New insights into functional divergence and adaptive evolution of uncultured bacteria in anammox community by complete genome-centric analysis.

Anaerobic ammonium-oxidation (anammox) bacteria play a crucial role in global nitrogen cycling and wastewater nitrogen removal, but they share symbiotic relationships with various other microorganisms. Functional divergence and adaptive evolution of uncultured bacteria in anammox community remain underexplored. Although shotgun metagenomics based on short reads has been widely used in anammox research, metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) are often discontinuous and highly contaminated, which limits in-depth analyses of anammox communities. Here, for the first time, we performed Pacific Biosciences high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing on the anammox granule sludge sample from a lab-scale bioreactor, and obtained 30 accurate and complete metagenome-assembled genomes (cMAGs). These cMAGs were obtained by selecting high-quality circular contigs from initial assemblies of long reads generated by HiFi sequencing, eliminating the need for Illumina short reads, binning, and reassembly. One new anammox species affiliated with Candidatus Jettenia and three species affiliated with novel families were found in this anammox community. cMAG-centric analysis revealed functional divergence in general and nitrogen metabolism among the anammox community members, and they might adopt a cross-feeding strategy in organic matter, cofactors, and vitamins. Furthermore, we identified 63 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and 50 putative horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events within these cMAGs. The results suggest that HGT events and MGEs related to phage and integration or excision, particularly transposons containing tnpA in anammox bacteria, might play important roles in the adaptive evolution of this anammox community. The cMAGs generated in the present study could be used to establish of a comprehensive database for anammox bacteria and associated microorganisms. These findings highlight the advantages of HiFi sequencing for the studies of complex mixed cultures and advance the understanding of anammox communities.

Poor Medication Access as a Driver of Excess Heart-Failure Readmissions Among Patients Living in Economically Deprived Neighborhoods.

BACKGROUND: Patients residing in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods experience higher hospital readmission rates after hospitalization for heart failure (HF). The role of medication access in the excessive readmissions in this group is poorly understood. This study explored patients' perspectives on medication access by individuals living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods who had experienced HF readmission. METHODS: We conducted semistructured in-depth interviews with 25 patients (mean age 61 ± 9 years, 96% Black, 40% women) who were readmitted with acute HF at Emory Healthcare hospitals and were living in highly deprived neighborhoods (top decile of the Social Deprivation Index). Qualitative descriptive analyses of the interviews were performed by using a multilevel coding strategy. RESULTS: Most patients (84%) highlighted medications as a driver of HF readmission. Patients' reported reasons for lack of medication access included medication costs (60%), having access to refills only through an emergency department or hospitalization (36%), limited access to transportation (12%), and limited understanding of medications' role in disease management (12%). CONCLUSION: Lack of access to medications for patients with HF who live in socioeconomically distressed neighborhoods exacerbate excess hospitalizations in this vulnerable population. This study focuses on patients' perspectives and experiences and identifies some potentially high-value areas to focus on in trying to enhance access and adherence to evidence-based therapies.

Persistently short or long sleep duration increases the risk of sensory impairment in Chinese older adults.

Background: Cross-sectional evidence suggests that persistently short or long sleep duration is associated with sensory impairment. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the associations between sleep duration and altered sleep duration with sensory impairment in Chinese older adults. Methods: Longitudinal data (2008-2014) obtained through the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were analyzed. Sleep duration was classified as normal (7-8 h), short (<7 h), or long (≥9 h). Sensory impairment was assessed using individuals' self-reported data on visual and hearing functions. Cox regression was performed to evaluate the effects of sleep duration and altered sleep duration on sensory impairment, including visual impairment (VI) and hearing impairment (HI). Results: This study included 3,578 older adults (mean age: 78.12 ± 9.59 years). Among them, 2,690 (75.2%) were aged 65-84 years and 1798 (50.3%) were women. The risks of VI (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.29), HI (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.00-1.30), and dual sensory impairment (both VI and HI; HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.03-1.55) were high in older adults with long sleep duration. In addition, the risks of VI, HI, and dual sensory impairment were high in individuals whose sleep duration changed from normal to short or long (HR: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.02-1.42], 1.26 [95% CI: 1.03-1.53], and 1.54 [95% CI: 1.11-2.12], respectively) and those with persistently short or long sleep duration (HR: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.07-1.46], 1.34 [95% CI: 1.11-1.61], and 1.67 [95% CI: 1.22-2.27], respectively). Conclusion: A prospective association was identified between altered sleep duration and sensory impairment in Chinese older adults. Our findings highlight the importance of optimal sleep duration and healthy sleep habits in preventing sensory impairment in older adults.

