Molecular-Weight-Dependent Degradation of Plastics: Deciphering Host-Microbiome Synergy Biodegradation of High-Purity Polypropylene Microplastics by Mealworms.

The biodegradation of polypropylene (PP), a highly persistent nonhydrolyzable polymer, by Tenebrio molitor has been confirmed using commercial PP microplastics (MPs) (Mn 26.59 and Mw 187.12 kDa). This confirmation was based on the reduction of the PP mass, change in molecular weight (MW), and a positive Δδ13C in the residual PP. A MW-dependent biodegradation mechanism was investigated using five high-purity PP MPs, classified into low (0.83 and 6.20 kDa), medium (50.40 and 108.0 kDa), and high (575.0 kDa) MW categories to access the impact of MW on the depolymerization pattern and associated gene expression of gut bacteria and the larval host. The larvae can depolymerize/biodegrade PP polymers with high MW although the consumption rate and weight losses increased, and survival rates declined with increasing PP MW. This pattern is similar to observations with polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), i.e., both Mn and Mw decreased after being fed low MW PP, while Mn and/or Mw increased after high MW PP was fed. The gut microbiota exhibited specific bacteria associations, such as Kluyvera sp. and Pediococcus sp. for high MW PP degradation, Acinetobacter sp. for medium MW PP, and Bacillus sp. alongside three other bacteria for low MW PP metabolism. In the host transcriptome, digestive enzymes and plastic degradation-related bacterial enzymes were up-regulated after feeding on PP depending on different MWs. The T. molitor host exhibited both defensive function and degradation capability during the biodegradation of plastics, with high MW PP showing a relatively negative impact on the larvae.

Spatiotemporal drivers of urban water pollution: Assessment of 102 cities across the Yangtze River Basin.

Effective management of large basins necessitates pinpointing the spatial and temporal drivers of primary index exceedances and urban risk factors, offering crucial insights for basin administrators. Yet, comprehensive examinations of multiple pollutants within the Yangtze River Basin remain scarce. Here we introduce a pollution inventory for urban clusters surrounding the Yangtze River Basin, analyzing water quality data from 102 cities during 2018-2019. We assessed the exceedance rates for six pivotal indicators: dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total phosphorus (TP), and the permanganate index (CODMn) for each city. Employing random forest regression and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analyses, we identified the spatiotemporal factors influencing these key indicators. Our results highlight agricultural activities as the primary contributors to the exceedance of all six indicators, thus pinpointing them as the leading pollution source in the basin. Additionally, forest coverage, livestock farming, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, along with meteorological elements like precipitation and temperature, significantly impacted various indicators' exceedances. Furthermore, we delineate five core urban risk components through principal component analysis, which are (1) anthropogenic and industrial activities, (2) agricultural practices and forest extent, (3) climatic variables, (4) livestock rearing, and (5) principal polluting sectors. The cities were subsequently evaluated and categorized based on these risk components, incorporating policy interventions and administrative performance within each region. The comprehensive analysis advocates for a customized strategy in addressing the discerned risk factors, especially for cities presenting elevated risk levels.

Identification of Molecular Subtype and Prognostic Signature for Prostate Adenocarcinoma based on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Background: Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is one of the most common cancers in male. Increasing evidences pointed out that Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) play an important role in tumor angiogenesis, tumor metastasis and drug resistance. However, limited systematic studies regarding the role of NETs in PRAD have been performed. Identification of biomarkers based on NETs might facilitate risk stratification which help optimizing the clinical strategies. Methods: NETs-related genes with differential expressions were identified between PRAD and adjacent normal tissues in TCGA-PRAD dataset. Consensus cluster analysis was performed to determine the PRAD subtypes based on the different-expressed NETs-related genes. The difference of pathway enrichment, infiltrating immune cell and genomic mutation were also evaluated between subtypes. LASSO cox regression analysis was conducted to construct a NETs-related prognostic signature. Result: We identified 19 NETs related genes with differential expressions between PRAD and adjacent normal tissue in TCGA-PRAD dataset. Two significant subtypes were identified based on these 19 genes by consensus cluster analysis, namely subtype 1 and subtype 2. Significant differences in prognosis, immune infiltration and tumor mutation burden were observed in subtypes. LASSO Cox regression analysis identified a NETs-associated prognostic signature including 13 genes, and this signature had a good performance in predicting the progression-free survival of PRAD patients. Further integrated analysis indicated that MMP9 mostly expressed in Mono/Macrophage cells might play a role in regulating NETs formation via neutrophil activation in PRAD. Conclusion: To sum up, the current study identified two NETs-related molecular subtypes and based on which constructed a prognostic signature for PRAD.

