Metabolic coupling of arsenic, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in high arsenic geothermal groundwater: Evidence from molecular mechanisms to community ecology.

Groundwater arsenic (As) poses a global environmental problem and is regulated by complex biogeochemical processes. However, the As biogeochemistry and its metabolic coupling with carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) in high As geothermal groundwater remain unclear. Here, we reported significant shifts in the geothermal groundwater microbiome and its functional ecological clusters along the flow path with increased As levels and dynamic As-C-N-S biogeochemical cycle from the Guide Basin, China. Strong associations among As(III), NH4+, HCO3-, and corresponding functional microbial taxa suggest that microbe-mediated As transformation, ammonification, and organic carbon biodegradation potentially contributed to the As mobilization in the discharge area. And As oxidizers (coupling with denitrification or carbon fixation) and S oxidizers were closely linked to the transformation of As(III) to immobile As(V) in the recharge area. Our study provides a comprehensive insight into the complex microbial As-C-N-S coupling network and its potential role in groundwater As mobilization under hydrological disturbances.

Effect of melting combined with ice recrystallization on porous starch preparation: Pore-forming properties, granular morphology, functionality, and multi-scale structures.

In this work, critical melting (CM) combined with freeze-thawing treatment (FT, freezing at -20 â„ƒ and -80 â„ƒ, respectively) was used to prepare porous starch. The results showed that CM combined with the slow freezing rate (-20 â„ƒ) can prepare porous starch with characteristics of grooves and cavities, while combined with the rapid freezing rate (-80 â„ƒ) can prepare with holes and channels, especially after repeating FT cycles. Compared with the native counterpart, the specific surface area, pore volume, and average diameter of CMFT-prepared porous starch were significantly increased to 4.07 m2/g, 7.29 cm3/g × 10-3, and 3.57 nm, respectively. CMFT significantly increased the thermal stability of starch, in which the To, Tp, and Tc significantly increased from 63.32, 69.62, and 72.90 (native) to ∼69, 72, and 76 °C, respectively. CMFT significantly increased water and oil absorption of porous starch from 91.20 % and 72.00 % (native) up to ∼163 % and 94 %, respectively. Moreover, CMFT-prepared porous starch had a more ordered double-helical structure, which showed in the significantly increased relative crystallinity, semi-crystalline lamellae structure, and the proportion of the double helix structure of starch. The synergistic effect of melting combined with ice recrystallization can be used as an effective way to prepare structure-stabilized porous starch.

[A Prediction Model for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Mother-to-Child Transmission Based on the Expression Levels of Selenoprotein Genes].

Objective To study the expression of selenoprotein genes in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection and its mother-to-child transmission,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.Methods The dataset GSE4124 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO).Two groups of HIV-positive mothers(n=25)and HIV-negative mothers(n=20)were designed.HIV-positive mothers included a subset of transmitter(TR)mothers(n=11)and non-transmitter(NTR)mothers(n=14).Then,t-test was carried out to compare the expression levels of selenoprotein genes between the four groups(HIV-positive vs. HIV-negative,NTR vs. HIV-negative,TR vs. HIV-negative,TR vs. NTR).Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were adopted to analyze the effects of differentially expressed genes on HIV infection and mother-to-child transmission.R software was used to establish a nomogram prediction model and evaluate the model performance.Results Compared with the HIV-negative group,HIV-positive,NTR,and TR groups had 8,5 and 8 down-regulated selenoprotein genes,respectively.Compared with the NTR group,the TR group had 4 down-regulated selenoprotein genes.Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormally high expression of GPX1,GPX3,GPX4,TXNRD1,TXNRD3,and SEPHS2 affected HIV infection and had no effect on mother-to-child transmission.The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the abnormally high expression of TXNRD3(OR=0.032,95%CI=0.002-0.607,P=0.022)was positively correlated with HIV infection.As for the nomogram prediction model,the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for 1-year survival of HIV-infected patients was 0.840(95%CI=0.690-1.000),and that for 3-year survival of HIV-infected patients was 0.870(95%CI=0.730-1.000).Conclusions Multiple selenoprotein genes with down-regulated expression levels were involved in the regulation of HIV infection and mother-to-child transmission.The abnormal high expression of TXNRD3 was positively correlated with HIV infection.The findings provide new ideas for the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Effects of enhanced starch-xanthan gum synergism on their physicochemical properties, functionalities, structural characteristics, and digestibility.

