Harnessing the Genetic Basis of Sorghum Biomass-Related Traits to Facilitate Bioenergy Applications.

The extensive use of fossil fuels and global climate change have raised ever-increasing attention to sustainable development, global food security and the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy. Several C4 monocot grasses have excellent photosynthetic ability, stress tolerance and may rapidly produce biomass in marginal lands with low agronomic inputs, thus representing an important source of bioenergy. Among these grasses, Sorghum bicolor has been recognized as not only a promising bioenergy crop but also a research model due to its diploidy, simple genome, genetic diversity and clear orthologous relationship with other grass genomes, allowing sorghum research to be easily translated to other grasses. Although sorghum molecular genetic studies have lagged far behind those of major crops (e.g., rice and maize), recent advances have been made in a number of biomass-related traits to dissect the genetic loci and candidate genes, and to discover the functions of key genes. However, molecular and/or targeted breeding toward biomass-related traits in sorghum have not fully benefited from these pieces of genetic knowledge. Thus, to facilitate the breeding and bioenergy applications of sorghum, this perspective summarizes the bioenergy applications of different types of sorghum and outlines the genetic control of the biomass-related traits, ranging from flowering/maturity, plant height, internode morphological traits and metabolic compositions. In particular, we describe the dynamic changes of carbohydrate metabolism in sorghum internodes and highlight the molecular regulators involved in the different stages of internode carbohydrate metabolism, which affects the bioenergy utilization of sorghum biomass. We argue the way forward is to further enhance our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of these biomass-related traits with new technologies, which will lead to future directions toward tailored designing sorghum biomass traits suitable for different bioenergy applications.

Enhanced mechanical strength of vortex fluidic mediated biomass-based biodegradable films composed from agar, alginate and kombucha cellulose hydrolysates.

Biodegradable, biomass derived kombucha cellulose films with increased mechanical strength from 9.98 MPa to 18.18 MPa were prepared by vortex fluidic device (VFD) processing. VFD processing not only reduced the particle size of kombucha cellulose from approximate 2 µm to 1 µm, but also reshaped its structure from irregular to round. The increased mechanical strength of these polysaccharide-derived films is the result of intensive micromixing and high shear stress of a liquid thin film in a VFD. This arises from the incorporation at the micro-structural level of uniform, unidirectional strings of kombucha cellulose hydrolysates, which resulted from the topological fluid flow in the VFD. The biodegradability of the VFD generated polymer films was not compromised relative to traditionally generated films. Both films were biodegraded within 5 days.

AutoEER: automatic EEG-based emotion recognition with neural architecture search.

Objective.Emotion recognition based on electroencephalography (EEG) is garnering increasing attention among researchers due to its wide-ranging applications and the rise of portable devices. Deep learning-based models have demonstrated impressive progress in EEG-based emotion recognition, thanks to their exceptional feature extraction capabilities. However, the manual design of deep networks is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Moreover, the inherent variability of EEG signals necessitates extensive customization of models, exacerbating these challenges. Neural architecture search (NAS) methods can alleviate the need for excessive manual involvement by automatically discovering the optimal network structure for EEG-based emotion recognition.Approach.In this regard, we propose AutoEER (AutomaticEEG-basedEmotionRecognition), a framework that leverages tailored NAS to automatically discover the optimal network structure for EEG-based emotion recognition. We carefully design a customized search space specifically for EEG signals, incorporating operators that effectively capture both temporal and spatial properties of EEG. Additionally, we employ a novel parameterization strategy to derive the optimal network structure from the proposed search space.Main results.Extensive experimentation on emotion classification tasks using two benchmark datasets, DEAP and SEED, has demonstrated that AutoEER outperforms state-of-the-art manual deep and NAS models. Specifically, compared to the optimal model WangNAS on the accuracy (ACC) metric, AutoEER improves its average accuracy on all datasets by 0.93%. Similarly, compared to the optimal model LiNAS on the F1 Ssore (F1) metric, AutoEER improves its average F1 score on all datasets by 4.51%. Furthermore, the architectures generated by AutoEER exhibit superior transferability compared to alternative methods.Significance.AutoEER represents a novel approach to EEG analysis, utilizing a specialized search space to design models tailored to individual subjects. This approach significantly reduces the labour and time costs associated with manual model construction in EEG research, holding great promise for advancing the field and streamlining research practices.

