The lead and cadmium content in rice and risk to human health in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Numerous studies have investigated concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in rice in China, but have come to divergent conclusions. Therefore we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the available evidence on levels of Pb and Cd in rice in different regions of China in order to assess the potential risk to human health. The meta-analysis included 24 studies of Pb levels and 29 studies of Cd levels, published in 2011-2021. The pooled Pb concentration in rice was 0.10 mg per kg dry weight (95% CI 0.08-0.11), while the pooled Cd concentration was 0.16 mg per kg dry weight (95% CI 0.14-0.18). These levels are within the limits specified by national food safety standards. However, the total target hazard quotient for both metals exceeded 1.0 for adults and children, suggesting that rice consumption poses a health risk.

A low-profile broadband crossed-dipole antenna with fractal structure and inverted-L plates.

A low-profile broadband circularly polarized (CP) crossed-dipole antenna is proposed. In this antenna, the dipole uses a fractal-based structure with multiple similar patches for obtaining broadband CP radiation and impedance matching. The incorporation of the crossed-dipole antenna with four triangular parasitic patches improves both the impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidths. Four parasitic coupled inverted-L metal plates are loaded on the ground plane to significantly enhance the AR bandwidth and reduce the antenna profile. The measured results are in agreement with the simulations, which demonstrates that the proposed antenna has a low profile of 0.18 λ0, a - 10 dB impedance bandwidth of 91% (2.78-7.42 GHz), a 3 dB AR bandwidth of 81.5% (2.99-7.1 GHz), and a good right hand circular polarization (RHCP) radiation pattern with an average gain of 7.9 dBi over the whole operating band.

Inhibition of Three Citrus Pathogenic Fungi by Peptide PAF56 Involves Cell Membrane Damage.

The peptide PAF56 (GHRKKWFW) was reported to be an effective control for the main diseases of citrus fruit during postharvest storage. However, the mechanism of action of PAF56 is still unknown. In this paper, PAF56 might not induce defense resistance of citrus fruit. The SEM results visually indicated that the fungi mycelia became shrunken and distorted after being treated with PAF56. The destructive effects of PAF56 on the mycelial cell membrane of three kinds of pathogenic fungi (Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, and Geotrichum citri-aurantii) were verified by the K+ leakage and the release of nucleic acid. Furthermore, the interaction between peptide PAF56 and the pathogen spores was investigated, including the changes in cell membrane permeability and dynamic observation of the interaction of fluorescein labeled TMR-PAF56 and Geotrichum candidum spores. The results indicated that the antifungal activity of PAF56 on spores was time-dependent and directly related to the membrane damage. This research provided useful references for further research and practical application of peptides.

Effects of Peptide Thanatin on the Growth and Transcriptome of Penicillium digitatum.

Penicillium digitatum is the most damaging pathogen provoking green mold in citrus fruit during storage, and there is an urgent need for novel antifungal agents with high efficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal effects of peptide thanatin against P. digitatum and the molecular mechanisms. Results showed that peptide thanatin had a prominent inhibitory effect on P. digitatum by in vitro and in vivo test. A total of 938 genes, including 556 downregulated and 382 upregulated genes, were differentially expressed, as revealed by RNA-seq of whole P. digitatum genomes analysis with or without thanatin treatment. The downregulated genes mainly encoded RNA polymerase, ribosome biogenesis, amino acid metabolism, and major facilitator superfamily. The genes associated with heat shock proteins and antioxidative systems were widely expressed in thanatin-treated group. DNA, RNA, and the protein content of P. digitatum were significantly decreased after thanatin treatment. In conclusion, thanatin could inhibit the growth of P. digitatum, and the underlying mechanism might be the genetic information processing and stress response were affected. The research will provide more precise and directional clues to explore the inhibitory mechanism of thanatin on growth of P. digitatum.

Effects of Peptide C12-OOWW-NH2 on Transcriptome and Cell Wall of the Postharvest Fungal Pathogen Penicillium digitatum.

In this study, the transcriptional profiling of Penicillium digitatum after C12O3TR treatment was analyzed by RNA-Seq technology. A total of 2562 and 667 genes in P. digitatum were differentially expressed after 2 and 12 h treatment, respectively. These genes were respectively mapped to 91 and 79 KEGG pathways. The expression patterns of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 2 and 12 h were similar, mainly were the metabolic processes in cell wall, cell membrane, genetic information and energy. Particularly, the main metabolic process which was affected by C12O3TR stress for 2 and 12 h was cell integrity, including cell wall and cell membrane. The changes of chitin in cell wall was observed by Calcofluor White (CFW) staining assay. The weaker blue fluorescence in the cell wall septa, the decrease of ß-1, 3-glucan synthase activity and the increase of chitinase and AKP activity showed that C12O3TR could damage the cell wall integrity. In conclusion, these results suggested that C12O3TR could inhibit the growth of P. digitatum through various mechanisms at transcriptional level, and could influence the cell wall permeability and integrity.

