Preparation of MIL-88(Fe)@Fe2O3@FeSiCr double core-shell-structural composites and their wave-absorbing properties.

To tackle the aggravating electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution issues, high-efficiency EMW absorption materials are being urgently explored. The FeSiCr soft magnetic alloy is one of the more widely used and well-received iron-based soft magnetic alloy materials with high permeability; however, the development of high-performance FeSiCr alloy wave-absorbing materials is still a major challenge. In this study, double core-shell-structured composites of MIL-88(Fe)@Fe2O3@FeSiCr were successfully prepared by the oxidative heat treatment of the flaky FeSiCr obtained after ball milling and then in situ composited with MIL-88(Fe). The heterogeneous interfacial composition and microstructure were regulated to balance the microwave-loss capability and impedance matching of the material, and an enhancement of the composite absorbing performance was achieved. The composite material had a reflection-loss minimization (RLmin) of -72.65 dB, corresponding to a frequency of 6.61 GHz, with an absorbing coating thickness of 2.97 mm and an effective absorbing bandwidth (RL ≤ -10 dB) of 2.38 GHz (5.42-7.80 GHz). The results of this study provide useful ideas for wave-absorbing materials by applying high permeability soft magnetic alloy micropowders.

Association of the blood levels of specific volatile organic compounds with nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events in US adults.

BACKGROUND: Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases constitute a major global public health burden. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure has become progressively severe, endangering human health and becoming one of the main concerns in environmental pollution. The associations of VOCs exposure with nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events have not been identified in observational study with a large sample size, so we aim to examine the association in US adult population. METHODS: Adults aged > 18 years with complete data regarding selected blood levels of VOCs (including benzene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and m-/p-xylene) and nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events were included in the analysis (n = 3,968, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES, 2013-2018 survey cycle). Participants were classified into low- and high-exposure based on whether above selected VOCs low limit detect concentration or median value. Weighted multivariate logistic analyses and subgroup analyses were used to detect the association between selected VOCs exposure and nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events in US adults. RESULTS: Weighted multivariate logistic analyses showed that the high-VOCs exposure group had an increased risk of nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events compared with the low-VOCs exposure group; the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events for the high-VOCs exposure group were 1.41 (0.91, 2.19), 1.37 (0.96, 1.95), 1.32 (0.96, 1.82), and 1.17 (0.82, 1.67) for benzene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and m-/p-xylene, respectively, which was not significant assuming statistical significance at a 0.05 significance level (95% CI) for a two-tailed test. Lastly, we found high-VOCs exposure was associated with increased incidence of nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events in both daily smokers an non-daily smokers (p-interaction > 0.01), but the association was not statistically significant in non-daily smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that VOCs (benzene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and m-/p-xylene) exposure was associated with increased incidence of nonfatal cardio-cerebrovascular events in US adults, and the results need to be confirmed by larger cohort studies.

Correction of Lying Ear and Aesthetic Modification of Helix and Ear Lobule With Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection: Experience in Chinese Patients.

BACKGROUND: Large and long ears are regarded as symbols of wealth and health in East Asian culture, and people with lying ears often want their ears to be more exposed and prominent. Surgeries to correct lying ears have been documented. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report the correction of lying ears and the aesthetic modification of helix and ear lobule with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. METHODS: HA injections were performed at the auriculocephalic sulcus to increase the cranioauricular angle (CA) and correct lying ears. The injections at helix and lobule were case specific. The CA was measured and photographs were taken at baseline and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 10-month follow-ups. Efficacy was assessed with the 5-point Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (92 ears) received HA injections and completed follow-ups. Instant correction outcomes were observed. Sixteen (34.8%) patients received 1 touch-up injection, the clinical efficacy of which persisted for 1 to 1.5 years. For over 90% of cases with touch-up treatment the GAIS was "very much improved" or "much improved" at all follow-ups. The GAIS for over 70% of cases without touch-up treatment was "very much improved" or "much improved" at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. CA increased significantly compared with the baseline. Patients also reported "more V-shaped face shape" and "lifted jawline" effects. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: As an alternative technique to surgeries, HA filler injections at the auriculocephalic sulcus effectively corrected lying ears. This technique produced immediate, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing results. The side effects and downtime were minimal.