Akkermansia muciniphila plays a neuroprotective role in HMC3 cells through the 'gut-brain' axis.

Aims: We investigated the neuroprotective effects of Akkermansia muciniphila through the 'gut-brain' axis. Methods: Human colon cancer (Caco-2) cells treated with A. muciniphila metabolites were used to create the conditioned medium from Caco-2 cells treated with A. muciniphila metabolites (AC medium) medium, then treated human microglial clone 3 (HMC3) cells to simulate the gut-brain axis in vitro. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which the AC medium affected HMC3 cells. Results: The secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (0.37 ± 0.80-fold) and IL-17A (0.05 ± 0.18-fold) by HMC3 cells was inhibited by the AC medium. Differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways, such as the cAMP and TGF-ß signaling pathways. Conclusion: A. muciniphila might be a source of therapeutic approaches to alleviate microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory diseases.

Mosaic Patterned Surfaces toward Generating Hardly-Volatile Capsular Droplet Arrays for High-Precision Droplet-Based Storage and Detection.

Precise detection involving droplets based on functional surfaces is promising for the parallelization and miniaturization of platforms and is significant in epidemic investigation, analyte recognition, environmental simulation, combinatorial chemistry, etc. However, a challenging and considerable task is obtaining mutually independent droplet arrays without cross-contamination and simultaneously avoiding droplet evaporation-caused quick reagent loss, inaccuracy, and failure. Herein, a strategy to generate mutually independent and hardly-volatile capsular droplet arrays using innovative mosaic patterned surfaces is developed. The evaporation suppression of the capsular droplet arrays is 1712 times higher than the naked droplet. The high evaporation suppression of the capsular droplet arrays on the surfaces is attributed to synergistic blocking of the upper oil and bottom mosaic gasproof layer. The scale-up of the capsular droplet arrays, the flexibility in shape, size, component (including aqueous, colloidal, acid, and alkali solutions), liquid volume, and the high-precision hazardous substance testing proves the concept's high compatibility and practicability. The mutually independent capsular droplet arrays with amazingly high evaporation suppression are essential for the new generation of high-performance open-surface microfluidic chips used in COVID-19 diagnosis and investigation, primary screening, in vitro enzyme reactions, environmental monitoring, nanomaterial synthesis, etc.

Visible-light-driven simultaneous decontamination of multi-antibiotics by facile synthesized BiOCl loaded food wastes biochar.

Environmental dissemination caused by widespread use of antibiotics has been regarded as a possible hazard to aquatic ecosystem and human health. The increasing misgivings make it imperative to develop a novel catalyst with remarkable visible-light-driven activity to remove antibiotics, especially for their simultaneous decontamination. Herein, C/BiOCl composites were successfully prepared by decorating BiOCl nanosheets on food wastes biochar (C) by a simple hydrolysis strategy. Not only the binary system of tetracycline antibiotics, but also the ternary mixture could be simultaneously photodegraded over 25% C/BiOCl within 15 min irradiation. The improved photocatalytic activities could be ascribed to the introduction of biochar, endowing increased surface area, enhanced separation of photo-generated charge carriers, and better light absorption. The as-prepared 25% C/BiOCl also demonstrated satisfactory stability and positive removal effect in actual water samples. The present work provides new insights into the development of biochar-based photocatalysts for simultaneous degradation of multiple antibiotics.

