Unraveling the mechanism of interaction: accelerated phenanthrene degradation and rhizosphere biofilm/iron plaque formation influenced by phenolic root exudates.

Phenolic root exudates (PREs) secreted by wetland plants facilitate the accumulation of iron in the rhizosphere, potentially providing the essential active iron required for the generation of enzymes that degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, thereby enhancing their biodegradation. However, the underlying mechanisms involved are yet to be elucidated. This study focuses on phenanthrene (PHE), a typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutant, utilizing representative PREs from wetland plants, including p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids. Using hydroponic experiments, 16S rRNA sequencing, and multiple characterization techniques, we aimed to elucidate the interaction mechanism between the accelerated degradation of PHE and the formation of rhizosphere biofilm/iron plaque influenced by PREs. Although all four types of PREs altered the biofilm composition and promoted the formation of iron plaque on the root surface, only caffeic acid, possessing a similar structure to the intermediate metabolite of PHE (catechol), could accelerate the PHE degradation rate. Caffeic acid, notable for its catechol structure, plays a significant role in enhancing PHE degradation through two main mechanisms: (a) it directly boosts PHE co-metabolism by fostering the growth of PHE-degrading bacteria, specifically Burkholderiaceae, and by facilitating the production of the key metabolic enzyme catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C12O) and (b) it indirectly supports PHE biodegradation by promoting iron plaque formation on root surfaces, thereby enriching free iron for efficient microbial synthesis of C12O, a crucial factor in PHE decomposition.

The association between childhood adiposity in northeast China and anthropogenic heat flux: A new insight into the comprehensive impact of human activities.

Anthropogenic heat has been reported to have significant health impacts, but research on its association with childhood adiposity is still lacking. In this study, we matched the 2008-2012 average anthropogenic heat flux, as simulated by a grid estimation model using inventory methods, with questionnaire and measurement data of 49,938 children randomly recruited from seven cities in Northeast China in 2012. After adjusting for social demographic and behavioral factors, we used generalized linear mixed-effect models to assess the association between anthropogenic heat flux and adiposity among children. We also examined the effect modification of various social demographic and behavioral confounders. We found that each 10 W/m2 increase in total anthropogenic heat flux and that from the industry source was associated with an increase of 5.82% (95% CI = 0.84%-11.05%) and 6.62% (95% CI = 0.87%-12.70%) in the odds of childhood adiposity. Similarly, the excess rate of adiposity among children were 5.26% (95% CI = -1.33%-12.29%) and 8.51% (95% CI = 2.24%-15.17%) per 1 W/m2 increase in the anthropogenic heat flux from transportation and buildings, and was 7.94% (95% CI = 2.28%-13.91%) per 0.001 W/m2 increase in the anthropogenic heat flux from human metabolism. We also found generally greater effect estimates among female children and children who were exposed to passive smoking during pregnancy, born by caesarean section, non-breastfed/mixed-fed, or lived within 20 m adjacent to the main road. The potential deleterious effect of anthropogenic heat exposure on adiposity among children may make it a new but major threat to be targeted by future mitigation strategies.

Direct Identification and Quantitation of Protein Peptide Powders Based on Multi-Molecular Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Data Fusion.

Given that protein peptide powders (PPPs) from different biological sources were inherited with diverse healthcare functions, which aroused adulteration of PPPs. A high-throughput and rapid methodology, united multi-molecular infrared (MM-IR) spectroscopy with data fusion, could determine the types and component content of PPPs from seven sources as examples. The chemical fingerprints of PPPs were thoroughly interpreted by tri-step infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and the defined spectral fingerprint region of protein peptide, total sugar, and fat was 3600-950 cm-1, which constituted MIR finger-print region. Moreover, the mid-level data fusion model was of great applicability in qualitative analysis, in which the F1-score reached 1 and the total accuracy was 100%, and a robust quantitative model was established with excellent predictive capacity (Rp: 0.9935, RMSEP: 1.288, and RPD: 7.97). MM-IR coordinated data fusion strategies to achieve high-throughput, multi-dimensional analysis of PPPs with better accuracy and robustness which meant a significant potential for the comprehensive analysis of other powders in food as well.

Research of the Active Components and Potential Mechanisms of Qingfei Gujin Decoction in the Treatment of Osteosarcoma Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology.

