Simultaneous addition of CO2-nanobubble water and iron nanoparticles to enhance methane production from anaerobic digestion of corn straw.

In this research, CO2-nanobubble water (CO2-NBW) and iron nanoparticles (Fe0NPs) were added simultaneously to exploit individual advantages to enhance the methanogenesis process from both the stability of anaerobic digestion (AD) system and the activity of anaerobic microorganism aspects. Results showed that the AD performance was enhanced by supplementing with CO2-NBW or Fe0NPs individually, and could be further improved by simultaneous addition of the two additives. The maximum methane yield was achieved in the CO2-NBW + Fe0NPs reactor (141.99 mL/g-VSadded), which increased by 26.16% compared to the control group. Similarly, the activities of the electron transfer system (ETS) and enzyme were improved. The results of microbial community structure revealed that the addition of CO2-NBW and Fe0NPs could improve the abundance of dominant bacteria (Anaerolineaceae, Bacteroidales, and Prolixibacteraceae) and archaea (Methanotrichaceae and Methanospirillaceae). Additionally, the functional metabolic prediction heatmap indicated that metabolic functional genes favorable for AD of corn straw were enhanced.

Supplementation of CO2-nanobubble water to enhance the methane production from anaerobic digestion of corn straw.

Nanobubble water (NBW) could improve methane production from anaerobic digestion (AD) of corn straw without secondary contamination. In this study, the effect of carbon dioxide nanobubble water (CO2-NBW) volumes (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) on methane production from corn straw was investigated. The results showed that addition of CO2-NBW could improve methane production and promote substrate degradation in AD process. The highest cumulative methane production of 132.16 mL g-1VSadded was obtained in the 100% CO2-NBW added reactor, which was 17% higher than that in the control group. Additionally, the addition of CO2-NBW could mitigate the sharp decrease in pH by acting as a buffer. CO2-NBW could also enhance microorganism activity throughout the AD process. The electron transport system (ETS) activity was increased by 23%, while the ß-glucosidase, dehydrogenase (DHA), and coenzyme F420 activities were increased by 15%, 23%, and 11%, respectively, at optimum addition of CO2-NBW. Meanwhile, addition of CO2-NBW accelerated the production and consumption of reducing sugar and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), promoting the reduction rates of TS (Total solid) and VS (Volatile solid).

Thalamic gray matter volume mediates the association between KIBRA polymorphism and olfactory function among older adults: a population-based study.

The kidney and brain expressed protein (KIBRA) rs17070145 polymorphism is associated with both structure and activation of the olfactory cortex. However, no studies have thus far examined whether KIBRA can be linked with olfactory function and whether brain structure plays any role in the association. We addressed these questions in a population-based cross-sectional study among rural-dwelling older adults. This study included 1087 participants derived from the Multidomain Interventions to Delay Dementia and Disability in Rural China, who underwent the brain MRI scans in August 2018 to October 2020; of these, 1016 took the 16-item Sniffin' Sticks identification test and 634 (62.40%) were defined with olfactory impairment (OI). Data were analyzed using the voxel-based morphometry analysis and general linear, logistic, and structural equation models. The KIBRA rs17070145 C-allele (CC or CT vs. TT genotype) was significantly associated with greater gray matter volume (GMV) mainly in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and left thalamus (P < 0.05) and with the multi-adjusted odds ratio of 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.56-0.95) for OI. The left thalamic GMV could mediate 8.08% of the KIBRA-olfaction association (P < 0.05). These data suggest that the KIBRA rs17070145 C-allele is associated with a reduced likelihood of OI among older adults, partly mediated through left thalamic GMV.

Dendrobium huoshanense C.Z.Tang et S.J.Cheng: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology.

Dendrobium huoshanense, a traditional medicinal and food homologous plant, belongs to the family Orchidaceae and has a long history of medicinal use. It is reported that the stem of D. huoshanense has a variety of bioactive ingredients such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, phenols, etc. These bioactive ingredients make D. huoshanense remarkable for its pharmacological effects on anti-tumor, immunomodulation, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anticataract activities. In recent years, its rich pharmacological activities have attracted extensive attention. However, there is no systematic review focusing on the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of D. huoshanense. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize current research on the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of D. huoshanense. This study provides valuable references and promising ideas for further investigations of D. huoshanense.

Screening of genes related to breast cancer prognosis based on the DO-UniBIC method.

