A novel frameshift mutation in RHAG leads to Rhnull phenotype in a Chinese individual.

BACKGROUND: We recently encountered a Rhnull phenotype proband within one family in the Chinese population. Rhnull is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the absence of the Rh antigens on the erythrocyte membrane, resulting in chronic hemolytic anemia. This study described the serological and molecular analysis of a Chinese Rhnull proband and his immediate family. METHODS: Red blood cells antigen phenotyping and antibody screening/identification were conducted. RHD, RHCE, and RHAG were analyzed using genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis. RESULTS: Serologic tests showed a D-C-E-c-e- phenotype in the proband associated with the suspicion of anti-Rh29 (titer 16). Molecular analyses showed a new mutation (c.406dupA) in exon 3 of RHAG. This duplication introduced a reading frameshift (p.Thr136AsnfsTer21). The RHAG mutation was found in the homozygous state for the proband and heterozygous state for his parents. CONCLUSION: We identified a novel RHAG mutation resulting in the Rhnull phenotype of the regulator type. Inheritance of the novel allele was shown by family study.

Temporal Dynamics and Contribution of Phage Community to the Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Full-Scale Sludge Anaerobic Digestion Plant.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an important biological resource recovery process, where microorganisms play key roles for material transformation. There has been some knowledge about the prokaryotic community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in AD, but there has been very limited knowledge of phages. In this study, samples from a full-scale AD plant were collected over 13 months, sequenced, and analyzed for viral and prokaryotic metagenomes. Totally, 3015 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were detected, mostly assigned to Caudoviricetes. The phage community had faster temporal variation than the prokaryotic community. Warm seasons harbored a higher abundance of both temperate phages and broad host-range phages. Seven ARGs of 6 subtypes were carried by 20 vOTUs, a representative ermT gene was synthesized and expressed, and the resistance activity in the host was examined, confirming the real activity of virus-carried ARGs in the AD process. Some of the ARGs were horizontally transferred between the phage and prokaryotic genomes. However, phage infection was not found to contribute to ARG transfer. This study provided an insight into the ecological patterns of the phage community, confirmed the antibiotic resistance activity of virus-carried ARGs, evaluated the contribution of phages on the ARG prevalence, and laid the foundation for the control strategies of the community and antibiotic resistance in the AD process.

Tunable Light-Responsive Polyurethane-urea Elastomer Driven by Photochemical and Photothermal Coupling Mechanism.

Light-driven soft actuators based on photoresponsive materials can be used to mimic biological motion, such as hand movements, without involving rigid or bulky electromechanical actuations. However, to our knowledge, no robust photoresponsive material with desireable mechanical and biological properties and relatively simple manufacture exists for robotics and biomedical applications. Herein, we report a new visible-light-responsive thermoplastic elastomer synthesized by introducing photoswitchable moieties (i.e., azobenzene derivatives) into the main chain of poly(ε-caprolactone) based polyurethane urea (PAzo). A PAzo elastomer exhibits controllable light-driven stiffness softening due to its unique nanophase structure in response to light, while possessing excellent hyperelasticity (stretchability of 575.2%, elastic modulus of 17.6 MPa, and strength of 44.0 MPa). A bilayer actuator consisting of PAzo and polyimide films is developed, demonstrating tunable bending modes by varying incident light intensities. Actuation mechanism via photothermal and photochemical coupling effects of a soft-hard nanophase is demonstrated through both experimental and theoretical analyses. We demonstrate an exemplar application of visible-light-controlled soft "fingers" playing a piano on a smartphone. The robustness of the PAzo elastomer and its scalability, in addition to its excellent biocompatibility, opens the door to the development of reproducible light-driven wearable/implantable actuators and lightweight soft robots for clinical applications.

Eucommia granules activate Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, and improve oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial injury in preeclampsia rats.

PURPOSE: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related complication. Eucommia is effective in the treatment of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, but the specific effects and possible mechanisms of Eucommia granules (EG) in PE remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of EG in PE rats. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): the control group, the model group, the low-dose group, the medium-dose group, and the high-dose group of EG. The PE model was established by subcutaneous injection of levonitroarginine methyl ester. Saline was given to the blank and model groups, and the Eucommia granules were given by gavage to the remaining groups. Blood pressure and urinary protein were detected. The body length and weight of the pups and the weight of the placenta were recorded. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), placental growth factor (PIGF), and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFIt-1) were measured in the placenta. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related protein expression was detected using Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the PE rats treated with EG had lower blood pressure and urinary protein. The length and weight of the pups and placental weight were increased. Inflammation and necrosis in the placental tissue was improved. SOD level increased, MDA content and sFIt-1/PIGF ratio decreased, and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related protein expression level increased. Moreover, the results of EG on PE rats increased with higher doses of EG. CONCLUSIONS: EG may activate the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular endothelial injury in PE rats, thereby improving the perinatal prognosis of preeclamptic rats. EG may inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular endothelial injury through activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in preeclampsia rats, thereby improving perinatal outcomes in PE rats.