MicroRNA-208a-3p contributes to connexin40 remolding in human chronic atrial fibrillation.

Previous studies have demonstrated that connexin40 (Cx40) remolding is involved in atrial fibrillation (AF). GJA5 encoding Cx40 is a potential target mRNA of microRNA-208a-3p (miR-208a-3p), as indicated by preliminary bioinformatics analyses. However, the exact effect of miR-208a-3p on Cx40 in human chronic AF has remained elusive. The present study demonstrated the role of miR-208a-3p in human chronic AF and further investigated the effect of miR-208a-3p on Cx40 expression. A total of 19 patients with AF and 18 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) were enrolled. The AC16 cell line was treated with miR-208a-3p inhibitor or mimics. The miR-208a-3p in right atrial appendage (RAA) tissues of patients was measured by in situ hybridization and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, the expression of Cx40 in the RAA of patients and in AC16 cells treated with miR-208a-3p inhibitor or mimics were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. A luciferase assay was performed to confirm whether Cx40 was directly targeted by miR-208a-3p. The miR-208a-3p levels in patients with AF were significantly increased compared with those in patients with SR. Conversely, the Cx40 protein levels were significantly decreased and lateralization of Cx40 was observed in patients with AF. miR-208a-3p inhibitor led to a significant upregulation of the protein expression of Cx40 in AC16 cells, while miR-208a-3p mimics led to a significant downregulation. However, the luciferase assay demonstrated that GJA5 was not a direct target gene of miR-208a-3p. The findings still suggested that miR-208a-3p may be involved in human chronic AF by mediating atrial Cx40 remolding, and may represent a potential therapeutic target for AF.

The Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-B/Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-ß Signaling in Chronic Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß (PDGFR-ß) signaling in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Thirty-nine AF patients and 33 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) were enrolled. Twenty canines were randomized into 5 groups: control, sham and AF lasting 1, 2 or 4 weeks. The AF canine models were made by rapid atrial pacing. Rat atrial fibroblasts were treated with PDGF-BB or PDGF-BB + PDGFR inhibitor AG1295, respectively. Gene expression in the right atrial appendage of patients, the left atrium of canines and rat atrial fibroblasts was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The degree of atrial fibrosis was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining. RESULTS: The degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of PDGF-B, PDGFR-ß and collagen type I (COL1) in AF patients significantly increased compared to patients with SR. The degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of PDGF-B and COL1 in canines increased progressively with the increased duration of AF. The expression of PDGFR-ß increased progressively 2 weeks after AF. PDGF-BB promoted the proliferation and COL1 secretion of rat atrial fibroblasts. AG1295 attenuated these effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that PDGF-B/PDGFR-ß signaling, which promotes the proliferation and COL1 secretion of atrial fibroblasts, is an important contributor to atrial fibrosis in AF and may represent a novel target for the intervention of AF.

Preoperative Cyfra21-1 and SCC-Ag serum titers predict survival in patients with stage II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predictive significance of preoperative serum level of cytokeratin 19 fragments (Cyfra21-1) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) after complete resection in patients with stage II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: Between 1995 and 2006, a total of 379 patients in stage II ESCC who underwent complete resection were consecutively recruited. Statistical analyses were applied to test the associations between preoperative serum titers of Cyfra21-1 and SCC-Ag, clinicopathological factors and prognoses. RESULTS: Preoperative high and normal serum level of Cyfra21-1 and SCC-Ag were found in 47.8%, 52.2% and 72.8%, 27.2%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rate for the entire cohort of patients was 95%, 78%, and 56%, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 45.3 months longer in patients with low preoperative serum level of Cyfra21-1 (91.9 months) than those with high preoperative serum level of Cyfra21-1 (46.6 months) (P < 0.001). Median OS among patients with SCC-Ag-low level was also longer than those with SCC-Ag-high level (89.7 vs. 63.7 months, P < 0.001), especially for those with stage IIB (P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, along with pTNM stage, preoperative serum level of Cyfra21-1 and SCC-Ag were independently and significantly predictive factors (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the five-year survival rate in double-low subset, either-low subset and double-high subset was 100%, 83% and 27%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative serum level of Cyfra21-1 and SCC-Ag are independently significant predictors which negatively affected the survivals of patients with stage II ESCC.