BACKGROUND: Early screening is the most effective way to control breast cancer. Due to the lack of accurate biomarkers, early diagnosis of breast cancer is still very difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to discover new candidate genes of breast cancer and improve the early diagnosis and prognosis. METHODS: A DO-UniBIC gene screening method was proposed. First, Disease Ontology (DO) analysis was used to screen out breast cancer related genes from differentially expressed genes, and then the UniBIC algorithm was used to find all gene clusters with the same changing trend based on the longest common subsequence. In addition, an eight-gene prognostic model was constructed to assess the prognostic risk of breast cancer patients. RESULTS: The prognostic analysis of the candidate genomes based on multivariate Cox proportional regression model revealed eight genes that were significantly related to prognosis. The eight genes were ACSL1, CD24, EMP1, JPH3, CAMK4, JUN, S100B and TP53AIP1. Among them, ACSL1 was a new potential breast cancer related gene screened by the DO-UniBIC method. CONCLUSIONS: More comprehensive cancer-related genes can be screened based on the DO-UniBIC method, which can be used as the candidate gene set for prognostic analysis.

Supplementation of KOH to improve salt tolerance of methanogenesis in the two-stage anaerobic digestion of food waste using pre-acclimated anaerobically digested sludge by air-nanobubble water.

Air-nanobubble water (NBW) was applied to pre-acclimate anaerobically digested sludge that was then used as the inoculum in the two-stage anaerobic digestion (AD) of high saline (20 g NaCl/L) food waste (FW) to optimize NBW application in the AD of high saline FW. K+ was simultaneously supplemented during the methanogenic stage to resist the inhibition of salt on methanogens. Results showed that after the second pre-acclimation cycle, the inoculum activity was increased 27% in the Air-NBW supplemented reactor in comparison to the deionized water (DW) supplemented one. In the first-stage AD, H2 yield was enhanced by 46% in the Air-NBW pre-acclimated sludge reactor compared with the DW pre-acclimated sludge reactor. Besides, supplementation of KOH in the methanogenic stage could enhance methane production by 17-25% in the DW reactors at initial pH 7.5, 8.0, and 9.0 when compared to the control reactor (using NaOH adjusted initial pH to 7.5), respectively.

Therapeutic effect and immune mechanism of chitosan-gentamicin conjugate on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

To explore the disease resistance mechanism of chitosan conjugates, chitosan-gentamicin conjugate (CS-GT) was synthesized and systematically characterized, the immune mechanism of CS-GT on Litopenaeus vannamei infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus was further explored. The results showed that imine groups in CS-GT were effectively reduced. Dietary supplementation of CS-GT can significantly increase the survival rate, total hemocyte counts, the antioxidant and immune related enzyme activity levels of shrimps (P < 0.05), which are all dose-dependent under the experimental conditions. In addition, CS-GT can protect the hepatopancreas from invading bacteria and alleviate inflammation. Particularly, CS-GT promotes the expressions of legumain (LGMN), lysosomal acid lipase (LIPA) and Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) up-regulated. It is speculated that CS-GT may stimulate the lysosome to phagocytose pathogens more effectively. In conclusions, shrimps fed with CS-GT can produce immune response via lysosome and greatly improve the disease resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Innovative approach to identify multigenomic and environmental interactions associated with birth defects in family-based hybrid designs.

Genes, including those with transgenerational effects, work in concert with behavioral, environmental, and social factors via complex biological networks to determine human health. Understanding complex relationships between causal factors underlying human health is an essential step towards deciphering biological mechanisms. We propose a new analytical framework to investigate the interactions between maternal and offspring genetic variants or their surrogate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and environmental factors using family-based hybrid study design. The proposed approach can analyze diverse genetic and environmental factors and accommodate samples from a variety of family units, including case/control-parental triads, and case/control-parental dyads, while minimizing potential bias introduced by population admixture. Comprehensive simulations demonstrated that our innovative approach outperformed the log-linear approach, the best available method for case-control family data. The proposed approach had greater statistical power and was capable to unbiasedly estimate the maternal and child genetic effects and the effects of environmental factors, while controlling the Type I error rate against population stratification. Using our newly developed approach, we analyzed the associations between maternal and fetal SNPs and obstructive and conotruncal heart defects, with adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors and dietary supplements. Fourteen and 11 fetal SNPs were associated with obstructive and conotruncal heart defects, respectively. Twenty-seven and 17 maternal SNPs were associated with obstructive and conotruncal heart defects, respectively. In addition, maternal body mass index was a significant risk factor for obstructive defects. The proposed approach is a powerful tool for interrogating the etiological mechanism underlying complex traits.

Enhanced energy recovery via separate hydrogen and methane production from two-stage anaerobic digestion of food waste with nanobubble water supplementation.

