NR1H4-mediated circRHOBTB3 modulates the proliferation, metastasis, and Warburg effects of cervical cancer through interacting with IGF2BP3.

Globally, cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the fourth most common cancer and the most lethal malignancy among females of reproductive age. The incidence of CC is increasing in low-income countries, with unsatisfactory outcomes and long-term survival for CC patients. Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) are promising therapeutics that target multiple cancers. In this study, we investigated the tumorigenic role of circRHOBTB3 in CC, showing that circRHOBTB3 is highly expressed in CC cells and circRHOBTB3 knockdown also repressed CC proliferation, migration, invasion, and the Warburg effects. CircRHOBTB3 interacted with the RNA-binding protein, IGF2BP3, to stabilize its expression in CC cells and is putatively transcriptionally regulated by NR1H4. In conclusion, this novel NR1H4/circRHOBTB3/IGF2BP3 axis may provide new insights into CC pathogenesis.

Field tests of crop growth using hydrothermal and spray-dried cephalosporin mycelia dregs as amendments: Utilization of nutrient and soil antibiotic resistome.

The disposal and reuse of cephalosporin mycelia dregs (CMDs) pose a great challenge to the biopharma industry, but it acts as the new source of antibiotic resistome, although agriculture intensification remains uncertain. Herein, two common cash crops (maize and soybean) were planted in the actual field, and the effects of the application of treated CMDs, chicken manure and chemical fertilizer served as control groups were both investigated according to comparison experiment. Amplicon-targeted 16S rRNA and high-throughput sequencing was analyzed for rhizosphere antibiotic resistome. Results showed that hydrothermal and spray-dried (HT + SD) CMDs could promote nutrients uptake and stabilize soil fertility indicator, and finally improved the crop yield (maximum, 119.68%). The numbers and relative abundances of total ARGs in soils were not significantly different from that of conventional fertilizer (p ＞ 0.05), but crop type marked the differences in distribution. The overall economic benefits are predicted to be around $373-745 million annually, considering its application to the whole country. HT + SD-treated CMDs can be therefore used as a high-quality and safe alternative fertilizer for agriculture use. These findings are expected to offer a fresh perspective on the application of antibiotic fermentation residue (AFR) in the future.

Yiqi Jiedu Xiaoying Decoction Improves Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Rats by Regulating Th17/Treg Cell Balance.

BACKGROUND: Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) is a widely used animal model to study the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Yiqi Jiedu Xiaoying Decoction (YJXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with potential immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of YJXD on EAT in rats and explored its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were induced to develop EAT by immunization with thyroglobulin (Tg) and taken sodium iodide water (0.05%) and then treated with YJXD or sodium selenite. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of thyroid tissue in EAT rats. Th17 and Treg cell frequencies were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines and thyroid autoantibody were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Th17- and Treg-related transcriptional factors was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that treatment with YJXD significantly attenuated the severity of EAT, as evidenced by reduced thyroid gland inflammatory infiltration and decreased serum thyroglobulin autoantibody levels. Importantly, YJXD treatment effectively modulated the Th17/Treg cell balance by suppressing Th17 cell differentiation and promoting Treg cell expansion. Moreover, YJXD was also found to regulate the expression levels of Th17- and Tregrelated cytokines and transcriptional factors, further supporting its immunomodulatory effects in EAT. CONCLUSION: YJXD exerted therapeutic effects on EAT by regulating the Th17/Treg cell balance, modulating the production of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines and the expression of transcriptional factors.

Characteristics of penicillin bacterial residue.

IMPLICATIONS: During the production of penicillin, a mass of waste bacterial residue is generated. In the past, the bacterial residues have been used for food additives. Unfortunately, doubts of their suitability as a feedstock have been raised because of the small amount of antibiotics and the degradation products remaining in the bacterial residues. So, penicillin bacterial residue is one of the hazardous wastes. Therefore, penicillin bacterial residue should be managed in accordance with the hazardous waste. To get a right method, the penicillin bacterial residue was characterized.