Functionalized PLGA Microsphere Loaded with Fusion Peptide for Therapy of Bone Defects.

The challenges in the treatment of extensive bone defects are infection control and bone regeneration. Bone tissue engineering is currently one of the most promising strategies. In this study, a short biopeptide with specific osteogenic ability is designed by fusion peptide technology and encapsulated with chitosan-modified poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. The fusion peptide (FP) mainly consists of an osteogenic functional sequence (P-15) and a bone-specific binding sequence (Asp-6), which can regulate bone formation accurately and efficiently. Chitosan-modified PLGA with antimicrobial and pro-healing effects is used to achieve the sustained release of fusion peptides. In the early stage, the antimicrobial and soft tissue healing effects can stop the wound infection as soon as possible, which is relevant for the subsequent bone regeneration process. Our data show that CS-PLGA@FP microspheres have antibacterial and pro-cell migration effects in vitro and excellent pro-wound-healing effects in vivo. In addition, CS-PLGA@FP microspheres promote the expression of osteogenic-related factors and show excellent bone regeneration in a rat defect model. Therefore, CS-PLGA@FP microspheres are an efficient biomaterial that can accelerate the recovery of bone defects.

SPINK5 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma metastasis via immune activity.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a predominant subtype of esophageal cancer with relatively high mortality worldwide. Serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) is reported to be downregulated in ESCC. However, its explicit role in ESCC remains further investigation. METHODS: The tumor tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were obtained from 196 patients with ESCC for the determination of SPINK5 mRNA levels. Additionally, the relationship between SPINK5 mRNA levels and clinicopathological features of ESCC patients was explored. The effects of SPINK5 on the invasion and migration of ESCC cells were assessed using Transwell assays. Furthermore, SPINK5 mRNA and LEKTI protein were measured in ESCC cell lines after treatment with poly (I:C), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or unmethylated CpG DNA. Moreover, the correlation between expression of SPINK5 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related genes was analyzed in the TCGA-ESCC cohort, and the effects of SPINK5 on NF-κB transcription was analyzed using a luciferase reporter gene assay. Finally, the correlations between SPINK5 and infiltration of immune cells, immune scores, stromal scores and ESTIMATE (i.e., Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data) scores were explored. RESULTS: SPINK5 mRNA levels were downregulated in tumor tissues, which was significantly correlated with higher lymph node metastases. Overexpressed SPINK5 inhibited cell invasion and migration in ESCC cell lines. Mechanistically, LPS-induced activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) decreased SPINK5 mRNA and LEKTI in KYSE150 and KYSE70 cells. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that SPINK5 mRNA was significantly negatively correlated with a total of seven NF-κB signaling pathway-related genes in TCGA-ESCC patients. Moreover, downregulation of SPINK5 increased and upregulation of SPINK5 decreased the activity of the NF-κB promoter in HEK293T cells. Finally, immune cells infiltration analysis revealed that SPINK5 was significantly correlated with the infiltration of various immune cells, stromal scores, immune scores and ESTIMATE scores. CONCLUSIONS: SPINK5 plays critical roles in the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and immune cells infiltration, which might contribute to the ESCC metastasis. The findings of the present study may provide a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Terahertz bistatic three-dimensional computational imaging of hidden objects through random media.

