NhaA: A promising adjuvant target for colistin against resistant Escherichia coli.

The emergence and widespread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have posed a severe threat to human health and environmental safety, escalating into a global medical crisis. Utilization of antibiotic adjuvants is a rapid approach to combat bacterial resistance effectively since the development of new antimicrobial agents is a formidable challenge. NhaA, driven by proton motive force, is a crucial secondary transporter on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. We found that 2-Aminoperimidine (2-AP), which is a specific inhibitor of NhaA, could enhance the activity of colistin against sensitive E. coli and reverse the resistance in mcr-1 positive E. coli. Mechanistic studies indicated that 2-AP induced dysfunction in cytoplasmic membrane through the suppression of NhaA, leading to metabolic inhibition and ultimately enhancing the sensitivity of E. coli to colistin. Moreover, 2-AP restored the efficacy of colistin against resistant E. coli in two animal infection models. Our findings reveal the potential of NhaA as a novel target for colistin adjuvants, providing new possibilities for the clinical application of colistin.

STING Agonist cGAMP Attenuates Sleep Deprivation-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Deficits via TREM2 Up-Regulation.

Sleep deprivation (SD) has been associated with several adverse effects, including cognitive deficit. Emerging evidence suggests microglia-associated neuroinflammation is a potential trigger of cognitive deficit after SD. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) constitutes an important factor in host immune response to pathogenic organisms and is found in multiple cells, including microglia. STING is involved in neuroinflammation during neuronal degeneration, although how STING signaling affects SD-induced neuroinflammation remains unexplored. In the present study, the chronic sleep restriction (CSR) model was applied to examine the effects of STING signaling on cognition. The results revealed that cGAMP, a high-affinity and selective STING agonist, significantly improved cognitive deficit, alleviated neural injury, and relieved neuroinflammation in CSR mice by activating the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway. Moreover, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) was upregulated in CSR mice treated with cGAMP, and this effect was abolished by STING knockout. TREM2 upregulation induced by cGAMP regulated the microglia from pro-inflammatory state to anti-inflammatory state, thereby relieving neuroinflammation in CSR mice. These findings indicate cGAMP-induced STING signaling activation alleviates SD-associated neuroinflammation and cognitive deficit by upregulating TREM2, providing a novel approach for the treatment of SD-related nerve injury.

Changes in soil aggregate stability and aggregate-associated carbon under different slope positions in a karst region of Southwest China.

Soil aggregates are crucial for reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil organic carbon sequestration. However, knowledge regarding influences of different slope positions on compositions and carbon content for different soil aggregates is limited. Soil samples were collected from various slope positions including dip slope, anti-dip slope and valley depression in the Longtan karst valley of Southwest China. Contents of macroaggregate (> 0.25 mm), microaggregate (0.053-0.25 mm) and silt and clay fraction (< 0.053 mm), and aggregate-associated carbon contents under the three slope positions were measured. Compared to the anti-dip slope, the mean weight diameter under the dip slope and valley depression decreased by 28.48 % and 58.79 %, respectively, while the geometric mean diameter decreased by 39.01 % and 62.57 %, respectively. The mean carbon content in silt and clay fraction was 27.59 % and 21.00 % lower than the macroaggregate- and microaggregate-associated carbon content, respectively. Under the valley depression and dip slope, soil organic carbon contents in bulk soil (37.67 % and 10.36 %, respectively), microaggregate (37.56 % and 4.95 %), and silt and clay fraction (39.99 % and 12.84 %, respectively) were significantly lower than those under the anti-dip slope. However, the difference in macroaggregate-associated carbon content among the three slope positions was not significant. The silt and clay fraction was the major contributor to soil carbon pool in bulk soil in the study area because of its high content. Compared to the anti-dip slope, contribution of macroaggregates to soil carbon pool under the dip slope and valley depression decreased by 25.53 % and 47.95 %, respectively, whereas the contribution of silt and clay fraction increased by 22.68 % and 42.66 %, respectively. These results suggested that the anti-dip slope surpassed both the dip slope and valley depression in carbon sequestration and soil and water conservation in karst regions.

[Preparation of a macroporous anion exchange chromatographic medium by polyamine grafting and evaluation of its protein-adsorption behavior].

