UV-A radiation increases biomass yield by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation in the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides.

Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (315-400 nm) is the predominant component of solar UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. However, the underlying mechanisms of the positive effects of UV-A on photosynthetic organisms have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of UV-A radiation on the growth, photosynthetic ability, and metabolome of the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides. Exposures to 5-15 W m-2 (15-46 µmol photons m-2 s-1) UV-A and 4.35 W m-2 (20 µmol photons m-2 s-1) visible light for 16 days significantly increased the growth rate and biomass production of N. sphaeroides cells by 18%-30% and 15%-56%, respectively, compared to the non-UV-A-acclimated cells. Additionally, the UV-A-acclimated cells exhibited a 1.8-fold increase in the cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) pool with an increase in photosynthetic capacity (58%), photosynthetic efficiency (24%), QA re-oxidation, photosystem I abundance, and cyclic electron flow (87%), which further led to an increase in light-induced NADPH generation (31%) and ATP content (83%). Moreover, the UV-A-acclimated cells showed a 2.3-fold increase in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, indicating an increase in their carbon-fixing capacity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics further revealed that UV-A radiation upregulated the energy-storing carbon metabolism, as evidenced by the enhanced accumulation of sugars, fatty acids, and citrate in the UV-A-acclimated cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that UV-A radiation enhances energy flow and carbon assimilation in the cyanobacterium N. sphaeroides.IMPORTANCEUltraviolet (UV) radiation exerts harmful effects on photo-autotrophs; however, several studies demonstrated the positive effects of UV radiation, especially UV-A radiation (315-400 nm), on primary productivity. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with the promotive effects of UV-A radiation on primary productivity can facilitate the application of UV-A for CO2 sequestration and lead to the advancement of photobiological sciences. In this study, we used the cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides, which has an over 1,700-year history of human use as food and medicine, to explore its photosynthetic acclimation response to UV-A radiation. As per our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that UV-A radiation increases the biomass yield of N. sphaeroides by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation. Our findings provide novel insights into UV-A-mediated photosynthetic acclimation and provide a scientific basis for the application of UV-A radiation for optimizing light absorption capacity and enhancing CO2 sequestration in the frame of a future CO2 neutral, circular, and sustainable bioeconomy.

Regulation of cancerous progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by miR-34c-3p via modulation of MAP3K2 signaling in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Emerging but limited data have evidenced an essential involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development and progression of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which empowers these small regulators as an innovative therapeutic approach, especially for this unique tumor subgroup still lacking an efficient and specific therapeutic target. Herein, we reported the down-regulation of miR-34c-3p level in TNBC tissues, and its expression was closely associated with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), but not other receptors, in well-characterized breast cancer (BCa) cells. Functionally, ectopic expression of miR-34c-3p inhibited migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TNBC cells. From a mechanistic standpoint, bioinformatics coupled with luciferase and gain-of-function, loss-of-function assays showed that miR-34c-3p may regulate TNBC progression by directly targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2). Consistently, MAP3K2 overexpression could effectively rescue miR-34c-3p mimics-induced suppression of cell invasion and EMT. In light of these findings, miR-34c-3p may function as a tumor suppressor in regulating of TNBC invasiveness and EMT through negatively modulating MAP3K2 pathway. Future endeavor in this field may help to identify a novel biomarker to predict prognosis and response to therapy in TNBC.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing remimazolam to propofol when combined with alfentanil for sedation during ERCP procedures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In many countries, the combination of propofol and opioid is used as the preferred sedative regime during ERCP. However, the most serious risks of propofol sedation are oxygen deficiency and hypotension. Compared to midazolam, remimazolam has a faster onset and offset of hypnotic effect, as well as cardiorespiratory stability, and to achieve widespread acceptance for procedural sedation, remimazolam must replace propofol which is the most commonly used for procedural sedation. The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy profiles of the remimazolam and propofol when combined with alfentanil for sedation during ERCP procedures. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, single-center trial. SETTING: The Endoscopic Centre of Tianjin Nankai Hospital, China. PATIENTS: 518 patients undergoing elective ERCP under deep sedation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients scheduled for ERCP were randomly assigned to be sedated with either a combination of remimazolam-alfentanil or propofol-alfentanil. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the prevalence of hypoxia, which was defined as SpO2 < 90% for >10 s. Other outcomes were the need for airway maneuver, procedure, and sedation-related outcomes and side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, and cardiovascular adverse events). MAIN RESULTS: A total of 518 patients underwent randomization. Of these, 250 were assigned to the remimazolam group and 255 to the propofol group. During ERCP, 9.6% of patients in the remimazolam group showed hypoxia, while in the propofol group, 15.7% showed hypoxia (p = 0.04). The need for airway maneuvering due to hypoxia was significantly greater in the propofol group (p = 0.04). Furthermore, patients sedated with remimazolam had a lower percentage of hypotension than patients sedated with propofol (p < 0.001). Patients receiving remimazolam sedation expressed higher satisfaction scores and were recommended the same sedation for the next ERCP. The procedure time in the remimazolam group was much longer than in the propofol group due to the complexity of the patient's disease, which resulted in a longer sedation time. CONCLUSION: During elective ERCP, patients administered with remimazolam showed fewer respiratory depression events under deep sedation with hemodynamic advantages over propofol when administered in combination with alfentanil.