Random media pose limitations on the imaging capability of photoelectric detection devices. Currently, imaging techniques employed through random media primarily operate within the laser wavelength range, leaving the imaging potential of terahertz waves unexplored. In this study, we present an approach for terahertz bistatic three-dimensional imaging (TBTCI) of hidden objects through random media. By deducing the field distribution of bistatic terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system, and proposing an explicit point spread function of the random media, we conducted three-dimensional imaging of hidden objects obscured by the random media. Our proposed method exhibits promising applications in imaging scenarios with millimeter-wave radar, including non-invasive testing and biological imaging.

Preparation of MoS2@PDA-Modified Polyimide Films with High Mechanical Performance and Improved Electrical Insulation.

Polyimide (PI) has been widely used in cable insulation, thermal insulation, wind power protection, and other fields due to its high chemical stability and excellent electrical insulation and mechanical properties. In this research, a modified PI composite film (MoS2@PDA/PI) was obtained by using polydopamine (PDA)-coated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a filler. The low interlayer friction characteristics and high elastic modulus of MoS2 provide a theoretical basis for enhancing the flexible mechanical properties of the PI matrix. The formation of a cross-linking structure between a large number of active sites on the surface of the PDA and the PI molecular chain can effectively enhance the breakdown field strength of the film. Consequently, the tensile strength of the final sample MoS2@PDA/PI film increased by 44.7% in comparison with pure PI film, and the breakdown voltage strength reached 1.23 times that of the original film. It can be seen that the strategy of utilizing two-dimensional (2D) MoS2@PDA nanosheets filled with PI provides a new modification idea to enhance the mechanical and electrical insulation properties of PI films.

Comparison of the adherence of nontypeable haemophilus influenzae to lung epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) plays an important role in respiratory tract infections, and adherence to lung epithelial cells is the first step in lung infections. To explore the role of NTHi in childhood lung infections, a comparative study was conducted on the adherence of strains isolated from sputum culture and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid to A549 lung epithelial cells. METHODS: Haemophilus influenzae strains were obtained from the sample bank of Shenzhen Children's Hospital, and identified as NTHi via PCR detection of the capsule gene bexA. NTHi obtained from healthy children's nasopharyngeal swabs culture were selected as the control group, and a comparative study was conducted on the adherence of strains isolated from sputum culture or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients to A549 cells. RESULTS: The adherence bacterial counts of NTHi isolated from the nasopharyngeal cultures of healthy children to A549 cells was 58.2 CFU. In patients with lung diseases, NTHi isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 104.3 CFU, and from sputum cultures was 115.1 CFU, both of which were significantly higher in their adherence to A549 cells compared to the strains isolated from the healthy control group. There was no significant difference in adherence between the strains isolated from sputum cultures and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (t = 0.5217, p = 0.6033). CONCLUSION: NTHi played an important role in childhood pulmonary infections by enhancing its adherence to lung epithelial cells.

Ligand Relay Catalysis Enables Asymmetric Migratory Hydroarylation for the Concise Synthesis of Chiral α-(Hetero)Aryl-Substituted Amines.

Complementary to the design of a single structurally complex chiral ligand to promote each step in transition-metal catalysis, multiligand relay catalysis through dynamic ligand exchange with each step in the catalytic cycle promoted by its best ligand provides an attractive approach to enhance the whole reaction reactivity and selectivity. Herein, a regio- and enantioselective NiH-catalyzed migratory hydroarylation process with a simple combination of a chain-walking ligand and an asymmetric arylation ligand, producing high-value chiral α-(hetero)aryl-substituted amines and their derivatives under mild conditions, is reported. The potential synthetic applications of this transformation are demonstrated by the concise synthesis of (S)-nicotine and a CDK8 inhibitor.

TRIM56: a promising prognostic immune biomarker for glioma revealed by pan-cancer and single-cell analysis.

