Unintentional emissions of polychlorinated naphthalenes in China: Sources, composition, and historical trends.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are detrimental to human health and the environment. With the commercial production of PCNs banned, unintentional releases have emerged as a significant environmental source. However, relevant information is still scarce. In this study, provincial emissions for eight PCNs homologues from 37 sources in the Chinese mainland during the period of 1960-2019 were estimated based on a source-specific and time-varying emission factor database. The results showed that the total PCNs emissions in 2019 reached 757.0 kg with Hebei ranked at the top among all the provinces and iron & steel industry as the biggest source. Low-chlorinated PCNs comprised 90% of emissions by mass, while highly chlorinated PCNs dominated in terms of toxicity, highlighting divergent priorities for mitigating emissions and safeguarding human health. The emissions showed an overall upward trend from 1960 to 2019 driven by emission increase from iron & steel industry in terms of source, and from North China and East China in terms of geographic area. Per-capita emissions followed an inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve while emission intensities decreased with increasing per-capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) following a nearly linear pattern when log-transformed.

Single-cell analysis of the amphioxus hepatic caecum and vertebrate liver reveals genetic mechanisms of vertebrate liver evolution.

The evolution of the vertebrate liver is a prime example of the evolution of complex organs, yet the driving genetic factors behind it remain unknown. Here we study the evolutionary genetics of liver by comparing the amphioxus hepatic caecum and the vertebrate liver, as well as examining the functional transition within vertebrates. Using in vivo and in vitro experiments, single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq data and gene knockout experiments, we confirm that the amphioxus hepatic caecum and vertebrate liver are homologous organs and show that the emergence of ohnologues from two rounds of whole-genome duplications greatly contributed to the functional complexity of the vertebrate liver. Two ohnologues, kdr and flt4, play an important role in the development of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. In addition, we found that liver-related functions such as coagulation and bile production evolved in a step-by-step manner, with gene duplicates playing a crucial role. We reconstructed the genetic footprint of the transfer of haem detoxification from the liver to the spleen during vertebrate evolution. Together, these findings challenge the previous hypothesis that organ evolution is primarily driven by regulatory elements, underscoring the importance of gene duplicates in the emergence and diversification of a complex organ.

Bilateral Macular Halo and Full-Thickness Macular Hole Repair in Niemann-Pick Disease Type B.

Purpose: To report the results of surgery in a patient with Niemann-Pick disease type B, bilateral macular halos, and a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) in the right eye. Methods: A case was evaluated. Results: A 72-year-old man with Niemann-Pick disease type B presented with an FTMH in the right eye. On examination, the visual acuity (VA) was 20/120 OD and 20/16 OS. Bilateral, symmetric, circular yellow-white deposits encircled the fovea. Optical coherence tomography showed focal parafoveal inner retinal hyperreflectivity bilaterally and an FTMH in the right eye. The patient had a vitrectomy with inner limiting membrane (ILM) peeling; the peeled membrane was unremarkable on cytopathology. Six weeks postoperatively, the MH was closed and the VA had improved to 20/40. Conclusions: Successful MH closure is possible in the presence of macular halos secondary to Niemann-Pick disease type B. Cytopathology of the ILM suggests the ILM is not involved in the pathogenesis of macular halos.

Isolation, characterization, and genomic analysis of a lytic bacteriophage, PQ43W, with the potential of controlling bacterial wilt.

Bacterial wilt (BW) is a devastating plant disease caused by the soil-borne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (Rssc). Numerous efforts have been exerted to control BW, but effective, economical, and environmentally friendly approaches are still not available. Bacteriophages are a promising resource for the control of bacterial diseases, including BW. So, in this study, a crop BW pathogen of lytic bacteriophage was isolated and named PQ43W. Biological characterization revealed PQ43W had a short latent period of 15 min, 74 PFU/cell of brust sizes, and good stability at a wide range temperatures and pH but a weak resistance against UV radiation. Sequencing revealed phage PQ43W contained a circular double-stranded DNA genome of 47,156 bp with 65 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) and genome annotation showed good environmental security for the PQ43W that no tRNA, antibiotic resistance, or virulence genes contained. Taxonomic classification showed PQ43W belongs to a novel genus of subfamily Kantovirinae under Caudoviricetes. Subsequently, a dose of PQ43W for phage therapy in controlling crop BW was determined: 108 PFU*20 mL per plant with non-invasive irrigation root application twice by pot experiment. Finally, a field experiment of PQ43W showed a significantly better control effect in crop BW than the conventional bactericide Zhongshengmycin. Therefore, bacteriophage PQ43W is an effective bio-control resource for controlling BW diseases, especially for crop cultivation.