Gender-specific association between blood cell parameters and hyperuricemia in high-altitude areas.

Background: Hyperuricemia is a common metabolic disorder linked to various health conditions. Its prevalence varies among populations and genders, and high-altitude environments may contribute to its development. Understanding the connection between blood cell parameters and hyperuricemia in high-altitude areas can shed light on the underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood cell parameters and hyperuricemia in high-altitude areas, with a particular focus on gender differences. Methods: We consecutively enrolled all eligible Tibetan participants aged 18-60 who were undergoing routine medical examinations at the People's Hospital of Chaya County between January and December 2022. During this period, demographic and laboratory data were collected to investigate the risk factors associated with hyperuricemia. Results: Among the participants, 46.09% were diagnosed with hyperuricemia. In the male cohort, significant correlations were found between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and red blood cell (RBC) count, creatinine (Cr). Urea, alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin (ALB). Notably, RBC exhibited the strongest association. Conversely, in the female cohort, elevated SUA levels were associated with factors such as white blood cell (WBC) count. Urea, ALT, and ALB, with WBC demonstrating the most significant association. Further analysis within the female group revealed a compelling relationship between SUA levels and specific white blood cell subtypes, particularly neutrophils (Neu). Conclusion: This study revealed gender-specific associations between SUA levels and blood cell parameters in high-altitude areas. In males, RBC count may play a role in hyperuricemia, while in females, WBC count appears to be a significant factor. These findings contribute to our understanding of metabolic dynamics in high-altitude regions but require further research for comprehensive mechanistic insights.

Targeting SLC22A5 fosters mitophagy inhibition-mediated macrophage immunity against septic acute kidney injury upon CD47-SIRPα axis blockade.

Efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils (PMNs) by macrophages is helpful for inflammation resolution and injury repair, but the role of efferocytosis in intrinsic nature of macrophages during septic acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unknown. Here we report that CD47 and signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα)-the anti-efferocytotic 'don't eat me' signals-are highly expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with septic AKI and kidney samples from mice with polymicrobial sepsis and endotoxin shock. Conditional knockout (CKO) of SIRPA in macrophages ameliorates AKI and systemic inflammation response in septic mice, accompanied by an escalation in mitophagy inhibition of macrophages. Ablation of SIRPA transcriptionally downregulates solute carrier family 22 member 5 (SLC22A5) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages that efferocytose apoptotic neutrophils (PMNs). Targeting SLC22A5 renders mitophagy inhibition of macrophages in response to LPS stimuli, improves survival and deters development of septic AKI. Our study supports further clinical investigation of CD47-SIRPα signalling in sepsis and proposes that SLC22A5 might be a promising immunotherapeutic target for septic AKI.

Mental health outcomes and their influencing factors on patients with COVID-19 in the Fangcang shelter hospital in China.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects physical and mental health of patients. This study aimed to investigate the psychological distress, level of hope, and the role of families of patients with COVID-19 in the Fangcang shelter hospital (FSH) and explore potential influencing factors. METHODOLOGY: We conducted an online observational cross-sectional study on 397 patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 from two FSH in Shanghai, China from 12 April to 16 May 2022. The questionnaire included demographic information, distress thermometer (DT), family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, resolve (APGAR) index, and the Herth hope index (HHI). RESULTS: The patients reported symptoms of severe psychological distress (n = 109, 27.46%) and low levels of family care (n = 152, 38.29%). More than half of the patients (n = 244, 61.46%) exhibited high levels of hope, and around one-third of the patients (n = 151, 38.04%) reported moderate levels of hope. The study noted a significant negative correlation between the scores for psychological distress and APGAR and a significant positive correlation between the scores for APGAR and HHI (p < 0.05). The FSH living experience, diet, and symptoms of COVID-19 were closely associated with psychological distress among patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 living in the FSH reported high levels of symptoms of psychological distress and low levels of family care, but relatively high levels of hope. Health care workers should improve the living and eating conditions in the FSH, strengthen family support, and alleviate the COVID-19 related symptoms of patients.

