Aerobic Denitrification Enhanced by Immobilized Slow-Released Iron/Activated Carbon Aquagel Treatment of Low C/N Micropolluted Water: Denitrification Performance, Denitrifying Bacterial Community Co-occurrence, and Implications.

The key limiting factors in the treatment of low C/N micropolluted water bodies are deficient essential electron donors for nitrogen removal processes. An iron/activated carbon aquagel (IACA) was synthesized as a slowly released inorganic electron donor to enhance aerobic denitrification performance in low C/N micropolluted water treatment. The denitrification efficiency in IACA reactors was enhanced by more than 56.72% and the highest of 94.12% was accomplished compared with those of the control reactors. Moreover, the CODMn removal efficiency improved by more than 34.32% in IACA reactors. The Illumina MiSeq sequencing consequence explained that the denitrifying bacteria with facultative denitrification, iron oxidation, and iron reduction function were located in the dominant species niches in the IACA reactors (e.g., Pseudomonas, Leptothrix, and Comamonas). The diversity and richness of the denitrifying bacterial communities were enhanced in the IACA reactors. Network analysis indicated that aerobic denitrifying bacterial consortia in IACA reactors presented a more complicated co-occurrence structure. The IACA reactors presented the potential for long-term denitrification operation. This study affords a pathway to utilize IACA, promoting aerobic denitrification during low C/N micropolluted water body treatment.

Biomaterial scaffolds regulate macrophage activity to accelerate bone regeneration.

Bones are important for maintaining motor function and providing support for internal organs. Bone diseases can impose a heavy burden on individuals and society. Although bone has a certain ability to repair itself, it is often difficult to repair itself alone when faced with critical-sized defects, such as severe trauma, surgery, or tumors. There is still a heavy reliance on metal implants and autologous or allogeneic bone grafts for bone defects that are difficult to self-heal. However, these grafts still have problems that are difficult to circumvent, such as metal implants that may require secondary surgical removal, lack of bone graft donors, and immune rejection. The rapid advance in tissue engineering and a better comprehension of the physiological mechanisms of bone regeneration have led to a new focus on promoting endogenous bone self-regeneration through the use of biomaterials as the medium. Although bone regeneration involves a variety of cells and signaling factors, and these complex signaling pathways and mechanisms of interaction have not been fully understood, macrophages undoubtedly play an essential role in bone regeneration. This review summarizes the design strategies that need to be considered for biomaterials to regulate macrophage function in bone regeneration. Subsequently, this review provides an overview of therapeutic strategies for biomaterials to intervene in all stages of bone regeneration by regulating macrophages.

SRSF10 is essential for progenitor spermatogonia expansion by regulating alternative splicing.

Alternative splicing expands the transcriptome and proteome complexity and plays essential roles in tissue development and human diseases. However, how alternative splicing regulates spermatogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, using a germ cell-specific knockout mouse model, we demonstrated that the splicing factor Srsf10 is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. In the absence of SRSF10, spermatogonial stem cells can be formed, but the expansion of Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger (PLZF)-positive undifferentiated progenitors was impaired, followed by the failure of spermatogonia differentiation (marked by KIT expression) and meiosis initiation. This was further evidenced by the decreased expression of progenitor cell markers in bulk RNA-seq, and much less progenitor and differentiating spermatogonia in single-cell RNA-seq data. Notably, SRSF10 directly binds thousands of genes in isolated THY+ spermatogonia, and Srsf10 depletion disturbed the alternative splicing of genes that are preferentially associated with germ cell development, cell cycle, and chromosome segregation, including Nasp, Bclaf1, Rif1, Dazl, Kit, Ret, and Sycp1. These data suggest that SRSF10 is critical for the expansion of undifferentiated progenitors by regulating alternative splicing, expanding our understanding of the mechanism underlying spermatogenesis.

Cooperation triggers nitrogen removal and algal inhibition by actinomycetes during landscape water treatment: Performance and metabolic activity.

The actinomycetes strain Streptomyces sp. XD-11-9-3 and Streptomyces sp. 5 were isolated and presented poor denitrification performance. Co-culture of actinomycetes triggers nitrogen removal capacity under aerobic conditions (reduced 96% of total nitrogen). Nitrogen balance analysis presented that 71% of initial nitrogen converted as gaseous nitrogen. Moreover, co-culture increased the concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (>2.1 folds) and electron-transmission system activity (>1.5 folds) significantly. The co-culture presented excellent carbon source metabolism activity (especially amines and carboxylic acids) compared with monoculture. The removal efficiency of total nitrogen in the micro-polluted landscape water water reached 61% in the co-culture system, and the algal survival could be inhibited significantly. However, the dominant niche of the co-culture system restrained the diversity of the indigenous nirS-type denitrifying bacterial community. This study provided a novel pathway to the research of co-culture inefficiency aerobic denitrifier and further application in the restoration of polluted water.