Recycling of neomycin fermentation residue using SEA-CBS technology: Growth performance and antibiotic resistance genes.

Antibiotic fermentation residue (AFR) is a form of bioavailable matter, that represents a typical category of hazardous waste associated with drug production in China. The disposal of these residues seriously restricts the sustainable development of the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, the steam explosion and aerobic composting (SEA-CBS) system was developed to thoroughly convert neomycin fermentation residue to organic fertilizer. The results implied that the ultimate removal rate of antibiotics was as high as 99.9% in all cases, including macrolide (kitasamycin and spiramycin), lincosamide (lincomycin), and beta-lactam (cephalosporin and penicillin) antibiotic biowastes. Pot experiments were also conducted to study the attenuation rule of antibiotic residues in the soil, and the distribution of antibiotic resistant genes from trace antibiotics. The produced fertilizer presented the better performance on mustard growth than conventional fertilizers. The average plant height and biomass were increased by 14.33%-55.83% and 136.71%-326.83%, respectively, after SEA-CBS pretreatment. Moreover, neomycin was the primary selective pressure, and six antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) correlated with neomycin were screened. The acc(6')ib gene was identified as the target ARGs, the main resistance mechanism was antibiotic inactivation, and the absolute and relative abundances were 1.06 × 105 ± 3.80 × 104 copies/g and 6.23 × 10-4 ± 1.75 × 10-4 copies/16 s in the NFR-amended soils. The microbial community analysis showed that the variation of the soil microbial community was not dominated by neomycin fermentation residue (NFR) at initial concentrations below 0.42 µg/kg soil. This work demonstrated that the SEA-CBS system not only functioned as an efficient technology for concurrent neomycin sulfate removal and NFR composting, but also applied to a wide range of other antibiotic bio-wastes, which may benefit the recycling of AFR, as well as the data provide a theoretical basis for future agricultural utilization and safe evaluation.

Biodegradation of ethanethiol in aqueous medium by a new Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain RG-1 isolated from activated sludge.

In the present study, a new bacterial strain isolated from activated sludge has been identified as Lysinibacillus sphaericus based on its morphology, physiochemical properties, and the results of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence analysis. This new bacterial strain uses ethanethiol as both carbon source and energy source. The key factors for controlling the degradation efficiency of ethanethiol by this strain were found to be initial ethanethiol concentration, temperature, and pH value of solutions. Under the optimized conditions, as well as 4 mg l(-1) ethanethiol, 30°C, and pH = 7.0, almost 100% ethanethiol can be degraded within 96 h and sulfate as a final product was detected in aqueous medium. The degradation reaction of ethanethiol over this newly isolated strain can be described by pseudo first-order equation in which the maximum degradation rate constant K and the minimum half-life were respectively calculated to be 0.0308 h(-1) and 22.5 h under the optimal conditions.

The chemical and oxidation characteristics of semi-dry flue gas desulfurization ash from a steel factory.

Some samples of semi-dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) ash were taken from sinter gas of a steel factory. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were employed to identify the samples in order to investigate their physical and chemical characteristics. The results show that semi-dry FGD ash from a steel factory is stable under atmospheric conditions. It has irregular shape, a smooth surface and loose construction. The size of FGD ash particles is around 0.5-25 µm, the average size is about 5 µm and the median diameter is 4.18 µm. Semi-dry FGD ash from a steel factory consists of CaSO3, CaSO4, CaCO3, some amorphous vitreous material and unburned carbon. An experimental method was found to study the oxidation characteristics of ash. A prediction model of the oxidation efficiency was obtained based on response surface methodology. The results show that not only the temperature, but also gas:solid ratio, play an important role in influencing the oxidation efficiency. The interactions of the gas:solid ratio with temperature play an essential role. An improved response surface model was obtained which can be helpful to describe the degree of oxidation efficiency of semi-dry FGD ash.