New insights into substrates shaped nutrients removal, species interactions and community assembly mechanisms in tidal flow constructed wetlands treating low carbon-to-nitrogen rural wastewater.

A limited understanding of microbial interactions and community assembly mechanisms in constructed wetlands (CWs), particularly with different substrates, has hampered the establishment of ecological connections between micro-level interactions and macro-level wetland performance. In this study, CWs with distinct substrates (zeolite, CW_A; manganese ore, CW_B) were constructed to investigate the nutrient removal efficiency, microbial interactions, metabolic mechanisms, and ecological assembly for treating rural sewage with a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. CW_B showed higher removal of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen by about 1.75-6.75 % and 3.42-5.18 %, respectively, compared to CW_A. Candidatus_Competibacter (denitrifying glycogen-accumulating bacteria) was the dominant microbial genus in CW_A, whereas unclassified_f_Blastocatellaceae (involved in carbon and nitrogen transformation) dominated in CW_B. The null model revealed that stochastic processes (drift) dominated community assembly in both CWs; however, deterministic selection accounted for a higher proportion in CW_B. Compared to those in CW_A, the interactions between microbes in CW_B were more complex, with more key microbes involved in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus conversion; the synergistic cooperation of functional bacteria facilitated simultaneous nitrification-denitrification. Manganese ores favour biofilm formation, increase the activity of the electron transport system, and enhance ammonia oxidation and nitrate reduction. These results elucidated the ecological patterns exhibited by microbes under different substrate conditions thereby contributing to our understanding of how substrates shape distinct microcosms in CW systems. This study provides valuable insights for guiding the future construction and management of CWs.

From stem cells to pancreatic ß-cells: strategies, applications, and potential treatments for diabetes.

Loss and functional failure of pancreatic ß-cells results in disruption of glucose homeostasis and progression of diabetes. Although whole pancreas or pancreatic islet transplantation serves as a promising approach for ß-cell replenishment and diabetes therapy, the severe scarcity of donor islets makes it unattainable for most diabetic patients. Stem cells, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), are promising for the treatment of diabetes owing to their self-renewal capacity and ability to differentiate into functional ß-cells. In this review, we first introduce the development of functional ß-cells and their heterogeneity and then turn to highlight recent advances in the generation of ß-cells from stem cells and their potential applications in disease modeling, drug discovery and clinical therapy. Finally, we have discussed the current challenges in developing stem cell-based therapeutic strategies for improving the treatment of diabetes. Although some significant technical hurdles remain, stem cells offer great hope for patients with diabetes and will certainly transform future clinical practice.

Biodegradation of various grades of polyethylene microplastics by Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus larvae: Effects on their physiology.

Polyethylene (PE) is the most productive plastic product and includes three major polymers including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) variation in the PE depends on the branching of the polymer chain and its crystallinity. Tenebrio obscurus and Tenebrio molitor larvae biodegrade PE. We subsequently tested larval physiology, gut microbiome, oxidative stress, and PE degradation capability and degradation products under high-purity HDPE, LLDPE, and LDPE powders (<300 µm) diets for 21 days at 65 ± 5% humidity and 25 ± 0.5 °C. Our results demonstrated the specific PE consumption rates by T. molitor was 8.04-8.73 mg PE ∙ 100 larvae-1⋅day-1 and by T. obscurus was 7.68-9.31 for LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE, respectively. The larvae digested nearly 40% of the ingested three PE and showed similar survival rates and weight changes but their fat content decreased by 30-50% over 21-day period. All the PE-fed groups exhibited adverse effects, such as increased benzoquinone concentrations, intestinal tissue damage and elevated oxidative stress indicators, compared with bran-fed control. In the current study, the digestive tract or gut microbiome exhibited a high level of adaptability to PE exposure, altering the width of the gut microbial ecological niche and community diversity, revealing notable correlations between Tenebrio species and the physical and chemical properties (PCPs) of PE-MPs, with the gut microbiome and molecular weight change due to biodegradation. An ecotoxicological simulation by T.E.S.T. confirmed that PE degradation products were little ecotoxic to Daphnia magna and Rattus norvegicus providing important novel insights for future investigations into the environmentally-friendly approach of insect-mediated biodegradation of persistent plastics.