Lower Gluteal Liposuction Combined With Upper Gluteal and Infragluteal Region Fat Grafting: A Novel Concept to Improve Gluteal Ptosis.

BACKGROUND: Gluteal ptosis results in a severe disturbance of gluteal aesthetics. Currently, satisfactory procedures for improving gluteal ptosis are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To improve gluteal ptosis, the authors propose a novel concept of combined liposuction of the lower gluteal region and fat grafting to the upper gluteal and infragluteal regions, and verify its efficacy and safety. METHODS: Patients who underwent liposuction of the lower gluteal region combined with fat grafting to the upper gluteal and infragluteal regions between January 2020 and July 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative changes in the gluteal ptosis grade, complications, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were enrolled in this study; 21 (75.0%) patients had gluteal ptosis grade 4 and 7 (25.0%) patients had gluteal ptosis grade 5. The median fat removal volume was 210 mL, and the median fat graft injected volume was 355 mL in the gluteal region and 180 mL in the infragluteal region. All patients showed improvement in gluteal ptosis; 16 (57.1%) patients improved by 1 grade and 12 (42.9%) patients showed a 2-grade improvement. All patients were satisfied with their posttreatment outcomes. Only 1 patient showed lateral translocation of the fat graft. No other complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Liposuction of the lower gluteal region combined with fat grafting to the upper gluteal and infragluteal regions is effective in improving gluteal ptosis, with a low risk of complications and high patient satisfaction.

Strong Swelling and Symmetrization in Siliceous Zeolites due to Hydrogen Insertion at High Pressure.

Hydrogen and helium saturate the 1D pore systems of the high-silica (Si/Al>30) zeolites Theta-One (TON), and Mobile-Twelve (MTW) at high pressure based on x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Monte Carlo simulations. In TON, a strong 22% volume increase occurs above 5 GPa with a transition from the collapsed P21 to a symmetrical, swelled Cmc21 form linked to an increase in H2 content from 12 H2/unit cell in the pores to 35 H2/unit cell in the pores and in the framework of the material. No transition and continuous collapse of TON is observed in helium indicating that the mechanism of H2 insertion is distinct from other fluids. The insertion of hydrogen in the larger pores of MTW results in a strong 11% volume increase at 4.3 GPa with partial symmetrization followed by a second volume increase of 4.5% at 7.5 GPa, corresponding to increases in hydrogen content from 43 to 67 and then to 93 H2/unit cell. Flexible 1D siliceous zeolites have a very high H2 capacity (1.5 and 1.7 H2/SiO2 unit for TON and MTW, respectively) due to H2 insertion in the pores and the framework, in contrast to other atoms and molecules, thereby providing a mechanism for strong swelling.

Enhanced the Efficiency of Electrocatalytic CO2 -to-CO Conversion by Cd Species Anchored into Metal-Organic Framework.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a promising platform for electrocatalytic CO2 conversion are still restricted by the low efficiency or unsatisfied selectivity for desired products. Herein, zirconium-based porphyrinic MOF hollow nanotubes with Cd sites (Cd-PCN-222HTs) are reported for electrocatalytic CO2 -to-CO conversion. The dispersed Cd species are anchored in PCN-222HTs and coordinated by N atoms of porphyrin structures. It is discovered that Cd-PCN-222HTs have glorious electrocatalytic activity for selective CO production in ionic liquid-water (H2 O)-acetonitrile (MeCN) electrolyte. The CO Faradaic efficiency (FECO ) of >80% could be maintained in a wide potential range from -2.0 to -2.4 V versus Ag/Ag+ , and the maximum current density could reach 68.0 mA cm-2 at -2.4 V versus Ag/Ag+ with a satisfied turnover frequency of 26 220 h-1 . The enhanced efficiency of electrocatalytic CO2 conversion of Cd-PCN-222HTs is closely related to its hollow structure, anchored Cd species, and good synergistic effect with electrolyte. The density functional theory calculations indicate that the dispersed Cd sites anchored in PCN-222HTs not only favor the formation of *COOH intermediate but also hinder the hydrogen evolution reaction, resulting in high activity of electrocatalytic CO2 -to-CO conversion.

