Influence of aeration modes and DO on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in treatment of hypersaline high-strength nitrogen wastewater using sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR).

Sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) has the potential to treat hypersaline high-strength nitrogen wastewater by simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND). Dissolved oxygen (DO) and aeration modes are major factors affecting pollutant removal. Low DO (0.35-3.5 mg/L) and alternative anoxic/aerobic (A/O) mode are commonly used for municipal wastewater treatment, however, the appropriate DO concentration and operation mode are still unknown under hypersaline environment because of the restricted oxygen transfer in denser extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) barrier and the decreased carbon source consumption during the anoxic phase. Herein, two SBBRs (R1, fully aerobic mode; R2, A/O mode) were used for the treatment of hypersaline high-strength nitrogen wastewater (200 mg/L NH4+-N, COD/N of 3 and 3% salinity). The results showed that the relatively low DO (2 mg/L) could not realize effective nitrification, while high DO (4.5 mg/L) evidently increased nitrification efficiency by enhancing oxygen transfer in denser biofilm that was stimulated by high salinity. A stable SND was reached 16 days faster with a ∼10% increase of TN removal under A/O mode. Mechanism analysis found that denser biofilm with coccus and bacillus were present in A/O mode instead of filamentous microorganisms, with the secretion of more EPS. Corynebacterium and Halomonas were the dominant genera in both SBBRs, and HN-AD process might assist partial nitrification-denitrification (PND) for highly efficient TN removal in biofilm systems. By using the appropriate operation mode and parameters, the average NH4+-N and TN removal efficiency could respectively reach 100% and 70.8% under the NLR of 0.2 kg N·m-3·d-1 (COD/N of 3), which was the highest among the published works using SND-based SBBRs in treatment of saline high-strength ammonia nitrogen (low COD/N) wastewater. This study provided new insights in biofilm under hypersaline stress and provided a solution for the treatment of hypersaline high-strength nitrogen (low COD/N) water.

High expression of NXPH4 correlates with poor prognosis, metabolic reprogramming, and immune infiltration in colon adenocarcinoma.

Background: Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignant disease with high mortality rate, and identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets is urgently needed. Although neurexophilin 4 (NXPH4) has been investigated in several tumors, its role in COAD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic value and potential functions of NXPH4 in COAD. Methods: The expression of NXPH4 in COAD were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The prognostic value of NXPH4 was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. To investigate the possible mechanism underlying the role of NXPH4 in COAD, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed. The correlation between NXPH4 expression and immune cell infiltration levels was examined thorough single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Furthermore, the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network that may be involved in NXPH4 in COAD was predicted and constructed through a variety of databases. Results: NXPH4 expression was significantly higher in COAD tissue compared with normal colon tissues. Meanwhile, high expression of NXPH4 was associated with poor prognosis in COAD patients. GO-KEGG and GSEA analyses indicated that NXPH4 was associated with glycolysis and hypoxia pathway, and may promote COAD progression and metastasis by modulating metabolic reprogramming. ssGSEA analysis demonstrated that NXPH4 expression also associated with immune infiltration. Furthermore, we identified various microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as upstream regulators of NXPH4 in COAD. Conclusions: The present study revealed that high expression of NXPH4 is associated with tumor progression, metabolic reprogramming, and immune infiltration. These findings suggest that NXPH4 could serve as a reliable prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target in COAD.

A systemic infection involved in lung, brain and spine caused by Scedosporium apiospermum species complex after near-drowning: a case report and literature review.