Tripartite-motif 56 (TRIM56) is a member of the TRIM family, and was shown to be an interferon-inducible E3 ubiquitin ligase that can be overexpressed upon stimulation with double-stranded DNA to regulate stimulator of interferon genes (STING) to produce type I interferon and thus mediate innate immune responses. Its role in tumors remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the expression of the TRIM56 gene and its prognostic value in pan-cancer, identifying TRIM56 expression as an adverse prognostic factor in glioma patients. Therefore, glioma was selected as the primary focus of our investigation. We explored the differential expression of TRIM56 in various glioma subtypes and verified its role as an independent prognostic factor in gliomas. Our research revealed that TRIM56 is associated with malignant biological behaviors in gliomas, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, it can mediate M2 polarization of macrophages in gliomas. The results were validated in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we utilized single-cell analysis to investigate the impact of TRIM56 expression on cell communication between glioma cells and non-tumor cells. We constructed a multi-gene signature based on cell markers of tumor cells with high TRIM56 expression to enhance the prediction of cancer patient prognosis. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that TRIM56 serves as a reliable immune-related prognostic biomarker in glioma.

Association between Homologous Recombination Repair Defect Status and Long-Term Prognosis of Early HER2-Low Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: As a newly identified subtype of HER2-negative tumors associated with a less favorable prognosis, it remains crucial to evaluate potential prognostic and predictive factors, particularly non-invasive biomarkers, for individuals with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) low early-stage breast cancer (EBC). Multiple investigations have highlighted that HER2-negative patients with EBC exhibiting high homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) scores display lower rates of pathological complete response (PCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Nevertheless, no study to date has explored the correlation between HRD and the long-term prognosis in HER2-low patients with EBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study focuses on primary EBC sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset (TCGA). It reveals the gene mutation landscape in EBC with low HER2 expression and elucidates the tumor immune landscape across different HRD states. Utilizing bioinformatics analysis and Cox proportional models, along with the Kaplan-Meier method, the study assesses the correlation between HRD status and disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free interval (DFI), and progression-free interval (PFI). Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify potential variations in the association between HRD and prognosis. RESULTS: In the patients with HER2-low breast cancer, patients with homologous recombination related genes (HRRGs) defects had an HRD score about twice that of those without related genes mutations, and were at higher risk of acquiring ARID1A, ATM, and BRCA2 mutations. We also found that most immune cell abundances were significantly higher in EBC tumors with high HRD than in EBC tumors with low HRD or HRD-medium, particularly plasma B-cell abundance, CD8 T-cell abundance, and M1 macrophages. In addition, these tumors with HRD-high also appear to have significantly higher tumor immune scores and lower interstitial scores. Then, we analyzed the relationship between different HRD status and prognosis. There was statistical significance (P = .036 and P = .046, respectively) in DSS and PFI between the HRD-low and HRD-high groups, and patients with HRD-high EBC showed relatively poor survival outcomes. A medium HRD score (hazard ratio, HR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.04-4.41, P = .038) was a significant risk factor for PFI. Hormone receptor positivity is an important factor in obtaining medium-high HRD score and poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Higher HRD scores were associated with poorer PFI outcomes, particularly in people with HR+/HER2-low. Varied HRD states exhibited distinctions in HRRGs and the tumor immune landscape. These insights have the potential to assist clinicians in promptly identifying high-risk groups and tailoring personalized treatments for patients with HER2-low EBC, aiming to enhance long-term outcomes.

Experimental models for cancer brain metastasis.

Brain metastases are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. However, progress in their treatment has been limited over the past decade, due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms. Employing accurate in vitro and in vivo models to recapitulate the complexities of brain metastasis offers the most promising approach to unravel the intricate cellular and physiological processes involved. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the currently accessible models for studying brain metastasis. We introduce a diverse array of in vitro and in vivo models, including cultured cells using the Transwell system, organoids, microfluidic models, syngeneic models, xenograft models, and genetically engineered models. We have also provided a concise summary of the merits and limitations inherent to each model while identifying the optimal contexts for their effective utilization. This review serves as a comprehensive resource, aiding researchers in making well-informed decisions regarding model selection that align with specific research questions.

Platinum-Loaded Cerium Oxide Capable of Repairing Neuronal Homeostasis for Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Therapy.