SNORD17-mediated KAT6B mRNA 2'-O-methylation regulates vasculogenic mimicry in glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary tumor in the intracranial compartment. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a process in which a pipeline of tumor cells that provide blood support to carcinogenic cells is formed, and studying VM could provide a new strategy for clinical targeted treatment of GBM. In the present study, we found that SNORD17 and ZNF384 were significantly upregulated and promoted VM in GBM, whereas KAT6B was downregulated and inhibited VM in GBM. RTL-P assays were performed to verify the 2'-O-methylation of KAT6B by SNORD17; IP assays were used to detect the acetylation of ZNF384 by KAT6B. In addition, the binding of ZNF384 to the promoter regions of VEGFR2 and VE-cadherin promoted transcription, as validated by chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. And finally, knockdown of SNORD17 and ZNF384 combined with KAT6B overexpression effectively reduced the xenograft tumor size, prolonged the survival time of nude mice and reduced the number of VM channels. This study reveals a novel mechanism of the SNORD17/KAT6B/ZNF384 axis in modulating VM development in GBM that may provide a new goal for the comprehensive treatment of GBM.

Mechanism of Dcp2/RNCR3/Dkc1/Snora62 axis regulating neuronal apoptosis in chronic cerebral ischemia.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) were found to play crucial regulatory roles in ischemic injury. Based on GEO databases and our experimental results, we selected Dcp2, lncRNA-RNCR3, Dkc1, and Snora62 and Foxh1 as research candidates. We found that expression levels of Dcp2, RNCR3, Dkc1, Snora62, and Foxh1 were upregulated in oxygen glucose deprivation-treated HT22 cells and hippocampal tissues subject to chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI). Silencing of Dcp2, RNCR3, Dkc1, Snora62, and Foxh1 all inhibited apoptosis of oxygen glucose deprivation-treated HT22 cells. Moreover, Dcp2 promoted RNCR3 expression by increasing its stability. Importantly, RNCR3 may act as a molecular skeleton to bind to Dkc1 and recruit Dck1 to promote snoRNP assembly. Snora62 was responsible for pseudouridylation at 28S rRNA U3507 and U3509 sites. Pseudouridylation levels of 28S rRNA were reduced after knockdown of Snora62. Decreased pseudouridylation levels inhibited the translational activity of its downstream target, Foxh1. Our study further confirmed that Foxh1 transcriptionally promoted the expression of Bax and Fam162a. Notably, experiments in vivo showed that Dcp2 knockdown combined with RNCR3 knockdown and Snora62 knockdown resulted in an anti-apoptosis effect. In conclusion, this study suggests that the axis Dcp2/RNCR3/Dkc1/Snora621 is important for the regulation of neuronal apoptosis induced by CCI.

SUMOylation of RALY promotes vasculogenic mimicry in glioma cells via the FOXD1/DKK1 pathway.

Human malignant gliomas are the most common and aggressive primary malignant tumors of the human central nervous system. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), which refers to the formation of a tumor blood supply system independently of endothelial cells, contributes to the malignant progression of glioma. Therefore, VM is considered a potential target for glioma therapy. Accumulated evidence indicates that alterations in SUMOylation, a reversible post-translational modification, are involved in tumorigenesis and progression. In the present study, we found that UBA2 and RALY were upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of UBA2 and RALY inhibited the migration, invasion, and VM of glioma cells. RALY can be SUMOylated by conjugation with SUMO1, which is facilitated by the overexpression of UBA2. The SUMOylation of RALY increases its stability, which in turn increases its expression as well as its promoting effect on FOXD1 mRNA. The overexpression of FOXD1 promotes DKK1 transcription by activating its promoter, thereby promoting glioma cell migration, invasion, and VM. Remarkably, the combined knockdown of UBA2, RALY, and FOXD1 resulted in the smallest tumor volumes and the longest survivals of nude mice in vivo. UBA2/RALY/FOXD1/DKK1 axis may play crucial roles in regulating VM in glioma, which may contribute to the development of potential strategies for the treatment of gliomas.

Fe0.79Si0.07B0.14 metallic glass gaskets for high-pressure research beyond 1†Mbar.

