A cost-saving, safe, and highly efficient natural mediator for laccase application on aflatoxin detoxification.

Laccase mediators possess advantage of oxidizing substrates with high redox potentials, such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). High costs of chemically synthesized mediators limit laccase industrial application. In this study, thin stillage extract (TSE), a byproduct of corn-based ethanol fermentation was investigated as the potential natural mediator of laccases. Ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and vanillic acid were identified as the predominant phenolic compounds of TSE. With the assistance of 0.05 mM TSE, AFB1 degradation activity of novel laccase Glac1 increased by 17 times. The promoting efficiency of TSE was similar to ferulic acid, but superior to vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid, with 1.2- and 1.3-fold increases, respectively. After Glac1-TSE treatment, two oxidation products were identified. Ames test showed AFB1 degradation products lost mutagenicity. Meanwhile, TSE also showed 1.3-3.0 times promoting effect on laccase degradation activity in cereal flours. Collectively, a safe and highly efficient natural mediator was obtained for aflatoxin detoxification.

Global warming may significantly increase childhood anemia burden in sub-Saharan Africa.

Childhood anemia constitutes a global public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, it remains unknown whether global warming has an impact on childhood anemia. Here, we examined the association between annual temperatures and childhood anemia prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa and then projected childhood anemia burden attributable to climate change. Each 1°C increment in annual temperature was associated with increased odds of childhood anemia (odd ratio = 1.138, 95% confidence interval: 1.134-1.142). Compared with the baseline period (1985-2014), the attributable childhood anemia cases would increase by 7,597 per 100,000 person-years under a high-emission scenario in the 2090s, which would be almost 2-fold and over 3-fold more than those projected in moderate- and low-emission scenarios. Our results reveal the vulnerabilities and inequalities of children for the excess burden of anemia due to climate warming and highlight the importance of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies in LMICs.

Association of Ambient Temperature With the Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among Partnered Women in Low- and Middle-Income South Asian Countries.

Importance: Intimate partner violence (IPV), including physical, sexual, and emotional violence, constitutes a critical public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While climate change could escalate violent events, data quantifying its possible association with IPV are scant. Objective: To evaluate the association of ambient temperature with the prevalence of IPV among partnered women in low- and middle-income countries in South Asia, and to estimate the association of future climate warming with IPV. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the Demographic and Health Survey and included 194 871 ever-partnered women aged 15 to 49 years from 3 South Asian countries (India, Nepal, and Pakistan). The study applied the mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression model to investigate the association of ambient temperature with IPV prevalence. The study further modeled the change in IPV prevalence under various future climate change scenarios. The data included in the analyses were collected from October 1, 2010, to April 30, 2018, and the current analyses were performed from January 2, 2022, to July 11, 2022. Exposure: Annual ambient temperature exposure for each woman, estimated based on an atmospheric reanalysis model of the global climate. Main Outcomes and Measures: The prevalence of IPV and its types (physical, sexual, and emotional violence) were assessed based on self-reported questionnaires from October 1, 2010, to April 30, 2018, and the changes in the prevalence with climate changes were estimated through the 2090s. Results: The study included 194 871 ever-partnered women aged 15 to 49 years (mean [SD] age, 35.4 [7.6] years; overall IPV prevalence, 27.0%) from 3 South Asian countries. The prevalence of physical violence was highest (23.0%), followed by emotional (12.5%), and sexual violence (9.5%). The annual temperature ranges were mostly between 20 °C and 30 °C. A significant association was found between high ambient temperature and the prevalence of IPV against women, with each 1 °C increase in the annual mean temperature associated with a mean increase in IPV prevalence of 4.49% (95% CI, 4.20%-4.78%). According to the study's projections under the unlimited emissions scenarios (SSPs [shared socioeconomic pathways], as defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] 5-8.5), IPV prevalence would increase by 21.0% by the end of the 21st century, while it would only moderately increase under increasingly stricter scenarios (SSP2-4.5 [9.8%] and SSP1-2.6 [5.8%]). In addition, the projected increases in the prevalence of physical (28.3%) and sexual (26.1%) violence were greater than that of emotional violence (8.9%). In the 2090s, India was estimated to experience the highest IPV prevalence increase (23.5%) among the 3 countries, compared with Nepal (14.8%) and Pakistan (5.9%). Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional, multicountry study provides ample epidemiological evidence to support that high ambient temperature may be associated with the risk of IPV against women. These findings highlight the vulnerabilities and inequalities of women experiencing IPV in low- and middle-income countries in the context of global climate warming.

