Research on the toxicological prognostic significance of age-related genes in endometrial cancer unveiling key factors in patient prognosis.

This study investigates the influence of aging-related genes on endometrial cancer, a prominent gynecological malignancy with rising incidence and mortality. By analyzing gene expression differences between cancerous and normal endometrial tissues, 42 aging-related genes were identified as differentially expressed. Utilizing the TCGA-UCEC sample, consensus clustering divided the samples into two molecular subgroups, Aging low and Aging high, based on their expression profiles. These subgroups showed distinct prognoses and survival rates, with the Aging high group associated with DNA repair and cell cycle pathways, and the Aging low group showing suppressed metabolic pathways and increased immune cell infiltration, suggesting a potential for better immunotherapy outcomes. Mutation analysis did not find significant differences in mutation frequencies between the groups, but a high Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) correlated with better prognosis. A risk score model was also developed, showcasing significant prognostic power. Further analysis of the SIX1 gene revealed its overexpression in cancer cells. Drug sensitivity tests indicated that the low-risk group might respond better to chemotherapy. This research underscores the significance of aging-related genes in endometrial cancer, offering insights into their prognostic value and therapeutic potential, which could lead to personalized treatment approaches and enhanced patient management.

Inhibition of Methylmercury and Methane Formation by Nitrous Oxide in Arctic Tundra Soil Microcosms.

Climate warming causes permafrost thaw predicted to increase toxic methylmercury (MeHg) and greenhouse gas [i.e., methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O)] formation. A microcosm incubation study with Arctic tundra soil over 145 days demonstrates that N2O at 0.1 and 1 mM markedly inhibited microbial MeHg formation, methanogenesis, and sulfate reduction, while it slightly promoted CO2 production. Microbial community analyses indicate that N2O decreased the relative abundances of methanogenic archaea and microbial clades implicated in sulfate reduction and MeHg formation. Following depletion of N2O, both MeHg formation and sulfate reduction rapidly resumed, whereas CH4 production remained low, suggesting that N2O affected susceptible microbial guilds differently. MeHg formation strongly coincided with sulfate reduction, supporting prior reports linking sulfate-reducing bacteria to MeHg formation in the Arctic soil. This research highlights complex biogeochemical interactions in governing MeHg and CH4 formation and lays the foundation for future mechanistic studies for improved predictive understanding of MeHg and greenhouse gas fluxes from thawing permafrost ecosystems.

Respiratory Vinyl Chloride Reductive Dechlorination to Ethene in TceA-Expressing Dehalococcoides mccartyi.

Bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes in anoxic aquifers hinges on organohalide-respiring Dehalococcoidia expressing vinyl chloride (VC) reductive dehalogenase (RDase). The tceA gene encoding the trichloroethene-dechlorinating RDase TceA is frequently detected in contaminated groundwater but not recognized as a biomarker for VC detoxification. We demonstrate that tceA-carrying Dehalococcoides mccartyi (Dhc) strains FL2 and 195 grow with VC as an electron acceptor when sufficient vitamin B12 (B12) is provided. Strain FL2 cultures that received 50 µg L-1 B12 completely dechlorinated VC to ethene at rates of 14.80 ± 1.30 µM day-1 and attained 1.64 ± 0.11 × 108 cells per µmol of VC consumed. Strain 195 attained similar growth yields of 1.80 ± 1.00 × 108 cells per µmol of VC consumed, and both strains could be consecutively transferred with VC as the electron acceptor. Proteomic analysis demonstrated TceA expression in VC-grown strain FL2 cultures. Resequencing of the strain FL2 and strain 195 tceA genes identified non-synonymous substitutions, although their consequences for TceA function are currently unknown. The finding that Dhc strains expressing TceA respire VC can explain ethene formation at chlorinated solvent sites, where quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicates that tceA dominates the RDase gene pool.

Purinyl-cobamide is a native prosthetic group of reductive dehalogenases.

