Elucidating polyethylene microplastic degradation mechanisms and metabolic pathways via iron-enhanced microbiota dynamics in marine sediments.

The extensive use of plastics has given rise to microplastics, a novel environmental contaminant that has sparked considerable ecological and environmental concerns. Biodegradation offers a more environmentally friendly approach to eliminating microplastics, but their degradation by marine microbial communities has received little attention. In this study, we used iron-enhanced marine sediment to augment the natural bacterial community and facilitate the decomposition of polyethylene (PE) microplastics. The introduction of iron-enhanced sediment engendered an augmented bacterial biofilm formation on the surface of polyethylene (PE), thereby leading to a more pronounced degradation effect. This novel observation has been ascribed to the oxidative stress-induced generation of a variety of oxygenated functional groups, including hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (-CO), and ether (-C-O) moieties, within the microplastic substrate. The analysis of succession in the community structure of sediment bacteria during the degradation phase disclosed that Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas emerged as the principal bacterial players in PE degradation. These taxa were directly implicated in oxidative metabolic pathways facilitated by diverse oxidase enzymes under iron-facilitated conditions. The present study highlights bacterial community succession as a new pivotal factor influencing the complex biodegradation dynamics of polyethylene (PE) microplastics. This investigation also reveals, for the first time, a unique degradation pathway for PE microplastics orchestrated by the multifaceted marine sediment microbiota. These novel insights shed light on the unique functional capabilities and internal biochemical mechanisms employed by the marine sediment microbiota in effectively degrading polyethylene microplastics.

Fructus choerospondiatis: A comprehensive review of its traditional uses, chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and clinical studies.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fructus Choerospondiatis is the dried and mature fruit of Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill. It has been used for a long time in Tibetan and Mongolian medicine, first recorded in the ancient Tibetan medicine book "Medicine Diagnosis of the King of the Moon" in the early 8th century. Fructus Choerospondiatis shows multiple pharmacological activities, especially in treating cardiovascular diseases. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This paper reviews the progress in research on the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, clinical studies, and quality control of Fructus Choerospondiatis. This review aims to summarize current research and provide a reference for further development and utilization of Fructus Choerospondiatis resources. METHOD: The sources for this review include the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China (2020), theses, and peer-reviewed papers (in both English and Chinese). Theses and papers were downloaded from electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, Scholar, Springer, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure.The search terms used were "Choerospondias axillaris", "C. axillaris", "Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill", "Fructus choerospondiatis", "Guangzao", "Lapsi", and "Lupsi". RESULTS: Fructus Choerospondiatis contains polyphenols, organic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, polysaccharides, and other chemical components. These ingredients contribute to its diverse pharmacological activities such as antioxidant activity, protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-myocardial fibrosis, heart rhythm regulation, anti-tumor, liver protection, and immunity enhancement. It also affects the central nervous system, with the ability to repair damaged nerve cells. CONCLUSION: Fructus Choerospondiatis, with its various chemical compositions and pharmacological activities, is a promising medicinal resource. However, it remains under-researched, particularly in pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control. These areas require further exploration by researchers in the future.

Biological upcycling of nickel and sulfate as electrocatalyst from electroplating wastewater.

Upcycling nickel (Ni) to useful catalyst is an appealing route to realize low-carbon treatment of electroplating wastewater and simultaneously recovering Ni resource, but has been restricted by the needs for costly membranes or consumption of large amount of chemicals in the existing upcycling processes. Herein, a biological upcycling route for synchronous recovery of Ni and sulfate as electrocatalysts, with certain amount of ferric salt (Fe3+) added to tune the product composition, is proposed. Efficient biosynthesis of bio-NiFeS nanoparticles from electroplating wastewater was achieved by harnessing the sulfate reduction and metal detoxification ability of Desulfovibrio vulgaris. The optimal bio-NiFeS, after further annealing at 300 °C, served as an efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalyst, achieving a current density of 10 mA·cm-1 at an overpotential of 247 mV and a Tafel slope of 60.2 mV·dec-1. It exhibited comparable electrocatalytic activity with the chemically-synthesized counterparts and outperformed the commercial RuO2. The feasibility of the biological upcycling approach for treating real Ni-containing electroplating wastewater was also demonstrated, achieving 99.5 % Ni2+removal and 41.0 % SO42- removal and enabling low-cost fabrication of electrocatalyst. Our work paves a new path for sustainable treatment of Ni-containing wastewater and may inspire technology innovations in recycling/ removal of various metal ions.

Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus improve inflammatory bowel disease in zebrafish of different ages by regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier and microbiota.

AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are accompanied by impaired intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Strategies targeting the gut microbiota are potential therapies for preventing and ameliorating IBD. MAIN METHODS: The potential roles of two probiotic stains, Bifidobacterium longum BL986 (BL986) and Lactobacillus casei LC122 (LC122), on intestinal mucosal barrier function and microbiota in IBD zebrafish of different ages were investigated. KEY FINDINGS: BL986 and LC122 treatment promoted the development and increased the microbiota diversity in larval zebrafish. Both probiotic treatment ameliorated mortality, promoted intestinal mucus secretion, and reduced the expression of inflammatory markers, thereby improving intestinal mucosal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonicacid (TNBS)-induced Crohn's disease (CD) models in zebrafish. Moreover, the composition and function of microbiota were altered in IBD zebrafish, and probiotics treatment displayed prominent microbiota features. BL986 was more potent in the DSS-induced UC model, and increased the abundance of Faecalibaculum and butyric acid levels. LC122 exerted better protection against TNBS-induced CD, and increased the abundance of Enhydrobacter and acetic acid levels. Furthermore, the effect of probiotics was stronger in larval and aged zebrafish. CONCLUSION: The impact of probiotics on IBD might differ from the subtypes of IBD and the age of the zebrafish, suggesting the types of disease and age should be taken into full consideration during the practical usage of probiotics.

Effects of varicocele on testosterone, apoptosis and expression of StAR mRNA in rat Leydig cells.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of varicocele on the morphology and function of Leydig cells in the rat testis. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the experimental group underwent surgery to create a left varicocele (VC), and the control group underwent a sham operation. Serum testosterone and intratesticular testosterone levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay after 4 and 8 weeks of operation. Leydig cells were studied for apoptosis and expression of steroidogenetic acute regulatory (StAR) protein mRNA levels. Serum testosterone levels declined after 4 and 8 weeks of operation but were not significant (P>0.05). However, the intratesticular testosterone levels after 8 weeks were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mean apoptosis index of Leydig cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group after 4 or 8 weeks (P<0.01). StAR mRNA levels in the Leydig cells of the experimental group were significantly lower compared to those of the control group (P<0.01). Our data show that varicocele did impair Leydig cell function by increasing apoptosis and suppressing the expression of the StAR protein.

Efficacy of maximal androgen blockade versus castration alone in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer: a retrospective clinical experience from a Chinese medical centre.

In this retrospective study, we evaluated and compared the efficacy and toxicities of maximal androgen blockade (MAB) versus castration alone in Chinese patients with advanced prostate cancer. From 1996 to 2004, 608 patients with advanced prostate cancer were included in the study. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to different therapeutic regimens. Of the 608 patients, 300 patients were treated with MAB (castration plus nonsteroidal antiandrogens) and the remaining 308 were treated with castration alone. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates of these patients were 73.7% and 56%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, MAB was associated with not only the improvement of progression-free survival (PFS) (increased by 10 months) but also a 20.6% reduction in mortality risk compared with castration alone. In contrast, the efficacy of MAB was not superior to castration alone for patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Interestingly, among patients with MAB, those using bicalutamide had a longer PFS than those using flutamide; this was especially so in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Almost all of the toxicities due to the hormone therapy were mild to moderate and manageable. To conclude, in China, hormone therapies, including MAB and castration alone, have been standard treatments for advanced prostate cancer. For patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer, castration alone might be adequately practical and efficient. In patients with metastatic prostate cancer, however, MAB has superior efficacy over castration alone. It is clear that MAB should be considered the first-line standard treatment for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Multifocal brain metastases in clear cell renal cell carcinoma with complete response to sunitinib.

We report the case of a 70-year-old man who received sunitinib treatment for brain metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. After 6 months of treatment, brain MRI showed complete disappearance of two brain metastases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multifocal brain metastases in renal cell carcinoma with complete response to sunitinib.