Danggui Shaoyao San: comprehensive modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis for attenuating Alzheimer's disease-related pathology.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an age-associated neurodegenerative disorder, currently lacks effective clinical therapeutics. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds promising potential in AD treatment, exemplified by Danggui Shaoyao San (DSS), a TCM formulation. The precise therapeutic mechanisms of DSS in AD remain to be fully elucidated. This study aims to uncover the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of DSS in AD, employing an integrative approach encompassing gut microbiota and metabolomic analyses. Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were allocated into three groups: Blank Control (Con), AD Model (M), and Danggui Shaoyao San (DSS). AD models were established via bilateral intracerebroventricular injections of streptozotocin (STZ). DSS was orally administered at 24 g·kg-1·d-1 (weight of raw herbal materials) for 14 days. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. Pathological alterations were assessed through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Bloodstream metabolites were characterized, gut microbiota profiled through 16S rDNA sequencing, and cortical metabolomics analyzed. Hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α) were quantified using RT-qPCR, and oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, MDA) in brain tissues were measured with biochemical assays. Results: DSS identified a total of 1,625 bloodstream metabolites, predominantly Benzene derivatives, Carboxylic acids, and Fatty Acyls. DSS significantly improved learning and spatial memory in AD rats and ameliorated cerebral tissue pathology. The formulation enriched the probiotic Ligilactobacillus, modulating metabolites like Ophthalmic acid (OA), Phosphocreatine (PCr), Azacridone A, Inosine, and NAD. DSS regulated Purine and Nicotinate-nicotinamide metabolism, restoring balance in the Candidatus Saccharibacteria-OA interplay and stabilizing gut microbiota-metabolite homeostasis. Additionally, DSS reduced hippocampal IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α expression, attenuating the inflammatory state. It elevated antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX) while reducing MDA levels, indicating diminished oxidative stress in AD rat brains. Conclusion: DSS addresses AD pathology through multifaceted mechanisms, encompassing gut microbiome regulation, specific metabolite modulation, and the mitigation of inflammation and oxidative stress within the brain. This holistic intervention through the Microbial-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA) underscores DSS's potential as an integrative therapeutic agent in combatting AD.

Enhanced catalytic performance of CuCr/ZSM-5 catalyst by chemical vapour deposition for trichloroethylene oxidation.

The CuCr mixed oxides catalysts supported on ZSM-5 zeolite (CuCr/ZSM-5) were synthesized via metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) method for catalytic oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE). SEM, XRD, BET, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD and XPS were tested. The active components were dispersed uniformly over the surface of ZSM-5 zeolite. The catalytic experimental results exhibited that the CuCr/ZSM-5 exhibited the best catalytic performance for TCE oxidation with 90% of TCE at 338°C and the concentration of C2Cl4 decreased compared with Cu/ZSM-5 and Cr/ZSM-5. The possible reason is that CuCr/ZSM-5 has superior reducibility, higher Cu2+ surface concentration as well as more surface oxygen.

Kitchen-waste-derived biochar modified nanocomposites with improved photocatalytic performances for degrading organic contaminants.

Kitchen-waste-derived biochar (KBC) was produced by thermal treatment at 400 °C, and a series of KBC/BiOX (X = Br, Cl) photocatalysts were developed using ultrasonication and solvothermal treatment. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by several tests and investigated by photocatalytic reactions towards methyl orange (MO) and tetracycline (TC). The best photocatalysts, 0.15KBC/BiOBr and 0.15KBC/BiOCl separately achieved complete MO photodegradation in 20 min and 35 min. Further study confirmed that 0.15KBC/BiOBr and 0.15KBC/BiOCl possessed excellent photocatalytic efficiency that was 17.9 and 14.8 times higher than BiOBr and BiOCl, respectively. In addition, 0.15KBC/BiOX showed higher activity removal of TC than pure BiOX in 60 min. Notably, 0.15KBC/BiOX maintained a reproducible high photocatalytic efficiency after five recycles. Estimated band gap energy for 0.15KBC/BiOBr (2.40 eV) and 0.15KBC/BiOCl (3.00 eV) was considerably lower than that of BiOBr (2.73 eV) and BiOCl (3.30 eV), indicating a delocalized state was created when forming electronic pathways on the interface. Besides, visible-light harvesting of photocatalysts got promoted by the modification of KBC. Active species trapping experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests illustrated that photogenerated holes were the principal active species, while ∙OH was involved in the reaction. The successful synthesis of 0.15KBC/BiOX catalyst provided a new approach on simultaneously degrading organic contaminants in water and disposing of excessive kitchen waste.