Cobamides such as vitamin B12 are structurally conserved, cobalt-containing tetrapyrrole biomolecules that have essential biochemical functions in all domains of life. In organohalide respiration, a vital biological process for the global cycling of natural and anthropogenic organohalogens, cobamides are the requisite prosthetic groups for carbon-halogen bond-cleaving reductive dehalogenases. This study reports the biosynthesis of a new cobamide with unsubstituted purine as the lower base and assigns unsubstituted purine a biological function by demonstrating that Coα-purinyl-cobamide (purinyl-Cba) is the native prosthetic group in catalytically active tetrachloroethene reductive dehalogenases of Desulfitobacterium hafniense. Cobamides featuring different lower bases are not functionally equivalent, and purinyl-Cba elicits different physiological responses in corrinoid-auxotrophic, organohalide-respiring bacteria. Given that cobamide-dependent enzymes catalyze key steps in essential metabolic pathways, the discovery of a novel cobamide structure and the realization that lower bases can effectively modulate enzyme activities generate opportunities to manipulate functionalities of microbiomes.

Nitrous Oxide Is a Potent Inhibitor of Bacterial Reductive Dechlorination.

Organohalide-respiring bacteria are key players for the turnover of organohalogens. At sites impacted with chlorinated ethenes, bioremediation promotes reductive dechlorination; however, stoichiometric conversion to environmentally benign ethene is not always achieved. We demonstrate that nitrous oxide (N2O), a compound commonly present in groundwater, inhibits organohalide respiration. N2O concentrations in the low micromolar range decreased dechlorination rates and resulted in incomplete dechlorination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) in Geobacter lovleyi strain SZ and of cis-1,2-dichloroethene ( cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) in Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain BAV1 axenic cultures. Presumably, N2O interferes with reductive dechlorination by reacting with super-reduced Co(I)-corrinoids of reductive dehalogenases, which is supported by the finding that N2O did not inhibit corrinoid-independent fumarate-to-succinate reduction in strain SZ. Kinetic analyses revealed a best fit to the noncompetitive Michaelis-Menten inhibition model and determined N2O inhibitory constants, KI, for PCE and cDCE dechlorination of 40.8 ± 3.8 and 21.2 ± 3.5 µM in strain SZ and strain BAV1, respectively. The lowest KI value of 9.6 ± 0.4 µM was determined for VC to ethene reductive dechlorination in strain BAV1, suggesting that this crucial dechlorination step for achieving detoxification is most susceptible to N2O inhibition. Groundwater N2O concentrations exceeding 100 µM are not uncommon, especially in watersheds impacted by nitrate runoff from agricultural sources. Thus, dissolved N2O measurements can inform about cDCE and VC stalls at sites impacted with chlorinated ethenes.

Association of maternal serum lipids at late gestation with the risk of neonatal macrosomia in women without diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Macrosomia is a serious public health problem worldwide due to its increasing prevalence and adverse influences on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal dyslipidemia exerts potential and adverse impacts on pregnant women and newborns. However, the association between maternal serum lipids and the risk of macrosomia has not yet been clearly elucidated. We explored the association between the maternal lipids profile at late gestation and the risk of having macrosomia among women without diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The medical records of 5407 pregnant women giving birth to single live babies at term were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects with DM, hypertension, thyroid disorders and fetal malformation were excluded. Maternal fasting serum lipids were measured during late pregnancy. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the variables associated with the risk of macrosomia. RESULTS: Maternal serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were related to macrosomia; each 1 mmol/L increase in TG resulted in a 27% increase in macrosomia risk, while each 1 mmol/L increase in HDL-C level resulted in a 37% decrease in macrosomia risk, even after adjusting for potential confounders. Notably, the risk of macrosomia increased progressively with increased maternal serum TG levels and decreased HDL-C levels. Compared with women with serum TG levels < 2.5 mmol/L, women with TG levels greater than 3.92 mmol/L had an approximately 2.8-fold increased risk of macrosomia. Compared with women with serum HDL-C levels above 2.23 mmol/L, women with HDL-C levels of less than 1.62 mmol/L had a 1.9-fold increased risk of giving birth to an infan with macrosomia. In addition, a higher risk of macrosomia was observed in women with simultaneous hypertriglyceridemia and low serum HDL-C levels (odds ratio [OR] 2.400, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.760-3.274) compared to those with hypertriglyceridemia or low serum HDL-C alone (OR 2.074, 95% CI: 1.609-2.673 and OR 1.363, 95% CI: 1.028-1.809, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum TG levels and HDL-C levels at late gestation are independent predictors of macrosomia in women without DM.