The macroporous anion exchange chromatographic medium (FastSep-PAA) was prepared through grafting polyallylamine (PAA) onto polyacrylate macroporous microspheres (FastSep-epoxy). The effects of the synthesis conditions, including the PAA concentration, reaction time, and reaction solution pH, on the ion exchange (IC) of the medium were investigated in detail. When the PAA concentration, reaction time, and reaction solution pH were increased, the IC of the medium increased, and optimal synthesis conditions were then selected in combination with changes of protein binding capacity. A scanning electron microscope was used to examine the surface morphology of the medium. The medium possessed high pore connectivity. Furthermore, the pore structure of the medium was preserved after the grafting of PAA onto the macroporous microspheres. This finding demonstrates that the density of the PAA ligands does not appear to have any discernible impact on the structure of the medium; that is, no difference in the structure of the medium is observed before and after the grafting of PAA onto the microspheres. The pore size and pore-size distribution of the medium before and after grafting were determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry and the nitrogen adsorption method to investigate the relationship between pore size (measured in the range of 300-1000 nm) and protein adsorption. When the pore size of the medium was increased, its protein binding capacity did not exhibit any substantial decrease. An increase in pore size may hasten the mass transfer of proteins within the medium. Among the media prepared, that with a pore size of 400 nm exhibited the highest dynamic-binding capacity (DBC: 70.3 g/L at 126 cm/h). The large specific surface area of the medium and its increased number of protein adsorption sites appeared to positively influence its DBC. When the flow rate was increased, the protein DBC decreased in media with original pore sizes of less than 700 nm. In the case of the medium with an original pore size of 1000 nm, the protein DBC was independent of the flow rate. The protein DBC decreased by 3.5% when the flow rate was increased from 126 to 628 cm/h. In addition, the protein DBC was maintained at 57.7 g/L even when the flow velocity was 628 cm/h. This finding reveals that the diffusion rate of protein molecules at this pore size is less restricted and that the prepared medium has excellent mass-transfer performance. These results confirm that the macroporous polymer anion exchange chromatographic medium developed in this study has great potential for the high-throughput separation of proteins.

Dicyanopyridine derivatives: One-pot preparation, ACQ-to-AIE transformation, light-conversion quality and photostability.

Low cost and strong fluorescence emission are two important guarantees for luminogens used as light conversion agents. By one-pot multicomponent approach and inexpensive starting materials, three dicyanopyridine (DP) derivatives named as DCP (2-amino-6-methoxy-4-phenylpyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile), DCO (2-amino-6-methoxy-4-(4-methoxyphenyl) pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile) and DCC (2-amino-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-6-methoxypyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile) were designed and synthesized. Meanwhile, the ACQ-to-AIE transformation was successfully realized by altering substituent groups rather than traditional rotor-stator theory. Based on crystal analysis and theoretical calculations, the ACQ-to-AIE transformation is attributed to the tunable stacking modes and intermolecular weak interactions. Owing to matched fluorescence emission, low lost, high yield, and AIE activity, DCC is used as light conversion agents and doped in EVA matrix. The light conversion quality confirms that DCC can not only convert ultraviolet light, but also significantly improve the transmittance of 25 %/40 % EVA, whose photosynthetic photon flux density at 400-500 nm and 600-700 nm increased to 30.67 %/30.21 % and 25.37 %/37.82 % of the blank film, respectively. After 20 h of UV irradiation (365 nm, 40 W), the fluorescence intensities of DCC films can maintain 92 % of the initial values, indicating good photostability in the doping films. This work not only provides an excellent and low-cost light conversion agent, but also has important significance for ACQ-to-AIE transformation of luminogens.

Peripheral nerve injury associated with JEV infection in high endemic regions, 2016-2020: a multicenter retrospective study in China.

