Unveiling the ecological significance of phosphorus fractions in shaping bacterial and archaeal beta diversity in mesotrophic lakes.

Both community variation and phosphorus (P) fractions have been extensively studied in aquatic ecosystems, but how P fractions affect the mechanism underlying microbial beta diversity remains elusive, especially in sediment cores. Here, we obtained two sediment cores to examine bacterial and archaeal beta diversity from mesotrophic lakes Hongfeng Lake and Aha Lake, having historically experienced severe eutrophication. Utilizing the Baselga's framework, we partitioned bacterial and archaeal total beta diversity into two components: species turnover and nestedness, and then examined their sediment-depth patterns and the effects of P fractions on them. We found that total beta diversity, species turnover or nestedness consistently increased with deeper sediment layers regarding bacteria and archaea. Notably, there were parallel patterns between bacteria and archaea for total beta diversity and species turnover, which is largely underlain by equivalent processes such as environmental selection. For both microbial taxa, total beta diversity and species turnover were primarily constrained by metal oxide-bound inorganic P (NaOH-Pi) and sediment total phosphorus (STP) in Hongfeng Lake, while largely affected by reductant-soluble total P or calcium-bound inorganic P in Aha Lake. Moreover, NaOH-Pi and STP could influence bacterial total beta diversity by driving species nestedness in Hongfeng Lake. The joint effects of organic P (Po), inorganic P (Pi) and total P fractions indicated that P fractions are important to bacterial and archaeal beta diversity. Compared to Po fractions, Pi fractions had greater pure effects on bacterial beta diversity. Intriguingly, for total beta diversity and species turnover, archaea rather than bacteria are well-explained by Po fractions in both lakes, implying that the archaeal community may be involved in Po mineralization. Overall, our study reveals the importance of P fractions to the mechanism underlying bacterial and archaeal beta diversity in sediments, and provides theoretical underpinnings for controlling P sources in biodiversity conservation.

Assessment of source-oriented health risk associated with the oral ingestion of heavy metals in dust within an iron/steel smelting-affected area of the North China Plain.

Heavy metals (HMs) from iron/steel smelting activities pose notable risks to human health, especially to those living around industrial facilities of North China Plain, the base of China's steel production. In this study, 78 outdoor windowsill dust samples were collected around a large-scale iron/steel smelter with more than 65 years of production history in the western North China Plain. Nine HMs were analysed to comprehensively assess the health risks by integrating Monte Carlo simulation, oral bioaccessibility, and source apportionment. Results showed serious pollution with Cd, Pb, and Zn based on their geo-accumulation index values and concentrations. Four potential sources including industrial sources (49.85%), traffic sources (21.78%), natural sources (20.58%), and coal combustion (7.79%) were quantitatively identified by multivariate statistical analysis. The oral bioaccessibilities of HMs determined by the physiologically based extraction test ranged from 0.02% to 65.16%. Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb had higher bioaccessibilities than other HMs. After incorporating oral bioavailability adjustments, noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were significantly reduced, especially for adults. The mean hazard index (HI) for children and adults was below the safety threshold (1.0), whereas the mean of the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) based on HM bioaccessibilities in the gastric phase remained above the acceptable level (1.0E-06) (children: 5.20E-06; adults: 1.16E-06). Traffic sources warranted increased concern as it substantially increased TCR. Cd was identified as the priority pollution in iron/steel smelting areas. Assessing source-oriented health risks associated with oral ingestion exposure can guide the management and control of HM contamination within iron/steel smelting-affected areas.

Grape Seed Extract Attenuates Demyelination in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice by Inhibiting Inflammatory Response of Immune Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of grape seed extract (GSE) in animal and cellular models and explore its mechanism of action. METHODS: This study determined the inhibitory effect of GSE on macrophage inflammation and Th1 and Th17 polarization in vitro. Based on the in vitro results, the effects and mechanisms of GSE on multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model were further explored. The C57BL/6 mice were intragastrically administered with 50 mg/kg of GSE once a day from the 3rd day to the 27th day after immunization. The activation of microglia, the polarization of Th1 and Th17 and the inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), interleukin-1 ß (IL-1 ß), IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreted by them were detected in vitro and in vivo by flow cytometry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: GSE reduced the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1 ß and IL-6 in bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (P<0.01), inhibited the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1 ß, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 and IFN-γ in spleen cells of EAE mice immunized for 9 days (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and reduced the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 mediated by CD3 and CD28 factors (P<0.01). GSE significantly improved the clinical symptoms of EAE mice, and inhibited spinal cord demyelination and inflammatory cell infiltration. Peripherally, GSE downregulated the expression of toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4) and Rho-associated kinase (ROCKII, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the central nervous system, GSE inhibited the infiltration of CD45+CD11b+ and CD45+CD4+ cells, and weakened the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 (P<0.05). Moreover, it reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors (P<0.01), and prevented the activation of microglia (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: GSE had a beneficial effect on the pathogenesis and progression of EAE by inhibiting inflammatory response as a potential drug and strategy for the treatment of MS.

