Umbilical Cord Blood and UC-MSCs Combined with Low-Dose Immunosuppressant in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Pure Red Cell Aplastic: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: At present, cyclosporine (CsA) is the first-line treatment for Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA), but CsA administration can be associated with a number of side effects due to its high toxicity. Therefore, it is urgent to explore a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients who cannot be treated with conventional doses of CsA, especially those with multiple complications. Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) for PRCA is a promising treatment, but reports of using umbilical cord blood (UCB) are very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, UCB and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) combined with low-dose CsA (1-3mg/kg/d) were used to treat 3 elderly patients who were diagnosed with PRCA combined with multiple complications in heart, lung, and renal. The treatments were successful without complications, and 12 months after stem cell infusion, the blood tests of the patients came normal. Moreover, the function of the liver, heart, and kidney continued to be stable. CONCLUSION: This report provides an effective regimen of using UCB and UC-MSCs combined with low-dose CsA (1-3 mg/kg/d) to treat PRCA, especially for elderly patients with multiple complications who cannot use the conventional dosage.

Characterization of patients with IgA nephropathy with and without associated minimal change disease.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) presents various clinical manifestations and pathological phenotypes. Approximately 5% of patients with IgAN present with early onset nephrotic syndrome, mild mesangial lesions, and diffuse foot process effacement of podocytes, which resemble minimal change disease (MCD). These patients are defined as MCD-IgAN. Whether MCD-IgAN is a special type of IgAN or simply MCD accompanied by IgA deposition remains controversial. Methods: A total of 51 patients diagnosed with MCD-IgAN at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to September 2022 were recruited. The clinical and pathological characteristics of IgA-MCD were analyzed. Patients with IgAN but without MCD (non-MCD-IgAN) and healthy participants were enrolled as controls. Galactose-deficient immunoglobulin A1 (Gd-IgA1) and complement C3 were detected both in the circulation and in renal tissues. Results: We found that the levels of serum Gd-IgA1 were lower in participants with MCD-IgAN than in those with non-MCD-IgAN, but higher than in healthy participants. Gd-IgA1 was rarely deposited in the glomeruli of participants with MCD-IgAN, with a positive rate of only 13.7% (7/51); in contrast, the positive rate in participants with non-MCD-IgAN was 82.4% (42/51). Among renal Gd-IgA1-positive patients, Gd-IgA1 and immunoglobulin A (IgA) colocalized along the glomerular mesangial and capillary areas. Interestingly, we found that the circulating levels of complement C3 were significantly higher in participants with MCD-IgAN than in participants with non-MCD-IgAN. In addition, the intensity of C3c in glomeruli in participants with MCD-IgAN was significantly weaker than in participants with non-MCD-IgAN. Conclusions: Our study suggests that, in MCD-IgAN, most of the IgA that is deposited on glomeruli is not the same pathogenic Gd-IgA1 as found in general IgAN. Complement activation both in the circulation and in the renal locality was much weaker in MCD-IgAN than in non-MCD-IgAN. Our study suggests that IgAN with MCD might be MCD with coincidental IgA deposition.

[Action Mechanism of Bacillus on Microalgae During Nitrogen Metabolism in Urban Tailwater].

To improve deep denitrification of black and odorous water and improve the quality of surface water, we studied the characteristics of nitrogen metabolism and denitrification of urban tailwater by microalgae (Z), Bacillus (Y), and Bacillus microalgae (ZY). The results showed that there was a good removal effect of ammonia nitrogen of group Z and group ZY in urban tailwater. The degradation rate of both groups reached 95%. The best effect on the removal of nitrite nitrogen was of group Z in urban tailwater. The combined action of Bacillus and Micrococcus played a relatively strong and stable effect on the conversion of nitrite nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle reaction. Bacillus could effectively remove nitrate nitrogen and improve the removal efficiency of nitrate nitrogen by microalgae. Best removal effect of nitrate nitrogen was observed in group ZY in urban tailwater, with a degradation rate as high as 99%, in which the nitrate nitrogen was removed almost completely. The Bacteria with high proportions in Z were Chroococcidiopsis_PCC_7203 (24.38%), uncultured_bacterium-g_norank_f_A4b (23.65%), Exiguobacteriu (7.09%), Leptolyngbya_PCC-6306(9.41%), and Bacillus (1.99%). The bacteria with high proportions in ZY were Brevibacillus (22.94%), Clostridium (8.78%), and Bacillus (4.88%), and the proportion of Chroococcidiopsis_PCC_7203 was only 7.84% in ZY, which was considerably lower than that in Z samples. The conclusions were as follows:microalgae could effectively remove ammonia nitrogen in the system. Bacillus and microalgae had very good removal effect of ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. During the nitrogen removal of black and odorous water by algae, the Bacillus inhibited the excessive growth of microalgae and prevented eutrophication and black odor in water. This study can provide data support for the deep treatment of urban tail water and prevention of surface water eutrophication.

