Performance of four different microalgae-based technologies in antibiotics removal under multiple concentrations of antibiotics and strigolactone analogue GR24 administration.

The formation of symbionts by using different combinations of endophytic bacteria, microalgae, and fungi to purify antibiotics-containing wastewater is an effective and promising biomaterial technology. As it enhances the mixed antibiotics removal performance of the bio-system, this technology is currently extensively studied. Using exogenous supplementation of various low concentrations of the phytohormone strigolactone analogue GR24, the removal of various antibiotics from simulated wastewater was examined. The performances of Chlorella vulgaris monoculture, activated sludge-C. vulgaris-Clonostachys rosea, Bacillus licheniformis-C. vulgaris-C. rosea, and endophytic bacteria (S395-2)-C. vulgaris-C. rosea co-culture systems were systematically compared. Their removal capacities for tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline antibiotics from simulated wastewater were assessed. Chlorella vulgaris-endophytic bacteria-C. rosea co-cultures achieved the best performance under 0.25 mg L-1 antibiotics, which could be further enhanced by GR24 supplementation. This result demonstrates that the combination of endophytic bacteria with microalgae and fungi is superior to activated sludge-B. licheniformis-microalgae-fungi systems. Exogenous supplementation of GR24 is an effective strategy to improve the performance of antibiotics removal from wastewater.

The effect of cardiac rehabilitation on cardiopulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We carried out a meta-analysis on the effect of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on cardiopulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Four databases were searched for studies comparing CR with control. A random-effects model was used to pool mean difference (MD). The meta-analysis showed an increase in peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) (MD = 1.93 mL/kg/min, p = 0.0006), and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) (MD = 59.21 m, p < 0.00001), and a decrease in resting heart rate (resting HR) (MD = 5.68 bpm, p < 0.0001) in the CR group. The subgroup analysis revealed aerobic exercise could further improve resting HR and peak HR, and physical/combination with aerobic exercise could further increase 6MWD. The improvement of peak VO2, workload, resting HR, peak HR, and 6MWD regarding CR performed within one week after CABG is greater than that one week after CABG. CR after CABG can improve the cardiopulmonary function, which is reflected by the improvement of peak VO2, 6MWD, and resting HR.

Circular RNA circ_0026218 Suppressed Atherosclerosis Progression via miR-338-3p/SIRT6 Axis.

Background: Multiple circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in atherosclerosis (AS) pathogenesis. In fact, how circRNA 0026218 (circ_0026218) functions in AS remains unknown, and thus the functions and mechanisms of circ_0026218 in the injury of vascular endothelial cells are to be investigated. Methods: Microarray analysis was employed to screen out differentially expressed circRNAs in AS. A cell model was mimicked by treating Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). circ_0026218, microRNA-338-3p (miR-338-3p) and silent information regulator 6 (SIRT6) expressions in HUVECs with ox-LDL treatment were probed by qRT-PCR. The cell proliferative capabilities were exposed by CCK-8 assay. The contents of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA. Oxidative stress kits were utilized to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Flow cytometry was adopted to analyze the level of apoptosis of HUVECs. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP assay were leveraged to expose the interplay between miR-338-3p and circ_0026218 or SIRT6 3'-UTR, respectively. In addition, the impacts of circ_0026216 and miR-338-3p on SIRT6 protein expressions were subjected to Western blot. Results: circ_0026218 was greatly depleted in ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs. circ_0026218 overexpression promoted viability of HUVECs in vitro and inhibited inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. circ_0026218 could adsorb miR-338-3p and positively modulated SIRT6 expressions via sponging miR-338-3p. Upregulation of this miRNA reversed the influence of circ_0026218 overexpression on ox-LDL-caused injury and apoptosis of HUVECs. Conclusion: Collectively, circ_0026218 upregulates SIRT6 expression through decoying miR-338-3p, thereby inhibiting ox-LDL-initiated injury of HUVECs. circ_0026218 is involved in the pathogenesis of AS.