[Urethral acellular matrix graft for repairing urethral defect in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the biocompatibility of a urethral acellular matrix graft (UAMG) and evaluate its effect in repairing urethral defect in rabbit models. METHODS: The UAMG was prepared and its structural features were observed using optical and electron microscopy. In vitro cultured rabbit bladder smooth muscle cells were seeded on UAMG and the cell proliferation was observed. The cytotoxicity of the aqueous extract of the UAMG against the cells was evaluated by MTT assay, and its biocompatibility was assessed by implanting the grafts subcutaneously on the back of the rabbits. In 24 male rabbits, a 2-cm urethral defect was induced and repaired with UAMG (experimental group, n=12) or left untreated (control group, n=12). In both groups, the rabbits were sacrificed 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the operation for histological and immunohistochemical examination of the tissue regeneration. RESULTS: The UAMG had a reticular fibrous structure without cell residues. The bladder smooth muscle cells showed normal proliferation on UAMG with normal cell morphology. The rabbits receiving the implants showed no abnormal response, and the UAMGs gradually degraded in vivo with grade 0 or 1 cytotoxcity showing satisfactory cytocompatibility. In the experimental group, new urethral tissues that were histologically compatible with normal urethral tissues were regenerated in the defect area 12 weeks after UAMG implantation. CONCLUSION: As a tissue engineered scaffold material for urethral reconstruction, the UAMG possesses good biocompatibility and can induce the regeneration of urethral epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells.

[Treatment of multiple arteries in renal transplantation from living related donors].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss renovascular reconstruction during living related donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). METHODS: Seventy-seven cases of LDKT from April 2006 to March 2008 were retrospectively analyzed, including 63 cases in single renal artery group and 14 cases in multiple artery group. In multiple artery group, there were 3 cases of three arteries and 11 cases of double arteries; 9 cases of donated left kidneys and 5 cases of donated right kidneys. Potential donors underwent fully medical evaluation before operation, including donor-recipient human leucocyte antigen matching and a cross match test. The donor's operation of the incision either underneath the 12th rib approaching the dorsal lumbar was performed and the transplantation operation adopted the extraperitoneal approach in the contralateral fossa iliac. The arteries in the multiple artery group were implanted onto the external (or common) iliac artery different from the orthodox method. RESULTS: In multiple artery group, no blood transfusion during operation was performed, no complication occurred after operation and all donors were discharged after 7-9 days of postoperation. After a follow-up of 3 months to 1 year, all the recipients kept normal kidney function without renal tubule necrosis, renal artery embolism, vascular stenosis, urinary fistula and ureter necrosis. The ultrasound examination showed that the transplanted kidney had good blood supply. There was no significant difference in the time of urine secretion, serum creatinine level after 1 week of operation, length of hospitalization between the multiple artery group and the single artery group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The accurate treatment of multiple artery anastomosis are critical for the safety of the LDKT.

Laparoscopic treatment of a calcium fluorophosphate stone within a seminal vesicle cyst.

Stones in the seminal vesicles are extremely rare. We present a 62-year-old patient with a stone within a seminal vesicle cyst, who was cured by laparoscopic treatment. The operative time was 80 min, and the estimated blood loss was 90 mL. Scanning electron microscope examination of the stone showed a compact crystal image externally and sparse spherical crystal structure in kernel. Composition of the stone was calcium fluorophosphate on X-ray diffractometer. The follow-up time was 15 months with no recurrence of cyst or stone. To our knowledge, this case is the first to describe laparoscopic removal of a stone within a seminal vesicle cyst, and the first to describe calcium fluorophosphate as the composition of seminal vesicle stones.

Recombinant adenovirus mediated prostate-specific enzyme pro-drug gene therapy regulated by prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) enhancer/promoter.