Effective neuroprotective agents are required to prevent neurological damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) following an acute ischemic stroke. Herein, it is aimed to develop the neuroprotective agents of cerium oxide loaded with platinum clusters engineered modifications (Ptn -CeO2 ). The density functional theory calculations show that Ptn -CeO2 could effectively scavenge ROS, including hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide anions (·O2 - ). In addition, Ptn -CeO2 exhibits the superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like enzyme activities, which is capable of scavenging hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). The in vitro studies show that Ptn -CeO2 could adjust the restoration of the mitochondrial metabolism to ROS homeostasis, rebalance cytokines, and feature high biocompatibility. The studies in mice CIRI demonstrate that Ptn -CeO2 could also restore cytokine levels, reduce cysteine aspartate-specific protease (cleaved Caspase 3) levels, and induce the polarization of microglia to M2-type macrophages, thus inhibiting the inflammatory responses. As a result, Ptn -CeO2 inhibits the reperfusion-induced neuronal apoptosis, relieves the infarct volume, reduces the neurological severity score, and improves cognitive function. Overall, these findings suggest that the prominent neuroprotective effect of the engineered Ptn -CeO2 has a significant neuroprotective effect and provides a potential therapeutic alternative for CIRI.

Molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of invasive pneumococcal isolates from children in the post-13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era in Shenzhen, China.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of invasive pneumococcal isolates from children in Shenzhen, China, in the early stage of the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugated vaccine (PCV-13) era from 2018 to 2020. METHODS: Invasive pneumococcal strains were isolated from hospitalized children with invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs) from January 2018 to December 2020. The serotype identification, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed on all culture-confirmed strains. RESULTS: Sixty-four invasive strains were isolated mainly from blood (70.3%). Prevalent serotypes were 23F (28.1%), 14 (18.8%), 19F (15.6%), 6A/B (14.1%), and 19A (12.5%), with a serotype coverage rate of 96.9% for PCV13. The most common sequence types (STs) were ST876 (17.1%), ST271 (10.9%), and ST320 (7.8%). Half of the strains were grouped in clonal complexes (CCs): CC271 (21.9%), CC876 (20.3%), and CC90 (14.1%). Meningitis isolates showed a higher resistance rate (90.9% and 45.5%) to penicillin and ceftriaxone than the rate (3.8% and 9.4%) of non-meningitis isolates. The resistance rates for penicillin (oral), cefuroxime, and erythromycin were 53.13%, 73.4%, and 96.9%, respectively. The dual ermB and mefA genotype was found in 81.3% of erythromycin-resistant strains. The elevated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ß-lactam antibiotics and dual-genotype macrolide resistance were related mainly to three major serotype-CC combinations: 19F-CC271, 19A-CC271, and 14-CC876. CONCLUSION: Invasive pneumococcus with elevated MICs of ß-lactams and increased dual ermB and mefA genotype macrolide resistance were alarming. Expanded PCV13 vaccination is expected to reduce the burden of paediatric IPD and to combat antibiotic-resistant pneumococcus in Shenzhen.

Toxic metal contamination effects mediated by hotspot intensity of soil enzymes and microbial community structure.

Metal contamination from mine waste is a widespread threat to soil health. Understanding of the effects of toxic metals from mine waste on the spatial patterning of rhizosphere enzymes and the rhizosphere microbiome remains elusive. Using zymography and high-throughput sequencing, we conducted a mesocosm experiment with mine-contaminated soil, to compare the effects of different concentrations of toxic metals on exoenzyme kinetics, microbial communities, and maize growth. The negative effects of toxic metals exerted their effects largely on enzymatic hotspots in the rhizosphere zone, affecting both resistance and the area of hotspots. This study thus revealed the key importance of such hotspots in overall changes in soil enzymatic activity under metal toxicity. Statistical and functional guild analysis suggested that these enzymatic changes and associated microbial community changes were involved in the inhibition of maize growth. Keystone species of bacteria displayed negative correlations with toxic metals and positive correlations with the activity of enzymatic hotspots, suggesting a potential role. This study contributes to an emerging paradigm, that changes both in the activity of soil enzymes and soil biota - whether due to substrate addition or in this case toxicity - are largely confined to enzymatic hotspot areas.