The limited and unstable interactions between potato starch (PS) and xanthan gum (XG) by simple mixing (SM) lead it difficult to induce substantial changes in starchy products. Structural unwinding and rearrangement of PS and XG by critical melting and freeze-thawing (CMFT) were used to promote PS/XG synergism, and the physicochemical, functionalities, and structural properties were investigated. Compared to "Native" and SM, CMFT promoted the formation of large clusters with a rough granular surface and wrapped by a matrix composed of released soluble starches and XG (SEM), thus making the composite more compact to thermal processes, such as the significantly decreased WSI and SP, and increased the melting temperatures. The enhanced synergism of PS/XG after CMFT effectively decreased the breakdown viscosity from ~3600 (Native) to ~300 mPa·s and increased the final viscosity from ~2800 (Native) to ~4800. CMFT significantly increased the functional properties of PS/XG composite, including water/oil absorptions and resistant starch content. CMFT caused the partial melting and loss of large packaged structures in starch (XRD, FTIR, and NMR), and the melting and the loss of crystalline structure controlled at approximately 20 % and 30 %, respectively, are the most effective for promoting PS/XG interaction.

Response of microbial taxonomic and nitrogen functional attributes to elevated nitrate in suburban groundwater.

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) input has led to elevated levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) in the groundwater. However, insights into the responses of the microbial community and its N metabolic functionality to elevated NO3--N in suburban groundwater are still limited. Here, we explored the microbial taxonomy, N metabolic attributes, and their responses to NO3--N pollution in groundwaters from Chaobai River catchment (CR) and Huai River catchment (HR) in Beijing, China. Results showed that average NO3--N and NH4+-N concentrations in CR groundwater were 1.7 and 3.0 folds of those in HR. NO3--N was the dominant nitrogen specie both in HR and CR groundwater (over 80 %). Significantly different structures and compositions of the microbial communities and N cycling gene profiles were found between CR groundwater and HR groundwater (p < 0.05), with CR groundwater harboring significantly lower microbial richness and abundance of N metabolic genes. However, denitrification was the dominant microbial N cycling process in both CR and HR groundwater. Strong associations among NO3--N, NH4+-N, microbial taxonomic, and N functional attributes were found (p < 0.05), suggesting denitrifiers and Candidatus_Brocadia might serve as potential featured biomarkers for the elevated NO3--N and NH4+-N concentration in groundwater. Path analysis further revealed the significant effect of NO3--N on the overall microbial N functionality and microbial denitrification (p < 0.05). Collectively, our results provide field evidence that elevated levels of NO3--N and NH4+-N under different hydrogeologic conditions had a significant effect on the microbial taxonomic and N functional attributes in groundwater, with potential implications for improving sustainable N management and risk assessment of groundwater.

Minimally invasive thoracoscopic left atrial appendage occlusion compared with transcatheter left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in recurrent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients after radiofrequency ablation: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tanscatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure and minimally invasive thoracoscopic LAA occlusion are local interventions of LAA for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). However, the safety and efficacy of these methods have not been compared. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of those two treatment approaches for stroke prevention in NVAF patients. METHODS: Two hundred and nine recurrent NVAF patients who received radiofrequency ablation were enrolled. These patients were treated with transcatheter LAA closure or thoracoscopic LAA occlusion. The patients were followed up from the first postoperative day and evaluated for efficacy endpoints (stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), systemic embolism (SE), and death) and a safety endpoint (bleeding events). Perioperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 1.8 years (383 patient-years), the overall rate of the composite efficacy endpoints was similar between the two groups (3.8 vs. 2.7 events per 100 patient-years; HR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.225-2.237; P = 0.559). However, regarding primary safety endpoint, there were 1.5 bleeding events per 100 patient-years in the thoracoscopic LAA occlusion group, compared with 6.4 in transcatheter LAA closure group (HR = 0.246; 95% CI: 0.074-0.819; P = 0.022). The incidence of operative complications was 3/138 (2.17%) in thoracoscopic LAA occlusion group and 1/71 (1.41%) in transcatheter LAA closure group. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic LAA occlusion and transcatheter LAA closure have similar efficacy in preventing stroke in NVAF patients. However, the thoracoscopic group had fewer bleeding events than the transcatheter group, but the former group required a longer hospital stay.

Model for end-stage liver disease and pneumonia: An improved scoring model for critically ill cirrhotic patients with pneumonia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Critically ill patients with cirrhosis with pneumonia are at an increased risk for mortality. Only a few accurate predictive models are existing specific to these patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the existing prognostic models and to develop an improved mortality risk model for patients with cirrhosis and pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 231 patients were enrolled in our study (70% training and 30% validation cohorts). All participants were followed up for at least 21 days. Model for End-stage Liver Disease and Pneumonia (MELD-P) was derived by the Cox proportional hazards model. The performances of prognostic scoring systems were compared by calculation of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. RESULTS: MELD-P showed better discriminative capabilities than existing scoring systems. Four clinical variables, including loge bilirubin (hazard ratio (HR) 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.73), loge international normalized ratio (HR 3.57, 95% CI 1.30-9.78), loge pulse oxygen saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-0.99), and vasopressors used (HR 3.72, 95% CI 1.85-7.49), were considered as independent prognostic values associated with 21-day mortality. MELD-P had AUROC curve values of 0.78 (95% CI 0.71-0.84) in predicting in-hospital mortality, 0.78 (95% CI 0.70-0.84) at 21-day, 0.88 (95% CI 0.82-0.93) at 14-day, and 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.92) at 7-day. A similar result was obtained in validation cohort. CONCLUSION: MELD-P, as the first model specifically designed to evaluate the risk of mortality in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and pneumonia, performs well on the mortality assessment of short-term mortality.