Gene directed enzyme pro-drug therapy (GDEPT) is one of the adjuvant therapeutic regimens for advanced prostate adenocarcinoma, and this research intended to explore how to apply targeting therapy of prostate adenocarcinoma under the mediation of a promoter/enhancer of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA(EP)) as a specific regulatory element. Recombinant adenoviruses (Ad-PSMA(E-P)-enhanced green fluorescent protein [EGFP], Ad-CMV-EGFP, Ad-PSMA(E-P)-CD, and Ad-CMV-CD) were constructed and could express cytosine deaminase (CD) or the EGFP reporter gene driven by a PSMA(EP) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. LNCaP, CL-1, MCF-7, and A549 were infected with CD-produced recombinant adenoviruses and treated with pro-drug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) in vivo and vitro; then, the growth inhibition of the cells and the cell cycle variation were assessed by an [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Growth suppression of the xenograft tumor was also adopted to evaluate the efficiency of the suicide system. Morphologic changes after treatment in vivo were assessed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In the 4 examined cancer cell lines, PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells LNCap and CL-1 were exclusively sensitive to the Ad-PSMA(E-P)-CD/5-FC system. The S phase of cell cycle arrest was thought to be involved in the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) converted from 5-FC by CD. CL-1 implanted Athymic BALB/c mice showed growth inhibition of tumors when they were treated with the Ad-PSMA(E-P)-CD/5-FC system without systemic conversion toxicity. The PSMA-based, CD-produced adenovirus, deserving further investigation in the future, might be a good candidate for targeting gene therapy of prostate adenocarcinoma.

[Expression of kinase insert domain-containing receptor in prostate adenocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the expression of the kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and the histological grade of prostate adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Forty-eight samples of prostate adenocarcinoma tissues and 20 samples of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissues were studied by LsAB immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of KDR was 73% in prostate adenocarcinoma and 30% in BPH. The expression of KDR was stronger in prostate adenocarcinoma, and there was no relationship between staining intensity and the histological grade of carcinoma. CONCLUSION: KDR, expressed more highly in prostate adenocarcinoma, promises to be a new target in the treatment of prostate adenocarcinoma.

Seminal vesicle cyst and ipsilateral renal agenesis: laparoscopic approach.

Seminal vesicle cysts with ipsilateral renal agenesis is rare. When the patient is symptomatic, surgical treatment may be necessary. However, the seminal vesicle is difficult to access surgically, and current transurethral or open surgical approaches have inherent shortcomings. The laparoscopic techniques developed in the last decade may overcome the difficulties in the surgical treatment of seminal vesicle pathology. In this study we report a patient diagnosed with left seminal vesicle cyst and ipsilateral renal agenesis who was managed successfully through the laparoscopic approach. The patient was a 41-year-old who suffered from perineal pain and intermittent hemospermia for 20 years. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography, CT, indicated a cyst of the left seminal vesicle and an absent left kidney. The total laparoscopic operation time was 90 minutes and the estimated blood loss was 80 ml. With a follow-up of 13 months, the patient had total relief of his preoperative symptoms without complication.

[Effect of KLF6 on prostate cancer cell line PC-3 by transgenic method].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of KLF6 on prostate cancer cell line PC-3 by transgenic method. METHODS: We obtained KLF6 cDNA by RT-PCR method from the liver cell, transfected plasmid pEGFP-C, recombinated with KLF6 into PC-3 cells, and used them as a transfection group and a control group. MTT, flow cytometer and immunocytochemical methods were used to observe the effect of anti-oncogene wild type KLF6 on prostate cancer cell line PC-3 by transgenic method for 48 hours. RESULTS: After transfected into PC-3 cells, KLF6 enhanced growth suppression, (30.0 +/- 5.4)% in the transfection group and 0% in the control, P < 0.01, apoptosis, (24.3 +/- 2.3)% in the transfection group and (5.2 +/- 0.7)% in the control, P < 0.01, the down-regulation of the expression of cyclin D1, (25.3 +/- 3.7)% in the transfection group and (38.5 +/- 4.6)% in the control, P < 0.05 and Bcl-2, (18.7 +/- 3.2)% in the transfection group, and (41.8 +/- 5.9)% in the control, P < 0.01 in PC-3 cells. It also decreased the ratio of the cell phase G2/M, increased the ratio of G0/G1 from (58.6 +/- 7.3)% in the control to (80.0 +/- 9.8)% in the transfection group, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: PC-3 cells transfected with wild type KLF6 can enhance its growth suppression and apoptosis. It shows great potential for the gene therapy of androgen-independent carcinoma of the prostate.