Hsa_circ_0075960 Serves as a Sponge for miR-361-3p/SH2B1 in Endometrial Carcinoma.

Although the cases of endometrial carcinoma (EC) is gradually increasing across the world, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown. The present study is the first to define the role and biological function of circRNA hsa_circ_0075960 in the development and progression of EC. We first determined that hsa_circ_0075960 is aberrantly expressed in EC cells. Then, we uncovered that the downregulation of hsa_circ_0075960 suppressed cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis of EC cells, suggesting that hsa_circ_0075960 could inhibit the progression of EC in vitro. In addition, we identified that miR-361-3p was the direct target of hsa_circ_0075960. Further analysis revealed that hsa_circ_0075960 affected the development of EC via sponging miR-361-3p. Interestingly, we verified that the level of SH2B1 was controlled by the downregulation of hsa_circ_0075960 and that the negative effect caused by hsa_circ_0075960 could be reversed via miR-361-3p inhibition. Our cumulative results revealed that the novel tumor regulator hsa_circ_0075960 functioned as a sponge for miR-361-3p/SH2B1 in EC cells and regulated the progression of EC through the modulation of miR-361-3p.

A pharmacokinetic study of Isatin in Beagles' bodies.

Isatin are marine active drugs that exert anti-cancer effects, have a cancer-prevention function, and possess many pharmacological activities. The study aimed to examine the pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous injection and oral medication of Isatin given to Beagles. Nine male and nine female Beagles were injected with 30 mg/kg of 2,3-indole quinones. The animals were divided into 3 groups (n=6 per group) and lavaged with a dose of 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. Blood samples were collected prior to the medicine delivery (0 h) and 0.083, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h post-medicine delivery. The blood plasma samples were analyzed using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS method following pretreatment for the protein precipitation. Pharmacokinetics software was applied to calculate relevant pharmacokinetic parameters through the atrioventricular model. The drug concentration in plasma decreased rapidly following the intravenous injection of Isatin. After 8 h, the prototype drugs could not be tested in the plasma and only trace amounts of drugs were tested in one dog, which was considered to be an endogenous drug. Indole quinone was absorbed following lavage into Beagles and peaked in <1 h, and the drug concentration in the plasma decreased rapidly. After 8 h, the prototype drugs could not be tested in the plasma. The elimination of the two drugs in the body had no evident gender differences. In conclusion, Isatin is rapidly absorbed in bodies of Beagles. Within the dose range of 15-60 mg/kg, no linear relationship was observed for the increase in Cmax and AUC0-t values with the increased dose.

[Pollution characteristics of volatile organic compounds from wastewater treatment system of vitamin C production].

Using a portable gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollution in each unit of the wastewater treatment system for vitamin C production was studied, and the species characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed and summarized. The results showed that 32 kinds of volatile organic compounds were identified, and the total mass concentration range of volatilizing VOCs was 0.9629-32.0970 mg x m(-3). The most species and the largest concentration (25 and 32.0970 mg x m(-3)) of volatilizing VOCs were found in grit chamber, which was located in the most front-end of the wastewater treatment system and was in semi-closed state. The proportion of molecular sulfide in the grit chamber was as high as 30.02%; Higher proportions of aromatic hydrocarbons were monitored in the subsequent processing units, with percentages of 21.06%-31.48%. The main types of VOCs monitored were chlorinated hydrocarbons and ketones, accounting for 6.39%-55.80% and 10.40%-58.08% of the total amount, respectively; 14 kinds of VOCs were detected in every unit of the wastewater treatment system: acetone, 2-butanone, n-hexane, chloroform, chlorobenzene etc, among which, vinyl chloride, styrene and 1,3-butadiene belong to the highly toxic substances. The vinyl chloride concentration exceeded the standard of "atmospheric pollutants emission standards" (GB 16297-1996), while 1,3-butadiene and other pollutants have no national standard limits. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the revision of China's pharmaceutical wastewater VOCs emission standards.