Previously, we reported a cohort of Japanese encephalitis (JE) patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, the evidence linking Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection and peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains limited, especially the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome significantly differ from traditional JE. We performed a retrospective and multicenter study of 1626 patients with JE recorded in the surveillance system of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spanning the years 2016-2020. Cases were classified into type 1 and type 2 JE based on whether the JE was combined with PNI or not. A comparative analysis was conducted on demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, imaging findings, electromyography data, laboratory results, and treatment outcomes. Among 1626 laboratory confirmed JE patients, 230 (14%) were type 2 mainly located along the Yellow River in northwest China. In addition to fever, headache, and disturbance of consciousness, type 2 patients experienced acute flaccid paralysis of the limbs, as well as severe respiratory muscle paralysis. These patients presented a greater mean length of stay in hospital (children, 22 years [range, 1-34]; adults, 25 years [range, 0-183]) and intensive care unit (children, 16 years [range, 1-30]; adults, 17 years [range, 0-102]). The mortality rate was higher in type 2 patients (36/230 [16%]) compared to type 1 (67/1396 [5%]). The clinical classification of the diagnosis of JE may play a crucial role in developing a rational treatment strategy, thereby mitigating the severity of the disease and potentially reducing disability and mortality rates among patients.

Prevalent co-release of glutamate and GABA throughout the mouse brain.

Several neuronal populations in the brain transmit both the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate, and GABA, to downstream neurons. However, it remains largely unknown whether these opposing neurotransmitters are co-released onto the same postsynaptic neuron simultaneously or are independently transmitted at different time and locations (called co-transmission). Here, using whole-cell patch-clamp recording on acute mouse brain slices, we observed biphasic miniature postsynaptic currents, i.e., minis with time-locked excitatory and inhibitory currents, in striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs). This observation cannot be explained by accidental coincidence of monophasic miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs, respectively), arguing for the co-release of glutamate and GABA. Interestingly, these biphasic minis could either be an mEPSC leading an mIPSC or vice versa. Although dopaminergic axons release both glutamate and GABA in the striatum, deletion of dopamine neurons did not eliminate biphasic minis, indicating that the co-release originates from another neuronal type. Importantly, we found that both types of biphasic minis were detected in other neuronal subtypes in the striatum as well as in nine out of ten additionally tested brain regions. Our results suggest that co-release of glutamate and GABA is a prevalent mode of neurotransmission in the brain.

System-level time computation and representation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus revealed by large-scale calcium imaging and machine learning.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the mammalian central circadian pacemaker with heterogeneous neurons acting in concert while each neuron harbors a self-sustained molecular clockwork. Nevertheless, how system-level SCN signals encode time of the day remains enigmatic. Here we show that population-level Ca2+ signals predict hourly time, via a group decision-making mechanism coupled with a spatially modular time feature representation in the SCN. Specifically, we developed a high-speed dual-view two-photon microscope for volumetric Ca2+ imaging of up to 9000 GABAergic neurons in adult SCN slices, and leveraged machine learning methods to capture emergent properties from multiscale Ca2+ signals as a whole. We achieved hourly time prediction by polling random cohorts of SCN neurons, reaching 99.0% accuracy at a cohort size of 900. Further, we revealed that functional neuron subtypes identified by contrastive learning tend to aggregate separately in the SCN space, giving rise to bilaterally symmetrical ripple-like modular patterns. Individual modules represent distinctive time features, such that a module-specifically learned time predictor can also accurately decode hourly time from random polling of the same module. These findings open a new paradigm in deciphering the design principle of the biological clock at the system level.

Stark Effects of Rydberg Excitons in a Monolayer WSe2 P-N Junction.

The enhanced Coulomb interaction in two-dimensional semiconductors leads to tightly bound electron-hole pairs known as excitons. The large binding energy of excitons enables the formation of Rydberg excitons with high principal quantum numbers (n), analogous to Rydberg atoms. Rydberg excitons possess strong interactions among themselves as well as sensitive responses to external stimuli. Here, we probe Rydberg exciton resonances through photocurrent spectroscopy in a monolayer WSe2 p-n junction formed by a split-gate geometry. We show that an external in-plane electric field not only induces a large Stark shift of Rydberg excitons up to quantum principal number 3 but also mixes different orbitals and brightens otherwise dark states such as 3p and 3d. Our study provides an exciting platform for engineering Rydberg excitons for new quantum states and quantum sensing.