Integrative description of a new species of Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from Shennongjia, Central China.

A new species of the genus Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from Xiangxi River, Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province, China, is described on the basis of an integrative approach, involving morphology, and molecular systematics. The new species Dugesia saccaria A-T. Wang & Sluys, sp. nov. is characterized by the following features: a dumb-bell-shaped, muscularized hump located just anterior to the knee-shaped bend in the bursal canal; a ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct, which, however, opens terminally through the dorsal portion of the blunt tip of the penis papilla; a ventrally located seminal vesicle, giving rise to a vertically running duct that eventually curves downwards to communicate with the ejaculatory duct via a small diaphragm; oviducts opening asymmetrically into the dorsal portion of the common atrium and at the knee-shaped part of the bursal canal. The phylogenetic position of the new species was determined using four molecular markers (18S rDNA; ITS-1; 28S rDNA; COI), which suggested that it groups with other species of Dugesia from the Australasian and Oriental biogeographical regions.

MiR-9-enriched mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes prevent cystitis-induced bladder pain via suppressing TLR4/NLRP3 pathway in interstitial cystitis mice.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory response of central nervous system is an important component mechanism in the bladder pain of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Exosomes transfer with microRNAs (miRNA) from mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) might inhibit inflammatory injury of the central nervous system. Herein, the purpose of our study was to explore the therapeutic effects by which extracellular vesicles （EVs） derived from miR-9-edreched MSCs in IC/BPS and further investigate the potential mechanism to attenuate neuroinflammation. METHODS: On the basis of IC/BPS model, we used various techniques including bioinformatics, cell and molecular biology, and experimental zoology, to elucidate the role and molecular mechanism of TLR4 in regulating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in bladder pain of IC/BPS, and investigate the mechanism and feasibility of MSC-EVs enriched with miR-9 in the treatment of bladder pain of IC/BPS. RESULTS: The inflammatory responses in systemic and central derived by TLR4 activation were closely related to the cystitis-induced pelvic/bladder nociception in IC/BPS model. Intrathecal injection of miR-9-enreched MSCs derived exosomes were effective in the treatment of cystitis-induced pelvic/bladder nociception by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κb/NLRP3 signal pathway in central nervous system of IC/BPS mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that miR-9-enreched MSCs derived exosomes alleviate neuroinflammaiton and cystitis-induced bladder pain by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κb/NLRP3 signal pathway in interstitial cystitis mice, which is a promising strategy against cystitis-induced bladder pain.

Development of standardized nursing terminology for the process documentation of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: European Nursing care Pathways (ENP) is a professional care language that utilizes software to map care processes and utilize the data for research purposes, process control, and personnel requirement calculations. However, there is a lack of internationally developed terminology systems and subset specifically designed for the nutritional management of CKD. The aim of this study was to create a subset of the standardized nursing terminology for nutrition management in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and methods: According to the guidelines for subset development, four research steps were carried out: (i) Translation of version 3.2 of the ENP (chapter on kidney diseases) and understanding of the framework structure and coding rules of the ENP; (ii) Identification of relevant six-dimensional nursing terms; (iii) Creation of a framework for the subset; (iv) Review and validation by experts. Results: A subset for CKD nutritional care was created as part of this project, comprising 630 terms, with 17 causal relationships related to nursing diagnoses, 115 symptoms, 31 causes, 34 goals/outcomes, 420 intervention specifications and 13 resources, including newly developed care terms. All terms within the subset have been created using a six-step maintenance procedure and a clinical standard pathway for nutrition management in the SAPIM mode. Implications for nursing practice: This terminology subset can facilitate standardized care reports in CKD nutrition management, which is used to standardize nursing practice, quantify nursing, services, guidance on care decisions, promoting the exchange and use of CKD nutrition data and serve as a reference for the creation of standardized subset of nursing terminology in China.

