Molecular epidemiology analysis of symptomatic and asymptomatic norovirus infections in Chinese infants.

BACKGROUND: Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among children. Previous studies based on symptomatic infections indicated that mutations, rather than recombination drove the evolution of the norovirus ORF2. These characteristics were found in hospital-based symptomatic infections, whereas, asymptomatic infections are frequent and contribute significantly to transmission. METHODS: We conducted the first norovirus molecular epidemiology analysis covering both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections derived from a birth cohort study in the northern China. RESULTS: During the study, 14 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic norovirus infections were detected in 32 infants. Out of the 14 strains that caused symptomatic infections, 12 strains were identified as GII.3[P12], and others were GII.4[P31]. Conversely, 17 asymptomatic infections were caused by GII.4[P31], two by GII.2[P16], and one by GII.4[P16]. Regardless of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, the mutations were detected frequently in the ORF2 region, and almost all recombination were identified in the RdRp-ORF2 region. The majority of the mutations were located around the predefined epitope regions of P2 subdomain indicating a potential for immune evasion. CONCLUSION: The role of symptomatic as well as asymptomatic infections in the evolution of norovirus needs to be evaluated continuously.

Uncovering the Heterogeneity and Clinical Relevance of Circulating Tumor-Initiating Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using an Integrated Immunomagnetic-Microfluidic Platform.

Circulating tumor-initiating cells (CTICs) with stem cell-like properties play pivotal roles in tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, little is known about the biology and clinical relevance of CTICs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated the molecular heterogeneity and clinical relevance of CTICs in HCC using a novel integrated immunomagnetic-microfluidic platform (iMAC). We constructed the iMAC and evaluated its ability to detect CTICs using a series of spiked cell experiments. A four-channel microfluidic chip was applied to investigate the composition of CTICs in patients with primary and recurrent HCC utilizing microbeads labeled with one of four stem-related markers: epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), CD133, CD90, and CD24. The dynamic changes of these four CTIC subsets were serially monitored during treatment courses. Finally, single-cell RNA profiling was used to reveal the molecular characteristics of the four CTIC subsets. The iMAC platform detected significantly more EpCAM+ CTICs in the blood samples from 33 HCC patients than the FDA-approved CellSearch system (0.92 ± 0.94 vs 0.23 ± 0.36, P < 0.001). The number of EpCAM+ CTICs (≥0.75/mL) detected by iMAC was a predictor of early recurrence (P = 0.007). The distinct stem-related markers' expression of CTICs could distinguish primary HCC, recurrent HCC, and TACE-resistant HCC. Single-cell transcriptional profiling proved the heterogeneity among individual CTICs and separated the four CTIC subsets into distinct phenotypes. Dissecting the heterogeneity of CTICs using the iMAC represents a novel and informative method for accurate CTIC detection and characterization. This innovative technology will enable more indepth cancer biology research and clinical cancer management than is currently available.

CD155/SRC complex promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via inhibiting the p38 MAPK signalling pathway and correlates with poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy with poor prognosis. As a cell adhesion molecule, poliovirus receptor (PVR/CD155) is abnormally overexpressed in tumour cells, and related to tumour proliferation and invasion. However, the potential role and mechanism of CD155 have not yet been elucidated in HCC. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot assays were used to determine CD155 expression in HCC cell lines and tissues. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays were used to examine cell proliferation. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion. Cell apoptosis and cycle distribution were assessed by flow cytometry. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to explore the clinical significance of CD155. The role of CD155 in vivo was evaluated by establishing liver orthotropic xenograft mice model. RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and co-immunoprecipitation assay were used to explore the downstream signalling pathway of CD155. RESULTS: CD155 was upregulated in HCC tissues and represented a promising prognostic indicator for HCC patients (n = 189) undergoing curative resection. High CD155 expression enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and contributed to cell survival in HCC. CD155 overexpression also induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCC cells. CD155 function in HCC involved SRC/p38 MAPK signalling pathway. CD155 interacted with SRC homology-2 domain of SRC and promoted SRC activation, further inhibiting the downstream p38 MAPK signalling pathway in HCC. CONCLUSIONS: CD155 promotes HCC progression via the SRC/p38 MAPK signalling pathway. CD155 may represent a predictor for poor postsurgery prognosis in HCC patients.

Influence of Built Environment in Hygienic City in China on Self-rated Health of Residents.