Real-time use of a computer-aided system for polyp detection during colonoscopy, an ambispective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate ambispectively the effectiveness of a real-time computer-aided detection (CADe) system on the number of polyp (PPC) or adenoma per colonoscopy (APC), and polyp (PDR) or adenoma detection rate (ADR). METHODS: Eight-five videos marked using the CADe system, together with the unmarked videos, were reviewed by two senior endoscopists. Polyps detected in the marked and unmarked videos were recounted in parallel. Additionally, 128 consecutive patients were enrolled for a prospective evaluation using a standard colonoscopy or the CADe monitor alternately every 2 weeks. The PC, APC, PDR and ADR were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The total number of polyps reported in the unmarked and marked videos were 73 and 88, respectively (mean PPC 0.86 vs 1.04, P = 0.001). The proportion of polyps detected per colonoscopy increased by 20.5%. Of the 128 prospectively enrolled patients, 186 polyps were detected. The mean PPC was higher in the CADe colonoscopy than in the standard colonoscopy (1.66 vs 1.13, P = 0.039). The PDR using the CADe colonoscopy was significantly higher than that of the standard colonoscopy (78.1% vs 56.3%, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Real-time CADe system significantly increases the PDR and PPC under the situation of a high rate of polyp detection.

[Influence of fluorescent dye ultrathin layer on luminescence spectra in organic light-emitting diodes].

By using an ultrathin dopant dye layer deposited on the top of host materials, the influence of concentration of three fluorescent dyes, dimethylquinacridone (DMQA), 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-t-butyl-6-(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)-4H-pyran (DCJTB), and 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (rubrene), on the luminescence spectra of OLEDs was studied. The characteristic of the brightness-efficiency-bias voltage performance was investigated. The results showed that compared to the conventional doping devices, the devices consisting of ultrathin dye layer exhibited a weak peak originating from host matrix, and the more obvious concentration quenching was existent. The degree of concentration quenching for the three ultrathin doping dyes from high to low is in the order of DMQA, DCJTB and rubrene. Meanwhile, the authors used the photoluminescence spectra of these three dopants dilute solution to testify the relationship between EL properties of OLEDs and concentration quenching of these dyes.