Spatially-assembled binary carbon anode synergizing directional electron transfer and enriched microbe accommodation for wastewater treatment and energy conversion: From simulation to experiments.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) hold prospects in wastewater energy and resource recovery. Anode optimization is important for simultaneous enhancement of wastewater energy conversion and effluent quality in BESs. In this study, a multi-physics model coupling fluid flow, organic degradation and electrochemical process was constructed to guide the design and optimization of BES anodes. Based on the multi-physics simulation, spatially-assembled binary carbon anodes composed of three-dimensional carbon mesh skeleton and granular activated carbon were proposed and established. The granular activated carbon conducive to microbe accommodation played a vital role in improving effluent water quality, while the carbon mesh skeleton favoring electron collection and transfer could enhance the bioelectricity output. With an average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate of 0.442 kg m-3 d-1, a maximum power density of 20.6 W m-3 was achieved in the optimized composite anode BES, which was 25% and 154% higher than carbon mesh skeleton BES and granular activated carbon BES. Electroactive bacteria were enriched in composite anodes and performed important functions related to microbial metabolism and energy production. The spatially-assembled binary carbon anode with low carbon mesh packing density was more cost-effective with a daily energy output per anode cost of 221 J d-1 RMB-1. This study not only provides a cost-efficient alternative anode to simultaneously improve organic degradation and power generation performance, but also demonstrates the potential of multi-physics simulation in offering theoretical support and prediction for BES configuration design as well as optimization.

2D-Like Catalyst with a Micro-nanolinked Functional Surface for Water Purification.

In water purification, the performance of heterogeneous advanced oxidation processes significantly relies upon the utilization of the catalyst's specific surface area (SSA). However, the presence of the structural "dead volume" and pore-size-induced diffusion-reaction trade-off limitation restricts the functioning of the SSA. Here, we reported an effective approach to make the best SSA by changing the traditional 3D spherule catalyst into a 2D-like form and creating an in situ micro-nanolinked structure. Thus, a 2D-like catalyst was obtained which was characterized by a mini "paddy field" surface, and it exhibited a sharply decreased dead volume, a highly available SSA and oriented flexibility. Given its paddy-field-like mass-transfer routine, the organic capture capability was 7.5-fold higher than that of the catalyst with mesopores only. Moreover, such a catalyst exhibited a record-high O3-to-·OH transition rate of 2.86 × 10-8 compared with reported millimetric catalysts (metal base), which contributed to a 6.12-fold higher total organic removal per catalyst mass than traditional 3D catalysts. The facile scale preparation, performance stability, and significant material savings with the 2D-like catalyst were also beneficial for practical applications. Our findings provide a unique and general approach for designing potential catalysts with excellent performance in water purification.

Exploring the Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Potential of Coptisine in Colon Cancer: A Network Pharmacology Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Colon cancer is a frequent malignancy, and surgery is still the primary therapy for people with colon cancer. Other treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, and biologic therapy, may be utilized as a supplement. Chemotherapy, a prominent treatment for colon cancer, has failed to provide positive outcomes. This necessitates the development of more effective and less harmful treatment drugs. Coptisine was discovered to inhibit the development of colon cancer cell line HCT-116 in vivo, decrease the growth of HCT-116 cells, and cause apoptosis in vitro in colon cancer. Coptisine (COP) has shown antitumor activity in colon cancer, but its molecular mechanism and its molecular targets have not been fully understood. METHODS: In this study, the biological behavior was verified in vitro. The targets of Huanglian alkaloids on colon cancer were predicted, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. The core targets of safranine for colon cancer were extracted and analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment to identify the possible molecular mechanisms of safranine treatment. Western blot was used to detect the changes of related pathway proteins in colon cancer cells. The differential expression of hub genes in colon cancer was analyzed using the GEPIA2 website. The binding ability of safranine to the target was verified by molecular docking. Finally, the targets were preliminarily verified by q-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Coptisine can inhibit the survival, migration, and proliferation of colon cancer cells DLD1 and HCT-116. Based on network pharmacology, ninety-one targets for colon cancer were screened. ESR1, ALB, AR, CDK2, PARP1, HSP90AB1, IGF1R, CCNE1, and CDC42 were found in the top 10. Enrichment analysis showed that these targets were mainly related to pathways in cancer, FC γ R-mediated phagocytosis, prostate cancer, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, the oestrogen signal pathway, proteoglycan in cancer and the PI3K-Akt signal pathway. WB results showed that after the treatment of colon cancer DLD1 cells with coptisine, the expression of P-AKT and AKT decreased, that of its downstream protein Bcl-2 decreased, and that of BAX increased. Differential expression analysis of hub genes showed that CCNE1, CDK2, HSP90AB1, and CHEK2 were upregulated in colon cancer samples, and molecular docking showed that these targets had a good ability to bind to coptisine. After the treatment of colon cancer DLD1 cells with coptisine, q-PCR results showed that CCNE1 and HSP90AB1 were significantly downregulated, while CDK2 and CHEK2 had no significant changes. CONCLUSION: Coptisine may be a candidate drug for the treatment of colon cancer, and its therapeutic effect may be related to the cancer pathway and PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. CCNE1 and HSP90AB1 may be potential targets of coptisine in the treatment of colon cancer.