This study investigated the enhancement effect of N2- and Air-nanobubble water (NBW) supplementation on two-stage anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste (FW) for separate production of hydrogen and methane. In the first stage for hydrogen production, the highest cumulative H2 yield (27.31 ± 1.21 mL/g-VSadded) was obtained from FW + Air-NBW, increasing by 38% compared to the control (FW + deionized water (DW)). In the second stage for methane production, the cumulative CH4 yield followed a descending order of FW + Air-NBW (373.63 ± 3.58 mL/g-VSadded) > FW + N2-NBW (347.63 ± 7.05 mL/g-VSadded) > FW + DW (300.93 ± 3.24 mL/g-VSadded, control), increasing by 24% in FW + Air-NBW and 16% in FW + N2-NBW compared to the control, respectively. Further investigations indicate that different gas-NBW may positively impact the different stages of AD process. Addition of N2-NBW only enhanced the hydrolysis/acidification of FW with no significant effect on methanogenesis. By comparison, addition of Air-NBW promoted both hydrolysis/acidification stage and methanogenesis stage, reflecting by the enhanced activities of four extracellular hydrolases at the end of hydrolysis/acidification and coenzyme F420 at the end of methanogenesis, respectively. Results from this work suggest the potential application of Air-NBW in the two-stage AD for efficient renewable energy recovery from FW.

Effects of Chitosan-Gentamicin Conjugate Supplement on Non-Specific Immunity, Aquaculture Water, Intestinal Histology and Microbiota of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

When the aquaculture water environment deteriorates or the temperature rises, shrimp are susceptible to viral or bacterial infections, causing a large number of deaths. This study comprehensively evaluated the effects of the oral administration of a chitosan-gentamicin conjugate (CS-GT) after Litopenaeus vannamei were infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, through nonspecific immunity parameter detection, intestinal morphology observation, and the assessment of microbial flora diversification by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the oral administration of CS-GT significantly increased total hemocyte counts and reduced hemocyte apoptosis in shrimp (p < 0.05). The parameters (including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and phenoloxidase) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The integrity of the intestinal epithelial cells and basement membrane were enhanced, which correspondingly alleviated intestinal injury. In terms of the microbiome, the abundances of Vibrio (Gram-negative bacteria and food-borne pathogens) in the water and gut were significantly reduced. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the abundances of Vibrio both in the water and gut were negatively correlated with CS-GT dosage. In conclusion, the oral administration of CS-GT can improve the immunity of shrimp against pathogenic bacteria and significantly reduce the relative abundances of Vibrio in aquaculture water and the gut of Litopenaeus vannamei.

Use of Cardiovascular Drugs for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Rural-Dwelling Older Chinese Adults.

Cardiovascular risk factors and related disorders are common among older adults, and use of various classes of cardiovascular (CV) drugs could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data are sparse with regard to the use of CV drugs among rural-dwelling older adults in China. Therefore, this population-based study aimed to describe use of CV drugs among older adults living in the rural communities in China, while taking into account the use of CV drugs for primary and secondary prevention of CVDs. This study included 5,246 participants (age ≥65 years; 57.17% women; 40.68% illiteracy) in the baseline examination of the MIND-China study. In March-September 2018, data on health-related factors, CVDs (ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke), and CV drug use were collected via face-to-face survey, clinical examination, and laboratory tests. We classified CV drugs according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system for western medications and specific cardiovascular effects for the products of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). We conducted descriptive analysis. The overall prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors ranged from 14.30% in diabetes and 23.81% in dyslipidemia to 66.70% in hypertension, and CVDs affected 35.07% of all participants (36.28% in women vs. 33.47% in men, p = 0.035). In the total sample, calcium channel blockers (C08) were most commonly used (10.39%), followed by TCM products (7.64%), hypoglycemic agents (A10, 4.73%), renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-acting agents (C09, 4.61%), and lipid-lowering agents (C10, 4.17%). The proportions of CV drugs for primary prevention (i.e., use of CV drugs among people without CVD) were 3.14% for antithrombotic agents (mainly aspirin), 1.38% for lipid-lowering agents, and 3.11% for RAS-acting agents; the corresponding figures for secondary prevention (i.e., use of CV drugs among people with CVD) were 13.97%, 9.35%, and 7.39%. In conclusion, despite highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and CVDs, a fairly low proportion of the rural-dwelling older adults take CV medications for primary and secondary prevention. Notably, TCM products are among the most commonly used CV drugs. These results call for additional efforts to promote implementation of the evidence-based recommendations for prevention of CVDs in the primary care settings.

NDUFAB1 confers cardio-protection by enhancing mitochondrial bioenergetics through coordination of respiratory complex and supercomplex assembly.

The impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetics, often coupled with exaggerated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, is a fundamental disease mechanism in organs with a high demand for energy, including the heart. Building a more robust and safer cellular powerhouse holds the promise for protecting these organs in stressful conditions. Here, we demonstrate that NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit AB1 (NDUFAB1), also known as mitochondrial acyl carrier protein, acts as a powerful cardio-protector by conferring greater capacity and efficiency of mitochondrial energy metabolism. In particular, NDUFAB1 not only serves as a complex I subunit, but also coordinates the assembly of respiratory complexes I, II, and III, and supercomplexes, through regulating iron-sulfur biosynthesis and complex I subunit stability. Cardiac-specific deletion of Ndufab1 in mice caused defective bioenergetics and elevated ROS levels, leading to progressive dilated cardiomyopathy and eventual heart failure and sudden death. Overexpression of Ndufab1 effectively enhanced mitochondrial bioenergetics while limiting ROS production and protected the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Together, our findings identify that NDUFAB1 is a crucial regulator of mitochondrial energy and ROS metabolism through coordinating the assembly of respiratory complexes and supercomplexes, and thus provide a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of heart failure.

Estrogenic activity of osthole and imperatorin in MCF-7 cells and their osteoblastic effects in Saos-2 cells.

There is an increasing interest in phytoestrogens due to their potential medical usage in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro effects of estrogen-like activities of two widespread coumarins, osthole and imperatorin, using the MCF-7 cell proliferation assay and their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in osteoblasts Saos-2 cells. The two compounds were found to strongly stimulate the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The estrogen receptor-regulated ERα, progesterone receptor (PR) and PS2 mRNA levels were increased by treatment with osthole and imperatorin. All these effects were significantly inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182, 780. Cell cycle analysis revealed that their proliferation stimulatory effect was associated with a marked increase in the number of MCF-7 cells in S phase, which was similar to that observed with estradiol. It was also observed that they significantly increased ALP activity, which was reversed by ICI182,780. These results suggested that osthole and imperatorin could stimulate osteoblastic activity by displaying estrogenic properties or through the ER pathway. In conclusion, osthole and imperatorin may represent new pharmacological tools for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Optimization of extraction and purification of active fractions from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) and its osteoblastic proliferation stimulating activity.

Extraction and purification conditions of lignans from the fruits and seeds of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) were investigated through an orthogonal design of L(9)(3(4)) assay and macroporous resin technology. The extraction was optimized using 95% ethanol. For purification, the extract was dissolved in 30% ethanol, then adsorbed on a AB-8 macroporous resin and eluted with 30% ethanol and 70% ethanol successively, the latter resulting in a residue containing 65.2% of lignans. By HPLC analysis schisandrin, deoxyschisandrin and gamma-schisandrin were quantitatively determined. UMR 106 cells were used to examine the stimulatory activity of the lignans on osteoblasts in vitro. The lignans stimulated the proliferation of and the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the osteoblasts indicating their potential activity against osteoporosis.

Evaluation of the estrogenic activity of the constituents in the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. for the potential treatment of premenstrual syndrome.

The ethanol extract of the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia (VRE) and its four major compounds (casticin, luteolin, rotundifuran and agnuside) were tested for their estrogen-like activity by using the modified cell proliferation assay (E-SCREEN assessment system), as well as the estrogen receptor (ER(alpha)), estrogen receptor-regulated progesterone receptor and pS2 mRNA expression in MCF-7 cells. The results showed that only agnuside and rotundifuran could stimulate the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. These actions were dose dependent (range from 100 nM to 10 microM) and could be significantly inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. The estrogen receptor ER(alpha) and the estrogen receptor-regulated progesterone receptor and pS2 mRNA levels were increased by treatment with rotundifuran and agnuside within 24 h, and the effects could be reversed by ICI 182,780. The standardization of the extract and constituents were carried out by means of a high-performance liquid chromatography-fingerprint. It was concluded that VRE and its compounds showed estrogen-like activity and that the estrogenic effects of rotundifuran and agnuside were mediated by the estrogen inducible gene, which may be useful in regulating the hormone levels to treat related diseases. However, further studies are required to assess the physiological significance of VRE in animals and man.

Estrogen-like activity of volatile components from Vitex rotundifolia L.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. are used as a traditional medicine in China. Dried fruits of V. rotundifolia (rich in essential oils) have been known to show strong estrogenic activity. Therefore, we investigated volatile components in the essential oil isolated from the fruits of V. rotundifolia and its estrogen-like biological activity in human breast adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Essential oil was extracted by SFE (supercritical fluid extraction) and its chemical composition was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The estrogenic activity of essential oil was evaluated in the MCF-7 cells by proliferation assay. RESULTS: The chemical composition of 40 compounds was determined and this represented 84.1 per cent of the total oil which was characterized by a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (54.84% of total oil). The oil contained mainly linoleic acid (47.46%), palmitic acid (5.18%), untriacontane (2.28%), bicetyl (2.61%) and stearic acid (2.2%). The essential oil strongly stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and this effect was significantly inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results showed estrogen-like biological activity of the essential oil of the fruits from V. rotundifolia, and in future has a potential medical application.