Engineered extracellular vesicles and their mimetics for cancer immunotherapy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous membranous vesicles secreted by living cells that are involved in many physiological and pathological processes as intermediaries for intercellular communication and molecular transfer. Recent studies have shown that EVs can regulate the occurrence and development of tumors by transferring proteins, lipids and nucleic acids to immune cells as signaling molecules. As a new diagnostic biomarker and drug delivery system, EVs have broad application prospects in immunotherapy. In addition, the breakthrough of nanotechnology has promoted the development and exploration of engineered EVs for immune-targeted therapy. Herein, we review the uniqueness of EVs in immune regulation and the engineering strategies used for immunotherapy and highlight the logic of their design through typical examples. The present situation and challenges of clinical transformation are discussed, and the development prospects of EVs in immunotherapy are proposed. The goal of this review is to provide new insights into the design of immune-regulatory EVs and expand their application in cancer immunotherapy.

Spatiotemporal Differentiation and Balance Pattern of Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Analyzing the supply and demand of ecosystem services and the regional balance pattern is an important basis for improving the ecological management level. Taking the Yangtze River economic belt as the study area, the spatiotemporal characteristics and balance pattern of ecosystem service supply and demand are quantitatively revealed based on equivalent factors, supply and demand balance modeling and quantile regression. The results show that: (1) the ecosystem services value in the research area experienced a change process of "increase-decrease-increase" from 2000 to 2020. The ecological service value of cultivated land and grassland presented a continuous decline, with decreases of 20.446 billion and 4.53 billion yuan, respectively, in the past 20 years, with reduction rates of -4.82% and -3.98%, respectively. (2) The demand for ecosystem services showed an unbalanced and phased growth trend. The total demand for ecosystem services showed heterogeneity and agglomeration effects in space. High demand and higher demand areas are mainly distributed in the regions with relatively developed population and economy, including Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, "Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan" urban agglomeration, Poyang Lake Plain, Jianghan Plain and Chengdu Plain. (3) The overall pattern of the supply-demand balance of ecosystem services has changed little; however, there have also been significant changes in certain areas in individual years.

Toxicity, biodegradation of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and their metabolic fate.

The novel fourth-generation fluoroquinolones (FQs) were developed to improve the antimicrobial activity and their utilization has rapidly increased in recent years. However, knowledge of the ecotoxicity and microalgae-mediated biodegradation of these novel FQs is limited. In this research, the toxic effects of moxifloxacin (MOX) and gatifloxacin (GAT) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as well as their biodegradation and metabolic fate were investigated. The results showed that the toxicity of MOX to C. reinhardtii was higher than that of GAT, and increased with culture time. Chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment content analyses suggested that the decrease in photosynthetic efficiency was primarily caused by the inhibition of electron transport after QA in PSII complex. These FQs induced oxidative damage in cells, and the antioxidation mechanisms of C. reinhardtii were analyzed. The maximum MOX removal of 77.67% by C. reinhardtii was achieved at 1 mg/L MOX, whereas the maximum GAT removal of 34.04% was attained at 20 mg/L GAT. The different hydrophilicity and lipophilicity of these FQs resulted in distinct findings in biodegradation experiments. Identification of the transformation products suggested that the likely biodegradation pathways of FQs by C. reinhardtii were hydroxylation, demethylation, and ring cleavage.

New insights into the efficient charge transfer by construction of adjustable dominant facet of BiOI/CdS heterojunction for antibiotics degradation and chromium Cr(VI) reduction under visible-light irradiation.