Functionalized 3D Hydroxyapatite Scaffold by Fusion Peptides-Mediated Small Extracellular Vesicles of Stem Cells for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

3D printing technology offers extensive applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) because it can create a three-dimensional porous structure with acceptable porosity and fine mechanical qualities that can mimic natural bone. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is commonly used as a bone repair material due to its excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can regulate bone metabolism and stimulate the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. This study has designed a functionalized bone regeneration scaffold (3D H-P-sEVs) by combining the biological activity of BMSCs-sEVs and the 3D-HA scaffold to improve bone regeneration. The scaffold utilizes the targeting of fusion peptides to increase the loading efficiency of sEVs. The composition, structure, mechanical properties, and in vitro degradation performance of the 3D H-P-sEVs scaffolds were examined. The composite scaffold demonstrated good biocompatibility, substantially increased the expression of osteogenic-related genes and proteins, and had a satisfactory bone integration effect in the critical skull defect model of rats. In conclusion, the combination of EVs and 3D-HA scaffold via fusion peptide provides an innovative composite scaffold for bone regeneration and repair, improving osteogenic performance.

Dosage and exposure time effects of two micro(nono)plastics on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in two farmland soils planted with pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

As emerging environmental pollutants, micro(nano)plastics (MPs) like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) have adverse effects on terrestrial biota and ecosystem function. However, the performance and roles of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in MPs-contaminated vegetable fields are poorly understood. Thus, a 120-day pot experiment was conducted to test the impacts of two input levels of either PET (~13 µm) or LDPE (~500 nm) on AM fungal diversity and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growth in two farmland soils collected from Nanjing (NJ) and Chongqing (CQ), respectively. In the vast majority of cases, 1 % rather than 0.1 % of both MPs greatly decreased the observed richness, Shannon and Simpson's indices, and Pielou's evenness of AM fungi, and decreased mycorrhizal colonization, root and shoot biomasses, fruit yield, and leaf superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities of pepper, while increased leaf malondialdehyde content. From day 40 to 120, the inhibition of either diversity or vitality of AM fungi by 1 % and 0.1 % of MPs gradually increased and weakened, respectively. Compared with PET, LDPE with substantially smaller particle size was more toxic to mycorrhization at day 40, but no longer at day 120. Almost all plant parameters significantly correlated to mycorrhizal colonization, which significantly correlated to both Shannon and Simpson's indices of AM fungi, and soil pH, available P and K concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase activity. All diversity indices of AM fungi clearly negatively correlated to soil pH from 4.4 to 5.6 for the NJ soil and from 5.3 to 6.5 for the CQ soil, and also positively to mineral N and negatively to available P concentrations for the NJ and CQ soils, respectively. Thus, the study emphasized that high input of MPs significantly inhibited soil AM fungal diversity and vitality and thereby vegetable growth via changing soil pH and major nutrient availability.

Solid fuel use, socioeconomic status and depression: a cross-study of older adults in China.

BACKGROUND: Indoor air pollution causes severe psychological stress and promotes depression. A better understanding of the impact of solid fuel consumption and socioeconomic indicators on mental health is critical to promote successful aging. In this study, we analyzed the relationship of depression with socioeconomic status (SES) and solid fuel use, and illustrated the mediating role of solid fuel use in the relationship between SES and depression. METHODS: 9250 participants from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were included in this study. A logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of depression for different types of fuel consumption. The stepwise approach and the Sobel test were used to test the mediation effect. RESULTS: Older people who reported the consumption of solid fuels showed higher odds of having depressive symptoms (OR = 1.16, 95% CI:1.03, 1.31). In model with depression as the outcome variable, the ORs of low education level and low annual household income level were 1.30 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.47) and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.28, 1.59) respectively. Solid fuel consumption accounted for 38.40% of the effect of a low education level and 54.73% of the effect of low income on depression. CONCLUSIONS: Solid fuel use and SES are associated with depression, and solid fuel use may act as a potential mediator connecting socioeconomic indicators and depression.