miR-107 Attenuates Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Injury by Targeting PTEN and Activating the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Sepsis is a public health problem worldwide. This study investigated the mechanism of miR-107 on sepsis-induced myocardial injury. Sepsis rat models were established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and the cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocytes. Cardiac function indexes of rats were measured using echocardiography. Pathological changes in the rat myocardium were observed using histological staining. Expression of miR-107 in the serum of rats and in cardiomyocytes was detected after the treatment with miR-107 mimic and/or pcDNA3.1-PTEN, followed by assessment of cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis. Binding sites of miR-107 and PTEN were predicted. PTEN, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT levels in LPS-induced cardiomyocytes were measured. miR-107 was significantly downregulated in the serum of CLP rats and LPS-induced cardiomyocytes. miR-107 overexpression remarkably improved cardiac function and histological changes, decreased inflammatory factors, and alleviated the sepsis-induced myocardial injury in rats. In LPS-induced cardiomyocytes, miR-107 overexpression increased cardiomyocyte proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and enhanced the proportion of cardiomyocytes arrested in S and G2/M phases. miR-107 targeted PTEN. PTEN overexpression partially reversed the inhibition of miR-107 mimic on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. miR-107 overexpression activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by inhibiting PTEN. To conclude, miR-107 activates the PI3K/AKT pathway by inhibiting PTEN, thus attenuating sepsis-induced myocardial injury and LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Corrigendum: Modifying SnS2 with carbon quantum dots to improve photocatalytic performance for Cr(VI) reduction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.911291.].

Modifying SnS2 With Carbon Quantum Dots to Improve Photocatalytic Performance for Cr(VI) Reduction.

The photoreduction for hazardous Cr(VI) in industrial wastewater has been considered a "green" approach with low-cost and easy-to-go operation. SnS2 is a promising narrow bandgap photocatalyst, but its low charge carrier separation efficiency should be solved first. In this work, N-doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared and loaded onto SnS2 nanoparticles via an in situ method. The resulting composite samples (NC@SnS2) were characterized, and their photocatalytic performance was discussed. SnS2 nanoparticles were obtained as hexagonal ones with a bandgap of 2.19 eV. The optimal doping level for NC@SnS2 was citric acid: urea:SnS2 = 1.2 mmol:1.8 mmol:3.0 mmol. It showed an average diameter of 40 nm and improved photocatalytic performance, compared to pure SnS2, following a pseudo-first-order reaction with a kinetic rate constant of 0.1144 min-1. Over 97% of Cr(VI) was photo-reduced after 30 min. It was confirmed that modification of SnS2 with CQDs can not only improve the light-harvesting ability but also stimulate the charge separation, which therefore can enhance the photoreactivity of SnS2 toward Cr(VI) reduction. The excellent stability of NC@SnS2 indicates that it is promising to be practically used in industrial wastewater purification.

Metagenomic analysis of microbial community structure and function in a improved biofilter with odorous gases.

Biofilters have been broadly applied to degrade the odorous gases from industrial emissions. A industrial scale biofilter was set up to treat the odorous gases. To explore biofilter potentials, the microbial community structure and function must be well defined. Using of improved biofilter, the differences in microbial community structures and functions in biofilters before and after treatment were investigated by metagenomic analysis. Odorous gases have the potential to alter the microbial community structure in the sludge of biofilter. A total of 90,016 genes assigned into various functional metabolic pathways were identified. In the improved biofilter, the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Chloroflexi, and the dominant genera were Thioalkalivibrio, Thauera, and Pseudomonas. Several xenobiotic biodegradation-related pathways showed significant changes during the treatment process. Compared with the original biofilter, Thermotogae and Crenarchaeota phyla were significantly enriched in the improved biofilter, suggesting their important role in nitrogen-fixing. Furthermore, several nitrogen metabolic pathway-related genes, such as nirA and nifA, and sulfur metabolic pathway-related genes, such as fccB and phsA, were considered to be efficient genes that were involved in removing odorous gases. Our findings can be used for improving the efficiency of biofilter and helping the industrial enterprises to reduce the emission of waste gases.

Preparation of carbon dots-hematite quantum dots-loaded hydroxypropyl cellulose-chitosan nanocomposites for drug delivery, sunlight catalytic and antimicrobial application.