Integrative study of pulmonary microbiome, transcriptome and clinical outcomes in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the interactions among three core elements of respiratory infection-pathogen, lung microbiome, and host response-and their avocation with the severity and outcomes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children. METHODS: We prospectively collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a cohort of 41 children with MPP, including general MPP (GMPP) and complicated MPP (CMPP), followed by microbiome and transcriptomic analyses to characterize the association among pathogen, lung microbiome, and host response and correlate it with the clinical features and outcomes. RESULTS: The lung microbiome of patients with CMPP had an increased relative abundance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and reduced alpha diversity, with 76 differentially expressed species. Host gene analysis revealed a key module associated with neutrophil function and several inflammatory response pathways. Patients with a high relative abundance of MP, manifested by a specific lung microbiome and host response type, were more prone to CMPP and had a long imaging recovery time. CONCLUSION: Patients with CMPP have a more disrupted lung microbiome than those with GMPP. MP, lung microbiome, and host response interacts with each other and are closely related to disease severity and outcomes in children with MPP.

Excitation energy transfer in proteoliposomes reconstituted with LH2 and RC-LH1 complexes from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Light-harvesting 2 (LH2) and reaction-centre light-harvesting 1 (RC-LH1) complexes purified from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides were reconstituted into proteoliposomes either separately, or together at three different LH2:RC-LH1 ratios, for excitation energy transfer studies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the distribution and association of the complexes within the proteoliposome membranes. Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were similar for LH2 complexes in detergent and liposomes, indicating that reconstitution retains the structural and optical properties of the LH2 complexes. Analysis of fluorescence emission shows that when LH2 forms an extensive series of contacts with other such complexes, fluorescence is quenched by 52.6 ± 1.4%. In mixed proteoliposomes, specific excitation of carotenoids in LH2 donor complexes resulted in emission of fluorescence from acceptor RC-LH1 complexes engineered to assemble with no carotenoids. Extents of energy transfer were measured by fluorescence lifetime microscopy; the 0.72 ± 0.08 ns lifetime in LH2-only membranes decreases to 0.43 ± 0.04 ns with a ratio of 2:1 LH2 to RC-LH1, and to 0.35 ± 0.05 ns for a 1:1 ratio, corresponding to energy transfer efficiencies of 40 ± 14% and 51 ± 18%, respectively. No further improvement is seen with a 0.5:1 LH2 to RC-LH1 ratio. Thus, LH2 and RC-LH1 complexes perform their light harvesting and energy transfer roles when reconstituted into proteoliposomes, providing a way to integrate native, non-native, engineered and de novo designed light-harvesting complexes into functional photosynthetic systems.

Chest imaging classification in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia is associated with its clinical features and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The imaging findings of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) vary; however, few studies have focused on the relationship of imaging classification with clinical manifestations and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate whether chest imaging classification in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is associated with its clinical features and outcomes. METHODS: A total of 1,401 hospitalized children with MPP were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2021. Imaging findings were categorized as bronchopneumonia and consolidation/atelectasis according to X-ray, and bronchopneumonia, consolidation/atelectasis, bronchiolitis, and mosaic pattern according to computed tomography (CT). Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with different imaging classifications were prospectively analyzed based on electronic medical records. RESULTS: Bronchopneumonia was the most common finding (59.6%), while consolidation/atelectasis was the most severe group. Clinical manifestations and laboratory indicators for the consolidation/atelectasis group included serious abnormalities. Further, outcomes of the patients were worse, including having longer total durations of fever and hospitalization, greater hospitalization expenses, and a higher likelihood of developing refractory MPP, necrotizing pneumonia, and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in this group. The incidence of bronchiolitis, a disease characterized by a high prevalence of fever, moist rales, and an atopic constitution, tended to increase after the coronavirus disease pandemic and predisposed patients to BO. A mosaic pattern occurred in allergic and young individuals, with wheezing as the main manifestation, with patients having relatively mild symptoms and good outcomes. CONCLUSION: Different imaging classifications have different clinical features and clinical outcomes; thus, formulating an imaging-based classification system is of great clinical value.

Potential stimulation of nitrifying bacteria activities and genera by landfill leachate.