[Nitrogen Metabolism and Flora Characteristics of Bacteria Algae Complex System].

In order to denitrify the urban tail water deeply and control the eutrophication of surface water, the molecular biology methods were used to study the nitrogen metabolism performance of the denitrification complex flora and the algal-bacteria symbiotic system. The results showed that the nitrogen metabolism complex flora was high ammonification and denitrification performance. The removal effect of ammonia nitrogen of group JZ was very well in urban tailwater, and the degradation rate was as high as 95%. The removal effect of total nitrogen of group JZ was better than that of group J in the experimental water distribution. High-throughput sequencing showed that the main dominant flora and proportion of group J were Firmicutes 44.53%, Proteobacteria 43.41%, Actinobacteria 5.37%, Bacteroidetes 3.04%, and Chloroflexi 1.35%. The main dominant bacterial groups in the group JZ were 33.89% Cyanobacteria, 25.34% Chloroflexi, 19.38% Proteobacteria, 10.02% Firmicutes, and 4.20% Acidobacteria. The dominant species in group J were compared with those in group JZ; the proportions were 82% and 18% in Firmicutes, 69% and 31% in Proteobacteria, 1% and 99% in Cyanobacteria, 5.1% and 95% in Chloroflexi, 73% and 27% in Actinobacteria. It was concluded that the removal effect of ammonia nitrogen of group JZ was high in the urban tailwater. With the addition and growth of Micrococcus in group J, the nitrogen metabolism flora in group JZ changed accordingly, so as to adapt to the environment in which the dominant algae formed. It forms a new nitrogen metabolism system of bacteria and algae with Micrococcus. This research provides a theoretical and data basis for the application of algal-bacterial co-metabolism systems.

Ultrabroad spectral response and excellent SERS performance of PbS-assisted Au/PbS/Au nanostars.

Noble metal nanomaterials have many excellent optical properties due to localized surface plasmon resonance induced by external electric and magnetic fields. The plasmon-enhanced optical properties of nanomaterials can be controlled by changing their shapes or compositions. Here, we use a gentle approach to synthesize Au/PbS/Au nanostars with multiple tips and explore the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, the second harmonic generation (SHG), and photocatalytic performance. The Au/PbS/Au nanostars have ultrabroad spectral responses and significantly enhanced local electric fields near the sharp tips. The size and tip length of the Au/PbS/Au nanostars can be adjusted by changing the amount of HAuCl4. The Au/PbS/Au nanostars exhibit largely enhanced SERS activity and photocatalytic degradation efficiency compared with the Au bipyramids and the Au BPs@PbS nanocrystals. In addition, the SHG of Au/PbS/Au nanostars is also significantly enhanced due to asymmetry and local field enhancement. This research shows potential in many applications ranging from photophysics to photochemistry.