In this project, we studied the thermal and chemical method for the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs)/Hematite (α-Fe2O3) quantum dots and the preparation of hydroxypropyl cellulose cross-linked chitosan (HPCCS) and ulvan (UN) was performed by chemical method. Carbon dots/α-Fe2O3 quantum dots with size distribution of 3-5 nm were completely encapsulated in the HPCCS/UN NPs to obtain composites, which indicated unique characteristics with respect to antimicrobial, pH-responsive and optical properties. The CDs-HQDs/HPCCS/UN nanocomposites exhibited a single-excitation (440 nm), dual-emission fluorescence property (505 nm and 628 nm for green and red light from CDs-HQDs and HPCCS/UN NPs). The nanocomposites played as a pH-responsive drug delivery process to release ulvan at a fast rate in pH 7.4 buffer solution but at a slow rate in low pH solutions. The CDs-HQDs/HPCCS/UN nanocomposites gained the highest photocatalytic activity for degrading 4-chlorophenol (4-CPh) as a pollutant (>98% during 70 min under sunlight irradiation). Moreover, the nanocomposites indicated great inhibitory influences towards bacterial and fungal.

MicroRNA-1246 regulates proliferation, invasion, and differentiation in human vascular smooth muscle cells by targeting cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a key role in the proliferation and invasion of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the role and underlying mechanism of miRNAs in VSMCs are not fully understood. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the role and mechanism of microRNA-1246 (miR-1246) in VSMCs. VSMCs were cultured, and the proliferation of VSMCs was stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) or 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-1246 and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in VSMCs. The CCK-8 assay and transwell assay were used to detect the proliferation and invasion of VSMCs. Target gene prediction and screening and luciferase reporter assays were used to verify downstream target genes of miR-1246. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of PCNA, α-SMA, SM-MHC, Collagen-1, and Cyclin D1 in VSMCs. PDGF-BB and FBS treatment induced VSMCs proliferation and the upregulation of miR-1246 expression. Overexpression of miR-1246 promoted VSMCs proliferation, invasion, and differentiation towards synthetic phenotype, while knockdown of miR-1246 had opposite effects. In addition, CFTR was found to be a direct target for miR-1246, and miR-1246 inhibited the expression of CFTR. Moreover, overexpression of CFTR inhibited VSMC proliferation and synthetic differentiation, while overexpression of miR-1246 partly abolished the effects of CFTR overexpression on VSMCs proliferation and differentiation. Our data suggest that MiR-1246 promotes VSMC proliferation, invasion, and differentiation to synthetic phenotype by regulating CFTR. MiR-1246 may be a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Variations in microbial community structure and functional gene expression in bio-treatment processes with odorous pollutants.

Engineered microbial ecosystems in biofilters have been widely applied to treat odorous gases from industrial emissions. Variations in microbial community structure and function associated with the removal of odorous gases by biofilters are largely unknown. This study performed a metagenomic analysis to discover shifts in microbial community structures in a commercial scale biofilter after treating odorous gas. Our study identified 175,675 functional genes assigned into 43 functional KEGG pathways. Based on the unigene sequences, there were significant changes in microbial community structures in the biofilter after treating odorous gas. The dominant genera were Thiobacillus and Oceanicaulis before the treatment, and were Acidithiobacillus and Ferroplasma after the treatment. A clustering analysis showed that the number of down-regulated microbes exceeded the number of up-regulated microbes, suggesting that odorous gas treatment reduced in microbial community structures. A differential expression analysis identified 29,975 up- and 452,599 down-regulated genes. An enrichment analysis showed 17 classic types of xenobiotic biodegradation pathways. The results identified 16 and 15 genes involved in ammonia and sulfite metabolism, respectively; an analysis of their relative abundance identified several up-regulated genes, which may be efficient genes involved in removing odorous gases. The data provided in this study demonstrate the changes in microbial communities and help identify the dominant microflora and genes that play key roles in treating odorous gases.

Historical Trends and Chiral Signatures of Organochlorine Pesticides in Sediments of Qiandao Lake, China.

This study investigated the enantiomeric and depth profiles of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) accumulated in the sediments of Qiandao Lake, China. OCP concentrations in sediments have increased gradually since the early 1960s, when extensive OCPs application in China began. Concentrations reached maximum levels after 1992, this timing corresponds with the emerging of the "new" usage of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs). In addition, the degradation of chiral OCPs were enantioselective, resulting in enriched (-)-enantiomers for α-HCH and o, p'-DDD. However, both preferential depletions of (-) enantiomers and (+) enantiomers were observed for o, p'-DDT. This outcome was indicated by enantiomer fractions (EF) values either greater or less than 0.5.

