Improved biohydrogen production by co-fermentation of corn straw and excess sludge: Insights into biochemical process, microbial community and metabolic genes.

The global climate change mainly caused by fossil fuels combustion promotes that zero-carbon hydrogen production through eco-friendly methods has attracted attention in recent years. This investigation explored the biohydrogen production by co-fermentation of corn straw (CS) and excess sludge (ES), as well as comprehensively analyzed the internal mechanism. The results showed that the optimal ratio of CS to ES was 9:1 (TS) with the biohydrogen yield of 101.8 mL/g VS, which was higher than that from the mono-fermentation of CS by 1.0-fold. The pattern of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) indicated that the acetate was the most preponderant by-product in all fermentation systems during the biohydrogen production process, and its yield was improved by adding appropriate dosage of ES. In addition, the content of soluble COD (SCOD) was reduced as increasing ES, while concentration of NH4+-N showed an opposite tendency. Microbial community analysis revealed that the microbial composition in different samples showed a significant divergence. Trichococcus was the most dominant bacterial genus in the optimal ratio of 9:1 (CS/ES) fermentation system and its abundance was as high as 41.8%. The functional genes prediction found that the dominant metabolic genes and hydrogen-producing related genes had not been significantly increased in co-fermentation system (CS/ES = 9:1) compared to that in the mono-fermentation of CS, implying that enhancement of biohydrogen production by adding ES mainly relied on balancing nutrients and adjusting microbial community in this study. Further redundancy analysis (RDA) confirmed that biohydrogen yield was closely correlated with the enrichment of Trichococcus.

Upregulation of DKK3 by miR-483-3p plays an important role in the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer mediated by black raspberry anthocyanins.

It is reported that black raspberry (BRB) anthocyanins could act as a potential chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying mechanism by which BRB anthocyanins inhibits the carcinogenesis of CRC cells has not been elucidated. The abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) that target important tumor suppressor genes is usually associated with CRC development. In this study, we explored whether BRB anthocyanins could affect the expression of certain miRNAs in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced CRC mouse model and human CRC cell lines. miRNA microarray analysis was used to determine the differences in miRNA expression between AOM/DSS-induced mice fed with a diet supplemented without or with BRB anthocyanins. The expression of one particular miRNA, miR-483-3p, was found to decrease dramatically in AOM/DSS-induced mice that were fed with a diet supplemented with BRB anthocyanins. Subsequent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses showed that the reduced expression of miR-483-3p was accompanied by an increased expression of Dickkopf 3 (DKK3), a potential target of miR-483-3p as predicted by bioinformatic analysis. The protein and messenger RNA levels of DKK3 were significantly upregulated when the miR-483-3p level was reduced by a miR-483-3p-specific inhibitor, suggesting that DKK3 might be the target gene of miR-483-3p. In addition, the downstream factors of the DKK3 signaling pathway, which included Wnt/ß-catenin, also played a role in the miR-483-3p-mediated anticancer effect of BRB anthocyanins. Thus, miR-483-3p might be a potential target in BRB anthocyanin-mediated prevention of CRC.

Identification of potential hub genes via bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental verification in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a kind of malignant cancer with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore potential regulated key genes involved in CRC through bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. The gene expression profile data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and the differential expression genes were detected in cancerous and paracancerous samples of CRC patients, respectively. Then functional enrichment analysis, such as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis as well as the protein-protein interaction network were constructed, and the highly related genes were clustered by Molecular COmplex DEtection algorithm to find out the core interaction in different genes' crosstalk. The genes affecting CRC prognosis were screened by the Human Protein Atlas database. In addition, the expression level of core genes was detected by GEPIA database, and the core genes' changes in large-scale cancer genome data set were directly analyzed by cBioPortal database. The expression of the predicted hub genes DSN1, AHCY, and ERCC6L was verified by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction in CRC cells. The gene function of DSN1 was analyzed by wound healing and colony formation assays. The results showed that silencing of DSN1 could significantly reduce the migration and proliferation of CRC cells. Further, BUB1B, the potential interacting protein of DSN1, was also predicted via bioinformatics analysis. Above all, this study shows that bioinformatics analysis combined with experimental method verification provide more potential vital genes for the prevention and therapy of CRC.

Immunoturbidimetric Assay for Determination of Peripheral Blood C Reactive Protein on the Pentra MS CRP Hematology Analyzer.