Risk factors for prostatic inflammation extent and infection in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

AIM: To investigate the risk factors for prostatic inflammation extent and infection in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) so as to manage prostatic inflammation more efficiently. METHODS: Sixty patients with BPH undergoing TURP between September 2005 and December 2005 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were studied. Prostate fluid (PF) was collected for the measurement of secretory IgA (SIgA) and complement 3 (C3). Prostate tissue were collected for testing bacterial 16S rDNA by real-time PCR, examining SIgA in the tissue and examining the inflammation. The possible clinical and immune risk factors for prostatic inflammation or infection were analyzed by using the logistic regression method. RESULTS: Abnormal white blood cell count in urinalysis, prostatic infection and a high concentration of C3 in PF are the risk factors for prostatic inflammation extent (P = 0.025, 0.034 and 0.035, respectively and odds ratio [OR] = 18.269, 8.284 and 1.508, respectively). Risk factors for prostatic infection include the C3 concentration and the concentration of SIgA in PF (P = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively, and OR=1.645 and 0.993, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that prostatic inflammation is associated with urinary tract infection, prostatic infection and the activated complement and that prostatic infection is associated with the activated complement and downregulated mucosal immunity in prostates of the patients with BPH. It is also suggested that individual immune regulation should be considered in the treatment of prostatic inflammation and infection of patients with BPH.

[Advance in urethral reconstruction with tissue engineering techniques].

OBJECTIVE: To sum up the research advances in urethra reconstruction with tissue engineering techniques. METHODS: The recent original articles about urethra reconstruction with engineering techniques were extensively reviewed. RESULTS: At present, human urothelium and smooth muscle cells have been successfully harvested, cultivated, and expanded in vitro in sufficient quantities for reconstruction. Tissue engineering for urethral reconstruction includes matrices alone, the body's natural ability which induces new tissue growth, or the use of matrices with cells. CONCLUSION: The tissue engineering materials for urethral reconstruction has been used successfully to repair defect of hypospadias and urethral strictures. The reconstruction of complex urethral defects need to be improved and developed.

[Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 gene in rat testis tissues induced by testicular denervation].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the changes of the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 gene in the denervated testis, and to explore the possible mechanisms underlying the apoptosis of germ cells induced by testicular denervation at the genetic translation level. METHODS: Eighteen mature SD rats (350-375 g) were equally divided into 3 groups: a sham operation group( SO) , a superior spermatic nerve group (SSN) and an inferior spermatic nerve group (ISN) , and the latter two received bilateral surgical removal of the superior spermatic nerve and the inferior spermatic nerve, respectively. The animals were killed I month after the operation. ISH SP-method was used to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein. RESULTS: Significant up-regulation of Bax protein was detected in both the treatment groups 1 month after surgery( P <0. 05) , and the level of Bcl-2 protein remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Bax gene is involved in the apoptosis of germ cells induced by testicular denervation.

[Constructing recombinant plasmid with prostate-specific membrane antigen promoter and reverse enhancer and comparing the transcription activity of enhancers in different directions].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the specificity of prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA) promoter and enhancer in controlling gene expression and to compare the activity of enhancers in different directions for choosing the most suitable prostate-specific PSMA controlling elements. METHODS: PSMA enhancer gene was amplified with PCR, then the enhancer gene was subcloned into the expressing vector pEGFP-PSMA(Pro) reversely to construct the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-PSMA(E(r)-p), which was transfected into different cell lines such as LNCaP, PC-3,MCF-7,A549. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed and compared to other recombinants constructed previously. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid with reverse enhancer was successfully constructed, the PSMA promoter and enhancer showed modulating activity in PSMA-expressed cell line uniquely. PSMA enhancer could increase 30-fold transcriptional activity over the basal level achieved by PSMA promoter alone, and no impact of the direction on the activity of enhancer was noted. CONCLUSION: PSMA promoter/ enhancer is specific to PSMA-expressed cells. The transcriptional activity of reverse enhancer is similar to that of enhancer. PSMA promoter/enhancer has the potential for use in targeted gene therapy of prostate adenocarcinoma.