Overactivation of the complement system may be involved in intrarenal arteriolar lesions in IgA nephropathy.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) encompasses a wide range of clinical and histology features. Some patients present without hematuria, with or without hypertension, still rapidly progress in renal function. Renal pathology of this part of patients were predominant intrarenal arteriolar lesions, rarely presented glomerular proliferative lesions. We aim to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of these IgAN patients and initially explore whether the abnormal activation of complement is involved in the intrarenal arteriolar lesions of IgAN. Methods: A total of 866 patients with renal biopsy-proven IgAN diagnosed at Beijing Anzhen Hospital were recruited. IgAN patients without intrarenal arteriolar lesions and proliferative lesions were excluded (n = 115), the rest were divided into arteriolar lesions group (n = 202) and proliferative lesions group (n = 549). Among them, 255 patients were regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Renal biopsy tissues of 104 IgAN patients were stained for complement components by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Results: Compared with proliferative lesions group, the arteriolar lesions group experienced high percentage of hypertension (p = 0.004), low percentage of gross hematuria (p = 0.001), microscopic hematuria (p < 0.001) and less initial proteinuria (p = 0.033). Renal survival between the two groups was not significantly different (p = 0.133). MBL, C4d, FH and FHR5, C3c, and MAC deposited on intrarenal arteriole in arteriolar lesions group. Compare with the proliferative lesion group, the arteriolar lesions group exhibited a higher intensity of C3c deposition on the intrarenal arterioles (p = 0.048). C3c and CD31 co-deposited on intrarenal arterioles area in patients with intrarenal arteriolar lesions. Conclusion: Renal survival of the IgAN patients in arteriolar lesions group was not better than those in proliferative lesions group. Abnormal activation of complement may be involved in the pathogenesis of arteriolar damage through the injury of endothelial cells in this clinical phenotype of IgAN.

Synthesis of AuAg/Ag/Au open nanoshells with optimized magnetic plasmon resonance and broken symmetry for enhancing second-harmonic generation.

The cooperation of magnetic and electric plasmon resonances in cup-shaped metallic nanostructures exhibits significant capability for second-harmonic generation (SHG) enhancement. Herein, we report an approach for synthesizing Au open nanoshells with tunable numbers and sizes of openings on a template of six-pointed PbS nanostars. The morphology of Au nanoshells is controlled by adjusting the amount of HAuCl4, and the characteristic shapes of pointed nanocaps, open nanoshells, and hollow nanostars are obtained. Owing to the collaboration of electric and magnetic plasmon resonance modes, the Au nanoshells exhibit significantly broadened and highly tunable optical responses. Furthermore, the morphology-dependent SHG of the Au nanoshells shows two maximal SHG intensities, corresponding to four-opening and one-opening Au nanoshells with appropriate opening sizes. Ag/Au and AuAg/Ag/Au open nanoshells were further investigated to achieve enhanced SHG. By adjusting the thickness of the Ag shell, the SHG intensity of Ag/Au open nanoshells reaches a maximum due to the gradient field at the AuAg bimetallic interface. After replacing the Ag shells with Au shells, the SHG intensity of AuAg/Ag/Au open nanoshells reaches a maximum due to further symmetry breaking. These findings provide a strategy to prepare colloidal metal nanocrystals with prospective applications ranging from nonlinear photonic nanodevices to biospectroscopy and photocatalysis.

[Effects of Water Supply Quality and Social Activity on the Microbial Community in Baiyangdian Wetland].

To clarify the impact of water quality and social activity in the Baiyangdian wetland on the biological community, the change characteristics of bacterial, fungal, and archaeal communities in different areas of the Dian District were studied. Samples were collected at the entrance of Fuhe District (NBB), tourist areas with frequent human social activities (NBD), residential breeding areas (NBX), and village sparse areas (NBN). The physical and chemical characteristics and biological communities of the samples were evaluated. The results of the study show that the COD concentration of organic pollutants in the NBB was 12.35 mg·L-1, and the total nitrogen concentration was 10.12 mg·L-1, that the concentration was highest. Moreover, the water quality in NBD and NBX was better than that of NBB. The NBN area exhibited the best water quality, with COD and total nitrogen concentration values of 6.9 mg·L-1 and 1.82 mg·L-1, respectively. Many types of NBB bacteria were recorded, with a diversity index of 5.86, and NBN diversity index exceeding 4.78. The dominant bacterial flora in all samples was the Proteobacteria, which accounts for 68.8% of the total bacterial communities in NBN samples. The diversity index of fungi in NBB was only 2.14. There were many types of fungi in NBN, with a diversity index of 3.23. Chytridiomycota was found in the NBD and NBN, accounting for 5.4% and 9.8% of the total number of fungi, respectively. The Chytridiomycota was main decomposer of hard to degrade organic carbon. The diversity of archaea of NBN was the lowest among all the samples. Crenarchaeota was the dominant phylum, which accounts for 39.0%, 51.9%, 47.3%, and 30.1% of NBB, NBD, NBX, and NBN samples, respectively. The number of Halobacterota was lower than Crenarchaeota. The main factor of eutrophication and microbial community changes in Baiyangdian wetland was the results of the combined action of external and internal pollution. Both external and internal pollution increased the organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus content in the water, and the microbial community structure has changed significantly. The contents of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus in water were increased and the microbial community structures were changed significantly by the increase of both external and internal pollution.