Nitrous oxide inhibition of methanogenesis represents an underappreciated greenhouse gas emission feedback.

Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are major greenhouse gases that are predominantly generated by microbial activities in anoxic environments. N2O inhibition of methanogenesis has been reported, but comprehensive efforts to obtain kinetic information are lacking. Using the model methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri strain Fusaro and digester sludge-derived methanogenic enrichment cultures, we conducted growth yield and kinetic measurements and showed that micromolar concentrations of N2O suppress the growth of methanogens and CH4 production from major methanogenic substrate classes. Acetoclastic methanogenesis, estimated to account for two-thirds of the annual 1 billion metric tons of biogenic CH4, was most sensitive to N2O, with inhibitory constants (KI) in the range of 18-25 µM, followed by hydrogenotrophic (KI, 60-90 µM) and methylotrophic (KI, 110-130 µM) methanogenesis. Dissolved N2O concentrations exceeding these KI values are not uncommon in managed (i.e. fertilized soils and wastewater treatment plants) and unmanaged ecosystems. Future greenhouse gas emissions remain uncertain, particularly from critical zone environments (e.g. thawing permafrost) with large amounts of stored nitrogenous and carbonaceous materials that are experiencing unprecedented warming. Incorporating relevant feedback effects, such as the significant N2O inhibition on methanogenesis, can refine climate models and improve predictive capabilities.

pH selects for distinct N2O-reducing microbiomes in tropical soil microcosms.

Nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas with ozone destruction potential, is mitigated by the microbial reduction to dinitrogen catalyzed by N2O reductase (NosZ). Bacteria with NosZ activity have been studied at circumneutral pH but the microbiology of low pH N2O reduction has remained elusive. Acidic (pH < 5) tropical forest soils were collected in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico, and microcosms maintained with low (0.02 mM) and high (2 mM) N2O assessed N2O reduction at pH 4.5 and 7.3. All microcosms consumed N2O, with lag times of up to 7 months observed in microcosms with 2 mM N2O. Comparative metagenome analysis revealed that Rhodocyclaceae dominated in circumneutral microcosms under both N2O feeding regimes. At pH 4.5, Peptococcaceae dominated in high-N2O, and Hyphomicrobiaceae in low-N2O microcosms. Seventeen high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) recovered from the N2O-reducing microcosms harbored nos operons, with all eight MAGs derived from acidic microcosms carrying the Clade II type nosZ and lacking nitrite reductase genes (nirS/K). Five of the eight MAGs recovered from pH 4.5 microcosms represent novel taxa indicating an unexplored N2O-reducing diversity exists in acidic tropical soils. A survey of pH 3.5-5.7 soil metagenome datasets revealed that nosZ genes commonly occur, suggesting broad distribution of N2O reduction potential in acidic soils.

Mn(III)-mediated bisphenol a degradation: Mechanisms and products.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume chemical with potential estrogenic effects susceptible to abiotic degradation by MnO2. BPA transformation products and reaction mechanisms with MnO2 have been investigated, but detailed process understanding of Mn(III)-mediated degradation has not been attained. Rapid consumption of BPA occurred in batch reaction vessels with 1 mM Mn(III) and 63.9 ± 0.7% of 1.76 ± 0.02 µmol BPA was degraded in 1 hour at circumneutral pH. BPA was consumed at 1.86 ± 0.09-fold higher rates in vessels with synthetic MnO2 comprising approximately 13 mol% surface-associated Mn(III) versus surface-Mn(III)-free MnO2, and 10-35% of BPA transformation could be attributed to Mn(III) during the initial 10-min reaction phase. High-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS) analysis detected eight transformation intermediates in reactions with Mn(III), and quantum calculations proposed 14 BPA degradation products, nine of which had not been observed during MnO2-mediated BPA degradation, suggesting mechanistic differences between Mn(III)- versus MnO2-mediated BPA degradation. The findings demonstrate that both Mn(III) and Mn(IV) can effectively degrade BPA and indicate that surface-associated Mn(III) increases the reactivity of synthetic MnO2, offering opportunities for engineering more reactive oxidized Mn species for BPA removal.

Heavy metals uptake and translocation of typical wetland plants and their ecological effects on the coastal soil of a contaminated bay in Northeast China.