Machine learning assisted combined systems of wastewater treatment plants with constructed wetlands optimal decision-making.

This study proposed an efficient framework for optimizing the design and operation of combined systems of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and constructed wetlands (CW). The framework coupled a WWTP model with a CW model and used a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to identify trade-offs between energy consumption, effluent quality, and construction cost. Compared to traditional design and management approaches, the framework achieved a 27 % reduction in WWTP energy consumption or a 44 % reduction in CW cost while meeting strict effluent discharge limits for Chinese WWTP. The framework also identified feasible decision variable ranges and demonstrated the impact of different optimization strategies on system performance. Furthermore, the contributions of WWTP and CW in pollutant degradation were analyzed. Overall, the proposed framework offers a highly efficient and cost-effective solution for optimizing the design and operation of a combined WWTP and CW system.

Cathelicidin boosts the antifungal activity of neutrophils and improves prognosis during Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis.

Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is one of the common pathogens of fungal keratitis. Fungal growth and invasion cause excessive inflammation and corneal damage, leading to severe vision loss. Neutrophils are the primary infiltrating cells critical for fungal clearance. Cathelicidin [LL-37 in humans and cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) in mice], a natural antimicrobial peptide, can directly inhibit the growth of many pathogens and regulate immune responses. However, the role of cathelicidin and its effect on neutrophils in A. fumigatus keratitis remain unclear. By establishing A. fumigatus keratitis mouse models, we found that cathelicidin was increased in A. fumigatus keratitis. It could reduce fungal loads, lower clinical scores, and improve corneal transparency. Restriction of CRAMP on fungal proliferation was largely counteracted in CD18-/- mice, in which neutrophils cannot migrate into infected sites. When WT neutrophils were transferred into CD18-/- mice, corneal fungal loads were distinctly reduced, indicating that neutrophils are vital for CRAMP-mediated resistance. Furthermore, cathelicidin promoted neutrophils to phagocytose and degrade conidia both in vitro and in vivo. CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) was reported to be a functional receptor of LL-37 on neutrophils. CXCR2 antagonist SB225002 or phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 weakened LL-37-induced phagocytosis. Meanwhile, LL-37 induced PLC γ phosphorylation, which was attenuated by SB225002. SB225002 or the autophagy inhibitors Bafilomycin-A1 and 3-Methyladenine weakened LL-37-induced degradation of conidia. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observed that LL-37 increased autophagosomes in Aspergillus-infected neutrophils. Consistently, LL-37 elevated autophagy-associated protein expressions (Beclin-1 and LC3-II), but this effect was weakened by SB225002. Collectively, cathelicidin reduces fungal loads and improves the prognosis of A. fumigatus keratitis. Both in vitro and in vivo, cathelicidin promotes neutrophils to phagocytose and degrade conidia. LL-37/CXCR2 activates PLC γ to amplify neutrophils' phagocytosis and induces autophagy to eliminate intracellular conidia.

Advancing Lithium-Magnesium Separation: Pioneering Swelling-Embedded Cation Exchange Membranes Based on Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone).