Glomerular Complement Factor H-Related Protein 5 is Associated with Histologic Injury in Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Immunoglobulin A nephrology (IgAN), characterized by co-deposition of IgA and complement components, is an activation of complement system involved disease. Factor H-related protein 5 (FHR-5) antagonized the ability of factor H to negatively regulate C3 activation, which leads to overactivation of the alternative pathway. Here we explore the relationship of intensity of glomerular FHR-5 deposition and severity of IgAN. METHODS: Renal staining of FHR-5 was detected by immunofluorescence, and plasma FHR-5 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 56 patients with IgAN. The relationship of intensity of glomerular FHR-5 and clinical and pathologic features of these patients were further analyzed. RESULTS: Glomerular staining for FHR-5 was observed in a predominantly mesangial pattern in 32 biopsy specimens (57.1%). FHR-5 co-deposited with IgA and C3c in glomerular mesangial and capillary area in patients with IgAN. Patients with IgAN with Oxford endocapillary hypercellularity (P = 0.007) and segmental glomerulosclerosis (P = 0.049) presented with greater intensity of FHR-5 deposition. There were more cases with 2+ and 3+ FHR-5 staining in cohorts of 2+ and 3-4+ mesangial C3 deposition (P = 0.034) and IgA deposition (P = 0.019). Interestingly, the glomerular FHR-5 depositions were more abundant in male versus female in patients with IgAN (P = 0.002). Besides, circulating FHR-5 levels were elevated in patients with IgAN compared with healthy control subjects. Plasma FHR-5 levels were significantly higher in patients with mesangial hypercellularity at diagnosis than those with nonmesangial hypercellularity. CONCLUSIONS: We found that glomerular intensity of FHR-5 deposition could indicate the severity of histologic lesions of IgAN.

[Purification Characteristics of Urban Tail Water from Sewage Treatment Plant by Biofilm Ecological Floating Bed].

The purification characteristics of nitrogenous tail water were investigated using a biofilm ecological floating bed technology to study biofilm length, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and biofilm coverage area with the aim to explore the purification characteristics of biofilm on urban tail water. Results show that the removal rates of NH4+-N, NO3--N, and TN were 90.82%, 62.7%, and 81.96%, respectively, at the half water depth to the suspended biofilm. The removal rate of NH4+-N was only 22.07%, and the concentration changes of NO3--N and TN were not obvious throughout the whole water depth to the suspended biofilm. When the HRT was 6 days, the removal rates of NH4+-N and TN could reach 82.01% and 62.88%, respectively, whereas the lowest rates were 55.24% and 46.82%, respectively. When the HRT was 12 days, the removal rates of NH4+-N and TN reached up to 81.4% and 79.93%, respectively, whereas the lowest rates were 8.73% and 17.23%, respectively. In contrast, the nitrogen removal efficiency was high and stable when the HRT was 6 days. When the coverage area was 10%, the removal rate was decreased in one operation cycle. When the coverage area was 20%, the removal rate showed an upward trend. Under the conditions of 10% and 20% biofilm coverage area, the removal rates of TN were 62.88% and 71.09%, respectively.

SMRT sequencing revealed to be an effective method for ADTKD-MUC1 diagnosis through follow-up analysis of a Chinese family.