The Machine Learning Model for Predicting Inadequate Bowel Preparation before Colonoscopy: a Multicenter Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colonoscopy is a critical diagnostic tool for colorectal diseases; however, its effectiveness depends on adequate bowel preparation (BP). This study aimed to develop a machine learning predictive model based on Chinese adults for inadequate BP . METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study was conducted on adult outpatients undergoing colonoscopy from January 2021 to May 2023. Data on patient characteristics, comorbidities, medication use, and BP quality were collected. Logistic regression and four machine learning models (support vector machines, decision trees, extreme gradient boosting, and bidirectional projection network) were used to identify risk factors and predict inadequate BP. RESULTS: Of 3217 patients, 21.14% had inadequate BP. The decision trees model demonstrated the best predictive capacity with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 in the validation cohort. The risk factors at the nodes included body mass index, education grade, use of simethicone, diabetes, age, history of inadequate BP, and longer interval. CONCLUSION: The decision trees model we created and the identified risk factors can be used to identify patients at higher risk for inadequate BP before colonoscopy, for whom more PEG or auxiliary medication should be used.

Wearable Electrochemical Sensor for Sweat-Based Potassium Ion and Glucose Detection in Exercise Health Monitoring.

The increasing prevalence of wearable devices has sparked a growing interest in real-time health monitoring and physiological parameter tracking. This study focuses on the development of a cost-effective sweat analysis device, utilizing microfluidic technology and selective electrochemical electrodes for non-invasive monitoring of glucose and potassium ions. The device, through real-time monitoring of glucose and potassium ion levels in sweat during physical activity, issues a warning signal when reaching experimentally set thresholds (K+ concentration at 7.5 mM, glucose concentrations at 60 µM and 120 µM). This alerts users to potential dehydration and hypoglycemic conditions. Through the integration of microfluidic devices and precise electrochemical analysis techniques, the device enables accurate and real-time monitoring of glucose and potassium ions in sweat. This advancement in wearable technology holds significant potential for personalized health management and preventive care, promoting overall well-being, and optimizing performance during physical activities.

Case Report: Pneumonia Caused by Chlamydia Psittaci and Cryptococcus Co-Infection.

This study presents a rare case of pneumonia caused by a co-infection of Chlamydia psittaci and Cryptococcus, confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). The patient, who had underlying chronic hepatitis B, had adopted a stray pigeon before the onset of the disease. The primary symptoms were fever, and a productive cough. The patient recovered following treatment with moxifloxacin and itraconazole. C. psittaci and Cryptococcus infections may both have been transmitted from the stray pigeon. This report highlights the potential for infections caused by multiple zoonotic pathogens and the value of mNGS for making the diagnosis of these infections.

CNP model intervention effect on acute urticaria patients' psychological status, compliance, and life quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the clinical nursing pathway (CNP) on the psychological state, treatment adherence, and quality of life in patients with acute urticaria. A total of 240 patients diagnosed with acute urticaria at a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province were retrospectively assigned to either a control group, receiving standard care, or an intervention group, receiving care according to the CNP model. The primary outcomes assessed were levels of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and patient compliance. Statistical analyses were employed to evaluate the outcomes. Following the intervention, significant differences were observed in the anxiety and depression scores (P < .001), with the intervention group demonstrating lower levels of both. The control group's psychological state exhibited significant variance pre- and post-intervention (P < .001), alongside notably reduced overall compliance (P < .01). Post-intervention, patients in the intervention group showed enhanced treatment compliance, with a rapid increase within the first hour and a stable ascent over the following 10 hours, albeit with a marginally greater increase in the CNP group. Beyond 10 hours, the CNP group's compliance gradually declined, with a slight uptick in noncompliance rates. By 14 hours, the control group's overall compliance began to wane, with a sharp decline in full compliance and a rapid rise in noncompliance rates observed after 19 hours. At the 20-hour mark, the control group's noncompliance rate surpassed both the partial and full compliance rates. Conversely, post-20 hours, the CNP group maintained higher rates of full and partial compliance, with a lower noncompliance rate. No significant changes were noted in the control group's physiological or mental state, except in the domains of self-care and social ability, where notable differences were absent pre- and post-intervention. In contrast, the CNP group showed significant improvements in physiological and mental states, self-care, and social abilities post-intervention (P < .001), with noticeable differences in these domains evident 6 hours into the treatment (P < .01), leading to an enhanced quality of life. The CNP-based clinical nursing model intervention significantly benefits patients with acute urticaria by alleviating anxiety and depression, enhancing treatment adherence, and improving overall quality of life.

Targeting carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) induces ferroptosis and synergizes with immunotherapy in lung cancer.