Aim: Qingfei Gujin Decoction (QGD) has been shown to be effective against osteosarcoma. This research was aimed at investigating the main active ingredients and potential mechanisms of QGD acting on osteosarcoma through network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methods: The active ingredients and targets of QGD were screened from the TCMSP database, and the predicted targets were obtained from the PharmMapper database. Meanwhile, the targets of osteosarcoma were collected using OMIM, PharmGKB, and DisGeNET databases. Then, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed by RStudio. PPI and drug-ingredient-target networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.2.1 to screen the major active ingredients, key networks, and targets. Finally, molecular docking of key genes and their regulatory active ingredients was performed using AutoDockTools 1.5.6 software. Results: 38 active ingredients were collected, generating 89 cross-targets; quercetin, luteolin, ß-sitosterol, and kaempferol were the main active ingredients of QGD acting on osteosarcoma, and major signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway were observed. TP53, SRC, and ESR1 were identified as key proteins that docked well with their regulated compounds. Conclusion: QGD is effective against osteosarcoma through multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway. This study was helpful for finding effective targets and compounds for osteosarcoma treatment.

Kinetics and mechanisms for sulfamethoxazole transformation in the phenolic acid-laccase (Trametes versicolor) system.

Oxidation of phenolic acids (PCs) by laccase could produce various kinds of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is expected to have substantial impact on the transformation of antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in soil and aquatic environments. In this study, the formation of semiquinones radical (SQ●-), superoxide anion radical (O2●-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (●OH), and singlet oxygen (1O2) in a laccase-gallic acid (GA) reaction system was confirmed. Meanwhile, GA would be transformed to its monomeric quinone and quinones of di- and tri-polymers. Transformation of SMX by laccase alone is negligible, while which was greatly enhanced in the presence of GA at the optimal pH of 5.5. The dissolved O2 was the requisite for transformation of SMX due to its fundamental role in the formation of SQ●-, the key species initializing the chain reactions for the generation of other ROS. The quenching experiments indicated O2●- and 1O2 were the main ROS responsible for SMX transformation. A total of thirteen products were proposed for the SMX transformation, with the pathways including the breaking of S-N bond, the cleavage of oxazole ring, electrophilic substitution, Michael addition, and condensation reactions. Moreover, the existence of electron-withdrawing substitution group on the benzene ring of PCs and less stability of SQ●- was believed to be favorable for the transformation of SMX. The results above expand our understanding on the role of oxidation of PCs by laccase in the SMX transformation in environments and are of significance in relation to use of laccase in dealing with SMX pollution.

Comprehensive Analysis of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Network to Reveal Potential Inflammation-Related Targets for Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common malignancy of the stomach. This study was aimed at elucidating the regulatory network of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA and identifying the precise inflammation-related targets in GC. The expression profiles of GSE83521, GSE78091, and GSE33651 were obtained from the GEO database. Interactions between miRNAs and circRNAs were investigated by the Circular RNA Interactome, and targets of miRNAs were predicted with miRTarBase. Then, a circRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory network was constructed. Also, functional enrichment analysis of selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed. The inflammation-/GC-related targets were collected in the GeneCards and GenLiP3 database, respectively. And a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DE mRNAs was constructed with STRING and Cytoscape to identify hub genes. The genetic alterations, neighboring gene networks, expression levels, and the poor prognosis of hub genes were investigated in cBioPortal, Oncomine, and Human Protein Atlas databases and Kaplan-Meier plotter, respectively. A total of 10 DE miRNAs and 33 DEGs were identified. The regulatory network contained 26 circRNAs, 10 miRNAs, and 1459 mRNAs. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the selected 33 DEGs were involved in negative regulation of fat cell differentiation, response to wounding, extracellular matrix- (ECM-) receptor interaction, and regulation of cell growth pathways. THBS1, FN1, CALM1, COL4A1, CTGF, and IGFBP5 were selected as inflammation-related hub genes of GC in the PPI network. The genetic alterations in these hub genes were related to amplification and missense mutations. Furthermore, the genes RYR2, ERBB2, PI3KCA, and HELZ2 were connected to hub genes in this study. The hub gene levels in clinical specimens were markedly upregulated in GC tissues and correlated with poor overall survival (OS). Our results suggest that THBS1, FN1, CALM1, COL4A1, CTGF, and IGFBP5 were associated with the pathogenesis of gastric carcinogenesis and may serve as biomarkers and inflammation-related targets for GC.