We reported a large Chinese family diagnosed with autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease caused by MUC1 mutation (ADTKD-MUC1). Cytosine duplication within a string of 7 cytosines in the variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR) region of the MUC1 gene was detected by long-read single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. MUC1 frameshift protein (MUC1fs) was found to be expressed in renal tubules and urinary exfoliated cells by pathological examination. The family, which consisted of 5 generations including 137 individuals, was followed for 5 years. Genetic testing was performed in thirty-four individuals, 17 of whom carried MUC1 mutations. The ADTKD-MUC1-affected individuals had an elevated incidence of hyperuricaemia without gout attack. Within five years, higher baseline levels of urinary α1-microglobulin were detected in affected individuals with rapidly progressing renal failure than in affected individuals with stable renal function, and the increases manifested even before increases in serum creatinine. This study demonstrates that SMRT sequencing is an effective method for the identification of MUC1 mutations. The pathological examination of MUC1fs expression in renal tissue and urinary exfoliated cells can contribute to early screening of family members suspected to be affected. It is suggested that affected individuals with elevated urinary α1-microglobulin levels should be closely monitored for renal function.

[Characteristics of Nitrogen Metabolism by Denitrifying Bacterial Agents in Low Dissolved Oxygen Black Odor Water].

In order to deal with low dissolved oxygen black odor water body of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the nitrogen metabolic capacity of ammoniated bacteria, nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria under low dissolved oxygen concentration was studied, and the relationship between denitrification efficiency and nitrogen conversion of different bacteria was clarified, which provided theoretical basis for the treatment of black odor water of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Nitrogen conversion characteristics of ammoniated bacteria (Staphylococcus sp. Ay), nitrifying bacteria (Microbacterium sp. Xw), and denitrifying bacteria (Arthrobacter sp. Fy) in simulated wastewater were detected by different concentration of bacteria and different concentration of substrates. The nitrogen metabolism of Ay, Xw and Fy in black odor water at the same concentration under low dissolved oxygen condition and the characteristics of nitrogen metabolism in different concentrations of black odor water were studied. The results showed that the bacterial concentration of Ay bacterium agent increased three times, but the ammoniation efficiency did not multiply. It indicated that increasing the concentration of ammoniated bacterium was not the best way to increase the ammoniation rate. Xw bacteria have a significant effect on the change of nitrate concentration. At 60 h, the nitrate concentration was increased 180% at low bacterial concentration, was 231% at a high bacterial concentration. Fy denitrification efficiency was high, that nitrate nitrogen can be removed quickly at lower concentration. Appropriate increase of total nitrogen concentration can increase the ammoniation efficiency of Ay microbial agent, but too high would inhibit the nitrogen metabolism efficiency of Ay microbial agent. The concentration of nitrate nitrogen of Xw bacterium reagent was increased (3736%) when the total nitrogen was 25 mg·L-1. The Fy microbial agent has no obvious effect on ammonia nitrogen removal. When the total nitrogen concentration was 25 mg·L-1, the removal rate of nitrate by Fy bacterium was the best. Overall, the results showed that the concentration of ammoniated bacteria and denitrifying bacteria could meet the need of nitrogen metabolism, and the nitrifying bacteria could increase the nitrate nitrogen synthesis rate with the increase of the concentration of nitrifying bacteria. In a certain range, increasing the concentration of substrate could increase the efficiency of nitrogen metabolism of bacterial agents, and excessive concentration would inhibit the effect of nitrogen metabolism. The study provides data support for the problem of black odor water in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

IgG4-related sialadenitis complicated with type III mixed cryoglobulinemia: A case report.

RATIONALE: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic autoimmune disease and mixed cryoglobulinemia may be caused by autoimmune diseases. However, so far only 1 case of IgG4-RD complicated with mixed cryoglobulinemia is reported. Our case further confirms the close relationship between these 2 diseases. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old female was admitted because of dry mouth and teeth falling off. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed as IgG4-related sialadenitis (IgG4-RS) complicated with type III mixed cryoglobulinemia. IgG4-RS was confirmed by elevated serum IgG4 levels and diffuse IgG4 plasmocyte infiltration and storiform fibrosis in the interstitium of labial gland. Type III mixed cryoglobulinemia was confirmed by positive serum cryoglobulins and no monoclonal immunoglobulin in serum and urine. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: After treatment with prednisone and cyclophosphamide, serum cryoglobulins rapidly turned negative with the remission of IgG4-RS. LESSONS: Type III mixed cryoglobulinemia can be caused by IgG4-RS, and the underlying mechanisms need to be further explored.