Heavy metal pollution in coastal zone is a global environment problem concerning the international society. As an eco-friendly and economical method, phytoremediation is a promising strategy for improving heavy metal pollution in coastal soil. In order to alleviate the ecological risk of heavy metal pollution in Jinzhou Bay, a typical and important heavy industrial area in China, three local wetland plants (Scirpus validus, Typha orientalis and Phragmites australis) were selected and planted in the field. The plants showed strong tolerance of high concentrations of heavy metals. Stressed by the heavy metals, the root weight of S. validus and P. australis increased 114.74% and 49.91%, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Hg) accumulated in the plant roots were 4-60 times higher than that in plant shoots. The SEM analysis found that abundant heavy metals were adhered to the root surface closely. Bioconcentration factor of heavy metals on the plant roots were 0.08-0.89 (except Cr, Ni), while the translocation factor from roots to above ground of plants were 0.02-0.27. Furthermore, the wetland plants improved the regional ecological environment quality. The concentrations of heavy metals in the rhizosphere soil decreased significantly. Compared with the bulk soil, the potential ecological risk index in the rhizosphere soil reduced 26.51%-69.14%. Moreover, the microbial diversity in rhizosphere soil increased significantly, and the abundances of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes also increased in rhizosphere soil. Pearson correlations indicated that Hg, As, Ni and Cr were negatively correlated with Proteobacteria (p < 0.05), and Cu was significantly negative correlated with Bacteroidetes (p < 0.05). The results support that using suitable local plants is a promising approach for repairing heavy metal contaminated costal soil, not only because it can improve the regional ecological environment quality, but also because it can enhance the landscape value of coastal zone.

Effects of Sodium Chloride on the Physical and Oxidative Stability of Filled Hydrogel Particles Fabricated with Phase Separation Behavior.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (0-500 mM) on the physical and oxidative stabilities of filled hydrogel that were stabilized using heat-denatured whey protein concentrate and high methoxy pectin. Our results showed that with an increase in NaCl concentration, the particle sizes, zeta-potentials, and interfacial layer thickness of filled hydrogels significantly increased and the lightness and whiteness gradually decreased (p < 0.05). Moreover, rheological characterization revealed that the apparent viscosity and viscoelastic behavior gradually decreased at higher NaCl concentration, which was mainly ascribed to the influence of NaCl on the electrostatic repulsion between droplets, thereby adversely impacting the physical stability of filled hydrogels. Furthermore, the result of cryo-scanning electron microscopy also verified the abovementioned results. Notably, higher NaCl concentration significantly promoted the oxidation of lipids and proteins (p < 0.05), thereby decreasing the oxidative stabilities of filled hydrogels. Our results indicated that filled hydrogels prepared under different ionic strength conditions can provide the theoretical basis for their future application in emulsion-based foods.

Photocatalytic Rejuvenation Enabled Self-Sanitizing, Reusable, and Biodegradable Masks against COVID-19.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has been highly recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for self-protection during the disastrous SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nevertheless, massive utilization of PPE encounters significant challenges in recycling and sterilizing the used masks. To tackle the associated plastic pollution of used masks, in this work, we designed a reusable, biodegradable, and antibacterial mask. The mask was fabricated by the electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and cellulose nanofiber (CNF), followed by esterification and the deposition of a nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) and TiO2 mixture. The fabricated mask containing photocatalytic N-TiO2/TiO2 reached 100% bacteria disinfection under either 0.1 sun simulation (200-2500 nm, 106 W m-2) or natural sunlight for only 10 min. Thus, the used mask can be rejuvenated through light irradiation and reused, which represents one of the handiest technologies for handling used masks. Furthermore, intermolecular interactions between PVA, PEO, and CNF enhanced the electrospinnability and mechanical performance of the resultant mask, which possesses a 10-fold elastic modulus and 2-fold tensile strength higher than a commercial single-use mask. The porous structures of electrospun nanofibers along with strong electrostatic attraction enabled breathability (83.4 L min-1 of air flow rate) and superior particle filterability (98.7%). The prepared mask also had excellent cycling performance, wearability, and stable filtration efficiency even after 120 min wearing. Therefore, this mask could be a great alternative to current masks to address the urgent need for a sustainable, reusable, environmentally friendly, and efficient PPE under the ongoing COVID-19 contagion.