Multicolor flow cytometric assessment of Ki67 expression and its diagnostic value in mature B-cell neoplasms.

Background: There is no unified standard data about the sensitivity and specificity regarding flow cytometry analysis of Ki67 expression during lymphoma diagnoses. Objective: This evaluated the efficacy of multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) in an estimate of the proliferative activity of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma by comparing the expression of Ki67 using MFC and immunohistochemicals (IHC). Method: A total of 559 patients with non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma were immunophenotyped using sensitive MFC, of which 517 were newly diagnosed and 42 were transformed lymphomas. Test samples include peripheral blood, bone marrow, various body fluids, and tissues. Through MFC multi-marker accurate gating, abnormal mature B lymphocytes with restricted expression of the light chain were screened. Ki67 was added to determine the proliferation index; the positive rate of Ki67 in tumor B cells was evaluated by cell grouping and internal control. For tissue specimens, MFC and IHC analyses were performed simultaneously to assess the Ki67 proliferation index. Results: The positive rate of Ki67 by MFC was correlated with the subtype and aggressiveness of B-cell lymphoma. Ki67 could distinguish indolent lymphomas from aggressive subtypes with a cut-off value of 21.25%, and differentiate transformation from indolent lymphoma with a cut-off value of 7.65%. The expression of Ki67 by MFC (regardless of the type of samples)was highly agreement with the Ki67 proliferative index of tissue samples assessed by pathologic immunohistochemistry. MFC showed a fairly constant negative bias in evaluating tissue or bone marrow samples, compared with IHC. Conclusions: Ki67 is a valuable flow marker that can distinguish between indolent and aggressive types of lymphoma and assess whether indolent lymphomas are transformed. Using MFC to evaluate the positive rate of Ki67 is important in clinical settings. MFC has unique advantages in judging the aggressiveness of lymphoma in samples of bone marrow, peripheral blood, pleural and ascites, and cerebrospinal fluid. This is particularly important when tissue samples cannot be obtained, making it an important supplement for pathologic examination.

[Characteristics and Driving Factors of Hydrochemical Evolution in Tuochangjiang River Basin, Western Guizhou Province].

Tuochangjiang River is a typical mining-type watershed in the karst mountainous area of western Guizhou province. The study of its hydrochemical evolution characteristics and driving factors is of great significance to the local economic development and the scientific management of water resources. The samples of river water, spring water, and mine water in the Tuochangjiang River Basin were collected, and the sources of solutes and their contribution to the chemical components of river water were discussed by means of hydrochemical diagrams, mathematical statistics, and the absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression model (APCS-MLR). The results showed that the pH of the river water ranged between 7.30 to 8.31, and the TDS value ranged between 40 to 520 mg·L-1, which was mainly contributed by Ca2+, Na+, HCO3-, and SO42-. The dominant cations in river water were Ca2+ and Na+, the dominant anions were HCO3- and SO42-, and the main water chemistry transitioned from HCO3-Ca to HCO3-Ca·Na and HCO3·SO4-Ca·Na type, whereas that of the mine water was mainly the HCO3-Na and HCO3·SO4-Na types. The chemical composition of river water was affected by rock weathering, exchange adsorption of anions, mineral dissolution and precipitation, and human activities, in which Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- were mainly derived from the weathering and dissolution of carbonate and silicate rocks, Na+and SO42- were mainly from the discharge of mining wastewater, and Cl- and NO3- were affected by domestic sewage and agricultural activities, respectively. APCS-MLR analysis further showed that the river water solutes mainly included five sources:discharge of mining wastewater, dissolution of soil minerals, geological background, agricultural activities, and unknown sources, and their contribution rates to river water were 23.49%, 35.04%, 13.87%, 7.96%, and 20.63%, respectively. Mining factors and soil factors were the most important sources of solutes in the river water, and they were the main driving factors for the hydrochemical evolution of the Tuochangjiang River Basin.

Evolution in disparity of PM2.5 pollution in China.