Scedosporium apiospermum species complex are widely distributed fungi that can be found in a variety of polluted environments, including soil, sewage, and decaying vegetation. Those opportunistic pathogens with strong potential of invasion commonly affect immunosuppressed populations However, few cases of scedosporiosis are reported in immunocompetent individuals, who might be misdiagnosed, leading to a high mortality rate. Here, we reported an immunocompetent case of systemtic infection involved in lung, brain and spine, caused by S. apiospermum species complex (S. apiospermum and S. boydii). The patient was an elderly male with persistent fever and systemtic infection after near-drowning. In the two tertiary hospitals he visited, definite diagnosis was extremely difficult. After being admitted to our hospital, he was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis infection, before diagnosis of S. apiospermum species complex infection by the metagenomic next-generation sequencing. His symptoms were alleviated after voriconazole treatment. In the present case, the details associated with its course were reported and published studies on Scedosporium spp. infection were also reviewed, for a better understanding of this disease and reducing the misdiagnosis rate.

HIV-infected patients rarely develop invasive fungal diseases under good immune reconstitution after ART regardless high prevalence of pathogenic filamentous fungi carriage in nasopharynx/oropharynx.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of filamentous fungi (FF) carriage in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Guangdong province, along with its subsequent incidence of invasive fungal disease (IFD). Methods: Seven hundred and sixteen HIV-infected individuals from the outpatient clinic and 293 sex-matched healthy controls were recruited prospectively from May 1 to August 31, 2017. Fungi were isolated from oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs, then identified by morphological and molecular biological techniques. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of pathogenic FF carriage. Pathogenic FF carriers were followed up through the end of 2019. Results: Of the 716 included HIV-infected patients, 602 (84.1%) were male, the median age was 34 (27-42) years, and the median CD4+ count was 385 (254-542) cells/µl. Pathogenic FF were isolated in 119 (16.6%) cases with HIV infection and 40 (13.7%) healthy controls. Mucorales were found in 3 HIV-infected individuals and Talaromyces marneffei in 2 HIV-infected individuals, but not in healthy controls. History of cured opportunistic infections (OIs; OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.23-3.13, p = 0.004), and smoking (OR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.03-2.32, p = 0.035) were independent risk factors of pathogenic FF carriage in HIV-infected individuals. A total of 119 pathogenic FF carriers with HIV infection were followed. During follow-up, 119 (100%) cases received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 28 months, 107 (90%) cases had CD4+ counts>200 cells/µl, and none developed IFD. Discussion: Pathogenic FF carriage is common in HIV-infected individuals but may not develop IFD in those who achieved immune reconstitution. Smoking and cured OIs history increase the risk of pathogenic FF carriage. Smoking abstinence and ART adherence are especially important for these patients.

Dynamic confinement of SAPO-17 cages on the selectivity control of syngas conversion.

The OXZEO (oxide-zeolite) bifunctional catalyst concept has enabled selective syngas conversion to a series of value-added chemicals and fuels such as light olefins, aromatics and gasoline. Herein we report for the first time a dynamic confinement of SAPO-17 cages on the selectivity control of syngas conversion observed during an induction period. Structured illumination microscopy, intelligent gravimetric analysis, UV-Raman, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis indicate that this is attributed to the evolution of carbonaceous species as the reaction proceeds, which gradually reduces the effective space inside the cage. Consequently, the diffusion of molecules is hindered and the hindering is much more prominent for larger molecules such as C4+. As a result, the selectivity of ethylene is enhanced whereas that of C4+ is suppressed. Beyond the induction period, the product selectivity levels off. For instance, ethylene selectivity levels off at 44% and propylene selectivity at 31%, as well as CO conversion at 27%. The findings here bring a new fundamental understanding that will guide further development of selective catalysts for olefin synthesis based on the OXZEO concept.

Improving soil aggregates stability and soil organic carbon sequestration by no-till and legume-based crop rotations in the North China Plain.

Conservation agriculture (CA) has been adopted worldwide on about 200 Mha to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) for mitigating climate change. However, as a crucial mechanism to sequester SOC, how the protection of aggregates responds to the interaction between no-till and crop rotations (two principles of CA) remains unknown. Thus, a field experiment with six treatments [e.g., no-till or rotary tillage under the maize-wheat-soybean-wheat system (NT-MWSW, RT-MWSW), no-till or rotary tillage under the maize-wheat system (NT-MW, RT-MW), and no-till or rotary tillage under the soybean-wheat system (NT-SW, RT-SW)] was conducted from June 2018 to June 2021 in the North China Plain (NCP) to assess their effects on aggregation and SOC. Results indicated that macroaggregates (> 0.25 mm) were the main contributors to the soil carbon (C) pool, comprised 64.7-87.3 % of aggregates, and encompassed 64.9-73.1 % of the SOC stock. NT increased not only the proportion of macroaggregates but also aggregate stability (i.e., mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter). Significant positive effects from legumes were observed under NT. SW increased by 13.6 % macroaggregate-associated SOC under NT in 0-20 cm compared to that under MW. Additionally, the conversion rate of straw C input under NT-SW was higher than that in other treatments, augmenting it by 9.4-21.9 %. This may be attributed to the higher macroaggregate total nitrogen (increased by 1.7-15.9 %) in 0-10 cm under legume-based crop rotations compared to that under MW, resulting in lower C: N ratios, which promoted the decomposition of straw. Furthermore, the total potential mineralization of macroaggregates under NT legume-based crop rotations was 3.0-16.0 % higher than that of MW. Thus, a legume-based NT system can significantly improve soil macro-aggregation, increase the conversion rate of straw C input, and reduce C loss, which can be a viable practice to enhance SOC sequestration capacity under CA in the NCP.

Talaromyces marneffei Mp1p Antigen Detection may Play an Important Role in the Early Diagnosis of Talaromycosis in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Talaromycosis is a life-threatening fungal disease commonly seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is endemic in Southern China and Southeast countries. The diagnostic methods available for talaromycosis are relatively time-consuming and yield a high mortality. Therefore, early diagnosis of talaromycosis is extremely important. We aimed to determine a potential method for assisting in its early diagnosis. A total of 283 patients with AIDS admitted to our hospital were prospectively included in this cross-sectional study and divided into those with Talaromyces marneffei (TSM group, n = 93) and those without Talaromyces marneffei (non-TSM group, n = 190). The diagnostic accuracy of the Mp1p enzyme immunoassay (EIA), galactomannan (GM) assay, and blood culture performed within 3 days of hospitalisation were evaluated, using talaromycosis confirmed by culture and/or pathology as the gold standard. The positivity rates in the Mp1p EIA, GM assay, and blood culture were 72%, 64.5%, and 81.7%, respectively, in the TSM group. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Mp1p EIA were 72.0% (67/93), 96.8% (184/190), 91.8% (67/73), and 87.6% (184/210), respectively. The Mp1p EIA showed a substantial agreement with the gold standard (kappa: 0.729) and superiority to the GM assay (kappa: 0.603); it also showed a superior diagnostic accuracy in the patients with CD4+ counts of < 50 cells/µL compared to those with CD4+ counts ranged from 50-100 cells/µL. The Mp1p EIA has the advantage of assisting in the early diagnosis of talaromycosis in patients with AIDS, especially those with low CD4+ counts.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the wheat-maize cropping system under different tillage and crop residue management practices in the North China Plain.

With increasing attention being placed on mitigating global warming and achieving agricultural sustainable intensification, conservation agriculture practices have gradually been implemented in the North China Plain (NCP). However, there are still knowledge gaps on the effects of conservation practices on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in this area. In this study, a four-year field experiment was conducted from 2014 to 2018 to assess the effects of tillage and crop residue management practices on the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). Subsequently, crop yields, area-scaled and yield-scaled total non-carbon dioxide (CO2) GHG emissions were assessed. Our research found that no-till (NT) decreased N2O emissions by 22.6% compared with conventional tillage (CT) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seasons, but there was no difference between tillage practices in summer maize (Zea mays L.) seasons. Crop residue retention practice (+R) increased N2O emissions by 28.1% and 26.7% compared with residue removal practice (-R) in winter wheat and summer maize seasons, respectively. The NT soils took up more CH4 compared with the CT soils in summer maize seasons. Area-scaled total non-CO2 GHG emissions showed trends similar to those of N2O emission. Since crop residue retention improved the maize yield compared with the residue removal treatments, yield-scaled total non-CO2 GHGs emission did not differ between residue management practices in summer maize seasons. Our four-year field measurements indicated that no-till practice could be more useful as an option to mitigate non-CO2 GHG emissions in the wheat - maize cropping system.

Fabrication of Porous Lead Bromide Films by Introducing Indium Tribromide for Efficient Inorganic CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells.

In the process of preparing CsPbBr3 films by two-step or multi-step methods, due to the low solubility of CsBr in organic solvents, the prepared perovskite films often have a large number of holes, which is definitely not conducive to the performance of CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In response to this problem, this article proposed a method of introducing InBr3 into the PbBr2 precursor to prepare a porous PbBr2 film to increase the reaction efficiency between CsBr and PbBr2 and achieve the purpose of In (Ⅲ) incorporation, which not only optimized the morphology of the produced CsPbBr3 film but also enhanced the charge extraction and transport capabilities, which was ascribed to the reduction of the trap state density and impurity phases in the perovskite films, improving the performance of CsPbBr3 PSCs. At the optimal InBr3 concentration of 0.21 M, the InBr3:CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cell exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 6.48%, which was significantly higher than that of the pristine device.

Highly heterogeneous-related genes of triple-negative breast cancer: potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer, showing aggressive clinical behaviors and poor outcomes. It urgently needs new therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of TNBC. Bioinformatics analyses have been widely used to identify potential biomarkers for facilitating TNBC diagnosis and management. METHODS: We identified potential biomarkers and analyzed their diagnostic and prognostic values using bioinformatics approaches. Including differential expression gene (DEG) analysis, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, functional enrichment analysis, Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network construction, survival analysis, multivariate Cox regression analysis, and Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF). RESULTS: A total of 105 DEGs were identified between TNBC and other breast cancer subtypes, which were regarded as heterogeneous-related genes. Subsequently, the KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were significantly enriched in 'cell cycle' and 'oocyte meiosis' related pathways. Four (FAM83B, KITLG, CFD and RBM24) of 105 genes were identified as prognostic signatures in the disease-free interval (DFI) of TNBC patients, as for progression-free interval (PFI), five genes (FAM83B, EXO1, S100B, TYMS and CFD) were obtained. Time-dependent ROC analysis indicated that the multivariate Cox regression models, which were constructed based on these genes, had great predictive performances. Finally, the survival analysis of TNBC subtypes (mesenchymal stem-like [MSL] and mesenchymal [MES]) suggested that FAM83B significantly affected the prognosis of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The multivariate Cox regression models constructed from four heterogeneous-related genes (FAM83B, KITLG, RBM24 and S100B) showed great prediction performance for TNBC patients' prognostic. Moreover, FAM83B was an important prognostic feature in several TNBC subtypes (MSL and MES). Our findings provided new biomarkers to facilitate the targeted therapies of TNBC and TNBC subtypes.

Synthesis of High Molecular Weight Cyclic Poly(ε-caprolactone)s of Variable Ring Size Based on a Light-Induced Ring-Closure Approach.

High molecular weight cyclic poly(ε-caprolactone)s (cPCLs) with variable ring size are synthesized via light-induced ring closure of α,ω-anthracene-terminated PCL (An-PCL-An). The ring size of cPCL is tunable simply by adjusting the polymer concentration from 10 to 100 mg mL(-1) in THF. The cyclo-addition via the bimolecular cyclization of An-PC-An is well characterized by a variety of analyses such as (1) H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, gel-permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. The reversible dimerization of An induced by heating enables the cyclic PCL to have a switchable "on-off" capability. This novel light-induced ring-closure technique can be one of the most powerful candidates for producing various well-defined cyclic polymers in highly concentrated polymer solution.