Exploring driving behavioral characteristics in pre-, in-, and post-conflict stages based on car-following trajectory data.

This study investigates driving behaviour in different stages of rear-end conflicts using vehicle trajectory data. Three conflict stages (pre-, in-, and post-conflict) are defined based on time-to-collision (TTC) indicator. Four indexes are selected to capture within-group and between-group characteristics of the stages. Besides, this study also examines the prediction performance of conflict stage identification using specific driving behaviour characteristics associated with each stage. Results reveal variations in dominant driving characteristics and predictive importance across stages. Heterogeneity exists within stages, with differences among clusters. Drivers slow down during in-conflict, with decreasing speed reduction as stages progress. Reaction time increases in post-conflict. Insufficient space gaps contribute to rear-end conflicts in the in-conflict stage. Furthermore, the prediction performance of conflict stage identification, based on the specific driving behaviour characteristics associated with each stage, is commendable. This study enhances understanding and prediction of conflict stage identification in rear-end conflicts.Practitioner summary: This study explores driving behaviour in rear-end conflict stages using trajectory data. It identifies pre-, in-, and post-conflict stages via time-to-collision indicator and assesses within-group and between-group characteristics. Besides, prediction performance for conflict stage identification based on these characteristics is commendable. This research enhances understanding and prediction of rear-end conflicts.

Radiotherapy with Targeted Therapy or Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Hepatic Vein and/or Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombi.

Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatic vein tumor thrombus (HVTT) and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) receiving radiotherapy (RT) combined with systemic therapies. Patients and Methods: Patients with HCC with HVTT and/or IVCTT who received RT were identified at our institution. The prescription doses were 30-65 Gy for planning target volume and 40-65 Gy for the gross tumor volume. Targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were used concurrently if patients were at a high risk of or already had distant metastasis. After RT completion, follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and 3 to 6 months thereafter. The objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity were recorded. Results: Thirty-four patients were retrospectively enrolled between January 2016 and September 2021. Most patients received concurrent targeted therapy (70.6%) and/or post-RT (79.4%). The in-field ORR and disease control rates were 79.4% and 97.1%, respectively. The OS rates were 77.6% at 1 year and 36.3% at 2 years (median OS, 15.8 months). The median PFS and median in-field PFS were 4.2 months and not reached, respectively. The PFS and in-field PFS rates were 24.6% and 79.2% at 1 year, 19.7% and 72.0% at 2 years, respectively. An alpha-fetoprotein level >1000 ng/mL was a significant prognostic factor for worse OS (HR, 5.674; 95% CI, 1.588-20.276; p=0.008); in-field complete/partial response was a significant prognostic factor for better OS (HR, 0.116; 95% CI, 0.027-0.499; p=0.004). The most common site of first failure was the lungs (13/34 patients, 38.2%), followed by the liver (7/34 patients, 20.6%). No patients developed radiation-induced liver disease or pulmonary embolism during follow-up. Conclusion: Combining RT and systemic therapy was safe and effective in treating patients with HCC with HVTT and IVCTT.

Hospitalized children with COVID-19 infection during large outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain: a retrospective study in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the clinical findings of hospitalized paediatric COVID-19 patients by the end of 2022. METHOD: All confirmed children with COVID-19 infection admitted into Chaozhou Central Hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak from 19 December 2022 to 1 February 2023 were included. Detailed clinical data of those children were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 286 children, ranging in age from 1 month to 13 years old, were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among these cases, 138 (48.3%) were categorized as mild, 126 (44.0%) as moderate and 22 (7.7%) as severe/critical. Symptoms varied among the children and included fever, upper respiratory tract symptoms, convulsions, sore throat, poor appetite, dyspnoea and gastrointestinal symptoms. Notably, febrile convulsions were observed in 96 (33.6%) patients, while acute laryngitis was documented in 50 (17.5%) cases. Among the severe/critical patients, eight developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), and tragically, one patient's condition worsened and resulted in death. Furthermore, MRI scans revealed abnormal brain signals in six severe/critical patients. The severe/critical group also exhibited more pronounced laboratory abnormalities, including decreased haemoglobin and elevated ALT, AST, LDH and CK levels. CONCLUSIONS: Febrile convulsions and acute laryngitis are frequently observed in children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection. Moreover, MIS-C and abnormal neuroimaging appear to be relatively common phenomena in severe/critical cases.

Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis provide insight into the biosynthesis of flavonoids in Panax japonicus.