Prognostic value of international normalized ratio to albumin ratio among critically ill patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Critically ill patients with cirrhosis are at an increased risk of mortality. Our study aimed to externally validate the ability of the prothrombin time-international normalized ratio to albumin ratio (PTAR), an objective and simple scoring system, to predict 90-day mortality in critically ill patients with cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 865 patients were entered into the study, and all the participants were followed up for at least 90 days. Clinical parameters on the first day of intensive care unit admission were included to compare survivors with nonsurvivors. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustment, the association between the risk of 90-day mortality and PTAR remained statistically significant with a hazard ratio of 2.71 (95% confidence interval: 1.99-3.68). The PTAR score showed good discrimination ability for predicting 90-day mortality with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.75). To improve its feasibility, we regrouped the PTAR scores into three levels of risk (low risk: <0.55, intermediate risk: 0.55-1.00, and high risk: ≥1.00); the 90-day mortality rates were 20.1% (74/368), 41.7% (168/403), and 73.4% (69/94), respectively. CONCLUSION: The PTAR score system is a convenient and practical tool for predicting the prognosis of critically ill patients with cirrhosis.

A survey on the disposal of blood-contaminated tampon after dental extraction.

OBJECTIVE: This paper was to assess the risk for cross infection caused by blood-contaminated tampon after dental extraction and whether this risk was reduced after relevant education towards both dentists and patients. METHODS: From December 2014 to April 2015, a survey was conducted in dentists and patients randomly before and after relevant education. The questionnaire is being revised for this survey based on learning from Chatzoudi and Franklin' survey. This survey was approved by the institutional review board, and all participants were voluntary and all responses were anonymous. RESULTS: Only 2.82 % of dentists provided patients with the postoperative-advices regarding how to dispose of blood-contaminated tampon at the first time and 47.10 % at the second time (P < 0.01). Only 1.41 % of dentists given special postoperative-advices regarding disposal of tampon to patients with blood-transmitted diseases at the first time and 24.64 % at the second time (P < 0.01). Before education, most patients were lack of nosocomial infection knowledge. After education, 22.4 % of patients threw the blood-contaminated tampon away in a proper way (P < 0.01). 66.67 % of them washed hands immediately and thoroughly after they touched the tampon (P < 0.05), 92.71 % knew the blood-contaminated tampon can cause cross-infection (P < 0.01), and 80.21 % knew how to dispose of the blood-contaminated tampon correctly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The high risk of cross infection caused by blood-contaminated tampon is evident, and a series of measures is proposed to control it. There is a need to improve both dentists' and patients' awareness, enhance the education of doctors and perfect the policies and guidelines.

[Two new phenolic acids from Drynariae rhizoma].

To study the chemical constituents of Drynariae Rhizoma, nine phenolic acids were isolated from a 70% ethanol extract by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. By spectroscopic techniques including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS, these compounds were identified as 4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 3'-imino-di-benzoic acid (1), protocatechuic acid (2), gallic acid (3), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), (E)-caffeic acid (5), ethyl trans-3, 4-dihydroxycinnamate (6), caffeic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), p-coumaric acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), and 23(S)-12-O-caffeoyl-12-hydroxyllauric acid glycerol ester (9), separately. Among them, 1 and 9 are new compounds, and 3, 4, and 6 were isolated from Drynaria species for the first time.

[Treatment of occluded iliofemoral veins with great saphenous vein cross-over bypasses].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize clinical application experience of treatment of occluded iliofemoral veins with great saphenous vein cross-over bypasses. METHODS: From September 1998 to December 2005,6 patients(5 men, 1 woman) with occluded iliofemoral veins underwent great saphenous vein cross-over bypasses. They ranged in age from 36 to 52 years (mean, 41 years old). All patients had unilateral thigh and leg edema and swelling with accompanying pain. The normal contralateral great saphenous vein was dissected and it was tunneled across the super-pubic fat pad and anastomosed to the femoral vein or the proximal portion of great saphenous vein in distal to occluded iliofemoral veins. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. One case sustained superficial infection postoperatively at donor site and the gradual wound healed by daily wound dressings. At 1 to 3.5 years (mean 1.8 years) followed up, all patients had pain disappearance and obvious relief of the edema but some swelling. CONCLUSION: Great saphenous vein cross-over bypasses is effective operative method of treatment of occluded iliofemoral veins. The operation is relatively simple and safe.