With the continuous advancement of electrodialysis (ED) technology, there arises a demand for improved monovalent cation exchange membranes (CEMs). However, limitations in membrane materials and structures have resulted in the low selectivity of monovalent CEMs, posing challenges in the separation of Li+ and Mg2+. In this investigation, a designed CEM with a swelling-embedded structure was created by integrating a polyelectrolyte containing N-oxide Zwitterion into a sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membrane, leveraging the notable solubility characteristic of SPEEK. The membranes were prepared by using N-oxide zwitterionic polyethylenimine (ZPEI) and 1,3,5-benzenetrlcarbonyl trichloride (TMC). The as-prepared membranes underwent systematic characterization and testing, evaluating their structural, physicochemical, electrochemical, and selective ED properties. During ED, the modified membranes demonstrated notable permeability selectivity for Li+ ions in binary (Li+/Mg2+) systems. Notably, at a constant current density of 2.5 mA cm-2, the modified membrane PEI-TMC/SPEEK exhibited significant permeability selectivity (PMg2+Li+=5.63) in the Li+/Mg2+ system, while ZPEI-TMC/SPEEK outperformed, displaying remarkable permeability selectivity (PMg2+Li+=12.43) in the Li+/Mg2+ system, surpassing commercial monovalent cation-selective membrane commercial monovalent cation-selective membrane (CIMS). Furthermore, in the Li+/Mg2+ binary system, Li+ flux reached 9.78 × 10-9 mol cm-2 s-1 for ZPEI-TMC/SPEEK, while its Mg2+ flux only reached 2.7 × 10-9 mol cm-2 s-1, showing potential for lithium-magnesium separation. In addition, ZPEI-TMC/SPEEK was tested for performance and stability at high current densities. This work offers a straightforward preparation process and an innovative structural approach, presenting methodological insights for the advancement of lithium and magnesium separation techniques.

The mechanism of curcumin to protect mouse ovaries from oxidative damage by regulating AMPK/mTOR mediated autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is considered the main cause of granulosa cell apoptosis in ovarian disease. Curcumin has various biological roles, but its potential role in protecting granulosa cells from oxidative damage remains unidentified. PURPOSE: The study revealed the protective effect of curcumin on granulosa cell survival under oxidative stress, and explored its mode of action. STUDY DESIGN: The protective effect of curcumin on oxidative stress-induced ovarian cell apoptosis was evaluated in vivo and in vitro, and the role of autophagy and AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in this process was also demonstrated. METHODS: First, mice were injected to 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA, 20 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days to establish the ovarian oxidative stress model, at same time, curcumin (50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day) was given orally. Thereafter, functional changes, cell apoptosis, and autophagy in ovarian tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, TUNEL assays, and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, oxidative stress model of granulosa cells was established with H2O2in vitro and treated with curcumin. The underlying mechanisms of curcumin to protect the apoptosis under oxidative stress in vitro were determined using western blotting and TUNEL assays. RESULTS: In our study, after curcumin treatment, the mouse ovarian function disorder under 3-nitropropionic acid-induced oxidative stress recovered significantly, and ovarian cell apoptosis decreased. H2O2 induced granulosa cell apoptosis in vitro, and curcumin antagonized this process. Autophagy contributes to tissue and cell survival under stress. We therefore examined the role of autophagy in this process. According to the in vivo and in vitro results, curcumin restored autophagy under oxidative stress. The autophagy inhibitor (chloroquine) exhibited the same effect as curcumin, whereas the autophagy activator (rapamycin) antagonized the effect of curcumin. In addition, the study found that the AMPK/mTOR pathway plays a crucial role in curcumin- mediated autophagy to protect against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings for the first time systematically revealed a new mechanism through which curcumin protects ovarian granulosa cells from oxidative stress-induced damage through AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy and suggested that it can be a new therapeutic direction for female ovarian diseases.

m6A modification promotes EMT and metastasis of castration-resistant prostate cancer by upregulating NFIB.