A gasket is an important constituent of a diamond anvil cell (DAC) assembly, responsible for the sample chamber stability at extreme conditions for X-ray diffraction studies. In this work, we studied the performance of gaskets made of metallic glass Fe0.79Si0.07B0.14 in a number of high-pressure X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments in DACs equipped with conventional and toroidal-shape diamond anvils. The experiments were conducted in either axial or radial geometry with X-ray beams of micrometre to sub-micrometre size. We report that Fe0.79Si0.07B0.14 metallic glass gaskets offer a stable sample environment under compression exceeding 1 Mbar in all XRD experiments described here, even in those involving small-molecule gases (e.g. Ne, H2) used as pressure-transmitting media or in those with laser heating in a DAC. Our results emphasize the material's importance for a great number of delicate experiments conducted under extreme conditions. They indicate that the application of Fe0.79Si0.07B0.14 metallic glass gaskets in XRD experiments for both axial and radial geometries substantially improves various aspects of megabar experiments and, in particular, the signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to that with conventional gaskets made of Re, W, steel or other crystalline metals.

Effects of genotype and ecological environment on the community structure and function of symbiotic bacteria in rhizosphere of ginseng.

BACKGROUND: Ginseng, an important traditional Chinese medicine and a new resource food, has two production modes: farmland ginseng and forestland ginseng. Ginseng faces many problems such as high soil bulk density, easy hardening, low nutrient content, reduced porosity and increased soil acidification because of continuous cropping. Increasing studies indicate that plant rhizosphere symbiotic bacteria have an important effect on plant growth and development. We speculate that differences in microbial community may play an important role in promoting ginseng growth, development and health. To reveal the differences between farmland and forestland ginseng cultivation, and to address problems associated with continuous ginseng cropping, we investigated the effects of differences in plant rhizosphere symbiotic bacterial communities in promoting ginseng growth, development, and health. RESULT: In the present study, the microbial communities in the rhizosphere of different genotypes and ecological environments were analyzed using the high-throughput sequencing platform Illumina, phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt), and other technologies. The organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus contents in forestland soil were significantly different from those in farmland. The bacterial communities of ginseng in forestland, farmland, and greenhouse environments have specific dominant groups at the phylum and genus levels. There were differences in the gene functions of ginseng root-related bacterial communities between forestland and farmland. There were significant differences in the abundance distribution of rhizosphere bacteria among the different genotypes at the phylum and genus levels. CONCLUSIONS: There is a close relationship between the ecological environment and bacterial population structure, and the ecological environment of forestland is more conducive to the formation of rich rhizosphere bacterial populations; additionally, the genetic diversity is richer than that of farmland. The rhizosphere bacterial community structure of ginseng was influenced by genotype, and there was a correlation between the distance between ginseng genotypes and the stratified clustering of its rhizosphere bacterial community structure.

Comprehensive utilization of palm kernel cake for producing mannose and manno-oligosaccharide mixture and yeast culture.

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is an agricultural waste derived from palm kernel oil manufacturing, and its production is increasing year by year. It is very urgent to process this agricultural waste in an environmentally friendly way. Here, PKC was used to produce mannose and manno-oligosaccharides mixture (MMOM) and yeast culture (YC) through enzymolysis and solid-state fermentation (SSF). In enzymolysis, five factors were optimized separately and a response surface methodology analysis was performed. Then, enzymolysis of PKC was carried out at the optimal condition, and the extraction efficiency of mannose and manno-oligosaccharides reached 68.90% with mannose concentration achieving 60.27 g/L. After enzymolysis, the enzymatic hydrolysate was dried by spray drying, and the contents of MMOM reached 42.9%. In SSF, the enzymolysis residues were utilized with inoculating Saccharomyces cerevisiae for yielding YC. After optimization, the cells number of S. cerevisiae reached 2.08 × 109 cells/g and the crude protein content was increased to 27.31%. Therefore, a novel approach to produce feed additives, including MMOM and YC, with high value by comprehensive utilization of PKC was proposed, which has good application prospects in the breeding industry. KEY POINTS: • New idea for the comprehensive utilization of PKC is proposed. • PKC was used to produce mannose and mannan-oligosaccharides mixture (MMOM) by enzymolysis and spray drying. • The enzymolysis residues were reused via SSF for producing yeast culture (YC).