BACKGROUND: The Pentra MS CRP hematology analyzer (hereinafter the Pentra analyzer) can simultaneously provide 5-part leukocyte differential and C-reactive protein (CRP). The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of CRP determination by the Pentra analyzer. METHODS: The precision, limit of quantitation (LoQ), carryover, linearity, stability, and comparability of the Pentra analyzer were determined. The Passing-Bablok regression analysis and the Bland-Altman graphs illustrated the correlation for CRP concentration analyzed by the Pentra analyzer and BN-II analyzer. RESULTS: The within-run precision of CRP determination by the Pentra analyzer had a CV < 2.0% in peripheral blood, which met the requirements of the instructions (CV ≤ 10%). The Pentra analyzer had a total CV of 5.35% and 5.52% at a CRP concentration of 4.1 and 80 mg/L, respectively. The LoQ value for the Pentra analyzer was 0.96 mg/L. The carryover was 0.57% for peripheral blood and 0.86% for plasma by the analyzer. The stability of CRP results was good, when the anticoagulation samples were stored at room temperature or 4°C within 48 hours (deviation < 5%). The linearity range for whole blood samples was 0 - 188.13 mg/L (r² = 0.9992). There was high correlation of the CRP results analyzed with the Pentra analyzer and BN II analyzer. The Passing-Bablok regression analysis and the Bland-Altman graphs showed the bias plot display excellent agreement between the two assays (the mean value for the Pentra 2.19 mg/L and the BN-II 2.35 mg/L, n = 101). CONCLUSIONS: The results of CRP determination by the Pentra analyzer have the advantages of accuracy and reliability, and it is suitable for routine use in emergency laboratory and small to medium-size laboratories.

Performance Evaluation of the Mindray BC 6800 Hematology Analyzer and Flag Comparison with the XE-2100 and Manual Microscopy.

BACKGROUND: The Mindray BC-6800 automated hematology analyzer is an automated hematology analyzer and 5-part leukocyte differential counter for in vitro diagnostic use in clinical laboratories. It is necessary to undergo an evaluation before the instrument is used to test patient samples. METHODS: The performance was evaluated with regards to precision, linearity, carry-over, and method comparison. The flag performances were evaluated and compared with the Sysmex XE-2100 hematology analyzer and manual microscope in the hematology laboratory of a tertiary hospital in China. RESULTS: There was minimal carryover (< 0.05%) and excellent linearity for white blood cells and platelet (PLT) counts (r > 0.999). The BC-6800 displayed very good correlation (r > 0.97) with the XE-2100 for blood cell count and cell differential parameters. In a comparison of 295 leukocyte differential count results analyzed in parallel with manual microscopy, the main flags (immature granulocytes, blasts, abnormal lymphocytes) showed approxi-mately the same sensitivity and specificity on both analyzers (sensitivity > 90%, specificity > 78%). CONCLUSIONS: The BC-6800 showed excellent performance and supplied confidence in flag information for abnormal samples in the routine hematology laboratory.

[Prevention of abdominal adhesions in rats by rhynchophylline through inhibition of Smad singnaling pathway].

Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion is one of the most common complications in the postoperative period. Current remedies are very ineffective to prevent the pathological outcomes except steroid hormones. Rhynchophylline is deemed as a pharmacologically active component from traditional Oriental medicine Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. (Rubiaceae). This study was designed to investigate the preventative effect of rhynchophylline on the abdominal adhesions in rats. Rhynchophylline relieved the experimental abdominal adhesion and decreased the levels of interleukin-1 ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the blood serum in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of transforming growth factor- ß1 (TGF-ß1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were reduced significantly in the peritoneal fluid. The potential mechanism of the activity is related to inhibition of the TGF- ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

Application and development of review criteria on Sysmex XT-2100 in Chinese at a large third-grade class-A hospital.

BACKGROUND: Hematology analysis is an essential component of patient assessment and used in screening, diagnosis, and the planning of care. The objective of the study was to find out the suitable hematology review criteria for large scale general hospitals in China via the analysis of experimental data from Sysmex XE-2100 hematology analyzer. METHODS: A total 1486 blood samples were detected with the Sysmes XE-2100. Based on hematology review criteria suggested by international consensus group and a positive smear finding new optimal review rules were determined. RESULTS: With the International Article 41 Review Rules, the true positive ratio (TP), the false positive ratio (FP), the true negative ratio (TN), and the false negative ratio (FN) was 14.0% (208/1486), 31.49% (468/1486) 52.42% (779/1486), and 2.09% (31/1486), respectively. With the help of Laboman 4.2 software (the Sysmex Corporation), 19 rules for review of automated CBC and WBC differential were set up. With our review rules, the TP, FP, TN, and FN was 13.86% (206/1486), 25.17% (374/1486), 58.75% (873/1486) and 2.22% (33/1486), respectively. The review rules were validated, the FN was 0.96%, blasts and immature cells were not omitted. CONCLUSIONS: The review criteria can be developed in light of the rules of the International Consensus Group for Hematology Review, but should be improved depending on different laboratory's requirements.

Clinical laboratory urine analysis: comparison of the UriSed automated microscopic analyzer and the manual microscopy.

