This characteristic renders POP-3F a promising candidate for the economical and efficient removal of PFOA from wastewater in practical applications.

A prospective study on maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: It is evident that periodontitis is linked to various adverse pregnancy outcomes. This prospective study explored the potential link of maternal periodontal diseases to neonatal adverse outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 193 generally healthy females in their third trimester (34-36 weeks) of pregnancy were enrolled. All subjects received full-mouth periodontal assessment, and the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated. Demographic data, lifestyles and anthropometric measurements of the neonates (e.g., body length and head circumference) were recorded. Herein, small-for-gestational age (SGA) referred to gender- and age-adjusted birth weight below the 10th percentile in line with the standard reference. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were performed for examining the association of periodontal parameters with SGA.  Results: There were 8.3% (16/193) of neonates with SGA. Significantly positive correlation existed between the percentage of tooth sites with increased probing depth and an elevated risk of SGA (OR: 1.052; P < 0.05). Yet, the PISA was positively associated with the risk of SGA (OR: 1.002; P < 0.05) as well. No significant link occurred between maternal periodontal status and other neonatal outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the findings suggest that there could be a link between maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes like SGA. Further investigation is required to clarify the current findings and potential implications for promoting maternal oral/periodontal health and newborn health.

Association of sleep traits with risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy sleep patterns are common during pregnancy and have been associated with an increased risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) in observational studies. However, the causality underlying these associations remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the potential causal association between seven sleep traits and the risk of HDPs using a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. METHODS: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics were obtained from the FinnGen consortium, UK Biobank, and other prominent consortia, with a focus on individuals of European ancestry. The primary analysis utilized an inverse-variance-weighted MR approach supplemented by sensitivity analyses to mitigate potential biases introduced by pleiotropy. Furthermore, a two-step MR framework was employed for mediation analyses. RESULTS: The data analyzed included 200 000-500 000 individuals for each sleep trait, along with approximately 15 000 cases of HDPs. Genetically predicted excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) exhibited a significant association with an increased risk of HDPs [odds ratio (OR) 2.96, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.40-6.26], and the specific subtype of preeclampsia/eclampsia (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.06-8.3). Similarly, genetically predicted obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with a higher risk of HDPs (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.47). Sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of these associations. Mediation analysis showed that BMI mediated approximately 25% of the association between EDS and HDPs, while mediating up to approximately 60% of the association between OSA and the outcomes. No statistically significant associations were observed between other genetically predicted sleep traits, such as chronotype, daytime napping, sleep duration, insomnia, snoring, and the risk of HDPs. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a causal association between two sleep disorders, EDS and OSA, and the risk of HDPs, with BMI acting as a crucial mediator. EDS and OSA demonstrate promise as potentially preventable risk factors for HDPs, and targeting BMI may represent an alternative treatment strategy to mitigate the adverse impact of sleep disorders.