Despite the successful application of immune checkpoint therapy, no response or recurrence is typical in lung cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as a crucial player in immunotherapy-related resistance. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is highly regulated by cellular metabolism remolding and has been shown to have synergistic effects when combined with immunotherapy. Metabolic adaption of CSCs drives tumor resistance, yet the mechanisms of their ferroptosis defense in tumor immune evasion remain elusive. Here, through metabolomics, transcriptomics, a lung epithelial-specific Cpt1a-knockout mouse model, and clinical analysis, we demonstrate that CPT1A, a key rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid oxidation, acts with L-carnitine, derived from tumor-associated macrophages to drive ferroptosis-resistance and CD8+ T cells inactivation in lung cancer. Mechanistically, CPT1A restrains ubiquitination and degradation of c-Myc, while c-Myc transcriptionally activates CPT1A expression. The CPT1A/c-Myc positive feedback loop further enhances the cellular antioxidant capacity by activating the NRF2/GPX4 system and reduces the amount of phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids through ACSL4 downregulating, thereby suppressing ferroptosis in CSCs. Significantly, targeting CPT1A enhances immune checkpoint blockade-induced anti-tumor immunity and tumoral ferroptosis in tumor-bearing mice. The results illustrate the potential of a mechanism-guided therapeutic strategy by targeting a metabolic vulnerability in the ferroptosis of CSCs to improve the efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy.

Raloxifene-driven benzothiophene derivatives: Discovery, structural refinement, and biological evaluation as potent PPARγ modulators based on drug repurposing.

By virtue of the drug repurposing strategy, the anti-osteoporosis drug raloxifene was identified as a novel PPARγ ligand through structure-based virtual high throughput screening (SB-VHTS) of FDA-approved drugs and TR-FRET competitive binding assay. Subsequent structural refinement of raloxifene led to the synthesis of a benzothiophene derivative, YGL-12. This compound exhibited potent PPARγ modulation with partial agonism, uniquely promoting adiponectin expression and inhibiting PPARγ Ser273 phosphorylation by CDK5 without inducing the expression of adipongenesis associated genes, including PPARγ, aP2, CD36, FASN and C/EBPα. This specific activity profile resulted in effective hypoglycemic properties, avoiding major TZD-related adverse effects like weight gain and hepatomegaly, which were demonstrated in db/db mice. Molecular docking studies showed that YGL-12 established additional hydrogen bonds with Ile281 and enhanced hydrogen-bond interaction with Ser289 as well as PPARγ Ser273 phosphorylation-related residues Ser342 and Glu343. These findings suggested YGL-12 as a promising T2DM therapeutic candidate, thereby providing a molecular framework for the development of novel PPARγ modulators with an enhanced therapeutic index.

Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Protozoal Infection in Zoo Animals in China.

Zoo animals, harboring zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoal diseases, pose potential hazards to the safety of visitors and animal keepers. This study involved the collection and examination of 400 fresh fecal samples from 68 animal species, obtained from five zoos. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of common gastrointestinal protists. PCR or nested PCR analysis was conducted on these samples to detect four specific parasites: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis spp. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp was 0.5% (2/400), G. duodenalis was 6.0% (24/400), Blastocystis spp. was 24.5% (98/400), and E. bieneusi was 13.5% (54/400). G. duodenalis, Blastocystis spp., and E. bieneusi were detected in all of the zoos, exhibiting various zoonotic genotypes or subtypes. G. duodenalis-positive samples exhibited three assemblages (D, E, and B). Blastocystis spp. subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST8, ST10, ST13, and ST14) and one unknown subtype (ST) were identified. A total of 12 genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including SC02, BEB6, Type IV, pigEBITS 7, Peru8, PtEb IX, D, CD9, EbpC, SCBB1, CM4, and CM7. Moreover, significant differences in the positive rates among different zoos were observed (p < 0.01). The findings indicate that zoo animals in China are affected by a range of intestinal protozoa infections. Emphasizing molecular identification for specific parasite species or genotypes is crucial for a better understanding of the zoonotic risk. Preventing and controlling parasitic diseases in zoos is not only vital for zoo protection and management but also holds significant public health implications.

Genetic characteristics of Blastocystis sp. in cattle from Hebei Province, China.