Taxonomic dependency of beta diversity for bacteria, archaea, and fungi in a semi-arid lake.

Microbial beta diversity has been recently studied along the water depth in aquatic ecosystems, however its turnover and nestedness components remain elusive especially for multiple taxonomic groups. Based on the beta diversity partitioning developed by Baselga and Local Contributions to Beta Diversity (LCBD) partitioning by Legendre, we examined the water-depth variations in beta diversity components of bacteria, archaea and fungi in surface sediments of Hulun Lake, a semi-arid lake in northern China, and further explored the relative importance of environmental drivers underlying their patterns. We found that the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Euryarchaeota, and Rozellomycota increased toward deep water, while Acidobacteria, Parvarchaeota, and Chytridiomycota decreased. For bacteria and archaea, there were significant (p < 0.05) decreasing water-depth patterns for LCBD and LCBDRepl (i.e., species replacement), while increasing patterns for total beta diversity and turnover, implying that total beta diversity and LCBD were dominated by species turnover or LCBDRepl. Further, bacteria showed a strong correlation with archaea regarding LCBD, total beta diversity and turnover. Such parallel patterns among bacteria and archaea were underpinned by similar ecological processes like environmental selection. Total beta diversity and turnover were largely affected by sediment total nitrogen, while LCBD and LCBDRepl were mainly constrained by water NO2 --N and NO3 --N. For fungal community variation, no significant patterns were observed, which may be due to different drivers like water nitrogen or phosphorus. Taken together, our findings provide compelling evidences for disentangling the underlying mechanisms of community variation in multiple aquatic microbial taxonomic groups.

Adult Vanishing White Matter Disease with a Novel EIF2B4 Mutation.

Vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease characterised by progressive loss of white matter in both cerebral hemispheres. VWMD is caused by mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (EIF2B). The disease typically occurs in children. Ovarioleukodystrophies disease (OLD) is a special type of adult VWMD, associated with primary ovarian insufficiency. Herein, we report an adult woman with VWMD who had a novel EIF2B4 mutation. A 27-year woman presented with complaints of intermittent movement disorder of both upper extremities for 5 years and walking instability for 1 year. She had primary amenorrhea and infertility, low sex hormones, and a primordial uterus. MRI showed progressive loss of white matter in the brain. Whole-exome sequencing showed a novel EIF2B4 gene mutation: c.1441 (exon13) T>C. Therefore, a diagnosis of OLD, a special type of adult VWMD, was established. To our knowledge, this is a novel mutation and has not been reported till date. This report extends the mutation spectrum and phenotypic heterogeneity of VWMD. Key Words: Vanishing White matter, EIF2B, Primary ovarian insufficiency.

Identification of MMACHC and PROKR2 mutations causing coexistent cobalamin C disease and Kallmann syndrome in a young woman.

Cobalamin C (cblC) disease and Kallmann syndrome (KS) are rare hereditary diseases. To date, no report has described the coexistence of those two genetic disorders in the same patient, or an association between them. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman with cblC defect and KS. She first presented mild memory problems in puberty, which worsened in adulthood to progressive memory loss accompanied by slow and unsteady walking, slow response, inattention, cognitive impairment, insomnia, no sense of smell, and the lack of spontaneous puberty. Laboratory tests revealed gonadotropin deficiency, a low estrogen level, and remarkably elevated serum homocysteine and serum and urine organic acid levels. Whole-exome sequencing detected compound heterozygous variants in MMACHC [c.398_399del (p.Gln133Argfs*4) and c.482G > A (p.Arg161Gln)] and heterozygous variants in PROKR2 [c.337T > C (p.Tyr113His)]. Thus, clinical and genetic examinations confirmed the cblC disease and KS diagnoses. This report on coexisting cblC disease and KS caused by different pathogenic genes in a single patient enriches the clinical research on these two rare genetic diseases.