BACKGROUND: Several automated urine sediment analyzers have been introduced to clinical laboratories. Automated microscopic pattern recognition is a new technique for urine particle analysis. We evaluated the analytical and diagnostic performance of the UriSed automated microscopic analyzer and compared with manual microscopy for urine sediment analysis. METHODS: Precision, linearity, carry-over, and method comparison were carried out. A total of 600 urine samples sent for urinalysis were assessed using the UriSed automated microscopic analyzer and manual microscopy. RESULTS: Within-run and between-run precision of the UriSed for red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were acceptable at all levels (CV < 20%). Within-run and between-run imprecision of the UriSed testing for cast, squamous epithelial cells (EPI), and bacteria (BAC) were good at middle level and high level (CV < 20%). The linearity analysis revealed substantial agreement between the measured value and the theoretical value of the UriSed for RBC, WBC, cast, EPI, and BAC (r > 0.95). There was no carry-over. RBC, WBC, and squamous epithelial cells with sensitivities and specificities were more than 80% in this study. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial agreement between the UriSed automated microscopic analyzer and the manual microscopy methods. The UriSed provides for a rapid turnaround time.

Uncovering Heterogeneity in Alzheimer's Disease from Graphical Modeling of the Tau Spatiotemporal Topography.

Growing evidence from post-mortem and in vivo studies have demonstrated the substantial variability of tau pathology spreading patterns in Alzheimer's disease(AD). Automated tools for characterizing the heterogeneity of tau pathology will enable a more accurate understanding of the disease and help the development of targeted treatment. In this paper, we propose a Reeb graph representation of tau pathology topography on cortical surfaces using tau PET imaging data. By comparing the spatial and temporal coherence of the Reeb graph representation across subjects, we can build a directed graph to represent the distribution of tau topography over a population, which naturally facilitates the discovery of spatiotemporal subtypes of tau pathology with graph-based clustering. In our experiments, we conducted extensive comparisons with state-of-the-art event-based model on synthetic and large-scale tau PET imaging data from ADNI3 and A4 studies. We demonstrated that our proposed method can more robustly achieve the subtyping of tau pathology with clear clinical significance and demonstrated superior generalization performance than event-based model.

Development of microscopic review criteria by comparison urine flow cytometer, strip and manual microscopic examination.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic examination is essential for urine analysis, but a time-consuming procedure. This study was undertaken to evaluate an automated urinalysis system - the Sysmex UF-1000i (URISYS 2400) for the analysis of urine constituents including chemistry components and particles. The objective was to screen urine samples and determine the screening criteria which would minimize the number of specimens reviewed with the microscope yet ensuring correct results. METHODS: A total of 1300 urine samples were sent for urinalysis using the automated system and compared with results obtained from manual microscopy using the Fuchs-Rosenthal counting chamber. RESULTS: Using Pearson statistics, we observed correlation between the UF-1000i and manual microscopy: for red blood cells (RBCs) r was 0.949, for white blood cells (WBCs) r was 0.882, for epithelial cells (EC) r was less than 0.76, for casts r was less than 0.7, while correlation between the URISYS 2400 and manual microscopy: for red blood cells r was 0.772 and for white blood cells r was 0.771. With the help of Uriaccess (an expert system provided by the Sysmex Corporation), 37 rules for microscopic review were set up. The review rules were validated, the review rate was less than 30% and the false-positive and false-negative results were acceptably low. CONCLUSIONS: UF-1000i is capable of reproducible measurement of urine particles within the clinically relevant range and shows its advantage over URISYS 2400. It is an optimal strategy for urine sample screening using the combination of the two methods.

Decorin deficiency promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and colon cancer metastasis.

The tumor microenvironment encompasses a complex cellular network that includes cancer-associated fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, neo-vessels, and an extracellular matrix enriched in angiogenic growth factors. Decorin is one of the main components of the tumor stroma, but it is not expressed by cancer cells. Lack of this proteoglycan correlates with down-regulation of E-cadherin and induction of ß-catenin signaling. In this study, we investigated the role of a decorin-deficient tumor microenvironment in colon carcinoma progression and metastasis. We utilized an established model of colitis-associated cancer by administering Azoxymethane/Dextran sodium sulfate to adult wild-type and Dcn-/- mice. We discovered that after 12 weeks, all the animals developed intestinal tumors independently of their genotype. However, the number of intestinal neoplasms was significantly higher in the Dcn-/- microenvironment vis-à-vis wild-type mice. Mechanistically, we found that under unchallenged basal conditions, the intestinal epithelium of the Dcn-/- mice showed a significant increase in the protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition associated factors including Snail, Slug, Twist, and MMP2. In comparison, in the colitis-associated cancer evoked in the Dcn-/- mice, we found that intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was also significantly increased, in parallel with epithelial-mesenchymal transition signaling pathway-related factors. Furthermore, a combined Celecoxib/decorin treatment revealed a promising therapeutic efficacy in treating human colorectal cancer cells, in decorin-deficient animals. Collectively, our results shed light on colorectal cancer progression and provide a protein-based therapy, i.e., treatment using recombinant decorin, to target the tumor microenvironment.