[Impact on the Microbial Biomass and Metabolic Function of Carbon Source by Black Soil During Rice Cultivation].

The effects of rice cultivation to the black soil microbial communities, which the experimentation area of Shuangyang District Agricultural Technology Extension Station in Changchun city, Jilin Province of northeastern China, were studied by using the method of phospholipid fatty acids and Biolog ECO-microplate culture. Results showed that the content of organic matter in space was the highest, fewer in the field, and the minimum in the rhizosphere, that change trend of total nitrogen and organic matter was similar in soil. The quantity of organic matter in summer sample was the highest. The microbial fun6tional diversity was significantly higher in summer than that in spring and autumn and showed no significant difference between spring and autumn. For summer and the lowest in winter, Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou index of the space were higher than the field and the rhizosphere. The time of microbial growth into the stable period and peak value of the average well color development were different in all samples, that the time was 216 h, 192 h, 216 h, 120 h, which varied from 0.52-0.84, 0.82-1.28, 0.40-0.84, 0.05-0.48, respectively. The result showed that the time of microbial growth into the stable period was similar in spring and autumn, the highest was in summer and the lowest was in winter. Above all, these results would provide more important characteristics of microbial features in the degradation and restoration process of the quality of the black soil habitat scientifically.

[Running Condition and Bacterial Community Associated with the Partial Nitritation System].

In partial nitritation process, the sludge concentration was higher than 4000 mg x L(-1), DO was less than 0.2 mg x L(-1), the temperature of 15-29 degrees C, the reactor HRT of 4.6 h, and the circulation ratio was 75%, not only the microbial biomass reached the highest value but also the ratio of nitrite to ammonium of the effluent could be controlled at approximate 1.0 by adjusting the dissolved oxygen concentration. A quantitative PCR and the 16S rRNA genes clone library results demonstrated that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were the dominant among nitrite-oxidizing bacteria at low dissolve oxygen concentration, that the bacteria promoted the running of the partial nitritation. Compared with conventional nitrification systems, in partial nitritation process, Nitrobacter and Nitrospira could not be detected among the system, and abundance of Planctomycetes was higher in partial nitritation process than that of conventional nitrification systems. Phylogenetic analysis of bacterial amoA gene sequences suggested that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria of the partial nitritation system was dominated by Nitrosomonas sequences, so partial nitritation is to be feasible technically and economically.

[Impact on the microbial community of municipal sewage in the anammox system during the cooling process].

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation is an important part of the biological nitrogen removal process, and the performance of the process is determined by the microbial community structure. Low-temperature anaerobic ammonium oxidation technology has good prospects for saving a lot of energy, and anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria play a vital role in the removal of total nitrogen from waste water. To explore the microbial community structure changes of anammox reactor in sewage treatment during the cooling process (from 30 degrees C to 20 degrees), the total amount of the microbial, the quantity of anaerobic ammonium oxidation and the change of functional microbial community were investigated in a sewage treatment process using the phospholipid fatty acid method (PLFA), quantitative PCR and the clone library of bacterial 16S rRNA. The PLFAs results showed that the total amount of microbial was first decreased and then gradually increased with the running time, when the temperature dropped from 30 degrees C to 20 degrees C, and the NH4+ -N content in the effluent of the system was decreased. The quantitative PCR results showed that 16S rRNA gene copies of anammox bacteria increased from 1.19 x 10(8) copies x mL(-1) to 1.86 x 10(8) copies x mL(-1) in the wastewater. The PCR-DGGE results showed that when the temperature decreased, the anammox bacteria were further enriched. A shift of anammox bacteria community from single Candidatus Kuenenia sp. to a combination of Candidatus Brocadia sp. and Candidatus Kuenenia sp. was observed.

[Research progress in microbiological characteristics in combined N2 removal process by partial nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation].