Emergency endoscopic needle-knife precut papillotomy in acute severe cholangitis resulting from impacted common bile duct stones at duodenal papilla.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of emergency endoscopic needle-knife precut papillotomy in acute severe cholangitis resulting from impacted common bile duct stones at duodenal papilla. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2015, 118 cases of acute severe cholangitis with impacted common bile duct stones at the native papilla underwent emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and early needle-knife precut papillotomy in a tertiary referral center. Precut techniques were performed according to the different locations of stones in the duodenal papilla. Clinical data about therapy and recovery of the 118 patients were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients underwent emergency ERCP within 24 h after hospitalization, with a total success rate of 100%. The mean operating time was 6.4 ±â€¯4.1 min. Postoperative acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores, white blood cell count and liver function improved significantly. The complication rate was 4.2% (5/118); two with hemorrhage and three with acute pancreatitis. There was no procedure-related mortality. CONCLUSION: Emergency endoscopic needle-knife precut papillotomy is effective and safe for acute severe cholangitis resulting from impacted common bile duct stones at the duodenal papilla.

Prevalence and characteristics of ophthalmological extra-intestinal manifestations in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of ophthalmological extra-intestinal manifestations (O-EIMs) in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to identify risk factors for the development of O-EIMs. METHODS: The study population consisted of Chinese patients with a definite diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in a large teaching hospital between January 1995 and December 2014. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were extracted retrospectively. RESULTS: In this twenty-year cohort, 645 IBD patients (517 with UC, 128 with CD) were registered. Among them 122 (18.9%) exhibited at least one EIM. Of 13 patients (2.0%) developed O-EIMs, 7 of CD (5.5%) and 6 of UC (1.2%). Clinical ophthalmological manifestations included redness (76.9%), burning (61.5%), pain (38.5%), itching (15.4%) of eyes and vision change (7.7%). O-EIMs included episcleritis (7), uveitis (5) and dry eye (1). O-EIMs were more prevalent in female (odds ratio for male 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.73, P<0.0001), and patients who had IBD diagnosis at young age (odds ratio for patients aged >30 years 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.65-0.88, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The frequency of O-EIMs in Chinese patients with IBD is lower than the rates reported in the studies of European and American countries. Episcleritis and uveitis are the most common O-EIMs. O-EIMs are more frequent in patients with CD and more prevalent in female and patients who have IBD diagnosis at young age.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt vs endoscopic therapy in preventing variceal rebleeding.

AIM: To compare early use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with endoscopic treatment (ET) for the prophylaxis of recurrent variceal bleeding. METHODS: In-patient data were collected from 190 patients between January 2007 and June 2010 who suffured from variceal bleeding. Patients who were older than 75 years; previously received surgical treatment or endoscopic therapy for variceal bleeding; and complicated with hepatic encephalopathy or hepatic cancer, were excluded from this research. Thirty-five cases lost to follow-up were also excluded. Retrospective analysis was done in 126 eligible cases. Among them, 64 patients received TIPS (TIPS group) while 62 patients received endoscopic therapy (ET group). The relevant data were collected by patient review or telephone calls. The occurrence of rebleeding, hepatic encephalopathy or other complications, survival rate and cost of treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (median, 20.7 and 18.7 mo in TIPS and ET groups, respectively), rebleeding from any source occurred in 11 patients in the TIPS group as compared with 31 patients in the ET group (Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test, P = 0.000). Rebleeding rates at any time point (6 wk, 1 year and 2 year) in the TIPS group were lower than in the ET group (Bonferroni correction α' = α/3). Eight patients in the TIPS group and 16 in the ET group died with the cumulative survival rates of 80.6% and 64.9% (Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test χ(2) = 4.864, P = 0.02), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to 6-wk survival rates (Bonferroni correction α' = α/3). However, significant differences were observed between the two groups in the 1-year survival rates (92% and 79%) and the 2-year survival rates (89% and 64.9%) (Bonferroni correction α' = α/3). No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups in the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy (12 patients in TIPS group and 5 in ET group, Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test, χ(2) = 3.103, P = 0.08). The average total cost for the TIPS group was higher than for ET group (Wilcxon-Mann Whitney test, 52 678 RMB vs 38,844 RMB, P < 0.05), but hospitalization frequency and hospital stay during follow-up period were lower (Wilcxon-Mann Whitney test, 0.4 d vs 1.3 d, P = 0.01; 5 d vs 19 d, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early use of TIPS is more effective than endoscopic treatment in preventing variceal rebleeding and improving survival rate, and does not increase occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy.