Microbial diversity and metabolic pathways linked to benzene degradation in petrochemical-polluted groundwater.

The rapid advance in shotgun metagenome sequencing has enabled us to identify uncultivated functional microorganisms in polluted environments. While aerobic petrochemical-degrading pathways have been extensively studied, the anaerobic mechanisms remain less explored. Here, we conducted a study at a petrochemical-polluted groundwater site in Henan Province, Central China. A total of twelve groundwater monitoring wells were installed to collect groundwater samples. Benzene appeared to be the predominant pollutant, detected in 10 out of 12 samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.4 µg/L to 5,280 µg/L. Due to the low aquifer permeability, pollutant migration occurred slowly, resulting in relatively low benzene concentrations downstream within the heavily polluted area. Deep metagenome sequencing revealed Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum, accounting for over 63 % of total abundances. Microbial α-diversity was low in heavily polluted samples, with community compositions substantially differing from those in lightly polluted samples. dmpK encoding the phenol/toluene 2-monooxygenase was detected across all samples, while the dioxygenase bedC1 was not detected, suggesting that aerobic benzene degradation might occur through monooxygenation. Sequence assembly and binning yielded 350 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), with 30 MAGs harboring functional genes associated with aerobic or anaerobic benzene degradation. About 80 % of MAGs harboring functional genes associated with anaerobic benzene degradation remained taxonomically unclassified at the genus level, suggesting that our current database coverage of anaerobic benzene-degrading microorganisms is very limited. Furthermore, two genes integral to anaerobic benzene metabolism, i.e, benzoyl-CoA reductase (bamB) and glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (acd), were not annotated by metagenome functional analyses but were identified within the MAGs, signifying the importance of integrating both contig-based and MAG-based approaches. Together, our efforts of functional annotation and metagenome binning generate a robust blueprint of microbial functional potentials in petrochemical-polluted groundwater, which is crucial for designing proficient bioremediation strategies.

Warming effects on grassland soil microbial communities are amplified in cool months.

Global warming modulates soil respiration (RS) via microbial decomposition, which is seasonally dependent. Yet, the magnitude and direction of this modulation remain unclear, partly owing to the lack of knowledge on how microorganisms respond to seasonal changes. Here, we investigated the temporal dynamics of soil microbial communities over 12 consecutive months under experimental warming in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The interplay between warming and time altered (p < 0.05) the taxonomic and functional compositions of microbial communities. During the cool months (January to February and October to December), warming induced a soil microbiome with a higher genomic potential for carbon decomposition, community-level ribosomal RNA operon (rrn) copy numbers, and microbial metabolic quotients, suggesting that warming stimulated fast-growing microorganisms that enhanced carbon decomposition. Modeling analyses further showed that warming reduced the temperature sensitivity of microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) by 28.7% when monthly average temperature was low, resulting in lower microbial CUE and higher heterotrophic respiration (Rh) potentials. Structural equation modeling showed that warming modulated both Rh and RS directly by altering soil temperature and indirectly by influencing microbial community traits, soil moisture, nitrate content, soil pH, and gross primary productivity. The modulation of Rh by warming was more pronounced in cooler months compared to warmer ones. Together, our findings reveal distinct warming-induced effects on microbial functional traits in cool months, challenging the norm of soil sampling only in the peak growing season, and advancing our mechanistic understanding of the seasonal pattern of RS and Rh sensitivity to warming.

An examination from 1990 to 2019: investigating the burden of knee dislocation on a global scale.

Background: The literature on the disease burden of knee dislocation is lacking. The aim of the study is to systematically assess the global burden, trends, causes, and influencing factors of knee dislocation. Methods: The incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of knee dislocation were assessed globally, as well as at the regional and national levels from 1990 to 2019. Subsequent analyses focused on the age and gender distribution related to knee dislocation. An investigation into the main causes of knee dislocation followed. Finally, the Pearson correlation between age-standardized rates and social-demographic index (SDI) was calculated. Results: Although the age-standardized incidence and YLDs rate of knee dislocation decreased over the past 30 years, the incidence and YLDs number increased. The disease burden remained higher in males compared to females. Males and females showed different patterns of incidence rates in each age group, but their YLDs rates were similar. Over the past 30 years, the disease burden of knee dislocation increased in the older population while declining in the younger population. Falls had consistently emerged as the most important cause for both incidence and YLD rates. Additionally, a positive correlation between SDI and the disease burden of knee dislocation was found. Conclusion: The disease burden of knee dislocation remains heavy. It is essential to recognize the evolving epidemiology of knee dislocation. Utilizing data-driven assessments can assist in formulating public health policies and strategies to improve overall well-being.

Low Carbon Loss from Long-Term Manure-Applied Soil during Abrupt Warming Is Realized through Soil and Microbiome Interplay.

Manure application is a global approach for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. However, the response of SOC decomposition in manure-applied soil to abrupt warming, often occurring during diurnal temperature fluctuations, remains poorly understood. We examined the effects of long-term (23 years) continuous application of manure on SOC chemical composition, soil respiration, and microbial communities under temperature shifts (15 vs 25 °C) in the presence of plant residues. Compared to soil without fertilizer, manure application reduced SOC recalcitrance indexes (i.e., aliphaticity and aromaticity) by 17.45 and 21.77%, and also reduced temperature sensitivity (Q10) of native SOC decomposition, plant residue decomposition, and priming effect by 12.98, 15.98, and 52.83%, respectively. The relative abundances of warm-stimulated chemoheterotrophic bacteria and fungi were lower in the manure-applied soil, whereas those of chemoautotrophic Thaumarchaeota were higher. In addition, the microbial network of the manure-applied soil was more interconnected, with more negative connections with the warm-stimulated taxa than soils without fertilizer or with chemical fertilizer applied. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the reduced loss of SOC to abrupt warming by manure application arises from C chemistry modification, less warm-stimulated microorganisms, a more complex microbial community, and the higher CO2 intercepting capability by Thaumarchaeota.

Regional microbial biogeography linked to soil respiration.

The relationships between α-diversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) have been extensively examined. However, it remains unknown how spatial heterogeneity of microbial community, i.e., microbial ß-diversity within a region, shapes ecosystem functioning. Here, we examined microbial community compositions and soil respiration (Rs) along an elevation gradient of 853-4420 m a.s.l. in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, which is renowned as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. There were significant distance-decay relationships for both bacterial and fungal communities. Stochastic processes played a dominant role in shaping bacterial and fungal community compositions, while soil temperature was the most important environmental factor that affected microbial communities. We evaluated BEF relationships based on α-diversity measured by species richness and ß-diversity measured by community dispersions, revealing significantly positive correlations between microbial ß-diversities and Rs. These correlations became stronger with increasing sample size, differing from those between microbial α-diversities and Rs. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we found that soil temperature, soil moisture, and total nitrogen were the most important edaphic properties in explaining Rs. Meanwhile, stochastic processes (e.g., homogenous dispersal and dispersal limitation) significantly mediated effects between microbial ß-diversities and Rs. Microbial α-diversity poorly explained Rs, directly or indirectly. In a nutshell, we identified a previously unknown BEF relationship between microbial ß-diversity and Rs. By complementing common practices to examine BEF with α-diversity, we demonstrate that a focus on ß-diversity could be leveraged to explain Rs.

Exploring temporal trends and burden of traumatic shoulder dislocation: a global perspective.

Objective: To explore the geographical and temporal trends of traumatic shoulder dislocation, describe the association between the social and demographic factors and the health burden due to traumatic shoulder dislocation, and further investigate its causes. Methods: Data on traumatic shoulder dislocation was collected from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, spanning the years 1990 to 2019. The epidemiology and disease burden were examined at global, regional, and national levels. Additionally, the age and gender patterns were analyzed, followed by an investigation into the primary causes. Lastly, the study studied the correlation between age-standardized rates and the socio-demographic index (SDI). Results: Over a span of 30 years, both the crude and age-standardized rates of incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) rates for all genders displayed a slight fluctuating downward trend. The incidence and YLDs rates in males were consistently higher than those in females. The study analyzed both incidence and YLDs rates of the global, regional, and national of traumatic shoulder dislocations from 1990 to 2019, as well as the temporal trends. Among males, the highest incidence rate was observed in young adulthood, while females exhibited the highest incidence rate in old age. This pattern was mirrored in the YLDs rate. Falls were identified as the main cause contributing to the disease burden related to traumatic shoulder dislocations. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the age-standardized rates and SDI. Conclusion: The disease burden of traumatic shoulder dislocation has not significantly decreased from 1990 to 2019. The incidence and YLD rates are associated with age, gender, and SDI. A thorough examination of the disease burden contributes to the efficient allocation and utilization of resources, as well as the development of targeted and effective intervention strategies.

S100A12 is involved in the pathology of osteoarthritis by promoting M1 macrophage polarization via the NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions worldwide. Synovitis and macrophage polarization are important factors in the development of OA. However, the specific components of synovial fluid (SF) responsible for promoting macrophage polarization remain unclear. METHODS: Semi-quantitative antibody arrays were used to outline the proteome of SF. Differential expression analysis and GO/KEGG were performed on the obtained data. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA were used to investigate the relationship between SF S100A12 levels and synovitis levels in clinalclinical samples. In vitro cell experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of S100A12 on macrophage polarization. Public databases were utilized to predict and construct an S100A12-centered lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA network, which was preliminarily validated using GEO datasets. RESULTS: The study outlines the protein profile in OA and non-OA SF. The results showed that the S100A12 level was significantly increased in OA SF and inflammatory chondrocytes. The OA synovium had more severe synovitis and higher levels of S100A12 than non-OA synovium. Exogenous S100A12 upregulated the levels of M1 markers and phosphorylated p65 and promoted p65 nuclear translocation, while pretreatment with BAY 11-7082 reversed these changes. It was also discovered that LINC00894 was upregulated in OA and significantly correlated with S100A12, potentially regulating S100A12 expression by acting as a miRNA sponge. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that S100A12 promotes M1 macrophage polarization through the NF-κB pathway, and found that LINC00894 has the potential to regulate the expression of S100A12 as a therapeutic approach.

[The application of molecular biology-based microbial remediation technologies in petroleum polluted environments].

Owing to human activities and industrial production, petroleum pollution has become a serious environmental issue. Microbial remediation technology, characterized by its eco-friendly characteristics, has drawn significant attention in petroleum pollution remediation. The application of molecular biology technology has led to a drastic revolution in microbial remediation technology, providing resources for the development of highly efficient degrading agents. However, limitations such as the lack of precision in species annotation and the limited detection sensitivity still exist. Other microbial remediation technologies also have substantial potential in enhancing the degradation efficiency of petroleum pollutants and reducing their environmental harm, especially biosurfactants and bio-stimulants, which offer relatively shorter remediation periods and lower costs, promising large-scale application in the future. Moreover, the combination of molecular biology and other microbial remediation technologies may become an effective tool for petroleum pollutant degradation. This review summarized the application of molecular biology methods in petroleum polluted environments, reviewed the recent research progress on microbial remediation techniques for petroleum-contaminated sites, discussed the remediation effects of these microbial remediation techniques, and proposed the future development direction of microbial remediation technology.

HCC portal hypertension imaging score derived from CT predicts re-bleeding and mortality after acute variceal bleeding.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Risk factors for re-bleeding and death after acute variceal bleeding (AVB) in cirrhotic HCC patients are not fully understood.We aimed to (1) explore how the combination of high-risk esophageal varices, HCC status, and portal vein tumor thrombus (i.e., HCC Portal Hypertension Imaging Score [HCCPHTIS]) helps predict increased risk of variceal re-bleeding and mortality; (2) assess predictability and reproducibility of the identified variceal re-bleeding rules. METHODS: This prospective study included 195 HCC patients with first-time AVB and liver cirrhosis, and conducted multivariable Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was calculated to find the optimal sensitivity, specificity, and cutoff values of the variables. The reproducibility of the results obtained was verified in a different but related group of patients. RESULTS: 56 patients (28.7%) had re-bleeding within 6 weeks; HCCPHTIS was an independent risk factor for variceal re-bleeding after AVB (Odd ratio, 2.330; 95% confidence interval: 1.728-3.142, p < 0.001). The positive predictive value of HCCPHTIS cut off value > 3 was 66.2%, sensitivity 83.9%, and specificity 82.3%. HCCPHTIS area under the curve was higher than Child-Pugh score (89% vs. 75%, p < 0.001). 74(37.9%) death occurred within 6 weeks; HCCPHTIS > 4 was associated with increased risk of death within 6 weeks after AVB (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HCCPHTIS > 3 is a strong predictor of variceal re-bleeding within the first 6 weeks. However, patients with HCCPHTIS > 4 were at increased risk of death within 6 weeks.

Body size mediates the functional potential of soil organisms by diversity and community assembly across soil aggregates.

Body size is an important life-history trait that affects organism niche occupancy and ecological interactions. However, it is still unclear to what extent the assembly process of organisms with different body sizes affects soil biogeochemical cycling processes at the aggregate level. Here, we examined the diversity and community assembly of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and protists) and microfauna (nematodes) with varying body sizes. The microbial functional potential associated with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur metabolism within three soil aggregate sizes (large macroaggregates, > 2 mm; small macroaggregates, 0.25-2 mm; and microaggregates, < 0.25 mm) were determined by metagenomics. We found that the smallest microbes (bacteria) had higher α-diversity and lower ß-diversity and were mostly structured by stochastic processes, while all larger organisms (fungi, protists, and nematodes) had lower α-diversity and were relatively more influenced by deterministic processes. Structural equation modeling indicated that the microbial functional potential associated with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur metabolism was mainly influenced by the bacterial and protist diversity in microaggregates. In contrast, the microbial functional potential was primarily mediated by the assembly processes of four organism groups, especially the nematode community in macroaggregates. This study reveals the important roles of soil organisms with different body sizes in the functional potential related to nutrient cycling, and provides new insights into the ecological processes structuring the diversity and community assembly of organisms of different body sizes at the soil aggregate level, with implications for soil nutrient cycling dynamics.

A systematic analysis on global epidemiology and burden of foot fracture over three decades.

PURPOSE: To comprehensively analyze the geographic and temporal trends of foot fracture, understand its health burden by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI), and explore its leading causes from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: The datasets in the present study were generated from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019, which included foot fracture data from 1990 to 2019. We extracted estimates along with the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) for the incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of foot fracture by location, age, gender, and cause. The epidemiology and burden of foot fracture at the global, regional, and national level was exhibited. Next, we presented the age and sex patterns of foot fracture. The leading cause of foot fracture was another focus of this study from the viewpoint of age, sex, and location. Then, Pearson's correlations between age-standardized rate (ASR), SDI, and estimated annual percentage change were calculated. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate was 138.68 (95% UI: 104.88 - 182.53) per 100,000 persons for both sexes, 174.24 (95% UI: 134.35 - 222.49) per 100,000 persons for males, and 102.19 (95% UI: 73.28 - 138.00) per 100,000 persons for females in 2019. The age-standardized YLDs rate was 5.91 (95% UI: 3.58 - 9.25) per 100,000 persons for both genders, 7.35 (95% UI: 4.45 - 11.50) per 100,000 persons for males, and 4.51 (95% UI: 2.75 - 7.03) per 100,000 persons for females in 2019. The global incidence and YLDs of foot fracture increased in number and decreased in ASR from 1990 to 2019. The global geographical distribution of foot fracture is uneven. The incidence rate for males peaked at the age group of 20 - 24 years, while that for females increased with advancing age. The incidence rate of older people was rising, as younger age incidence rate declined from 1990 to 2019. Falls, exposure to mechanical forces, and road traffic injuries were the 3 leading causes of foot fracture. Correlations were observed between ASR, estimated annual percentage change, and SDI. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of foot fracture remains high globally, and it poses an enormous public health challenge, with population ageing. It is necessary to allocate more resources to the high-risk populations. Targeted realistic intervention policies and strategies are warranted.

Clinical guideline on the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus.

Minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus correction, has been attracting great interests in the recent decades, due to the potential benefits of less pain, decreased recovery times, smaller scars with better cosmesis, and improved early post-operative range of motion. The most recent developments in minimally invasive surgery have evolved into the third generation with modifications of the chevron-type osteotomy. This evidence-based clinical guideline of the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus is initiated and developed collectively by the Foot and Ankle Committee of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Foot and Ankle Committee of Sports Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Foot and Ankle Expert Committee of Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Association of the Integrative Medicine. This clinical guideline provides recommendations for indications, contraindications, operative planning and techniques, post-operative management, management of complications, and prognosis of the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus. The Translational Potential of this Article This comprehensive guideline aims to establish standardized recommendations for the indications, contraindications, operative techniques, and post-operative management of the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus. By adhering to this guideline, the success rate of the procedure could be maximized. This comprehensive guideline serves as a valuable reference for practitioners interested in or preparing to perform minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus.

Reproducible responses of geochemical and microbial successional patterns in the subsurface to carbon source amendment.

Carbon amendments designed to remediate environmental contamination lead to substantial perturbations when injected into the subsurface. For the remediation of uranium contamination, carbon amendments promote reducing conditions to allow microorganisms to reduce uranium to an insoluble, less mobile state. However, the reproducibility of these amendments and underlying microbial community assembly mechanisms have rarely been investigated in the field. In this study, two injections of emulsified vegetable oil were performed in 2009 and 2017 to immobilize uranium in the groundwater at Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Our objectives were to determine whether and how the injections resulted in similar abiotic and biotic responses and their underlying community assembly mechanisms. Both injections caused similar geochemical and microbial succession. Uranium, nitrate, and sulfate concentrations in the groundwater dropped following the injection, and specific microbial taxa responded at roughly the same time points in both injections, including Geobacter, Desulfovibrio, and members of the phylum Comamonadaceae, all of which are well established in uranium, nitrate, and sulfate reduction. Both injections induced a transition from relatively stochastic to more deterministic assembly of microbial taxonomic and phylogenetic community structures based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. We conclude that geochemical and microbial successions after biostimulation are reproducible, likely owing to the selection of similar phylogenetic groups in response to EVO injection.

Design and Biomechanical Finite Element Analysis of Spatial Weaving Infracalcaneal Fixator System.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional internal fixation of calcaneus fractures, involving lateral L-shaped incisions and plate fixation, has disadvantages such as increased operative exposure, eccentric plate fixation, and complications. The aim of this study was to design a Spatial Weaving Intra-calcaneal Fixator System (SWIFS) for the treatment of complex calcaneal fractures and to compare its biomechanical properties with those of traditional calcaneal plates. METHODS: The computed tomography (CT) data of the normal adult calcaneus was used for modeling, and the largest trapezoidal column structure was cut and separated from the model and related parameters were measured. The SWIFS was designed within the target trapezoid, according to the characteristics of the fracture of the calcaneus. The Sanders model classification type IV calcaneal fracture was established in finite element software, and fixation with calcaneal plate and the SWIFS examined. Overall structural strength distribution and displacement in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The maximum 3D trapezoidal column in the calcaneus was constructed, and the dimensions were measured. The SWIFS and the corresponding guide device were successfully designed. In the one-legged erect position state, the SWIFS group exhibited a peak von Mises equivalent stress of 96.00 MPa, a maximum displacement of 0.31 mm, and a structural stiffness of 2258.06 N/mm. The conventional calcaneal plate showed a peak von Mises equivalent stress of 228.66 Mpa, a maximum displacement of 1.26 mm, and a structural stiffness of 555.56 N/mm. The SWIFS group exhibited a 75.40% decrease in displacement and a 306.45% increase in stiffness. CONCLUSION: Compared with fixation by conventional calcaneal plate, the SWIFS provides better structural stability and effective stress distribution.

Impact of sustentaculum tali screw positioning on radiographic and functional outcomes in calcaneal fractures.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether accurate placement of sustentaculum tali screws have the impacts on the clinical efficacy of calcaneal fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 72 cases (73 feet) of calcaneal fractures from September 2015 to September 2019 treated with open reduction and internal fixation with sustentaculum tali screws was conducted. Patients were divided into the sustentaculum tali fixation group (ST group) and the sustentaculum fragment fixation group (STF group) according to the location of the sustentaculum tali screw placement. The functional outcomes at preoperative, 7 days and 1 year postoperative were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In the ST group (40 feet), the Gissane's angle altered from (109.89 ± 12.13)° to (121.23 ± 9.34)° and (119.08 ± 8.31)° at 7 days and 1 year postoperative, respectively. For Böhler's angles altered from (11.44 ± 5.94)°, to (31.39 ± 7.54)°, and (30.61 ± 7.94)° at 7 days and 1 year postoperative, respectively. In the STF group (33 feet), Gissane's angle altered from (110.47 ± 14.45)°, to (122.08 ± 8.84)°, and (120.67 ± 9.07)° and Böhler's angle altered from (11.32 ± 6.77)°, to (28.82 ± 8.52)°, and (28.25 ± 9.13)° (P < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in functional outcomes at 1 week after surgery and 1 year after surgery (P > 0.05). The AOFAS scores at the final follow-up of the two groups: ST group (88.95 ± 6.16) and STF group (89.78 ± 8.76); VAS scores, ST group (0.83 ± 0.98) and STF group (1.03 ± 1.59), all differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The position of sustentaculum tali screws has no significant difference on the short-term clinical outcome in patients with calcaneal fractures, while reliable fixation of screws to sustentaculum tali fragment can achieve similar clinical outcome.

Experimental warming accelerates positive soil priming in a temperate grassland ecosystem.

Unravelling biosphere feedback mechanisms is crucial for predicting the impacts of global warming. Soil priming, an effect of fresh plant-derived carbon (C) on native soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition, is a key feedback mechanism that could release large amounts of soil C into the atmosphere. However, the impacts of climate warming on soil priming remain elusive. Here, we show that experimental warming accelerates soil priming by 12.7% in a temperate grassland. Warming alters bacterial communities, with 38% of unique active phylotypes detected under warming. The functional genes essential for soil C decomposition are also stimulated, which could be linked to priming effects. We incorporate lab-derived information into an ecosystem model showing that model parameter uncertainty can be reduced by 32-37%. Model simulations from 2010 to 2016 indicate an increase in soil C decomposition under warming, with a 9.1% rise in priming-induced CO2 emissions. If our findings can be generalized to other ecosystems over an extended period of time, soil priming could play an important role in terrestrial C cycle feedbacks and climate change.

Quantitative risk assessments of Salmonella spp. in domestic pork in China.

Pork is one of the most commonly consumed meats, and its safety has always been a concern. Recently, safety incidents caused by chemical or biological contamination such as drug residues, heavy metals, and pathogenic microorganisms in pork have been reported, and the safety of pork is a cause for concern. Salmonella spp. is one of the important foodborne pathogens that threaten human health. Pork is a high-risk vector food for Salmonella spp. infection. The assessment of the safety risk of Salmonella spp. in pork is conducive to the prevention of related foodborne diseases. In this paper, risk assessment models for Salmonella spp. in meat were developed. The quantitative risk assessment model for Salmonella spp. based on the pork supply chain showed that the annual number of cases of salmonellosis due to pork consumption in China is approximately 27 per 10,000 males and 24 per 10,000 females. Sensitivity analysis showed that the main factors affecting the risk of Salmonella spp. in pork were the display temperature, display time, and Salmonella spp. contamination concentration in pork at the sale.

RNA-Seq Analysis Revealed circRNAs and Genes Associated with Abdominal Fat Deposition in Ducks.

Fat deposition is an important factor affecting meat quality and feed conversion efficiency in meat ducks. This study aims to identify key circRNAs and genes affecting abdominal fat deposition. The correlations between abdominal fat and other growth performances were analyzed in 304 F2 generation of Cherry Valley duck Runzhou Crested White ducks, and an RNA-seq analysis of abdominal fat tissues from ducks with high and low rates of abdominal fat was performed. Growth performance results showed that Abdominal fat ratio and Intramuscular fat were significantly higher in the high rates of abdominal fat (HF)group than in the low rates of abdominal fat (LF) group for ducks. RNA-seq analysis of abdominal fat tissue unveiled 85 upregulated and 72 downregulated circRNAs among the differentially expressed ones. Notably, 74 circRNAs displayed more than four-fold differential expression, constituting 47.13% of the differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed circRNA source and target genes indicated that 17 circRNAs might partake in regulating duck abdominal fat production by influencing pathways like PPAR signaling, lipid droplets, and triglyceride metabolism. Lastly, multiple circRNA-microRNA-messenger RNA interaction networks were constructed. The results of this study establish the groundwork for understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate abdominal fat deposition in ducks, offering a theoretical reference for the selective breeding of high-quality meat-producing ducks.

Integrating coaxial electrospinning and 3D printing technologies for the development of biphasic porous scaffolds enabling spatiotemporal control in tumor ablation and osteochondral regeneration.

The osteochondral defects (OCDs) resulting from the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB) often present two challenges for clinicians: tumor residue leading to local recurrence and non-healing of OCDs. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a double-layer PGPC-PGPH scaffold using shell-core structure nanofibers to achieve "spatiotemporal control" for treating OCDs caused by GCTB. It addresses two key challenges: eliminating tumor residue after local excision and stimulating osteochondral regeneration in non-healing OCD cases. With a shell layer of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)/gelatin (GT) and inner cores containing chondroitin sulfate (CS)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or hydroxyapatite (HA)/PLGA, coaxial electrospinning technology was used to create shell-core structured PpIX/GT-CS/PLGA and PpIX/GT-HA/PLGA nanofibers. These nanofibers were shattered into nano-scaled short fibers, and then combined with polyethylene oxide and hyaluronan to formulate distinct 3D printing inks. The upper layer consists of PpIX/GT-CS/PLGA ink, and the lower layer is made from PpIX/GT-HA/PLGA ink, allowing for the creation of a double-layer PGPC-PGPH scaffold using 3D printing technique. After GCTB lesion removal, the PGPC-PGPH scaffold is surgically implanted into the OCDs. The sonosensitizer PpIX in the shell layer undergoes sonodynamic therapy to selectively damage GCTB tissue, effectively eradicating residual tumors. Subsequently, the thermal effect of sonodynamic therapy accelerates the shell degradation and release of CS and HA within the core layer, promoting stem cell differentiation into cartilage and bone tissues at the OCD site in the correct anatomical position. This innovative scaffold provides temporal control for anti-tumor treatment followed by tissue repair and spatial control for precise osteochondral regeneration.

Research on breast cancer pathological image classification method based on wavelet transform and YOLOv8.

 Breast cancer is one of the cancers with high morbidity and mortality in the world, which is a serious threat to the health of women. With the development of deep learning, the recognition about computer-aided diagnosis technology is getting higher and higher. And the traditional data feature extraction technology has been gradually replaced by the feature extraction technology based on convolutional neural network which helps to realize the automatic recognition and classification of pathological images. In this paper, a novel method based on deep learning and wavelet transform is proposed to classify the pathological images of breast cancer. Firstly, the image flip technique is used to expand the data set, then the two-level wavelet decomposition and reconfiguration technology is used to sharpen and enhance the pathological images. Secondly, the processed data set is divided into the training set and the test set according to 8:2 and 7:3, and the YOLOv8 network model is selected to perform the eight classification tasks of breast cancer pathological images. Finally, the classification accuracy of the proposed method is compared with the classification accuracy obtained by YOLOv8 for the original BreaKHis dataset, and it is found that the algorithm can improve the classification accuracy of images with different magnifications, which proves the effectiveness of combining two-level wavelet decomposition and reconfiguration with YOLOv8 network model.