Management of 14 patients with cornual heterotopic pregnancy following embryo transfer: experience from the past decade.

OBJECTIVE: There are two major management approach for cornual heterotopic pregnancy, transvaginal cornual embryo reduction with ultrasound guidance, or laparoscopic cornual resection. This no consensus on the optimal management for cornual heterotopic pregnancy. Here, we are trying to determine the optimal management approach for patients with viable cornual heterotopic pregnancy following embryo transfer. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at the locally largest reproductive center of a tertiary hospital. A total of 14 women diagnosed as viable cornual heterotopic pregnancy following embryo transfer. Six patients were treated with cornual pregnancy reduction under transvaginal ultrasound guidance without the use of feticide drug (treatment 1), and eight patients were treated with laparoscopic cornual pregnancy resection (treatment 2). RESULTS: All 14 patients of cornual heterotopic pregnancy following embryo transfer due to fallopian tubal factor, among which, 12 patients had cornual pregnancy occurred in the ipsilateral uterine horn of tubal pathological conditions. Nine (64.29%) showed a history of ectopic pregnancy. Thirteen (92.86%) patients were transferred with two embryos and only one patient had single embryo transferred. Six patients received treatment 1, and 2 (33.33%) had uterine horn rupture and massive bleeding which required emergency laparoscopic surgery for homostasis. No cornual rupture occurred among patients received treatment 2. Each treatment group had one case of spontaneous miscarriage. The remaining 5 cases in treatment 1 group and the remaining 7 cases in treatment 2 group delivered healthy live offspring. CONCLUSION: Patients with tubal factors attempting for embryo transfer, especially those aiming for multiple embryos transfer, should be informed with risk of cornual heterotopic pregnancy and the subsequent cornual rupture. Compared with cornual pregnancy reduction under transvaginal ultrasound guidance, laparoscopic cornual resection might be a favorable approach for patients with viable cornual heterotopic pregnancy.

Kallistatin in follicular fluid of women with endometriosis and its correlation with IVF outcome.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis (EM) affects 10% women of reproductive age and alters fertility. Its management is still debated notably the timing of surgery and ART in infertility. Kallistatin (KS) is an endogenous protein that regulates differential signaling pathways and biological functions. However, the function and the underlying molecular mechanism in EM and its correlation with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate KS concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) of women with EM and controls women without EM who underwent IVF with embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: FF KS concentrations from 40 patients with EM and 40 non-EM patients were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the non-EM patients, patients with EM had lower KS levels in FF (281.67 ± 104.60 vs. 490.70 ± 216.33 pg/ml). The rates of fertilization (61.64 ± 22.42 vs. 71.00 ± 24.39%), available embryo (45.96 ± 19.83 vs. 50.61 ± 26.26%), and top-quality embryo (12.71 ± 21.01 vs. 16.04 ± 16.87%) were significantly lower in the EM group than in the control group. The KS concentrations in the FF of women who conceived consequent to the treatment were significantly higher than those from women who did not in the combined EM and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the KS concentration in FF could be used as a predictor for IVF-ET outcomes. This may contribute to the pathologic mechanism responsible for the poor outcome of IVF in patients with EM.

Pregnancy outcomes of PCOS overweight/obese patients after controlled ovarian stimulation with the GnRH antagonist protocol and frozen embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND: Overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of subfertility and complications of pregnancy, compared with normal-weight women. To implement controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), the improved efficacy of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocol has been demonstrated, as well as frozen embryo transfer (FET). OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated the pregnancy outcomes after combined GnRH-ant protocol and FET in overweight/obese women with PCOS, with reference to that of normal-weight women with PCOS. METHODS: Women with PCOS (n = 398) who underwent the GnRH-ant protocol for COH followed by FET, were stratified as normal-weight (BMI < 24 kg/m2) or overweight/obese (BMI ≥24 kg/m2). The outcomes of pregnancy were compared. RESULTS: The overweight/obese patients had significantly lower rates of embryo implantation (47.7%), live birth (47.8%), and live births of twins (10.9%) compared with the normal-weight group (58.4%, 60.8%, and 30.0%, respectively; P = 0.006, 0.015, and 0.000), while the rate of late abortion was significantly higher (11.0% cf. 3.8%, P = 0.030). BMI was the only significant factor affecting the probability of live birth. CONCLUSION: The pregnancy outcomes of overweight/obese women with PCOS after COH via the GnRH-ant protocol and FET remained at a significant deficit compared with that of normal-weight women with PCOS.

Morphological characteristics of the cranial base of early Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion in permanent teeth / Características morfológicas de la base de cráneo en la maloclusión temprana clase II división 1 de Angle en dientes permanentes

To investigate the effects of morphological characteristics of cranial base on malocclusion by analyzing characteristics of sagittal and vertical facial types of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion so as to provide theoretical references for clinical diagnosis and correction of early Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion in permanent teeth. We randomly selected lateral radiographs of the skull of 80 patients at the age of 12­14 years old from the Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, China. There were 20 cases of Angle's class I malocclusion with average angle, 20 cases of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion with average angle, 20 cases of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion with low angle, and 20 cases of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion with high angle. Winceph 8.0 software was used to measure 39 hard tissue markers and 13 indicators reflecting the characteristics of cranial base structure. One-way t-test was used in the average-angle class II division 1 group and average-angle class I group. Least significantdifference was utilized in patients with different vertical types of class II division 1 malocclusion.nterior (S-N) and posterior (S-Ba) cranial base lengths,and total cranial base length(Ba-N) were significantly longer in the class II division 1 patients compared with the class I patients. Significant differences in anterior cranial floor base angle (CF-PM), middle cranial floor base angle (Ba-SE-PM), and posterior cranial base inclination (SBa-FH) were determined between class II division 1 malocclusion and class I malocclusion patients. CF-PM angle and SBa-FH were smaller in class II division 1 subjects than in class I subjects. Ba-SE-PM angle and cranial floor base angle (Ba-SE-FMS) were larger in class II division 1 subjects than in class I subjects. No significant difference in cranial base angle (N-S-Ba) and anterior cranial base inclination (SN-FH) was detected between class II division 1 subjects and class I subjects. Morphology of cranial base and cranial floor base has a significant effect on sagittal and vertical facial types of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion. The changes in the length of the posterior skull base and the inclination of the anterior skull base are mainly presented in the sagittal direction. Angle of cranial base and cranial floor base plays a certain role in vertical facial type of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion.

El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en investigar los efectos de las características morfológicas de la base craneal sobre la maloclusión, a través del análisis de los siferentes tipos faciales de maloclusión Clase II de Angle (sagital y vertical), para proporcionar referencias teóricas para el diagnóstico clínico y la corrección temprana de la maloclusión de clase II división 1 de Angle en dientes permanentes. Se seleccionaron al azar radiografías laterales de cráneo de 80 pacientes, entre 12-14 años de edad, del Departamento de Ortodoncia, Hospital de Estomatología, Universidad Médica de Shanxi, China. Hubo 20 casos de maloclusión clase I de Angle con ángulo promedio, 20 casos de maloclusión clase II de Angle con ángulo promedio, 20 casos de maloclusión Clase II de Angle con ángulo bajo y 20 casos de maloclusión clase 1 de Angle con ángulo alto. Se utilizó el software Winceph 8.0 para medir 39 marcadores de tejido duro y 13 indicadores que reflejan las características de la estructura de la base de cráneo. Se usó la prueba t de una vía en el grupo clase II de división 1 con ángulo promedio y el grupo clase I con ángulo promedio. Se detectaron diferencias mínimas significativas en pacientes con diferentes tipos verticales de maloclusión clase II división 1. Las longitudes de la base de cráneo posterior (SN) y posterior (S-Ba), y la longitud total de la base craneal (Ba-N) fueron significativamente mayores en la clase II, en comparación con los pacientes de la clase I. Se determinaron diferencias significativas en el ángulo de la base del piso craneal anterior (CF-PM), el ángulo de la base del piso craneal medio (Ba-SE-PM) y la inclinación de la base craneana posterior (SBa-FH) entre la maloclusión clase II división 1 y los pacientes con maloclusión de clase I. Los ángulos de CF-PM y SBa-FH fueron más pequeños en la clase II división 1 que en la clase I. El ángulo de Ba-SE-PM y el ángulo de base del piso craneal (Ba-SE-FMS) fueron mayores en sujetos de clase II división 1 que en sujetos de clase I. No se detectaron diferencias significativas en el ángulo de la base craneana (N-S-Ba) y la inclinación de la base craneal anterior (SN-FH) entre los sujetos de la clase II división 1 y los de la clase I. La morfología de la base craneal y de la base del suelo craneal tiene un efecto significativo en los tipos faciales sagital y vertical de maloclusión Clase II división 1 de Angle. Los cambios en la longitud de la base posterior del cráneo y la inclinación de la base anterior del cráneo se presentaron principalmente en la dirección sagital. El ángulo de la base craneal y la base del suelo craneal tiene cierto rol en el tipo facial vertical de la clase II de Angle.