A Two-Stage Training Program for Auricular Framework Fabrication Practicing Using Three-Dimensional Printing Silicone Ribs and Porcine Costal Cartilage.

BACKGROUND: The manufacture of cartilage framework is a key element in the success of total ear reconstruction. Appropriate training can improve cartilage curving and fabricating skills, which is especially helpful for the novice clinicians. Based on threedimensional printing silicone model and porcine rib cartilage, the authors have designed a 2-stage training program to improve skills and cosmetic cognition for ear reconstruction. METHODS: The training program includes 2 successive stages. In the first stage, trainees completed observation of framework fabrication, design and sculpturing practice on silicone rib models. Porcine costal cartilages are used for fabrication in the second stage. After that, the framework was put in a latex glove connected with a suction to simulate the skin cover procedure in operation. RESULTS: At the end of the training program, all trainees could fabricate an ear-shaped cartilage framework successfully. Their cosmetic cognitions of the ear have also improved. CONCLUSIONS: Based on three-dimensional printing silicone model and porcine rib cartilage, the authors have designed a 2-stage training program to improve trainee's carving techniques and cosmetic cognition for ear reconstruction. The authors believe that this training program is helpful in training, practicing and teaching activities of framework fabrication in total ear reconstruction.

Hyaluronic Acid Compound Filling Plus Mesotherapy vs Botulinum Toxin A for the Treatment of Horizontal Neck Lines: A Multicenter, Randomized, Evaluator-Blinded, Prospective Study in Chinese Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Although energy devices and botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) can alleviate age-related laxity, ptosis, and platysmal bands, they have limited efficacy on horizontal neck lines. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and subject satisfaction of a combined treatment of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) compound filling plus mesotherapy for the correction of horizontal neck lines, in comparison with BTX-A. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded, prospective study enrolled female patients with moderate-to-severe horizontal neck lines corrected with either 2 or 3 sessions of of non-cross-linked HA compound filling plus mesotherapy or 1 session of BTX-A injection. Improvement of the neck lines grades, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), patient satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated and compared at 1, 3, 6, and 10 months after the final treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients received HA filling plus mesotherapy and 23 received BTX-A injection. Compared with BTX-A, the HA compound filling plus mesotherapy significantly improved the horizontal neck lines grades on all follow-up visits (P = 0.000). Cases of different baseline grades (2, 2.5, and 3) demonstrated similar outcomes. The GAIS and patients' satisfaction ratings were significantly higher for the HA filling plus mesotherapy treatment group (P = 0.000). Significantly higher pain ratings, higher incidence, and longer recovery of AEs (erythema, edema, and ecchymosis) were noticed in the combined treatment group (P < 0.001). No serious AEs occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with BTX-A, combined treatment with HA compound filling plus mesotherapy significantly improved moderate-to-severe horizontal neck lines and achieved a high level of patient satisfaction.

Detection of viable and total fungal community in zaopei of Chinese strong-flavor baijiu using PMA combined with qPCR and HTS based on ITS2 region.

BACKGROUND: Chinese strong-flavor baijiu (CSFB), one of the three major baijiu types, is the most popular baijiu type among consumers in China. A variety of microbes are involved in metabolizing raw materials to produce ethanol and flavor substances during fermentation, which fundamentally determined the quality of baijiu. It is of great importance to study microbial community of fermented grains (zaopei) during baijiu brewing process for improving its quality. In this study, we firstly used propidium monoazide (PMA) to treat zaopei samples from 5-year pit and 20-year pit for removing the interference of non-viable fungi, and analyzed the diversity of total fungi and viable fungi by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) based on ITS2 gene. RESULTS: The results showed that total fungi and viable fungi displayed no significant differences at OTU, phylum, or genus levels during fermentation within two kinds of pits. A total of 6 phyla, 19 classes, and 118 genera in fungi were found based on OTUs annotation in zaopei samples from 5-year pit and 20-year pit. Besides, non-viable fungi had little effect on the fungal community diversity during the fermentation cycle. It was found that the most dominant viable fungi belonged to Saccharomyces, Kazachstania, Naumovozyma, and Trichosporon, and Naumovozyma was firstly detected in zaopei samples of CSFB. Moreover, based on the variation of flavor substances in zaopei samples, the quality of CSFB produced from older pit was better than that produced from younger pit. CONCLUSION: The non-viable fungi had little effect on the fungal diversity, structure, and relative abundance in zaopei samples of CSFB, and Naumovozyma was firstly detected in zaopei samples of CSFB. Our findings can be applied as guidance for improving the quality and stability of CSFB.