Residues and Distribution of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Suspended Particulate Matter from Hangzhou Bay, East China Sea.

The concentrations, distribution, and possible sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in Hangzhou Bay, East China Sea, were studied by analyzing water column and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples from 13 sites. The results showed that OCP contamination remains widespread in the area. The OCP concentrations were 2.52-27.99 ng/L in the SPM samples and 1.35-26.36 ng/L in the water column samples. Pattern analysis suggested that both fresh and weathered hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were present. Low α-HCH/γ-HCH ratios and high ß-HCH and γ-HCH levels contributed to the total HCH concentrations in both the water column and SPM samples. High p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)/o,p'-DDT ratios and low (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene + dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane)/DDT ratios were found, reflecting a "dicofol-type" DDT input pattern, This suggested that new DDT inputs are occurring because of dicofol still being used in the area.

Residues, Sources and Potential Biological Risk of Organochlorine Pesticides in Surface Sediments of Qiandao Lake, China.

Sediment samples were analyzed to comprehensively characterize the concentrations, distribution, possible sources and potential biological risk of organochlorine pesticides in Qiandao Lake, China. Concentrations of sumHCH and sumDDT in sediments ranged from 0.03 to 5.75 ng/g dry weight and not detected to 14.39 ng/g dry weight. The predominant ß-HCH and the α-HCH/γ-HCH ratios indicated that the residues of HCHs were derived not only from historical technical HCH use but also from additional usage of lindane. Ratios of o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT and DDD/DDE suggested that both dicofol-type DDT and technical DDT applications may be present in most study areas. Additionally, based on two sediment quality guidelines, γ-HCH, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT could be the main organochlorine pesticides species of ecotoxicological concern in Qiandao Lake.

Distribution of organochlorine pesticides in sediments from Yangtze River Estuary and the adjacent East China Sea: implication of transport, sources and trends.

Thirty-eight surface sediments and two sediment cores were collected from Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) and adjacent East China Sea (ECS) to study the distribution patterns, origins, potential transport and burden of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the marginal sea. Residues of OCPs ranged from 0.190 to 5.17 ng g(-1) dry weight with a distinct "band type" pattern under the control of Yangtze River inputs and ECS circulation system. Differences in transmission media and redox conditions in situ respectively resulted in the divergent distributions of α/ß-HCH and DDD/DDE. The compositional pattern analysis implied that OCPs in the inner shelf of ECS were derived from both "weathered" and fresh sources, whereas those in the outer shelf of ECS had undergone high metabolism. Concurrent with the land-sea migration, vertical profiles of sediment cores showed increasing trends or rebound since the 1990s, characteristic of two evident "jumps" of DDE+DDD/DDT and DDT/DDE ratios. Moreover, the primary distribution pattern founded for HCHs and the considerable mass inventories calculated (6.20 metric tones for OCPs) together suggested that the contaminated sediments in the studied area to be a potential source of OCPs to the global ocean.

Status of metal accumulation in farmland soils across China: from distribution to risk assessment.

Increasing metal pollution has drawn broad public attention in China due to severe environmental quality deterioration. However, so far, there has been no study to survey metal accumulation in Chinese farmland soil at the national scale. In this study, we determined 11 metals in farmland soils across the Mainland China. Our results indicated the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu (10.1-184.2, 0.082-1.31, 20.2-321.9, 8.2-515.9 mg/kg, respectively) were elevated above their reference values. Moreover, these metals followed a similar geochemical distribution pattern. The accumulation of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu in soils may be associated with human activities for soil fertility. Cadmium had the highest pollution index (PI) of 5.28, and the average hazard quotients (HQs) for all the metals were below 1. Hence, except for Cd, the metals in Chinese arable soils are comparatively safe. Results from this study may provide valuable information for agricultural soil management in China.

Residues of organochlorine pesticides in water and suspended particulate matter from Xiangshan Bay, East China Sea.