The spatial disparity of air pollutants is one of the key influential factors for environmental inequality. We quantitatively evaluated the evolution of PM2.5 spatial disparity in China during 2013-2020, and investigated the associations between PM2.5 spatial disparity and economic indicators. Differences in PM2.5 between more- and less-polluted cities declined over time, suggesting decreased absolute disparity. However, the more polluted cities in 2013 remained so in 2017 and 2020, and vice versa, indicating persistent relative disparity. PM2.5 pollution levels increased with higher GDP per capita in less-developed areas of China, but such negative effects weakened over time, while economic development tended to promote cleaner air in developed areas of China. Therefore, policies to improve air quality and promote economic development simultaneously are needed in China to reduce the disparity of air pollution and promote all people to enjoy environmental equality.

A Novel Cost-Effective Nanobody against Fumonisin B1 Contaminations: Efficacy Test in Dairy Milk and Chickens.

BACKGROUND: Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a secondary metabolite produced mainly by Fusarium verticillioides or Fusarium proliferatum. It poses a huge threat to the sustainable animal industry and human health as well via food chains (egg, meat and milk). Although E. coli-expressed nanobodies are documented for diagnostic applications, nanobodies remain elusive as FB1 detoxifiers in feed and food. RESULTS: In the present study, the E. coli-expressed nanobody was assessed to remove FB1 in fresh milk, embryonated eggs and broilers. Firstly, 2 alpacas received intramuscularly FB1-adjuvanted BSA 6 times, and then the variable domain of the heavy-chain antibody (VHH) of fb1 genes were amplified to clone into the pCANTAB 5 E vector in order to generate a VHH-FB1 phage antibody display library, yielding 3.4 × 1010 capacity with 96.7% positivity. Afterwards, 5 anti-FB1 nanobodies were expressed and identified. Furthermore, maximal 43.2% FB1 was removed from milk by 1:2000 concentration of nanobody 5 (Nb5). Furthermore, SPF-embryonated eggs were inoculated into albumens with nanobody-treated FB1. The Nb5 group yielded an 83.3% hatching rate, higher body weight, lower gizzard ulceration and fewer FB1 residuals. In order to warrant the above results, 50 broilers aged 10 days were received orally with 20 ppm of FB1 for 20 days. At the same time, birds were fed orally with 50 µg of Nb5 or bivalent nanobody 11 (BiNb11). Finally, the Nb5 group showed a higher relative body weight gain and lower gastric ulcerations and fewer inflammations in the thymus and bursa. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above evidence, the Nb5 nanobody may be considered as an additional FB1 detoxifier, contributing to FB1 decontamination.

The inequality labor loss risk from future urban warming and adaptation strategies.

Heat-induced labor loss is a major economic cost related to climate change. Here, we use hourly heat stress data modeled with a regional climate model to investigate the heat-induced labor loss in 231 Chinese cities. Results indicate that future urban heat stress is projected to cause an increase in labor losses exceeding 0.20% of the total account gross domestic product (GDP) per year by the 2050s relative to the 2010s. In this process, certain lower-paid sectors could be disproportionately impacted. The implementation of various urban adaptation strategies could offset 10% of the additional economic loss per year and help reduce the inequality-related impact on lower-paid sectors. So future urban warming can not only damage cities as a whole but can also contribute to income inequality. The implication of adaptation strategies should be considered in regard to not only cooling requirements but also environmental justice.

Effects of Landscape Type Change on Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Ecological Assets in a Karst Plateau-Mountain Area.

The rocky desertification control project in karst areas exacerbates the transfer of landscape types, changes the ecosystem structure and function, and has a significant impact on ecological assets. How to analyze the relationship between landscape type shifts and the spatial and temporal evolution of ecological assets is one of the key questions that need to be addressed to achieve the goal of overall improvement in ecosystem quality and sustainable regional economic development. This study takes Qixingguan District, Bijie City, Guizhou Province-a typical karst plateau mountainous area-as the research object, and analyzes the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of landscape type shifts and ecological assets triggered by rock desertification management from 1995-2018, based on the equivalence factor method, combined with the contribution rate, spatial autocorrelation, and sensitivity research methods. The results showed that arable land, grassland, and woodland were the main landscape types in the study area. The value of ecological assets showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing, with an overall increase of 87.70 × 106 yuan. The distribution pattern of ecological asset value from southwest to northeast is "high-low-high". There is a significant positive correlation in the spatial distribution of the overall ecological assets, with similar aggregation between neighboring units. The expansion of forest land was the main factor for the rapid increase of assets from 1995 to 2010, with a contribution of 98.12%; the conversion of arable land and grassland to construction land was the main factor for the decrease of assets from 2010 to 2018, with a percentage of 81.06%, where the value of each type of service was mainly composed of five items, such as soil formation and conservation, biodiversity conservation and gas regulation, water conservation, and climate regulation. This study shows that spatial and temporal evolution assessment of ecological assets is an important manifestation of the effectiveness of rocky desertification control, which can provide decision support to resource managers and users for regional ecological environment construction.