Objective: To assess the subjective perception of residents on the built environment in hygienic cities and its relation to the self-rated health (SRH) status of residents, providing a basis for a better promotion on construction of health-supportive environments. Methods: The online survey was adopted with the respondents recruited from residents living in Chaoyang District of Beijing in January 2021. With SRH level as the dependent variable, two-category logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the impact of the built environment in hygienic cities on the SRH status of residents. Results: A total of 1,357 respondents were enrolled in this study. After controlling confounding factors, four aspects in the built environment in hygienic cities were detected remarkable influences on the SRH level of residents, including enough green space in the living area [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.395, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.055-1.845], clean and hygienic living environment ( OR = 1.472, 95% CI: 1.107-1.956), residents' confidence in drinking water safety in the living area ( OR = 1.856, 95% CI: 1.354-2.544) and residents' confidence in food safety in the living area ( OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.027-1.921). Conclusion: Regarding city construction, the government should focus more on the subjective perception of residents on built environments to build a supportive environment benefiting the health of residents.

Developing a Subjective Evaluation Scale for Assessing the Built Environments of China's Hygienic City Initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a preliminary subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China's Hygienic City Initiative and to evaluate its reliability and validity. METHODS: The initial items of the scale were determined based on a review of policy documents and consultations with experts. The final items of the scale were confirmed through individual interviews with residents combined with the discretetrend method, critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and factor analysis method. Then, the dimensions of the scale were determined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The Cronbach's α coefficient, split-half reliability coefficient, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the reliability and validity of the scale. RESULTS: A scale containing five dimensions with 22 items was established, including urban lifestyle, governance, basic functions, environmental sanitation, and amenities. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.876, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.796. The CFA results indicate that each inspection level was within the standard limit. CONCLUSION: The preliminarily subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China's Hygienic City Initiative demonstrates a high level of reliability and validity. Additional empirical studies should be carried out to further verify the value of the scale in terms of practical application.

[Soil meso- and micro-fauna community structures in different urban forest types in Shanghai, China.] / 上海市不同类型城市森林中小型土壤动物群落结构特征.

Soil meso- and micro-fauna of four urban forest types in Shanghai were investigated in four months which include April 2014, July 2014, October 2014 and January 2015. A total of 2190 soil fauna individuals which belong to 6 phyla, 15 classes and 22 groups were collected. The dominant groups were Nematoda and Arcari, accounting for 56.0% and 21.8% of the total in terms of individual numbers respectively. The common groups were Enchytraeidae, Rotatoria, Collembola and Hymenoptera and they accounted for 18.7% of the total in terms of individual numbers. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) among soil meso- and micro-fauna density in the four urban forest types and the largest density was found in Metasequoia glyptostroboides forest, the smallest in Cinnamomum camphora forest. The largest groupe number was found in near-nature forest, the smallest was found in M. glyptostroboides forest. There was obvious seasonal dynamics in each urban forest type and green space which had larger density in autumn and larger groupe number in summer and autumn. In soil profiles, the degree of surface accumulation of soil meso- and micro-fauna in C. camphora forest was higher than in other forests and the vertical distribution of soil meso- and micro-fauna in near-nature forest was relatively homogeneous in four layers. Density-group index was ranked as: near-nature forest (6.953)> C. camphora forest (6.351)> Platanus forest (6.313)>M. glyptostroboides forest (5.910). The community diversity of soil fauna in each vegetation type could be displayed preferably by this index. It could be inferred through redundancy analysis (RDA) that the soil bulk density, organic matter and total nitrogen were the main environmental factors influencing soil meso- and micro-fauna community structure in urban forest. The positive correlations occurred between the individual number of Arcari, Enchytraeidae and soil organic matter and total nitrogen, as well as between the individual number of Diptera larvae, Rotatoria and soil water content.

[Adsorption Characteristics of Nitrate and Phosphate from Aqueous Solution on Zirconium-Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride Modified Activated Carbon].

A novel adsorbent material, i.e., zirconium-cationic surfactant modified activated carbon (ZrSMAC) was prepared by loading zirconium hydroxide and hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) on activated carbon, and was used as an adsorbent for nitrate and phosphate removal from aqueous solution. The adsorption characteristics of nitrate and phosphate on ZrSMAC from aqueous solution were investigated in batch mode. Results showed that the ZrSMAC was effective for nitrate and phosphate removal from aqueous solution. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted both the nitrate and phosphate kinetic experimental data well. The equilibrium isotherm data of nitrate adsorption onto the ZrSMAC were well fitted to the Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Freundlich isotherm models. The equilibrium isotherm data of phosphate adsorption onto the ZrSMAC could be described by the Langmuir and,D- R isotherm models. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum nitrate and phosphate adsorption capacities for the ZrSMAC were 7.58 mg x g(-1) and 10.9 mg x g(-1), respectively. High pH value was unfavorable for nitrate and phosphate adsorption onto the ZrSMAC. The presence of Cl-, HCO3- and SO4(2-) in solution reduced the nitrate and phosphate adsorption capacities for the ZrSMAC. The nitrate adsorption capacity for the ZrSMAC was reduced by the presence of coexisting phosphate in solution, and the phosphate adsorption capacity for the ZrSMAC was also reduced by the presence of coexisting nitrate in solution. About 90% of nitrate adsorbed on the ZrSMAC could be desorbed in 1 mol x L(-1) NaCl solution, and about 78% of phosphate adsorbed on the ZrSMAC could be desorbed in 1 mol x L(-1) NaOH solution. The adsorption mechanism of nitrate on the ZrSMAC included the anion exchange interactions and electrostatic attraction, and the adsorption mechanism of phosphate on the ZrSMAC included the ligand exchange interaction, electrostatic attraction and anion exchange interaction.