With the increasing complexity of influent composition in wastewater treatment plants, the potential stimulating effects of refractory organic matter in wastewater on growth characteristics and genera conversion of nitrifying bacteria (ammonium-oxidizing bacteria [AOB] and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria [NOB]) need to be further investigated. In this study, domestic wastewater was co-treated with landfill leachate in the lab-scale reactor, and the competition and co-existence of NOB genera Nitrotoga and Nitrospira were observed. The results demonstrated that the addition of landfill leachate could induce the growth of Nitrotoga, whereas Nitrotoga populations remain less competitive in domestic wastewater operation. In addition, the refractory organic matter in the landfill leachate also would have a potential stimulating effect on the maximum specific growth rate of AOB genus Nitrosomonas (µmax, aob). The µmax, aob of Nitrosomonas in the control group was estimated to be 0.49 d-1 by fitting the ASM model, and the µmax, aob reached 0.66-0.71 d-1 after injection of refractory organic matter in the landfill leachate, while the maximum specific growth rate of NOB (µmax, nob) was always in the range of 1.05-1.13 d-1. These findings have positive significance for the understanding of potential stimulation on nitrification processes and the stable operation of innovative wastewater treatment process.

Nitrogen removal characteristics of novel bacterium Klebsiella sp. TSH15 by assimilatory/dissimilatory nitrate reduction and ammonia assimilation.

A novel strain with heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification was screened and identified as Klebsiella sp. TSH15 by 16S rRNA. The results demonstrated that the ammonia-N and nitrate-N removal rates were 2.99 mg/L/h and 2.53 mg/L/h under optimal conditions, respectively. The analysis of the whole genome indicated that strain TSH15 contained the key genes involved in assimilatory/dissimilatory nitrate reduction and ammonia assimilation, including nas, nar, nir, nor, glnA, gltB, gdhA, and amt. The relative expression levels of key nitrogen removal genes were further detected by RT-qPCR. The results indicated that the N metabolic pathways of strain TSH15 were the conversion of nitrate or nitrite to ammonia by assimilatory/dissimilatory nitrate reduction (NO3-→NO2-→NH4+) and further conversion of ammonia to glutamate (NH4+-N â†’ Glutamate) by ammonia assimilation. These results indicated that the strain TSH15 had the potential to be applied to practical sewage treatment in the future.

In situ assembly of silver nanoparticles throughout electrospun oriented alginate nanofibers for hazardous rust trace detection on bronze.

A convenient and reliable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate has been developed for the surface corrosion analysis of bronze artifacts. The substrate consists of oriented alginate nanofiber membranes containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which were obtained through electrostatic spinning, ion exchange, and in-situ reduction. By controlling the reduction time, Ag/alginate nanofiber membranes with different contents, sizes, and distributions were obtained. The Ag/alginate nanofiber#20 membranes, obtained with a reduction time of 20 min, reached a detection limit of 10-12 M for R6G with an enhancement factor of 6.64 × 107. In the trace detection of bronze patina, the intensity of the characteristic peaks of harmful patina located at 513, 846, 911, and 974 cm-1 were increased by more than 500 %. This was due to the uniform loading of a large number of Ag NPs on the surface of the nanofiber membrane obtained by reduction for 20 min, and the formation of a large number of hot spots between the oriented nanofibers. This significantly improved the SERS performance of the flexible substrate layer under the joint action with the Ag NPs. These results indicate that the flexible substrate layer can greatly enhance the Raman characteristic peaks of alkali copper chloride and be effectively used for trace analysis of the surface composition of bronze artifacts.

Bilayer 2D-3D Perovskite Heterostructures for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells.

With a stacking-layered architecture, the bilayer two-dimensional-three-dimensional (2D-3D) perovskite heterostructure (PHS) not only eliminates surface defects but also protects the 3D perovskite matrix from external stimuli. However, these bilayer 2D-3D PHSs suffer from impaired interfacial charge carrier transport due to the relatively insulating 2D perovskite fragments with a random phase distribution. Over the past decade, substantial efforts have been devoted to pioneering molecular and structural designs of the 2D perovskite interlayers for improving their charge carrier mobility, which enables state-of-the-art perovskite solar cells with high power conversion efficiency and exceptional operational stability. Herein, this review offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on the recent progress of bilayer 2D-3D PHSs, encompassing advancements on spacer cation engineering, interfacial charge carrier modification, advanced deposition protocols, and characterization techniques. Then, the evolutionary trajectory of bilayer 2D-3D PHSs is outlined by summarizing its mainstream development trends, followed by a perspective discussion about its future research opportunities toward efficient and durable perovskite solar cells.