Clinical Application of Carving Template With 3D Reconstruction Technique for Personalized and Precise Treatment of Traumatic Ear Defects.

ABSTRACT: We explored the clinical application of a 3-dimensional (3D) digital reconstruction technique for personalized and precise traumatic ear defect treatment. A 3D scanner was used to obtain 3D images of the unaffected ear. The data were converted into an ear contour model through mirroring using the software, and imported to a rapid prototyping 3D printer to construct an ipsilateral ear model. For treating different types of ear defect patients with individualized treatment programs, the defective ear model was constructed with individualized autogenous costal cartilage carving. We constructed ipsilateral ear defect models in 16 cases and rebuilt the auricular with >10 outer ear substructure units, maintaining a stable cranial angle. At the 6-month follow-up, the reconstructed ear was similar to the unaffected one, and the patient satisfaction was high. Based on a paired t test, the differences in the width of both auricles was statistically significant, with P values of 0.023, respectively. The differences in the P values of the auricle length, circumference and height, at 0.261, 0.333, and 0.197, respectively, were not statistically significant. Compared to the model utilizing the traditional 2D film template of the ear, the 3D reconstruction technology was more intuitive and stereoscopic, and the personalized ear reconstruction was accurate. Thus, 3D digital technology can avail the most suitable personalized treatment for various traumatic ear defects. It can assist in precisely engraving the reconstructed cartilage stent and objectively analyzing the postoperative results. The therapeutic effect was significant.

Changes in the Transcriptome and Proteome of Cartilage in Microtia.

ABSTRACT: Congenital microtia is a severe physiological defect and is among the most common craniofacial defects. It is characterized by severe auricle dysplasia, external auditory canal atresia or stenosis, and middle ear malformation, though inner ear development is mostly normal with some hearing occurring through bone conduction. Auricular reconstruction is the only treatment for congenital microtia. In this study, the authors integrated messenger ribonucleic acid and mass spectrometry data of cartilage obtained from the affected and unaffected sides of 16 unilateral microtia patients who had undergone ear reconstruction surgery. The authors next performed functional analyses to investigate differences in the proteome of the affected and unaffected ears to elicit molecular pathways involved in microtia pathogenesis. The authors collected 16 pairs samples. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses identified 47 genes that were differentially expressed in affected and unaffected cartilage. Integrated pathway analysis implicated the involvement of genes related to cell adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, and cell migration in disease progression. Through the integration of gene and protein expression data in human primary chondrocytes, the authors identified molecular markers of microtia progression that were replicated across independent datasets and that have translational potential.