Insights on the nitrate reduction and norfloxacin oxidation over a novel nanoscale zero valent iron particle: Reactivity, products, and mechanism.

Herein, the application of a novel acid mine drainage-based nanoscale zero valent iron (AMD-based nZVI) for the remediation of nitrate and norfloxacin (NOR) was studied. Experimental results indicated that the catalytic reactivity of AMD-based nZVI toward nitrate reduction was superior to that of iron salt-based nanoscale zero valent iron (Iron salt-based nZVI). The presence of ultrasound irradiation could significantly enhance the reactivity toward both the nitrate reduction and NOR oxidation processes. The optimal efficiencies of nitrate and NOR by AMD-based nZVI/US process could be kept 96 and 94% within 120 min, respectively. Ammonia was identified as a major product in nitrate reduction process, while three oxidation products were observed in NOR degradation process. Both reduction reaction of nitrate from AMD-based nZVI and oxidation reaction of NOR from US-assisted Fenton system might be involved in AMD-based nZVI/US process. The AMD-based nZVI/US process showed a better performance on the removal of NOR compared with that of nitrate. The findings of the present work could be as a guide and show that AMD-based nZVI/US process is feasible for the remediation of both nitrate and NOR in real wastewater.

Associations between interleukin gene polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer: A meta-analysis.

Recently, the roles of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 gene polymorphisms in gastric cancer (GC) have been studied extensively, with conflicting results. Therefore, we conducted the present meta-analyses to better elucidate the roles of interleukin gene polymorphisms in GC. Eligible articles were searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to detect any potential association between interleukin gene polymorphisms and the risk of GC. A total of 63 case-control studies was finally included in our analyses. Significant associations with the risk of GC were detected for the IL-6 rs1800796 and IL-8 rs4073 polymorphisms in overall analyses. Further subgroup analyses based on ethnicities of participants revealed that the IL-4 rs2243250, IL-6 rs1800796 and IL-8 rs4073 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of GC in Asians. Moreover, IL-8 rs4073 polymorphism was also significantly associated with the risk of GC in Africans. In conclusion, our findings suggested that IL-4 rs2243250, IL-6 rs1800796 and IL-8 rs4073 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of GC.

Reproductive effects of synthetic progestin norgestrel in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

The aim of this study was to assess the adverse effects of synthetic progestin norgestrel (NGT) on the reproduction of zebrafish by measuring the egg production, histology and transcriptional expression profiles along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in adult zebrafish. After a pre-exposure period of 7 days, adult zebrafish were exposed to 6, 29 and 69 ng L-1 NGT for 21 days. The results showed that exposure to 69 ng L-1 NGT led to a significant up-regulation of follicle stimulating hormone, beta polypeptide (fshb), luteinizing hormone, beta polypeptide (lhb), progesterone receptor (pgr), estrogen receptor 1 (esr1) and androgen receptor (ar) genes in the brains, as well as significant up-regulation of hydroxysteroid 20-beta dehydrogenase (hsd20b) and hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 2 (hsd11b2) genes and down-regulation of 11-beta-hydroxylase (cyp11b) gene in the ovaries of females. In the testes of males, an overall down-regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star), cytochrome P450-mediated side-chain cleavage enzyme (cyp11a1), cyp11b, hsd20b, hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase type 3 (hsd17b3), hsd11b2 and ar genes were observed following exposure to different treatments of NGT. These transcriptional alterations imply that NGT could exhibit the potent progestogenic and androgenic activities in zebrafish. Egg production as well as histology in the ovaries and testes was not affected by NGT. Taken together, the overall results demonstrated that NGT could significantly affect transcriptional expression levels of genes related to HPG axis in zebrafish, and whether that change translates to additional physiological effects is needed further research.

Methylprednisolone inhibits the proliferation and affects the differentiation of rat spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells cultured in low oxygen conditions by inhibiting HIF-1α and Hes1 in vitro.