[Effects of Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula for the inflammation-related cytokines in pneumonia mice infected with influenza virus].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differential gene expression of Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula on whole expression profiles of the inflammation-related cytokines in mice infected with influenza virus by the gene chip technology. METHODS: Male ICR mice were divided into normal group (N group), influenza virus pneumonia model group (M group), oseltamivir control group (C group) and Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula high, medium and low dose groups (SH, SM, SL groups) according to the random number table method, with 10 mice in each group. A mouse model of influenza virus pneumonia was established by nasal drip of influenza virus strain FM1 (0.05 mL); in group N, 0.05 mL normal saline was used. In SH, SM and SL groups, Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula was prescribed after 2 hours of intranasal infection (drug concentration approximately 3.8, 1.9 and 1.0 kg/L), 0.2 mL once a day for 4 days; in group C, the dosage of oseltamivir was 2.5 kg/L; in group N and group M, distilled water was given. On the 5th day, the whole lung of mice was harvested, and the total RNA of lung tissue was extracted and detected after hybridization with mice whole gene expression spectrum chip. Differential expressed genes of cytokines involved in inflammatory pathways were selected. The intensity expression ratio of the chip probe signal in each group vs. M group was calculated, and P < 0.05 and log2 ratio > 1 were defined as up-regulated genes, while P < 0.05 and log2 ratio < -1 were down-regulated genes. The mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL-1, IL-8) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with group N, the differential gene expressions of IL-1, IL-8 and ICAM-1 in group M were significantly up-regulated [log2(N/M) were 2.62, 2.07, 1.41, respectively, all P < 0.05]. Compared with group M, the gene expressions of IL-1, IL-8, ICAM-1 were significantly down-regulated in SH, SM, SL and C groups [log2(SH/M) were -1.91, -1.85, -0.88; log2(SM/M) were -3.10, -1.74, -1.84; log2(SL/M) were -1.89, -1.39, -0.53; log2(C/M) were -2.46, -1.52, -1.44, respectively, all P < 0.05]. RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of IL-1, IL-8 and ICAM-1 in group M were significantly higher than those in group N [IL-1 (2-ΔΔCT): 4.63±0.24 vs. 1.01±0.13, IL-8 (2-ΔΔCT): 6.28±0.13 vs. 1.02±0.09, ICAM-1 (2-ΔΔCT): 2.90±0.18 vs. 1.02±0.12, all P < 0.05]. The mRNA expressions of IL-1, IL-8, ICAM-1 in SH, SM, SL and C groups were lower than those in group M [IL-1 (2-ΔΔCT): 2.12±0.32, 1.71±0.07, 2.05±0.16, 1.66±0.13 vs. 4.63±0.24; IL-8 (2-ΔΔCT): 3.89±0.13, 2.08±0.19, 2.98±0.20, 2.02±0.12 vs. 6.28±0.13; ICAM-1 (2-ΔΔCT): 1.72±0.93, 1.34±0.14, 1.53±0.25, 1.17±0.12 vs. 2.90±0.18, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference among the SH, SM, SL and C groups. CONCLUSIONS: Shufeng Xuanfei Jiedu formula inhibits inflammatory damage in mice after influenza virus infection by down-regulating the expressions of IL-1, IL-8, and ICAM-1 inflammatory cytokine-related genes.

Second Step Aging on Nanosized Precipitates and Properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Cr Spray-Deposited Alloys.

The effects of second step aging (T76, T74, T73) on nano-sized precipitates and properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Cr spray-deposited alloys were explored through tensile tester, impact testing machine, metallographic microscope (OM), eddy-current device, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), twin-jet electro-polishing machine and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fine grain size (compared with as-deposited billet) and directional microstructures were obtained. T76 heat treatment of the alloy provided higher tensile strength, yield strength, impact toughness and hardness which were 767 MPa, 708 MPa, 39.41 J/cm1/2 99.1 HRB, respectively in comparison with T74 and T73 samples. However, they provided lower elongation and electrical conductivity which were 7.6% and 31.1% IACS, respectively in comparison with T74 and T73 samples. This resulted from the larger quantity and volume of tiny ' precipitates that distribute homogeneously in matrix. However, coarse precipitates with increasing second step aging time (T74, T73) made wider grain boundary width and discontinuous precipitates boosted conductivity of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Cr alloy. Furthermore, proportion of white precipitated phase in the matrix decreased slightly and volume became larger with increasing second step aging time.

MicroRNA expression profiling in human acute organophosphorus poisoning and functional analysis of dysregulated miRNAs.

OBJECTIVE: Acute organophosphorus(OP) pesticide poisoning is associated with dysfunctions in multiple organs, especially skeletal muscles, the nervous system and the heart. However, little is known about the specific microRNA (miRNA) changes that control the pathophysiological processes of acute OP poisoning damage. We aimed to explore miRNA expression profiles and gain insight into molecular mechanisms of OP toxic effects. METHODS: MicroRNA expression was analyzed by TaqMan Human MicroRNA Array analysis and subsequent validated with quantitive PCR. The targets of the significantly different miRNAs were predicted with miRNA prediction databases, and pathway analysis of the predicted target genes was performed using bioinformatics resources. RESULTS: 37 miRNAs were significantly different in the sera of poisoned patients compared to the healthy controls, including 29 miRNAs that were up-regulated and 8 miRNAs that were down-regulated. Functional analysis indicated that many pathways potentially regulated by these miRNAs are involved in skeletal muscle, nervous system and heart disorders. CONCLUSION: This study mapped changes in the serum miRNA expression profiles of poisoning patients and predicted functional links between miRNAs and their target genes in the regulation of acute OP poisoning. Our findings are an important resource for further understanding the role of these miRNAs in the regulation of OP-induced injury.

Elevated plasma CaM expression in patients with acute cerebral infarction predicts poor outcomes and is inversely associated with miR-26b expression.

BACKGROUND: Calcium overload plays an important role in ischemia/reperfusion injury during ischemic brain damage and is mediated by calmodulin (CaM). However, the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of CaM expression at the gene level is limited. The expression levels of miR-26b change significantly during ACI, and bioinformatic analyses predict that miR-26b would be a potential regulator of calmodulin (CALM1) mRNA. This study aimed to determine the expression of miR-26b and CaM in the plasma of patients with ACI and investigate the impact of miR-26b on CALM1 expression. METHODS: CaM and miR-26b expression analyses from the plasma of patients with ACI and normal controls were performed using ELISA and qRT-PCR, respectively. Correlations between CaM, miR-26b, and NIHSS scores were analyzed. Then, miR-26b mimics and inhibitors were transfected into HUVE cell lines via lipofectamine. CALM1 mRNA expression in HUVECs was detected by RT-PCR, and the protein levels were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Plasma CaM expression in patients with ACI was significantly higher when compared with normal controls, and miR-26b expression was significantly lower. The plasma levels of CaM and miR-26b were correlated with the NIHSS scores in ACI patients. miR-26b modulated CALM1 in vitro. The transfected miR-26b mimic and inhibitor significantly altered the expression of CALM1/CAM at the mRNA and protein levels in cultured HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: CaM might be a potential novel blood marker in patients with ACI. miR-26b targeted CALM1 and affected the expression of CaM at the post-transcriptional level, which likely contributed to the progression of ACI brain injury.

Fasudil mediates cell therapy of EAE by immunomodulating encephalomyelitic T cells and macrophages.

Although Fasudil has shown therapeutic potential in EAE mice, the mechanism of action are still not fully understood. Here, we examined the immunomodulatory effect of Fasudil on encephalitogenic mononuclear cells (MNCs), and tested the therapeutic potential of Fasudil-treated MNCs in active EAE. Fasudil inhibited expression of CCL20 on T cells and migration of T cells, decreased CD4(+) IFN-γ(+) and CD4(+) IL-17(+) T cells, but increased CD4(+) IL-10(+) and CD4(+) TGF-ß(+) T cells. Fasudil reduced expression of CD16/32 and IL-12, while elevating expression of CD206, CD23, and IL-10. Fasudil also decreased levels of iNOS/NO, enhanced levels of Arg-1, and inhibited the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling and TNF-α, shifting M1 macrophage to M2 phenotype. These modulatory effects of Fasudil on T cells and macrophages were not altered by adding autoantigen MOG35-55 to the culture, i.e., autoantigen-independent. Further, we observed that, in vitro, Fasudil inhibited the capacity of encephalitogenic MNCs to adoptively transfer EAE and reduced TLR-4/p-NF-κB/p65 and inflammatory cytokines in spinal cords. Importantly, Fasudil-treated encephalitogenic MNCs exhibited therapeutic potential when injected into actively induced EAE mice. Together, our results not only provide evidence that Fasudil mediates the polarization of macrophages and the regulation of T cells, but also reveal a novel strategy for cell therapy in MS.

Axillary arteriovenous fistula after axillary plexus block.

This report presents the case of a 51-year-old man who had an axillary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as a complication of an axillary plexus block that was performed for internal fixation for a right forefinger phalanx fracture 4 years previously. While performing the axillary plexus block, a 22-gauge needle was placed inside the axillary sheath by observing the pulsations of the axillary artery. A pulsatile mass was found in the right axilla 1 day after the block was performed. Apart from this soft mass, the patient had no symptoms of vascular nerve damage. As the mass gradually increased in size, it became painful. During the past 3 months, in particular, the patient experienced repeated attacks of intermittent sharp pain and requested surgery. Digital subtraction angiography, performed 4 years after the axillary block, showed a tumor-like dilation was developing in both the right axillary artery and vein, almost simultaneously. Thus, the diagnosis of AVF was confirmed. The false aneurysm sac was excised and lateral repair of the axillary artery and vein was carried out under general anesthesia. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. The possible occurrence of an AVF after axillary plexus block should be kept in mind, because early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid development of AVF and false aneurysm.