The narrow light-response range and high electron/hole recombination rate greatly restrict the widespread use of photocatalytic technology. The integration of exposing dominant facet of semiconductor and Z-scheme heterostructures designing is expected to break those barriers. Herein，In this work, hydrothermal and ultrasonic stirring methods were used to selectively exposed the (001) and (110) facet of BiOI to construct the BiOI/CdS heterostructures. The obtained BiOI(001)/CdS material shown the maximum degradation for tetracycline-based antibiotics (Oxytetracycline, Tetracycline and Doxycycline), and excellent reduction of hexavalent chromium. Combining the electron spin resonance and scavenger experiments, the superior photocatalytic capacity was attributed to the generation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. DFT calculation results shown BiOI(001)/CdS performed high binding energy and adsorption energy for hexavalent chromium, and the different work function between BiOI(001) and CdS confirmed the building of internal electric field, thereby increased the charge separation. Finally, the Gaussian 09 and HPLC-MS program investigated the attack sites of free radicals and degradation pathways in the degradation of antibiotics. This study not only provides a potential photocatalyst, also gives an in-depth understanding of the photocatalytic properties of heterojunctions constructed by different exposed crystal facets.

Degradation of sulfonamides in aquaculture wastewater by laccase-syringaldehyde mediator system: Response surface optimization, degradation kinetics, and degradation pathway.

As a new type of environmental pollutant, environmental antibiotic residues have attracted widespread attention, and the degradation and removal of antibiotics has become an engaging topic for scholars. In this paper, Novozym 51003 industrialized laccase and syringaldehyde were combined to degrade sulfonamides in aquaculture wastewater. Design Expert10 software was used for multiple regression analysis, and a response surface regression model was established to obtain the optimal degradation parameters. In the actual application, the degradation system could maintain a stable performance within 9 h, and timely supplement of the mediator could achieve a better continuous degradation effect. Low concentrations of heavy metals and organic matter would not significantly affect the degradation performance of the laccase-mediator system, making the degradation system suitable for a wide range of water quality. Enzymatic reaction kinetics demonstrated a strong affinity of sulfadiazine to the substrate. Ten degradation products were speculated using high-resolution mass spectrum based on the mass/charge ratios and the publication results. Four types of possible degradation pathways of sulfadiazine were deduced. This work provides a practical method for the degradation and removal of sulfonamide antibiotics in actual sewage.

Improving photocatalytic activity under visible light over a novel food wastes biochar-based BiOBr nanocomposite.

Biochar (C) applied in synthesizing photocatalysts to eliminate water pollution has been intensively investigated. Herein we report the first use of biochar pyrolyzed from food wastes at 400 °C (400C) and 700 °C to construct C/BiOBr composites via a facile hydrolysis approach. Photocatalytic performances could be significantly improved by choosing the appropriate carbonization temperature and adjusting the content of C in C/BiOBr composites. The prepared 1%400C/BiOBr exhibited the best photodegradation capacity towards methylene orange (20 mg/L) and tetracycline (50 mg/L). A series of characterization results illustrated that smooth structure and surface properties (oxygen functional groups and persistent free radicals) of 400C played an important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activities. Mechanism exploration suggested that h+ and ˙O2- were the main active species thus contributing to photodegradation. This study provided a new insight into utilization of biochar derived from food wastes in photocatalysis and environmental remediation.

Simultaneous ammonium and sulfate biotransformation driven by aeration: Nitrogen/sulfur metabolism and metagenome-based microbial ecology.