An efficient and cost-effective method for the purification of human basophils.

Human basophils are terminally differentiated granulocytes that are least abundant in the peripheral blood but play important roles in allergic diseases. Studies on human basophils are limited by the high cost on the isolation of human basophils by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) for negative depletion of non-basophils, followed by CD123-based positive selection of basophils. Moreover, such CD123-based purification of basophils may be limited by blocking of the binding of IL-3/anti-CD123 to the surface CD123. Here we identified SSClow CD4- CD127- HLA-DR- CRTH2high as unique markers for the identification of human basophils through stringent flow cytometric analysis of leukocytes from buffy coat. We established an efficient and cost-effective method for isolating human basophils from buffy coat based on positive magnetic selection of CRTH2+ cells followed by flow cytometric sorting of SSClow CD4- CD127- HLA-DR- CRTH2high cells. Approximately 1 to 1.5 million basophils were isolated from one buffy coat with a purity of >97%. Basophils purified by this method were viable and efficiently responded to key regulators of basophils including IL-3 and anti-IgE. This method can be used for purifying human basophils for subsequent functional studies.

Assessment of the plane of maximum curvature for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis via computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: In the assessment of three-dimensional features of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the plane of maximum curvature was compared with the coronal Cobb angle. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the intrarater reliability, variability, and difference of the prone plane of maximum curvature measurements taken from computed tomography using the constrained and unconstrained Cobb methods; to assess the difference and correlation between the prone plane of maximum curvature measurements obtained using the constrained and unconstrained Cobb methods; and to examine differences and correlation between the prone plane of maximum curvature Cobb angle and coronal Cobb angle measurements. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Records of 29 subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis aged 15.8 ± 3.5 years were reviewed (25 thoracic and 24 thoracolumbar/lumbar curves). An experienced rater measured the plane of maximum curvature using the constrained and unconstrained Cobb methods, and the coronal Cobb angles using the conventional Cobb method on computed tomography images 3 times each with 1-week interval. The intraclass correlation coefficient (2,1), Pearson correlation coefficient (r), one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, and paired t test were applied for various analyses. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients for all intrarater reliability assessments were greater than 0.87. The plane of maximum curvature measurements of the two Cobb methods were excellently correlated (r ⩾ 0.97) with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The mean plane of maximum curvature Cobb angle was moderately correlated with (r > 0.72) but significantly greater (P < 0.001) than the mean coronal Cobb angle. CONCLUSION: The plane of maximum curvature measurements obtained from computed tomography were found to be reliable while the plane of maximum curvature measurements of the two Cobb methods were comparable. The mean plane of maximum curvature Cobb angle was moderately correlated with but significantly greater than the mean coronal Cobb angle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The plane of maximum curvature measurements taken from computed tomography was found to be reliable, hence it could be used as a supplement to the coronal Cobb angle in the assessment and management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. With technological advancement, the radiation dose of computed tomography can be further reduced to a safer level for a broader range of cases.

[Three-dimensional Ultrasound Assessment on Apical Vertebral Rotation in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis:Reliability and Validity Analyses].

OBJECTIVE: To assess reliability and validity of the three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound measurement of apical vertebral rotation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: Sixteen female AIS patients were recruited. Ultrasound examinations were performed using a 3-D ultrasound unit with a SonixGPS system,which were compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations conducted on the same day. Two raters performed 3-D ultrasound scanning in supine position on angle measurements for vertebral rotation in the transverse plane three times,respectively. The center of laminae (COL) method was used to measure apical vertebral rotation in the 3-D ultrasound image,compared with the Aaro-Dahlborn results of MRI. Reliability of the 3-D ultrasound measurements was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC),mean absolute deviation (MAD),standard deviation (SD) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Validity of the 3-D ultrasound measurements was assessed using paired Student t-tests,Bland-Altman statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients. The level of significance was set as 0.05. RESULTS: 3-D ultrasound had high intra- and inter-rater reliabilities (ICC [2,k]>0.9,P<0.05) for assessing vertebral rotation. There was no significant difference between the Aaro-Dahlborn results in MRI and the COL Results in 3-D ultrasound (P>0.05). High consistencies (Bland-Altman) and correlations (Pearson) were demonstrated between the two methods. CONCLUSION: Radiation-free 3-D ultrasound is a reliable and valid method for measuring apical vertebral rotation in the transverse plane of patients with AIS.