Heterologous expression of AHL lactonase AiiK by Lactobacillus casei MCJΔ1 with great quorum quenching ability against Aeromonas hydrophila AH-1 and AH-4.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, microbial infections have caused increasing economic losses in aquaculture industry and deteriorated worldwide environments. Many of these infections are caused by opportunistic pathogens through cell-density mediated quorum sensing (QS). The disruption of QS, known as quorum quenching (QQ), is an effective and promising way to prevent and control pathogens, driving it be the potential bio-control agents. In our previous studies, AHL lactonase AiiK was identified with many characteristics, and constitutive expression vector pELX1 was constructed to express heterologous proteins in Lactobacillus casei MCJΔ1 (L. casei MCJΔ1). In this study, recombinant strain pELCW-aiiK/L. casei MCJΔ1 (LcAiiK) and wild-type Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) were co-cultured to test the QQ ability of LcAiiK against A. hydrophila. RESULTS: A cell wall-associated expression vector pELCW for L. casei MCJΔ1 was constructed. Localization assays revealed that the expressed AiiK was anchored at the surface layer of LcAiiK via vector pELCW-aiiK. LcAiiK (OD600 = 0.5) degraded 24.13 µM of C6-HSL at 2 h, 40.99 µM of C6-HSL at 12 h, and 46.63 µM of C6-HSL at 24 h. Over 50% LcAiiK cells maintained the pELCW-aiiK plasmid after 15 generations of cultivation without erythromycin. Furthermore, LcAiiK inhibited the swimming motility, extracellular proteolytic activity, haemolytic activity and biofilm formation of A. hydrophila AH-1 and AH-4. CONCLUSION: The AHL lactonase AiiK is firstly and constitutively expressed at the surface layer of L. casei MCJΔ1. LcAiiK displayed considerable AHL lactonase activity and great QQ abilities against A. hydrophila AH-1 and AH-4 by attenuating their QS processes instead of killing them. Therefore, the LcAiiK can be exploited as an anti-pathogenic drug or a bio-control agent to control the AHL-mediated QS of pathogenic bacteria.

Extracellular Vesicle-Transported Long Non-Coding RNA (LncRNA) X Inactive-Specific Transcript (XIST) in Serum is a Potential Novel Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to tumor progression. Differentially expressed long non-coding (lnc)RNAs may serve as biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. This study aimed to discuss the diagnostic value of serum EV-derived lncRNA X inactive-specific transcript (XIST) in CRC. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum EVs were extracted and identified. Microarray analysis was performed to screen out the differentially expressed lncRNAs in serum EVs. The expression and diagnostic efficacy of the most differentially expressed lncRNA were measured. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to evaluate the association between survival time and XIST expression in EVs. The expression profile of serum EV-carried XIST in 94 CRC patients with different tumor-node-metastasis stages, lymph node metastasis, and differentiation was assessed. The serum contents of CEA, CA242, CA199, and CA153 were measured. RESULTS XIST in serum EVs in CRC patients was upregulated, with greatest diagnostic value. CRC patients with higher expression of XIST in serum EVs had worse 5-year survival rates and shorter life cycles, lower differentiation, higher lymph node metastasis, and tumor-node-metastasis than patients with lower XIST expression. XIST expression in serum EVs was positively correlated with CRC marker contents. CONCLUSIONS XIST upregulation in serum EVs is related to CRC progression, which may be helpful to the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.

Pararcticibacter amylolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., Isolated from a Rotten Hemp Rope, and Reclassification of Pedobacter tournemirensis as Pararcticibacter tournemirensis comb. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated FJ4-8T, was isolated from a rotten hemp rope in Chongqing City, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate was closely related to members of the family Sphingobacteriaceae, with the highest similarity to Pedobacter tournemirensis TF5-37.2-LB10T (95.3%) and low similarities to all other species of the genus Pedobacter (90.4-93.9%). Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that strain FJ4-8T formed a stable subclade with Pedobacter tournemirensis TF5-37.2-LB10T. The clade with these two strains branched adjacent to a clade containing three species of the genus Arcticibacter. MK-7 was detected as the only respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids composed iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature three. Phosphatidylethanolamine, three aminophospholipids and one unidentified lipid were found as the major polar lipids. The major polyamine was identified as sym-homospermidine. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain FJ4-8T and Pedobacter tournemirensis TF5-37.2-LB10T was 42.0 ± 2.5%. Based on its phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, the novel strain and TF5-37.2-LB10T were found to be different from members of genera Pedobacter and Arcticibacter. FJ4-8T and TF5-37.2-LB10T represented different species. Therefore, FJ4-8T should be classified as a novel species of a novel genus in the family Sphingobacteriaceae, for which the name Pararcticibacter amylolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJ4-8T (= KCTC 62640T = CCTCC AB 2018052T). The draft genome sequence is 6290, 449 bp in length, the genomic DNA G+C content was 44.4 mol%. Pedobacter tournemirensis TF5-37.2-LB10T should be transferred to the novel genus as Pararcticibacter tournemirensis comb. nov. (The type strain is TF5-37.2-LB10T (= DSM 23085T = CIP 110085T = MOLA 820T).