Gain high-quality colloidal quantum dots directly from natural minerals.

Green and simple synthesis of high-quality colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) is of great importance and highly anticipated yet not fully implemented. Herein, we achieve the direct conversion of natural minerals to highly uniform, crystalline lead sulfide CQDs based on laser irradiation in liquid. The trivial fragmentation of mineral particles by an intense nanosecond laser was found to create a localized high degree of monomer supersaturation in oleic acid, initiating the LaMer growth of uniform CQDs. The photoconductive device made of these CQDs exhibits a competitive temporal response of photocurrent with those highly sensitive photodetectors based on PbS CQDs reported in the literature. Our synthesis strategy paves the way for the most environmentally friendly and convenient mass production of high-quality uniform CQDs.

Photothermal synthesis of ultrafine Cu(x)O nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes for photosensitized degradation.

We exploit a facile strategy for photothermal synthesis (PTS) of CuxO nanoparticles (NPs) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) suspended in solution, where the pulsed laser can penetrate through the liquid unimpeded and heat the CNTs selectively to a high temperature, thereafter, the hot CNTs trigger the chemical reactions to produce CuxO NPs directly on the CNT surface. PTS yields ultrafine NPs with sizes of 3-5 nm, which distribute evenly and connect tightly with CNTs. The CuxO-CNTs composite shows excellent photocatalytic properties due to its cascade energy structure, smooth electron transfer between NPs and CNTs, and elimination of structural defects in CNTs by laser heating.

[Synthesis of hydroxyapatite/magnetite/zeolite composite for Congo red removal from aqueous solution].

In this study, a novel hydroxyapatite/magnetite/zeolite (HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo) composite was prepared, characterized and used as an adsorbent to remove Congo red (CR) from aqueous solution. The adsorption characteristics of CR from aqueous solution on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite were investigated using batch experiments. Results showed that the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite was effective for the removal of CR from aqueous solution. The CR adsorption capacity for the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite decreased with solution pH increasing from 3 to 4 or solution pH increasing from 7 to 11, and remained basically unchanged with pH increasing from 4 to 7. The CR removal efficiency of the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite increased with increasing adsorbent dosage, while the amount of CR adsorbed on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite decreased with increasing adsorbent dosage. The adsorption kinetic data of CR on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite well fitted a pseudo-second-order model. The equilibrium adsorption data of CR on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite could be described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity for CR derived from the Langmuir isotherm model was determined to be 117 mg x g(-1) at pH 7 and 303 K. The adsorption process of CR on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite was spontaneous and endothermic. The main mechanisms for the adsorption of CR on the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite at pH 7 included surface complexation, hydrogen bonding and Lewis acid-base reaction. Thermal regeneration showed that the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite could be used for five desorption-adsorption cycles with high removal efficiency for CR in each cycle. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the HAP/Fe3O4/zeolite composite contained Fe3O4, and this composite had relatively high saturation magnetization. The HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite adsorbed with CR could be collected from aqueous solution under an external magnetic field quickly. Results of this study suggested that the HAP/Fe3O4/Zeo composite should be applicable for the removal of CR from wastewater.

[Removal of nitrate from aqueous solution using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-modified activated carbon as the adsorbent].

Surfactant-modified activated carbon (SMAC) was prepared by loading cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) onto activated carbon and used as adsorbents to remove nitrate from aqueous solution. The SMAC was effective for removing nitrate from aqueous solution. The SMAC exhibited much higher nitrate adsorption capacity than that of the unmodified activated carbon. The nitrate adsorption capacity for SMAC increased with increasing the CPC loading. The adsorption kinetics of nitrate on SMAC followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium adsorption data of nitrate on SMAC could be described by the Langmuir isotherm model. Based on the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum nitrate adsorption capacity for SMAC with CPC loading amount of444 mmol per 1 kg activated carbon was determined to be 16.1 mg x g(-1). The nitrate adsorption capacity for SMAC decreased with the increasing solution pH. The presence of competing anions such as chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate reduced the nitrate adsorption capacity. The nitrate adsorption capacity for SMAC slightly decreased with the increasing reaction temperature. Almost 95% of nitrate molecules adsorbed on SMAC could be desorbed in 1 mol x L(-1) NaCl solution. The main mechanisms for the adsorption of nitrate on SMAC are anionic exchange and electrostatic attraction. The results of this work indicate that SMAC is a promising adsorbent for removing nitrate from aqueous solution.