Activation of AMPK/MnSOD signaling mediates anti-apoptotic effect of hepatitis B virus in hepatoma cells.

AIM: To investigate the anti-apoptotic capability of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the HepG2 hepatoma cell line and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Targeted knockdown of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) genes as well as AMPK agonist AICAR and antagonist compound C were employed to determine the correlations of expression of these genes. RESULTS: HBV markedly protected the hepatoma cells from growth suppression and cell death in the condition of serum deprivation. A decrease of superoxide anion production accompanied with an increase of MnSOD expression and activity was found in HepG2.215 cells. Moreover, AMPK activation contributed to the up-regulation of MnSOD. HBx protein was identified to induce the expression of AMPK and MnSOD. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HBV suppresses mitochondrial superoxide level and exerts an anti-apoptotic effect by activating AMPK/MnSOD signaling pathway, which may provide a novel pharmacological strategy to prevent HCC.

Involvement of activating ERK1/2 through G protein coupled receptor 30 and estrogen receptor α/ß in low doses of bisphenol A promoting growth of Sertoli TM4 cells.

Sertoli cells play a pivotal role in supporting proliferation of germ cells and differentiation during spermatogenesis in mammals. Nanomolar concentrations of Bisphenol A (BPA) can significantly stimulate the proliferation of mouse immature Sertoli (TM4) cells. However, mechanisms by which BPA caused these effects were still unclear. In the present study, an inverse U-shaped curve was observed when treating TM4 cells with increasing doses of BPA: 1 to 10nM BPA significantly stimulated the proliferation of TM4 cells and increased the proportion of cells in S phase; >1 µM BPA caused lesser proliferation of cells. Exposure of TM4 cells to G15 or ICI 182,780, which are specific antagonists of GPR30 and estrogen receptor α/ß (ERα/ß), respectively, abolished BPA-induced proliferation of cells, which suggests that both GPR30 and ERα/ß were involved in the observed effects of BPA. Furthermore, exposure to BPA caused rapid (5 min) activation of ERK1/2 via both GPR30 and ERα/ß. Blocking the GPR30/EGFR signal transduction pathway by antagonists suppressed both phosphorylation of ERK and BPA-induced cell proliferation. BPA up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of GPR30 in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, the results reported here indicated that activating ERK1/2 through GPR30 and ERα/ß is involved in low doses of BPA that promoted growth of Sertoli TM4 cells. The GPR30/EGFR/ERK signal is the downstream transduction pathway in BPA-induced proliferation of TM4 Sertoli cells.

Effects of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecular-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis. METHODS: Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: a blank group, a model group, a Simvastatin group, and high-, medium-, and low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced carotid artery endothelium injury in conjunction with the high-cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all animals were euthanized to evaluate levels of IL-6 and ICAM-1 expressions (by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and of MCP-1 (by immunohistochemistry staining). RESULTS: The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were significantly increased in all groups except the blank group (P<0.05). However, the rabbits in the Wenxiao Decoction groups and the Simvastatin group showed significantly lower levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 expression than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in the highdosage Wenxiao Decoction group and the Simvastatin group were lower than those in the low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group (P<0.05). The expression of MCP-1 in medium-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group was lower than that in the low-dosage group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High, medium, and low doses of Wenxiao Decoction can inhibit the expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which may prevent and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct relationship between dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Wenxiao Decoction.

Single-incision laparoscopic hepatectomy for benign and malignant hepatopathy: initial experience in 8 Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: The single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) technique has been used in many surgical procedures, but there are few reports regarding liver surgeries. The purpose of this study was to perform single-incision laparoscopic hepatectomy (SILH) using standard laparoscopic instrumentation in 8 Chinese patients. The advantages and prospective future applications of SILH are also described. METHODS: Selected patients were hospitalized between December 2009 and November 2011. The procedure was accomplished through a 2.5-cm transabdominal wall incision using a laparoscope and 2 other instruments without the assistance of any articulating instruments or single multiport trocar. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed without the need for supplemental trocars. Postoperative pathological examinations were supportive of the preoperative diagnoses. No complications such as perioperative hemorrhage or infections occurred. CONCLUSION: SILH appears to be a safe approach and the results are cosmetically favorable. The accumulation of SILH experience and the development of instrumentation are needed for extensive use of this technique in hepatectomies.