Panax japonicus is an important medicinal plant, and flavonoids are one of its main secondary metabolites. In this study, the main roots, fibrous roots, stems, leaves and flowers of P. japonicus were analyzed using transcriptomics and widely targeted metabolomics. Through correlation analysis of transcription and metabolism, the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in P. japonicus was analyzed, and the accumulation of flavonoid metabolites and the expression of related genes were investigated. Metabolomics revealed a total of 209 flavonoid metabolites in P. japonicus, among which flavonoids, flavonols, flavanones and flavanonols significantly accumulated in the flowers and leaves. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that key genes in the flavonoid pathway exhibited increased expression in the flowers and leaves. The expression patterns of key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, including PjC4H, Pj4CL, PjCHS, PjCHI, PjF3H, PjF3'H, PjCYP, and PjPAL, are consistent with their upstream and downstream metabolites, demonstrating a significant positive correlation among them. In addition, the PjUGT gene is highly expressed in five tissues of P. japonicus, indicating that PjUGT is one of the key factors for the diversity of flavonoid glycosides. The WGCNA results showed that WRKY transcription factors exist widely in the candidate modules, and it was possible that PjWRKY transcription factors are involved in regulating the expression of key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and the biosynthesis of flavonoid metabolites. This study reveals spatial differences in the accumulation patterns of flavonoid metabolites in different tissues and provides important clues for further understanding the regulatory mechanisms of flavonoid metabolism in P. japonicus, thus contributing to the optimization of germplasm resources of P. japonicus and the promotion of genetic diversity analysis.

Interleukin-21 engineering enhances NK cell activity against glioblastoma via CEBPD.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with limited therapeutic options. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with strong anti-tumor activity and may offer a promising treatment strategy for GBM. We compared the anti-GBM activity of NK cells engineered to express interleukin (IL)-15 or IL-21. Using multiple in vivo models, IL-21 NK cells were superior to IL-15 NK cells both in terms of safety and long-term anti-tumor activity, with locoregionally administered IL-15 NK cells proving toxic and ineffective at tumor control. IL-21 NK cells displayed a unique chromatin accessibility signature, with CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP), especially CEBPD, serving as key transcription factors regulating their enhanced function. Deletion of CEBPD resulted in loss of IL-21 NK cell potency while its overexpression increased NK cell long-term cytotoxicity and metabolic fitness. These results suggest that IL-21, through C/EBP transcription factors, drives epigenetic reprogramming of NK cells, enhancing their anti-tumor efficacy against GBM.

A surrogate model-based approach for adaptive selection of the optimal traffic conflict prediction model.

For identifying the optimal model for real-time conflict prediction, there is a necessity for proposing a quantitative analysis approach that adaptively selects the optimal prediction model from a large pool of task-suited models, while simultaneously considering the computational efficiency and prediction precision. Based on this line, this study developed an innovative approach termed surrogate model-based optimal prediction model selection (SM-OPMS). This approach aims to accelerate the optimal model selection while incorporating prediction precision considerations, under the precondition of comprehensively evaluating task-suited models. An analytical framework was proposed, further illustrated through a detailed case study. In the case study, real vehicle trajectory data from HighD were processed and applied, which can be aggregated to extract both traffic state variables and corresponding conflict data during a specific time interval. As for the conflict detection, Time-to-Collision (TTC) and Deceleration Rate to Avoid a Crash (DRAC) indicators were utilized to identify risky conditions. Based on the proposed approach, the selection for the optimal prediction model was conducted, and the variable importance in conflict prediction within the optimal models derived from the SM-OPMS was also investigated. Finally, a comparative analysis with the enumeration-based optimal prediction model selection (E-OPMS) approach was conducted to validate the superiority of the proposed approach. Results indicate that SM-OPMS outperforms E-OPMS in optimal model selection, notably enhancing computational efficiency by up to 94.03%, while maintaining prediction precision within a maximum reduction of only 7.91%. The significance of the SM-OPMS approach is revealed by its comprehensive selection of the optimal prediction models for specific traffic scenarios, taking into account both prediction efficiency and precision simultaneously. The proposed approach is expected to contribute to the development of real-time conflict prediction in the future.

Patterns of neural activity in prelimbic cortex neurons correlate with attentional behavior in the rodent continuous performance test.