Although there is much controversy over the use of methylprednisolone (MP), it is one of the main drugs used in the treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI). The induction of the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is considered a promising mode of treatment for SCI. However, the effects of MP on spinal cord-derived endogenous NPCs in a low oxygen enviroment remain to be delineated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of MP on NPCs cultured under low oxygen conditions in vitro and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. Fetal rat spinal cord-derived NPCs were harvested and divided into 4 groups: 2 groups of cells cultured under normal oxygen conditions and treated with or without MP, and 2 groups incubated in 3% O2 (low oxygen) treated in a similar manner. We found that MP induced suppressive effects on NPC proliferation even under low oxygen conditions (3% O2). The proportion of nestin-positive NPCs decreased from 51.8±2.46% to 36.17±3.55% following the addition of MP and decreased more significantly to 27.20±2.68% in the cells cultured in 3% O2. In addition, a smaller number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells and a greater number of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)-positive cells was observed following the addition of MP under both normal (normoxic) and low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions. In response to MP treatment, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and the Notch signaling pathway downstream protein, Hes1, but not the upstream Notch-1 intracelluar domain (NICD), were inhibited. After blocking NICD with a γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) MP still inhibited the expression of Hes1. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the MP-induced inhibition of proliferation and its effects on differentiation and suggest that HIF-1α and Hes1 play an important role in this effect.

Effects and safety of allogenic mesenchymal stem cell intravenous infusion in active ankylosing spondylitis patients who failed NSAIDs: a 20-week clinical trial.

Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of intravenous (IV) infusion of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients who are refractory to or cannot tolerate the side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). AS patients enrolled in this study received four IV infusions of MSCs on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. The percentage of ASAS20 responders (the primary endpoint) at the fourth week and the mean ASAS20 response duration (the secondary endpoint) were used to assess treatment response to MSC infusion and duration of the therapeutic effects. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score Containing C-reactive Protein (ASDAS-CRP) and other preestablished evaluation indices were also adopted to evaluate the clinical effects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to detect changes of bone marrow edema in the spine. The safety of this treatment was also evaluated. Thirty-one patients were included, and the percentage of ASAS20 responders reached 77.4% at the fourth week, and the mean ASAS20 response duration was 7.1 weeks. The mean ASDAS-CRP score decreased from 3.6 ± 0.6 to 2.4 ± 0.5 at the fourth week and then increased to 3.2 ± 0.8 at the 20th week. The average total inflammation extent (TIE) detected by MRI decreased from 533,482.5 at baseline to 480,692.3 at the fourth week (p > 0.05) and 400,547.2 at the 20th week (p < 0.05). No adverse effects were noted. IV infusion of MSCs is a feasible, safe, and promising treatment for patients with AS.

[Ascertaining the optimal quantitative wavenumber range of gas with two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy].

It is important to determine the optimal wavenumber ranges of spectra for quantitative analysis in gas detection. In traditional way, selection of optimal wavenumber ranges is based on the absorption characteristics of standard spectra, while this may introduce some deviation to the result due to its low capability of anti-interference. Two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy technology was applied in gas detection in the present paper. The spectral structure and spectral information of SO2, NO and NO2 were analyzed in order to determine the optimal wavenumber range. The dynamic spectra of the detected gas were gained by the two-dimensional correlation analysis of a series of infrared absorption spectra according to changing concentrations. The most sensitive wavenumber ranges to gas concentration were determined by combining synchronous correlation spectra and asynchronous correlation spectra. These were taken as the optimal wavenumber ranges for quantitative gas analysis, which included a series of unattached wavenumber points and continous wavenumber ranges. Results showed that the selected wavenumber ranges were consistent with theoretic analyzed results. Two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy can be a novel way to determine the optimal spectral range for gas analysis.

Treatment with yiqi bushen koufuye combined with chemotherapy for preventing postoperative metastasis of stomach cancer--a clinical observation of 28 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of yiqi bushen koufiuye (oral liquid for invigorating qi and tonifying the kidney) combined with chemotherapy on postoperative metastasis of stomach cancer. METHODS: The 47 cases of postoperative stomach cancer with the syndrome of deficiency of both the spleen and kidney were divided randomly into the treatment group (28 cases), and the control group (19 cases). The control group was treated simply by chemotherapy; while the treatment group, was treated with Yiqi Bushen Koufuye in addition to chemotherapy. The effect was observed 12 months later on local relapse and distal metastasis, the life quality, peripheral hemogram, and immunologic function. RESULTS: The rates of postoperative relapse and metastasis of the treatment group were obviously lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The Karnofasky scores, peripheral hemogram and immunologic function of the treatment group were obviously improved in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yiqi bushen koufuye combined with chemotherapy is effective in preventing postoperative metastasis of stomach cancer, increasing sensitivity and decreasing toxins, and improving the life quality and immunologic function of the patient.