[Functional Outcome Assessment in Patients with Pelvic Fracture after Lushan Earthquake: a Punt Study using ICF-based Tool].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the functional outcome of patients with pelvic fracture after Lushan earthquake using a newly developed tool based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed as pelvic fracture were recruited in this study from April 20th to 30th, 2013 in West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Data were collected using the international comprehensive version of ICF Core Set for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Descriptive statistics analysis were used. RESULTS: Pelvic fracture caused by Lushan earthquake lead to a series of severe injuries complicated with multiple organ dysfunction. In the assessment of body functions, almost all the patients with pelvic fracture showed impairments including energy and drive, sleep, sensation of pain, mobility and repair function of skin. In the assessment of body structures, the damages were mainly distributed in pelvic region, lower extremity, trunk as well as areas of skin. In the assessment of activities and participations, limitations and restrictions were related to changing and maintaining basic body position, transferring, walking andself-care. CONCLUSION: ICF Core Set could provide a comprehensive, systematic and evidence-based assessments from the perspective of body function, body structure as well as activities and participations for patients with pelvic fracture after Lushan earthquake. Future study with large sample size is needed to validate the assessment of ICF Core Set for patients with musculoskeletal injuries after earthquake and other natural disasters.

Research on Assessment Methods of Spectral Reflectance Data Quality for Computer Color Matching.

Spectral reflectance data quality is important for computer color matching. There are two existing methods for evaluating the quality­spectral reflectance method and K/S method, which are too complex to apply. In this paper, 45°/0° and d/8° geometric conditions are used in the measurement of spectral reflectance of the offset ink samples printed on coated paper and silver-foiled paper while improvement on the geometric condition is made on the basis of the spectral reflectance method. Moreover, a new evaluation method­lightness and chromaticity comparative method is put forward, and comparison is made among the three methods. The results show that both 45°/0° and d/8° are feasible in the measurement of spectral reflectance of coated paper; however the former one cannot meet the requirement of spectral reflectance measurement of silver-foiled paper. In addition, as to d/8° Specular Component Included (SCI), when the silver-foiled paper is taken as the substrate, the reflectance of transparent white ink samples are smaller than that of other primary inks; and abnormal intersections appear in the curves of cyan and magenta ink respectively at the concentration of 60%, resulting in a poor spectra quality at high ink concentration; In the figure of lightness and chromaticity curves, there is significant divergence of the cyan and magenta ink curves from the referenced coated paper. In conclusion, the spectral reflectance of the transparent ink should be greater than or at least equal to other primary inks, and the maximum concentration of cyan and magenta should be limited; when the coated paper with good diffusion performance is taken as the reference, the comparative analysis is more intuitive than the two existing methods.

[Systematic assessment of acupoint stimulating therapy for deglutition disorders after apoplexy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of acupoint stimulating therapy on deglutition disorders after apoplexy, so as to provide basis for clinical treatment and further study. METHODS: According to Cochrane systematic assessment method of evidence-based medicine, Meta analysis on randomized controlled trials or half randomized controlled trials of acupoint stimulating therapy for deglutition disorders after apoplexy were made. RESULTS: In 37 Chinese literatures, 3 697 patients in total were enrolled, and the results indicated that the effective rate of acupoint stimulating therapy on deglutition disorders after apoplexy was better than that in the control group [RR was 1.38, 95% CI (1.28, 1.49), Z = 8.38, P < 0.01]; and the cured rate also was better than that of the control group [RR was 2.56, 95% CI (2.15, 3.04), Z = 10.70, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of acupoint stimulating therapy on deglutition disorders after apoplexy is better than that of the control group, but more randomized, double blind, controlled trials with good designs are needed to confirm this result.