Sustained attention, the ability to focus on a stimulus or task over extended periods, is crucial for higher level cognition, and is impaired in individuals diagnosed with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. Translational tasks like the rodent continuous performance test (rCPT) can be used to study the cellular mechanisms underlying sustained attention. Accumulating evidence points to a role for the prelimbic cortex (PrL) in sustained attention, as electrophysiological single unit and local field (LFPs) recordings reflect changes in neural activity in the PrL in mice performing sustained attention tasks. While the evidence correlating PrL electrical activity with sustained attention is compelling, limitations inherent to electrophysiological recording techniques, including low sampling in single unit recordings and source ambivalence for LFPs, impede the ability to fully resolve the cellular mechanisms in the PrL that contribute to sustained attention. In vivo endoscopic calcium imaging using genetically encoded calcium sensors in behaving animals can address these questions by simultaneously recording up to hundreds of neurons at single cell resolution. Here, we used in vivo endoscopic calcium imaging to record patterns of neuronal activity in PrL neurons using the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP6f in mice performing the rCPT at three timepoints requiring differing levels of cognitive demand and task proficiency. A higher proportion of PrL neurons were recruited during correct responses in sessions requiring high cognitive demand and task proficiency, and mice intercalated non-responsive-disengaged periods with responsive-engaged periods that resemble attention lapses. During disengaged periods, the correlation of calcium activity between PrL neurons was higher compared to engaged periods, suggesting a neuronal network state change during attention lapses in the PrL. Overall, these findings illustrate that cognitive demand, task proficiency, and task engagement differentially recruit activity in a subset of PrL neurons during sustained attention.

Bacterial surface display of PETase mutants and MHETase for an efficient dual-enzyme cascade catalysis.

Biological degradation of PET plastic holds great potential for plastic recycling. However, the high costs associated with preparing free enzymes for degrading PET make it unfeasible for industrial applications. Hence, we developed various cell catalysts by surface-displaying PETase mutants and MHETase using autotransporters in E. coli and P. putida. The efficiency of surface display was enhanced through modifying the host, co-expressing molecular chaperones, and evoluting the autotransporter. In strain EC9F, PET degradation rate was boosted to 3.85 mM/d, 51-fold and 23-fold increase compared to free enzyme and initial strain ED1, respectively. The reusability of cell catalyst EC9F was demonstrated with over 38 % and 30 % of its initial activity retained after 22 cycles of BHET degradation and 3 cycles of PET degradation. The highest reported PET degradation rate of 4.95 mM/d was achieved by the dual-enzyme cascade catalytic system EC9F+EM2+R, a mixture of cell catalyst EC9F and EM2 with surfactant rhamnolipid.

Effects of vitamin D status on cutaneous wound healing through modulation of EMT and ECM.

To investigate the effects of vitamin D status on cutaneous wound healing, C57BL/6J mice were fed diets with different vitamin D levels or injected intraperitoneally with 1α,25(OH)2D3. Dorsal skin wounds were created and wound edge tissues were collected on days 4, 7, 11, and 14 post-wounding. The proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells treated with shVDR or 1α,25(OH)2D3 were assessed. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) decreased wound closure and might delay inflammatory response, shown by slower inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased IL6 and TNF expression in early phase followed by an increase later. VDD might postpone epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), initially characterized by higher epithelial markers and lower mesenchymal markers, followed by opposite appearance later. Dietary vitamin D supplementation and 1α,25(OH)2D3 intervention tended to accelerate EMT. Regarding extracellular matrix (ECM), VDD appeared to reduce collagen deposition on day 4 and downregulated fibronectin, COL3A1, and MMP9 expression early, followed by an increase later, together with an initial increase and subsequent decrease in Timp1 mRNA expression. Dietary vitamin D intervention promoted fibronectin and MMP9 expression on day 4 and then downregulated their expression on day 14. TGFb1/SMAD2/3 signaling seemed to be downregulated by VDD and upregulated by 1α,25(OH)2D3. In vitro, partial inhibition of VDR by shVDR tended to inhibit HaCaT cell proliferation and migration, EMT, and TGFb1/SMAD2/3 signaling, whereas 1α,25(OH)2D3 appeared to generate opposite effects. In conclusion, VDD hindered cutaneous wound healing, potentially due to impaired inflammatory response, delayed EMT, decreased ECM, and inhibited TGFb1/SMAD2/3 pathway. Vitamin D and 1α,25(OH)2D3 tended to enhance EMT and ECM.

Identification and Characterization of a Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrant Inositol Hexakisphosphate Kinase (IP6K) Inhibitor.

Inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks) have been studied for their role in glucose homeostasis, metabolic disease, fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, neurological development, and psychiatric disease. IP6Ks phosphorylate inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) to the pyrophosphate, 5-diphosphoinositol-1,2,3,4,6-pentakisphosphate (5-IP7). Most of the currently known potent IP6K inhibitors contain a critical carboxylic acid which limits blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. In this work, the synthesis and testing of a variety of carboxylic acid isosteres resulted in several new compounds with improved BBB penetration. The most promising compound has an IP6K1 IC50 of 16 nM with an improved brain/plasma ratio and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. This series of brain penetrant compounds may be used to investigate the role of IP6Ks in CNS disorders.

Understanding molecular geometric phase effects with exact effective force: case study of a model system.

In this work, molecular geometric phase effects are studied using the idea of exact factorization (EF) (Abediet al2010Phys. Rev. Lett.105123002) and exact effective force (Liet al2022Phys. Rev. Lett.128113001). In particular, we performed dynamics simulations for a two-state vibronic coupling model, and interpreted the results in three different perspectives: the Born-Huang expansion, the exact time-dependent potential energy surface (TDPES) and the exact effective force. We find that (i) at particular moment, while the vanishing nuclear density that occurs periodically in space is conventionally attributed to destructive interference of the nuclear wave packet owing to the geometric phase, such phenomenon can be equally well interpreted through the energy perspective, as manifested in the exact TDPES in the EF scheme; (ii) when combined with trajectory-based classical dynamics, the exact effective force obtained through EF qualitatively reproduces the correct nuclear density, while the adiabatic force gives the wrong density, particularly in the interference region. Our results suggest that the exact effective force is a potential starting point for making approximations and improving trajectory-based computational methods towards an accurate description of geometric phase effects.

Mechanical force regulates the paracrine functions of ADSCs to assist skin expansion in rats.

BACKGROUND: In the repair of massive tissue defects using expanded large skin flaps, the incidence of complications increases with the size of the expanded area. Currently, stem cell therapy has limitations to solve this problem. We hypothesized that conditioned medium of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC-CM) collected following mechanical pretreatment can assist skin expansion. METHODS: Rat aortic endothelial cells and fibroblasts were cultured with ADSC-CM collected under 0%, 10%, 12%, and 15% stretching force. Ten-milliliter cylindrical soft tissue expanders were subcutaneously implanted into the backs of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats. The 0% and 10% stretch groups were injected with ADSC-CM collected under 0% and 10% stretching force, respectively, while the control group was not injected. After 3, 7, 14, and 30 days of expansion, expanded skin tissue was harvested for staining and qPCR analyses. RESULTS: Endothelial cells had the best lumen formation and highest migration rate, and fibroblasts secreted the most collagen upon culture with ADSC-CM collected under 10% stretching force. The skin expansion rate was significantly increased in the 10% stretch group. After 7 days of expansion, the number of blood vessels in the expanded area, expression of the angiogenesis-associated proteins vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor, and collagen deposition were significantly increased in the 10% stretch group. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal mechanical force upregulates specific paracrine proteins in ADSCs to increase angiogenesis and collagen secretion, and thereby promote skin regeneration and expansion. This study provides a new auxiliary method to expand large skin flaps.

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes immune damage, oxidative stress and intestinal flora disruption in salamander (Andrias davidianus) larvae.

The toxic effects of nanoparticles have been increasingly investigated, but there has been limited research on amphibians, especially those of conservation value. This study examined the effects of different concentrations (0, 0.04, 0.2, 1, 5 mg/L) of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 80 nm) on the short-term exposure (7 d) of Andrias davidianus. Results demonstrated the concentration-dependent enrichment of PS-NPs in the intestine. Histological lesions displayed increased hepatic macrophages with cellular rupture, broken intestinal villi, decreased cuprocytes and crypt depression. Antioxidant- and inflammation-related enzyme activities were analysed, and it was found that hepatic and intestinal MDA content and CAT activity were highest in the N-1 group and SOD activity was highest in the N-0.2 group (p < 0.05). AKP activity continued to decline, and iNOS activity was highest in the N-0.2 group (p < 0.05). il-10, tgf-ß, bcl-w and txnl1 were significantly downregulated in the N-0.2 group, while il-6 and il-8 were markedly upregulated in the N-0.2 group (p < 0.05). Exposing to PS-NPs decreased probiotic bacteria (Cetobacterium, Akkermansia) and increased pathogenic bacteria (Lachnoclostridium). Our results suggest that NPs exposure can have deleterious effects on salamanders, which predicts that NPs contamination may lead to continued amphibian declines. Therefore, we strongly recommend that attention be paid to amphibians, especially endangered species, in the field of NPs.

The novel HLA-A*24:617 allele, identified by Sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual.

HLA-A*24:617 differs from HLA-A*24:02:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 4.