[One-stage toenail lengthening: a report of 9 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize clinical application of one-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger). METHODS: Nine patients (male 7, female 2) underwent thumb (finger) reconstruction with second toe transfer were treated by one-stage toenail lengthening technique. Eight were the thumb and 1 was the index finger. Patients aged from 18 to 46 years,with an average of 25 years. A rectangle skin was resected at 0.5 cm away from the eponychium, which was 0.2 cm high and as wide as the toenail. Then stripped U shape flap gently towards proximal end and sutured it. During the operation, the injury of the subcutaneous vascular network should be avoided. RESULTS: Superficial infection at donor area happened in 1 case and was healed by changing dressings. All the reconstruction thumbs (fingers) had survived completely. 2 to 3 mm extending of toenail length was obtained and the appearance of thumb (finger) was improved. There was no growth deformation of toenail. After 7 to 24 months follow up (the average time 13 months), the appearance of the nail was good. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger), which can obtain a satisfactory appearance of the nail and have no influence on the motion of the reconstruction thumb (finger), is a simple and an effective operative procedure.

Synthesis, electronic properties and electropolymerisation of EDOT-capped sigma3-phospholes.

EDOT-capped sigma3-phosphole self-rigidifies due to an unprecedented P-O interaction and can be electropolymerised affording functionalizable polymers.

[Repair of soft-tissue defect of amputation stumps of the forearm with free flap from the traumatic amputated extremity].

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical results of the repair of soft-tissue defect of amputation stumps of the forearm with free flap from the traumatic amputated extremity. METHODS: Five patients, 4 males and 1 female, aged 32 (22 - 43), with soft-tissue defect of the remaining stump of the traumatic amputation of the forearm, 3 cases in the right forearm and 2 cases in the left forearm, underwent repair of the defect by free flap from the traumatic amputated extremity with the size of the flaps ranging from 8 cm x 9 cm to 9 cm x 12 cm. The patients were followed up for 2.6 years (1.5 - 3.5 years). RESULTS: Superficial infection occurred in one patient postoperatively and the wound was gradually healed by daily wound dressings. All the flaps survived completely with satisfactory clinical results. The cosmetic appearance on the recipient area was good and the function of the elbow recovered satisfactorily. CONCLUSION: The flap from the traumatic amputated extremity has a constant vascular anatomy and a long vascular pedicle, so that dissection of the flap can be accomplished easily. The surgery allows to preserve the functional length or the elbow function of the remaining stump of the traumatic amputation.

Dynamic changes in Robo2 and Slit1 expression in adult rat dorsal root ganglion and sciatic nerve after peripheral and central axonal injury.

Robos are transmembrane receptors that mediate Slit signaling to repel growth cone outgrowth and neural migration in the developing central nervous system. Their distribution and function in the peripheral nervous system remains unclear. In the present study, we examined expression of Slit1 and Robo2 in adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord and sciatic nerve after peripheral nerve injury (axotomy). In control rats, Slit1 and Robo2 mRNA and protein were expressed at basic levels in the L5 and L6 DRGs. Sciatic transection resulted in a significant up-regulation of both Robo2 and Slit1 mRNA and protein (p<0.05 versus control). The peak of Slit1 and Robo2 expression occurred at days 7 and 14, respectively, and returned to control levels at days 28 and 21 post-axotomy, respectively. By contrast, injury to the central axons of the DRG by dorsal rhizotomy did not up-regulate Slit1 and Robo2 expression. Robo2 staining was stronger in small diameter neurons than in large diameter neurons in control DRG. Interestingly, post-axotomy, Robo2 immunostaining increased in the large diameter neurons and the number of Robo2 positive large diameter neurons increased significantly relative to controls. Non-neuronal cells surrounding the primary sensory neurons, including the satellite cells, were Slit1-positive, and Slit1 protein was expressed in the myelin sheath and non-neural cells in both intact and degenerating sciatic nerve axons. Sciatic nerve transection also led to an accumulation of Slit1 protein in peripheral region of the traumatic neuroma. In conclusion, we report an altered expression and redistribution of Robo2 and Slit1 in the DRG and sciatic nerve trunk after peripheral axotomy. Our results indicate that Slit1 and Robo2 likely play an important role in regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.

Non-amine-based furan-containing oligoaryls as efficient hole transporting materials.

A new class of highly stable furan-based hole transporting oligomeric materials, synthesized from the corresponding propargylic dithioacetals, serve as efficient hole transporting materials in electroluminescent devices. The performance of the devices using these furan materials is comparable with or somewhat better than those employing the conventional triarylamines (e.g. alpha-NPD).