The present study aimed to clarify the effect of oxygen respiration on biotransformation of alternative electron acceptors (e.g., nitrate and sulfate) underlying the simultaneous removal of ammonium and sulfate in a single aerated sequencing batch reactor. Complete nitrification was achieved in feast condition, while denitrification was carried out in both feast and famine conditions when aeration intensity (AI) was higher than 0.22 L/(L·min). Reactors R1 [0.56 L/(L·min)], R2 [0.22 L/(L·min)], and R3 [0.08 L/(L·min)] achieved 72.39% sulfate removal efficiency in feast condition, but H2S release occurred in R3. Following exogenous substrate depletion, sulfate concentration increased again and exceeded the influent value in R1, indicating that sulfate transformation was affected by oxygen intrusion. Metagenomic analysis showed that a higher AI promoted sulfate reduction by switching from dissimilatory to assimilatory pathway. Lower AI-acclimated microorganisms (R3) produced H2S and ammonium, while higher AI-acclimated microorganisms (R1) accumulated nitrite, which confirmed that biotransformation of N and S was strongly regulated by redox imbalance driven by aeration. This implied that respiration control, a microbial self-regulation mechanism, was linked to the dynamic imbalance between electron donors and electron acceptors. Aerobic nitrate (sulfate) reduction, as one of the effects of respiration control, could be used as an alternative strategy to compensate for dynamic imbalance, when supported by efficient endogenous metabolism. Moderate aeration induced microorganisms to change their energy conservation and survival strategy through respiration control and inter-genus protection of respiratory activity among keystone taxa (including Azoarcus in R1, Thauera in R2, and Thiobacillus, Ottowia, and Geoalkalibacter in R3) to form an optimal niche in response to oxygen intrusion and achieve benign biotransformation of C, N, and S without toxic intermediate accumulation. This study clarified the biotransformation mechanism of ammonium and sulfate driven by aeration and provided theoretical guidance for optimizing existing aeration-based techniques.

Towards integrated production of an influenza A vaccine candidate with MDCK suspension cells.

Seasonal influenza epidemics occur both in northern and southern hemispheres every year. Despite the differences in influenza virus surface antigens and virulence of seasonal subtypes, manufacturers are well-adapted to respond to this periodical vaccine demand. Due to decades of influenza virus research, the development of new influenza vaccines is relatively straight forward. In similarity with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, vaccine manufacturing is a major bottleneck for a rapid supply of the billions of doses required worldwide. In particular, egg-based vaccine production would be difficult to schedule and shortages of other egg-based vaccines with high demands also have to be anticipated. Cell culture-based production systems enable the manufacturing of large amounts of vaccines within a short time frame and expand significantly our options to respond to pandemics and emerging viral diseases. In this study, we present an integrated process for the production of inactivated influenza A virus vaccines based on a Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) suspension cell line cultivated in a chemically defined medium. Very high titers of 3.6 log10 (HAU/100 µl) were achieved using fast-growing MDCK cells at concentrations up to 9.5 × 106 cells/ml infected with influenza A/PR/8/34 H1N1 virus in 1 L stirred tank bioreactors. A combination of membrane-based steric-exclusion chromatography followed by pseudo-affinity chromatography with a sulfated cellulose membrane adsorber enabled full recovery for the virus capture step and up to 80% recovery for the virus polishing step. Purified virus particles showed a homogenous size distribution with a mean diameter of 80 nm. Based on a monovalent dose of 15 µg hemagglutinin (single-radial immunodiffusion assay), the level of total protein and host cell DNA was 58 µg and 10 ng, respectively. Furthermore, all process steps can be fully scaled up to industrial quantities for commercial manufacturing of either seasonal or pandemic influenza virus vaccines. Fast production of up to 300 vaccine doses per liter within 4-5 days makes this process competitive not only to other cell-based processes but to egg-based processes as well.

