Comparative analysis of hydrogen production and bacterial communities in mesophilic and thermophilic consortia using multiple inoculum sources.

This study investigates the hydrogen (H2) production performance and bacterial communities in mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (50 °C) H2-producing consortia derived from different inoculum sources and utilizing food waste as a substrate. This study found notable variations in H2 production characteristics among these consortia. Among the mesophilic consortia (MC), the W-MC obtained with wetland (W) as the inoculum source exhibited the highest hydrogen production (3900 mL·L-1 and 117 mL·L-1·h-1), while among the thermophilic consortia (TC), the FP-TC obtained with forest puddle sediment (FP) as the inoculum source showed the highest performance (2112 mL·L-1 and 127 mL·L-1·h-1). This study reveals that the choice of inoculum source plays a crucial role in determining hydrogen production efficiency. Furthermore, the bacterial community analysis demonstrated varying microbial diversity and richness in different inoculum sources. Clostridium, a well-known H2-producing bacterium, was found in both mesophilic and thermophilic consortia and showed a positive correlation with H2 production. Other bacteria, such as Sporanaerobacter, Caproiciproducens, and Caldibacillus, also exhibited significant correlations with H2 production, suggesting their potential roles in the process. The study highlights the complex interactions between bacterial communities and hydrogen production performance, shedding light on the critical factors influencing this renewable energy source. Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of the microbial ecology and the factors affecting hydrogen production in different temperature conditions, which can have practical implications for optimizing biohydrogen production processes using organic waste substrates.

YTHDF2 facilitates aggresome formation via UPF1 in an m6A-independent manner.

YTHDF2 has been extensively studied and typified as an RNA-binding protein that specifically recognizes and destabilizes RNAs harboring N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal modification found in eukaryotic RNAs. In this study, we unravel the m6A-independent role of YTHDF2 in the formation of an aggresome, where cytoplasmic protein aggregates are selectively sequestered upon failure of protein homeostasis mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Downregulation of YTHDF2 in HeLa cells reduces the circularity of aggresomes and the rate of movement of misfolded polypeptides, inhibits aggresome formation, and thereby promotes cellular apoptosis. Mechanistically, YTHDF2 is recruited to a misfolded polypeptide-associated complex composed of UPF1, CTIF, eEF1A1, and DCTN1 through its interaction with UPF1. Subsequently, YTHDF2 increases the interaction between the dynein motor protein and the misfolded polypeptide-associated complex, facilitating the diffusion dynamics of the movement of misfolded polypeptides toward aggresomes. Therefore, our data reveal that YTHDF2 is a cellular factor involved in protein quality control.

Impact of Donor-Recipient Age Difference on Graft Function and Survival After Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Donor-recipient age difference (DRAD) is one of the reasons why patients on kidney waiting lists refuse to receive the offered organ. However, its impact on deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) outcomes is still controversial. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who received their first-time DDKT were enrolled. The KTRs were divided into groups by DRAD: group 1 (n = 74) (DRAD < 0) and group 2 (n = 79) (DRAD ≥ 0). The KTRs in group 2 were divided into 3 subgroups: DRAD 0 to 10 (n = 35), 10 to 20 (n = 32), and ≥ 20 (n = 12). The outcome measures included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection (AR), and graft and patient survival. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between group 1 and 2 except eGFR until 5 years after DDKT. Among the subgroups of group 2, DGF, AR, patient survival, and eGFR until 5 years showed no significant differences. However, graft survival was significantly different (P = .015); in addition, in the DRAD ≥ 20 subgroup, graft survival decreased compared with that in the DRAD 10 to 20 subgroup and DRAD 0 to 10 subgroup (P = .020, P = .012, respectively). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, the DRAD ≥ 20 subgroup showed a higher risk for graft failure than the DRAD 0 to 10 subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Although donors were of the same age or older than recipients, DDKT showed acceptable graft outcomes. However, because donors over 20 years older than recipients showed a decreased graft survival, it might be important to consider this point in donor-recipient matching of DDKT.

Analysis of Clinical Outcomes According to the Definition of Slow Graft Function in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Slow graft function (SGF) is considered to be an intermediate state between immediate graft function (IGF) and delayed graft function (DGF). However, the criteria of SGF is still arbitrary, and the clinical outcomes of SGF are not fully understood. METHODS: A total of 212 deceased donor kidney transplantation recipients were enrolled. Three schemas were adopted, which classified SGF according to the serum creatinine (Cr) level by a given postoperative day (POD). SGF was defined as Cr ≥ 3.0 mg/dL on POD5, Cr ≥ 2.5 mg/dL on POD7, and Cr ≥ 1.5 mg/dL on POD14 without dialysis in schema I, II, and III, respectively. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after transplantation, acute rejection, and graft survival were compared in each schema. Decreased renal function, defined as eGFR less than 30.0 mL/min/1.73m2, was also compared. RESULTS: In schema I and III, SGF had significantly lower eGFR at 3 months after transplantation compared with IGF (P < .017), and only schema III maintained the difference until 36 months after transplantation. The incidence of decreased renal function showed significant difference among groups in schema I and III (P < .05). Graft survival did not show significant difference among groups in all schemas. However, SGF and DGF groups showed a higher probability of decreased renal function than the IGF group (P < .017) in schema I and III. CONCLUSIONS: In deceased donor kidney transplantation, certain definitions of SGF identified significantly worse clinical outcomes compared with IGF, suggesting similar impact with DGF. It is necessary to reach a consensus on a clearer definition of SGF with further studies.

Comparison of clinical effects between total vaginal hysterectomy and total laparoscopic hysterectomy on large uteruses over 300 grams.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intra- and postoperative complications, operation time, and duration of hospital stay, and to evaluate cost-effectiveness between total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH) and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) groups. MATERIAL & METHODS: Patients undergoing TVH or TLH for a large uterus weighing more than 300 g were recruited from January to December 2007: 150 cases of TVH and 100 cases of TLH, were used. Evaluated variables are as follows: age, parity, previous surgical history, intra- and postoperative complications, hysterectomy specimen weight, operation time, duration of hospital stay and total cost. Total cost ($US) include admission, anesthesia and operation costs. RESULTS: There was no difference in demographics, intra- and postoperative complications, and uterine weight. However, operation time in TLH (mean, 179.9 min) was significantly longer than TVH (mean, 93.8 min; P < 0.05). The mean length of hospital stay was 6.13 days in TVH group and 5.78 days in TLH group, respectively (P < 0.05). TVH was more cost-effective than TLH. There was significant difference in total cost between the two groups (TVH, mean $1815.7 vs TLH, mean $2560.5; P < 0.05). When the total cost was analyzed in detail, there was no difference in admission cost. However, the significant mean differences in anesthesia cost (TVH, $165 vs TLH, $245) and operation cost (TVH, $30.3 vs TLH, $768) were demonstrated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TVH should not be abandoned for cases with a large uterus, and skilled surgeons for vaginal approach should preferentially perform TVH rather than TLH for the management of large uteruses.