Blastocystis sp. is a protozoan parasite that infects the intestines of humans and animals, causing chronic diseases such as skin rashes, abdominal pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. infection in cattle, in Hebei Province, China. 2746 cattle fecal samples were collected from 11 cities in Hebei Province and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction targeting the Blastocystis sp. barcoding gene. MEGA, PhyloSuite, and PopART were used to analyze the subtype, sequence signature, pairwise genetic distance, and genetic diversity indices. The results showed that the Blastocystis sp. detection rate was 12.60% (346/2746). The infection rate in different herds was affected by region, age, breeding mode, and variety; that is, the infection rates in areas of southern Hebei, cattle under one year old, intensive raising, and dairy cattle were higher than the infection rates in northern Hebei, cattle over one year old, scatter feeding, and beef cattle. Seven Blastocystis subtypes were identified, namely, ST1, ST2, ST5, ST10, ST14, ST21, and ST26; ST10 was the dominant subtype, and ST14 was the second most common subtype. A total of 374 polymorphic and conserved sites were obtained, including 273 invariable (monomorphic) sites and 101 variable (polymorphic) sites, accounting for 27.01% of all nucleotides. The nucleotide diversity index (Pi) was 0.07749, and the haplotype (gene) diversity index (Hd) was 0.946. This study provides the first comprehensive information on the epidemiological situation of Blastocystis sp. infection in cattle from Hebei Province, China, and revealed rich genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp.

A scandium metalloligand supported Ni(0) complex with a heterobimetallocycle: versatile reactivity with unsaturated bonds.

A N2-bridged tetranuclear Sc(III)-Ni(0) complex featuring a Ni → Sc interaction and a 4-membered [Sc-N-C-Ni] ring was synthesized and characterized. Bimetallic reactivity was demonstrated via reactions with a series of unsaturated compounds containing NC, CN, CC, CO and NN bonds.

Effect of salinity on denitrification, membrane fouling and bacterial community in a fixed-bed biofilm membrane reactor.

In this study, a fixed-bed biofilm membrane bioreactor was used to assess denitrification and carbon removal performance, membrane fouling, composition, and the dynamics of microbial communities across 10 salinity levels. As salinity levels increased (from 0 to 30 g/L), the removal efficiency of total nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand decreased from 98 and 86% in Phase I to 25 and 45% in Phase X, respectively. Beyond a salinity level of 10 g/L, membrane fouling accelerated considerably. The analysis of fouling resistance distribution suggested that soluble microbial products (SMPs) were the primary cause of this phenomenon. The irregularity in microbial community succession reflected the varying adaptability of different bacteria to different salinity levels. The relative abundance of Sulfuritalea, Lentimircobium, Thauera, and Pseudomonas increased from 20.2 to 47.7% as the experiments progressed. Extracellular polymeric substances-related analysis suggested that Azospirillum plays a positive role in preserving the structural integrity of the biofilm carrier. The SMP-related analysis showed a positive correlation between Lentimircobium, Thauera, Pseudomonas, and the SMP content. These results suggested that these three bacterial genera significantly promoted the release of SMP under salt stress, which in turn led to severe membrane fouling.

AFANet: Adaptive feature aggregation for polyp segmentation.

In terms of speed and accuracy, the deep learning-based polyp segmentation method is superior. It is essential for the early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer and has the potential to greatly reduce the disease's overall prevalence. Due to the various forms and sizes of polyps, as well as the blurring of the boundaries between the polyp region and the surrounding mucus, most existing algorithms are unable to provide highly accurate colorectal polyp segmentation. Therefore, to overcome these obstacles, we propose an adaptive feature aggregation network (AFANet). It contains two main modules: the Multi-modal Balancing Attention Module (MMBA) and the Global Context Module (GCM). The MMBA extracts improved local characteristics for inference by integrating local contextual information while paying attention to them in three regions: foreground, background, and border. The GCM takes global information from the top of the encoder and sends it to the decoder layer in order to further investigate global contextual feature information in the pathologic picture. Dice of 92.11 % and 94.76 % and MIoU of 91.07 % and 94.54 %, respectively, are achieved by comprehensive experimental validation of our proposed technique on two benchmark datasets, Kvasir-SEG and CVCClinicDB. The experimental results demonstrate that the strategy outperforms other cutting-edge approaches.