Self-perceived burden and influencing factors in patients with cervical cancer administered with radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the fourth commonest malignancy in women around the world. It represents the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in South East Asian women, and an important cancer death cause in women of developing nations. Data collected in 2018 revealed 5690000 cervical cancer cases worldwide, 85% of which occurred in developing countries. AIM: To assess self-perceived burden (SPB) and related influencing factors in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: Patients were prospectively included by convenient sampling at The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, China between March 2018 and March 2019. The survey was completed using a self-designed general information questionnaire, the SPB scale for cancer patients, and the self-care self-efficacy scale, Strategies Used by People to Promote Health, which were delivered to patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Measurement data are expressed as the mean ± SD. Enumeration data are expressed as frequencies or percentages. Caregivers were the spouse, offspring, and other in 46.4, 40.9, and 12.7%, respectively, and the majority were male (59.1%). As for pathological type, 90 and 20 cases had squamous and adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinomas, respectively. Stage IV disease was found in 12 (10.9%) patients. RESULTS: A total of 115 questionnaires were released, and five patients were excluded for too long evaluation time (n = 2) and the inability to confirm the questionnaire contents (n = 3). Finally, a total of 110 questionnaires were collected. They were aged 31-79 years, with the 40-59 age group being most represented (65.4% of all cases). Most patients were married (91.8%) and an overwhelming number had no religion (92.7%). Total SPB score was 43.13 ± 16.65. SPB was associated with the place of residence, monthly family income, payment method, transfer status, the presence of radiotherapy complications, and the presence of pain (P < 0.05). The SPB and self-care self-efficacy were negatively correlated (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, self-care self-efficacy, place of residence, monthly family income, payment method, degree of radiation dermatitis, and radiation proctitis were influencing factors of SPB (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy often have SPB. Self-care self-efficacy scale, place of residence, monthly family income, payment method, and radiation dermatitis and proctitis are factors independently influencing SPB.

Comparison of the effects of continuous and accumulative exposure to nanoplastics on microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa during chronic toxicity.

Most previous studies have focused on the continuous exposure of aquatic organisms to nanoplastics. However, persistent pollutants in natural aquatic surroundings are a threat, and their concentrations are continuously increasing. The discussion and research into the effects of accumulative exposure to these materials are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of continuous and accumulative exposure to polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics (80 nm) on Chlorella pyrenoidosa during chronic toxicity. The results indicated that under conditions of continuous exposure, this alga exhibited self-recovery to defend against the negative effects of PS nanoplastics during 15-21 days of exposure (the 21-d inhibitory rate was 1.41%). However, one unanticipated finding was that during the same period of accumulative exposure, nanoplastics retained a substantial and stable inhibitory effect on the algal growth (the 21-d inhibitory rate was 6.79% in accumulative exposure for twice), indicating the invalid self-recovery of algae. The results of scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that on day 21, the degree of damage to the algal cells under accumulative exposure was more severe than that under continuous exposure. Hence, nanoplastics exerted an irreversibly negative effect on aquatic organisms depending on the pattern, frequency, concentration, and duration of exposure. This project evaluated the practical significance of nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems.

Transcriptome analysis of the toxic mechanism of nanoplastics on growth, photosynthesis and oxidative stress of microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa during chronic exposure.

The toxicity of nanoplastics to aquatic organisms has been widely studied in terms of biochemical indicators. However, there is little discussion about the underlying toxic mechanism of nanoplastics on microalgae. Therefore, the chronic effect of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics (80 nm) on Chlorella pyrenoidosa was investigated, in terms of responses at the biochemical and molecular/omic level. It was surprising that both inhibitory and promoting effects of nanoplastcis on C. pyrenoidosa were found during chronic exposure. Before 13 days, the maximum growth inhibition rate was 7.55% during 10 mg/L PS nanoplastics treatment at 9 d. However, the inhibitory effect gradually weakened with the prolongation of exposure time. Interestingly, algal growth was promoted for 1-5 mg/L nanoplastics during 15-21 d exposure. Transcriptomic analysis explained that the inhibitory effect of nanoplastics could be attributed to suppressed gene expression of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that resulted in the reduced synthesis of related enzymes. The promotion phenomenon may be due to that C. pyrenoidosa defended against nanoplastics stress by promoting cell proliferation, regulating intracellular osmotic pressure, and accelerating the degradation of damaged proteins and organs. This study is conducive to provide theoretical basis for evaluating the actual hazard of nanoplastics to aquatic organisms.