Residual levels, distribution and possible sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in nine water column and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples collected from Xiangshan Bay, East China Sea were investigated. Total OCPs concentrations in water column and SPM ranges from 2.88 to 34.72 ng/L and 2.47 to 29.94 ng/L, respectively, which exceed the US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory limits. Moreover, low ratio of α-HCH/γ-HCH and high ratios ß- and γ-HCH suggested the cocktail input pattern of fresh and weathered HCHs. Meanwhile, low ratio of (DDE + DDD)/DDT and high ratios p,p'- and o,p'-DDT reflected a "dicofol type DDT pollution" pattern.

Distribution, historical trends and inventories of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments from Yangtze River Estuary and adjacent East China Sea.

A large portion of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from e-waste released into the coastal areas may be the potential source of PCBs to the global oceans. The paper presents data of PCBs concentrations in fifty surface sediment samples and a dated sediment core in Yangtze River Delta (YRE) and adjacent East China Sea (ECS). The total PCBs levels varied from 5.08 to 19.64 ng/g dry weight, with the highest concentrations situate within the river-sea boundary zone which is so-called "marginal filter". Concurrent with the operation of e-waste recycling over the last two decades, PCB fluxes started to rise again after 1980s and reached a maximum in this century. The full data set was used to estimate the burden of PCBs in YRE and adjacent ECS. A total sediment burdens were 192.8 tons, with the spatial density of 364 ng/cm(2) which accounts for 1.9% of all the PCBs in China.

Residues and sources recognition of polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments of Jiaojiang Estuary, East China Sea.

Twenty-three surface sediment samples were collected from Jiaojiang Estuary, East China Sea in order to assess the distribution, possible sources, and potential risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 4.93 to 108.79 ng g(-1) dry weight for all sampling stations, with a substantial higher concentration in the inner part of the estuary than the outer part of the estuary. PCB patterns in sediments from sites 1-8 were extremely dominated by tetra-PCBs, which probably due to the discharge of local industrial plants but not the expected input from the nearby e-waste recycling areas. Principal component analysis revealed that the sources of PCBs for sites 9-23 were associated with Aroclor 1248 or Aroclor 1221. However, physical migration and bio-degradation may also play a role on PCB distribution. Hazard assessment of PCBs indicated possible toxic potential, particularly in areas close to point sources.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments of Yueqing Bay, Xiangshan Bay, and Sanmen Bay in East China Sea.

The spatial distribution and source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 30 surface sediments of Yueqing Bay, Xiangshan Bay, and Sanmen Bay in Eastern China were analysed. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 9.33 to 19.60 ng g(-1) dry weight for all the sampling stations. The observed PCB levels were lower than those in areas of high urbanisation or contamination in the bay. Low-chlorinated PCBs, dominated by tri-PCB, were identified as the prevalent contaminate of surface sediments, and the top three PCB congeners were lighter chlorinated congeners (PCB 8, PCB 18 and PCB 28). These results were in agreement with the fact that tri-PCB compounds are the dominant contaminants in China. The result of the principal component analysis revealed that all samples were similar in composition to Aroclor 1242, suggesting they might originate from electrical capacitors and transformers. The levels of PCBs were significantly correlated with the total organic carbon in the sediments.

Enantiomeric resolution of five chiral pesticides on a Chiralpak IB-H column by SFC.

The enantiomeric separations of five chiral pesticides, diclofopmethyl, 1; benalaxy, 2; acetofenate, 3; myclobutanil, 4; and difenoconazole, 5, were conducted on a Chiralpak IB-H column by a packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography (p-SFC). All compounds, except difenoconazole and myclobutanil, were well resolved within 10 min. As the mobile phase polarity decreased through changing the percentage and the type of alcohol modifiers in the supercritical carbon dioxide (CO(2)), the retention time, the separation factors, and the resolution increased. However, based on the retention time and the resolution, the optimized separations were obtained with the mobile phase containing 10% 2-propanol for diclofop-methyl 1; benalaxy, 2; myclobutanil, 4; difenoconazole, 5; and containing 3% 2-propanol for acetofenate, 3. The optimized separation temperature was at 35°C under the supercritical fluid condition. The π-π interactions and the hydrogen bonding interactions between Chiralpak IB-H CSP and the analytes might be the main chiral discriminations on enantioseparation of these five pesticides.