Partial nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation is a very significant biological nitrogen removal technology for saving energy and carbon sources. The development of this technology and the community ecology of ammonia-oxidizing bacterium (AOB) and anaerobic ammonium- oxidizing bacteria (ANAOB) using molecular biological methods have attracted growing attention. The paper reviewed the technological mechanism and the effects of key factors such as temperature, pH, dissolve oxygen and free ammonia on the distribution of AOB and ANAOB. It was also introduced that the populations of AOB and ANAOB species and their abundance in various environments. At the end, some suggestions were provided for the development of this technology in the future.

Identification of four novel serum protein biomarkers in sepsis patients encoded by target genes of sepsis-related miRNAs.

The goal of the present study was to identify novel protein biomarkers from the target genes of six serum miRNAs that we identified previously in patients with sepsis. The target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis; the levels of the respective proteins in the sera of patients with sepsis were detected by ELISA. ACVR2A (activin A receptor, type IIA), FOXO1 (forkhead box O1), IHH (Indian hedgehog), STK4 (serine/threonine kinase 4) and DUSP3 (dual specificity phosphatase 3) were predicted to be the targets of the six miRNAs, and their encoded proteins were used for biomarker identification. Levels of ACVR2A (P<0.01) and FOXO1 (P<0.01) were significantly different among normal controls, patients with sepsis, patients with severe sepsis and patients with septic shock. Furthermore, levels of ACVR2A (P=0.025), FOXO1 (P<0.001), IHH (P=0.001) and STK4 (P=0.001) were differentially expressed in survivors and non-survivors. DUSP3 levels were not significantly different between any groups. Conjoin analysis of the four differentially expressed proteins showed that the area under the curve of the predictive probabilities was 0.875 [95% CI (confidence interval): 0.785-0.965], which was higher than the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) and APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) scores. When the value of predictive probabilities was 0.449, the four proteins yielded a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 91%. Dynamic changes in ACVR2A, FOXO1 and IHH levels showed differential expression between survivors and non-survivors at all time points. On the basis of a combined analysis of the four identified proteins, their predictive value of 28-day mortality of patients with sepsis was better than the SOFA or APACHE II scores.

[Diversity of culturable filamentous bacteria in the activated sludge from A2O wastewater treatment process].

The anoxic-anaerobic-oxic (A2O) process is widely used in wastewater treatment plant, however, sludge bulking and foaming are the most frequent operational problems in this process. Activated sludge bulking is caused by the overgrowth of some types of filamentous bacteria, especially Microthrix parvicella. In the study, 17 strains of filamentous bacteria were isolated from the bulking sludge of A2O process using Gause's medium. The 16S rRNA genes of the 17 isolates were sequenced to analyze their diversity. The results showed all of the 17 isolates were Streptomyces. Further analysis of these strains by the repetitive sequence based on polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) technology showed that there was a high diversity in these isolated Streptomyces. The physiological properties of them were different from Microthrix parvicella. The settleability of activated sludge was improved when some of the isolates were inoculated.

[Comparing microbial community of high ammonia wastewater and municipal sewage in a partial nitrification system].

Nitritation is an important part of the biological nitrogen removal process, and the performance of the process was determined by the microbial community structure. To explore the microbial adaptability to different sewage, the microbial diversity and the amount of bacteria were investigated in a high ammonia wastewater treatment process and a sewage treatment process using the clone library of bacterial 16S rDNA, the phospholipid fatty acid method (PLFA) and the quantitative PCR. The clone library results showed that there was a significantly difference in bacterial community structure of these two processes, although the dominant bacteria belong to the Proteobacteria and Bacteroidete, there were more clusters in the sewage treatment process. The PLFAs results showed that the microbial diversity index and the evenness index of the high ammonium wastewater treatment process were significantly low. The quantitative PCR results showed that amounts of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in the high ammonium wastewater treatment process were higher than these in sewage treatment process. The copy number of AOB was higher than the copy number of NOB in the high ammonia wastewater treatment process by three orders magnitude. The copy number of AOB was higher than the copy number of NOB in sewage treatment process by two orders of magnitude.