Biogeochemical process governing cadmium availability in sediments of typical coastal wetlands driven by drying-wetting alternation.

Fluctuations in water levels within coastal wetlands can significantly affect cadmium (Cd) cycling and behavior in sediments. Understanding the effects of drying-wetting cycles on Cd availability and binding mechanisms is crucial. However, information regarding this subject remains limited. This study conducted incubation experiments employing chemical extraction, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and microbiological analysis to investigate the Cd behavior under these conditions. The results from a 40-day anaerobic incubation followed by a 20-day aerobic phase indicated that the drying-wetting cycles triggered fluctuations in physicochemical parameters (e.g., pH, EC, and reactive iron (Fed)), affecting Cd mobility. The mobility of Cd was closely linked to nanozyme activity (R2=0.63), exhibiting a strong correlation with Fed (R2=0.51). This suggested that the drying-wetting cycles induced Fed changes, which regulated the nanozyme activity, thereby affecting Cd availability. The changes in Cd availability were strongly linked to transformations in iron oxides and organic functional groups (carboxylic-OH and aliphatic C-H), whereas the bacterial community composition, particularly Bacilli and Clostridia, notably influenced Cd accessibility. These findings offer valuable insights into the geochemical dynamics of Cd in coastal wetland sediments under alternating drying-wetting cycles, enhancing our understanding of its biogeochemical cycling and potential risks.

Melatonin suppresses TLR4-mediated RSV infection in the central nervous cells by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome formation and autophagy.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects neuronal cells in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in neurological symptoms. In the present study, we intended to explore the mechanism of RSV infection-induced neuroinflammatory injury from the perspective of the immune response and sought to identify effective protective measures against the injury. The findings showed that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was activated after RSV infection in human neuronal SY5Y cells. Furthermore, TLR4 activation induced autophagy and apoptosis in neuronal cells, promoted the formation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and increased the secretion of downstream inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Interestingly, blockade of TLR4 or treatment with exogenous melatonin significantly suppressed TLR4 activation as well as TLR4-mediated apoptosis, autophagy and immune responses. Therefore, we infer that melatonin may act on the TLR4 to ameliorate RSV-induced neuronal injury, which provides a new therapeutic target for RSV infection.

TLR4 TIR domain and nucleolin GAR domain synergistically mediate RSV infection and induce neuronal inflammatory damage in SH-SY5Y cells.

Previous research results of our group showed that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nucleolin synergistically mediate respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in human central neuron cells, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. Here we designed and synthesized lentiviruses with TIR (674-815 aa), TLR4 (del 674-815 aa), GAR (645-707 aa), and NCL (del 645-707 aa) domains, and obtained stable overexpression cell lines by drug screening, and subsequently infected RSV at different time points. Laser confocal microscopy and coimmunoprecipitation were used for the observation of co-localization and interaction of TIR/GAR domains. Western blot analysis was used for the detection of p-NF-κB and LC3 protein expression. Real-time PCR was used for the detection of TLR4/NCL mRNA expression. ELISA assay was used to measure IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α concentrations and flow cytometric analysis was used for the study of apoptosis. Our results suggest that overexpression of TIR and GAR domains can exacerbate apoptosis and autophagy, and that TIR and GAR domains can synergistically mediate RSV infection and activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, which regulates the secretion of downstream inflammatory factors, such as IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α, and ultimately leads to neuronal inflammatory injury.

Ectopic pheochromocytomas in the third trimester: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the clinical features, pregnancy care, timing, and approaches of pregnancy termination as well as the perinatal management of pregnant women with ectopic pheochromocytomas (EPCC) (paragangliomas, PGL). METHODS: We report the diagnosis and treatment of a pregnant women with EPCC which was confirmed in the third trimester in our hospital. Literature in relation to EPCC during pregnancy both in and outside China was searched for data analysis such as maternal clinical features and maternal and fetal prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 20 papers including 21 cases (plus ours) were retrieved. The average age of pregnant patients was 28 years old (from 21 to 37). Two patients presented no hypertension. Nineteen had hypertension in various extent with the accompany of headache (11 cases, 57.9%), palpitations (8 cases, 42.1%), sweating (6 cases, 31.6%), nausea (6 cases), abdominal pain (2 cases), etc. The tumor was found in the chest in 3 patients, in the upper abdomen in 1 patient, in the middle abdomen in 10 patients, between the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity in 3 patients and in the pelvic cavity in 3 patients. Five patients had a surgical removal of the tumor before delivery, 3 during cesarean section and 10 after giving birth. CONCLUSION: EPCC (PGL) during pregnancy is a rare extra-adrenal tumor, whose manifestations are often confused with those of pregnancy-induced hypertension. It is extremely hard to diagnosis the disease before surgery. Patients still have an opportunity of undergoing spontaneous delivery if their tumors have been removed before labor. However, for patients whose pheochromocytomas is localized before labor, it is better to terminate their pregnancy via cesarean section in a proper time according to their obstetric conditions, while under the supervision of multidisciplinary specialists. The preparations of both α and ß adrenergic receptor blocker treatment that is normally carried out before PGL removal surgery are unnecessary to be overemphasized before the cesarean section.

Large-scale production, purification, and function of a tumor multi-epitope vaccine: Peptibody with bFGF/VEGFA.

In tumor tissue, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) promote tumorigenesis by activating angiogenesis, but targeting single factor may produce drug resistance and compensatory angiogenesis. The Peptibody with bFGF/VEGFA was designed to simultaneously blockade these two factors. We were aiming to produce this Fc fusion protein in a large scale. The biological characterizations of Peptibody strains were identified as Escherichia coli and the fermentation mode was optimized in the shake flasks and 10-L bioreactor. The fermentation was scaled up to 100 L, with wet cell weight (WCW) 126 g/L, production 1.41 g/L, and productivity 0.35 g/(L·h) of IPTG induction. The target protein was isolated by cation-exchange, hydrophobic and Protein A chromatography, with total recovery of 60.28% and HPLC purity of 86.71%. The host cells protein, DNA, and endotoxin residues were within the threshold. In mouse model, immunization of Peptibody vaccine could significantly suppressed the tumor growth and angiogenesis, with inhibition rate of 57.73 and 39.34%. The Peptibody vaccine could elicit high-titer anti-bFGF and anti-VEGFA antibodies, which inhibited the proliferation and migration of Lewis lung cancer cell cells by decreasing the Akt/MAPK signal pathways. Therefore, the Peptibody with bFGF/VEGFA might be used as a therapeutic tumor vaccine. The large-scale process we developed could support its industrial production and pre-clinical study in the future.

Fermentation, purification and immunogenicity of a recombinant tumor multi-epitope vaccine, VBP3.

The recombinant multi-epitope vaccine called VBP3 is designed to suppress tumor growth and angiogenesis through targeting both basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). We are aiming to produce VBP3 vaccine in a large scale and provide sufficient protein for pre-clinical study. High cost and potential toxicity are severe limitations of IPTG and we investigated whether lactose can mediate VBP3 induction. Firstly, we identified the biological characteristics and established a culture bank of VBP3 strains. The best-performing strains were selected and the fermentation mode of medium, bacterial growth and protein expression were optimized in shake flasks. We scaled up the VBP3 production in 10 L bioreactor using lactose as inducer and the protein yield was comparable with IPTG induction. Next, the target protein was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity chromatography, with a SDS-PAGE purity over 90%. Further, the purified VBP3 vaccine was subcutaneously injected in BALB/c mice and elicited high-titer anti-bFGF (1:32,000) and anti-VEGFA (1:4000) antibodies. Take together, lactose was an applicable inducer for VBP3 production and the eligible product of VBP3 was harvested in the large-scale fermentation, supporting the industrial production and pre-clinical study in the future. The VBP3 vaccine with superior immunogenicity might be used as a potential therapeutic vaccine for tumor treatment.

Determination of volatile compounds in turbot (Psetta maxima) during refrigerated storage by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: A procedure based on headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)was developed for the study of the volatile profile characteristics of turbot during refrigerated storage at 4°C for 20 days in order to find possible markers of freshness or spoilage. RESULTS: A total of 61 volatile compounds including aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols, alkenes, alkanes, aromatics, amines and others were identified in turbot muscle extracted by the optimised HS-SPME method. The volatile profile characteristics of turbot at different storage periods were specified by principal component analysis (PCA). The concentrations of hexanal, heptanal, (2E,4E)-heptadienal, acetophenone, 2-undecanone and 1-octen-3-ol decreased during storage, whereas benzene acetaldehyde, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 2-nonanone, acetic acid butyl ester, 3-methyl-1-butanol and trimethylamine increased. CONCLUSION: SPME-GC-MS combined with PCA may be a useful method for monitoring the volatile profile characteristics of turbot during storage, which could be potentially used for freshness evaluation.

[Effect of the supernatant of osteoclasts during bone resorption on the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the supernatant of osteoclasts during bone resorption on the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Spleen cells were induced into osteoclasts which were identified with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The osteoclasts were cultured with bovine bone slices and the resorption pits on the slices were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The supernatant of the osteoclasts during bone absorption were taken and added into BMSCs. MTT assay was used to analyze the growth curves of BMSCs in experimental and control groups. After adipogenic induction, lipid droplets were observed by oil red O staining to compare the adipogenic potential between the two groups. After osteogenic induction, calcium nodules were observed by alizarin red staining. The expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins RUNX2 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and adipogenesis-related protein PPAR-γ were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: TRAP staining and scanning electron microscopy indicated that BMSCs could be differentiated into functional osteoclasts. Compared with the control group, the proliferation capacity of BMSCs in the experimental group was suppressed, the osteogenic potential was enhanced, and the adipogenic potential was weakened. CONCLUSION: The supernatant of osteoclasts during bone absorption might increase the osteogenic activity of BMSCs by inhibiting proliferation and adipogenesis and promoting differentiation.

Pyrolysis of ramie residue: kinetic study and fuel gas produced in a cyclone furnace.

The thermal decomposition behavior of ramie residue (RR) and the characteristics of fuel gas produced in a cyclone furnace were studied. The pyrolysis kinetics was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at heating rates of 5-20°C/min. The results showed that RR mainly decomposed between 250 and 390°C, and the apparent activation energy ranged from 200 to 258 kJ/mol. In the cyclone furnace, fast pyrolysis, partial combustion and gasification occurred almost simultaneously, and the thermal energy was supplied by partial combustion of RR powder at the hypo stoichiometric amount of air. Higher effect of equivalence ratio (ER) led to higher reaction temperature and fewer contents of tar and char, but too high ER lowered fuel gas content and degraded fuel gas quality. Over the ranges of the experimental conditions, the gas yield varied between 1.07 and 2.08 N m(3)/kg and the LHV was between 3350 and 4798 kJ/Nm(3).