The widespread use of androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors has led to an increased incidence of AR-negative castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), limiting effective treatment and patient survival. A more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms supporting AR-negative CRPC could reveal therapeutic vulnerabilities to improve treatment. This study showed that the transcription factor nuclear factor I/B (NFIB) was upregulated in AR-negative CRPC patient tumors and cell lines and was positively associated with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. Loss of NFIB inhibited EMT and reduced migration of CRPC cells. NFIB directly bound to gene promoters and regulated the transcription of EMT-related factors E-cadherin and vimentin, independently of other typical EMT-related transcriptional factors. In vivo data further supported the positive role of NFIB in the metastasis of AR-negative CRPC cells. Moreover, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification induced NFIB upregulation in AR-negative CRPC. Mechanistically, the m6A levels of mRNA, including NFIB and its E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM8, were increased in AR-negative CRPC cells. Elevated m6A methylation of NFIB mRNA recruited YTHDF2 to increase mRNA stability and protein expression. Inversely, the m6A modification of TRIM8 mRNA, induced by ALKBH5 downregulation, decreased its translation and expression, which further promoted NFIB protein stability. Overall, this study reveals that upregulation of NFIB, mediated by m6A modification, triggers EMT and metastasis in AR-negative CRPC. Targeting the m6A/NFIB axis is a potential prevention and treatment strategy for AR-negative CRPC metastasis.

A novel approach to evaluation of tumor response for advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma using the intertumoral heterogeneity response score.

Treatment response and prognosis estimation in advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma are challenged by the significant heterogeneity of the disease. The current Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, despite providing a basis for solid tumor response evaluation, do not fully encompass this heterogeneity. To better represent these nuances, we introduce the intertumoral heterogeneity response score (THRscore), a measure built upon and expanding the RECIST criteria. This retrospective study included patients with 3-10 measurable advanced lung adenocarcinoma lesions who underwent first-line chemotherapy or targeted therapy. The THRscore, derived from the coefficient of variation in size for each measurable tumor before and 4-6 weeks posttreatment, unveiled a correlation with patient outcomes. Specifically, a high THRscore was associated with shorter progression-free survival, lower tumor response rate, and a higher tumor mutation burden. These associations were further validated in an external cohort, confirming THRscore's effectiveness in stratifying patients based on progression risk and treatment response, and enhancing the utility of RECIST in capturing complex tumor behaviors in lung adenocarcinoma. These findings affirm the promise of THRscore as an enhanced tool for tumor response assessment in advanced lung adenocarcinoma, extending the RECIST criteria's utility.

Identification and prognostic analysis of ferroptosis­related gene HSPA5 to predict the progression of lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by excessive lipid peroxidation, is implicated in the development and therapeutic responses of cancer. However, the role of ferroptosis-related gene profiles in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to identify the prognostic roles of ferroptosis-related genes in LSCC. Sequencing data from the Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed and ferroptosis-related gene expression between tumor and para-tumor tissue was identified. The prognostic role of these genes was also assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analyses. Immunological correlation, tumor stemness, drug sensitivity and the transcriptional differences of heat shock protein (HSP)A5 in LSCC were also analyzed. Thereafter, the expression of HSPA5 in 100 patients with metastatic LSCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the clinical significance of these markers with different risk factors was assessed. Of the 22 ferroptosis-related genes, the expression of HSPA5, HSPB1, glutathione peroxidase 4, Fanconi anemia complementation group D2, CDGSH iron sulfur domain 1, farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1, nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2, solute carrier (SLC)1A5, ribosomal protein L8, nuclear receptor coactivator 4, transferrin receptor and SLC7A11 was significantly increased in LSCC compared with adjacent tissues. However, only high expression of HSPA5 was able to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-free survival in LSCC. Although HSPA5 was also significantly elevated in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, HSPA5 expression did not predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Of note, a higher expression of HSPA5 was related to higher responses to chemotherapy but not to immunotherapy. In addition, HSPA5 expression was positively correlated with 'ferroptosis', 'cellular responses to hypoxia', 'tumor proliferation signature', 'G2M checkpoint', 'MYC targets' and 'TGFB'. IHC analysis also demonstrated that a high expression of HSPA5 in patients with metastatic LSCC in the study cohort was associated with shorter PFS and overall survival. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the expression of the ferroptosis-related gene HSPA5 may be a negative prognostic marker for LSCC.

The HEAT repeat protein HPO-27 is a lysosome fission factor.

Lysosomes are degradation and signalling centres crucial for homeostasis, development and ageing1. To meet diverse cellular demands, lysosomes remodel their morphology and function through constant fusion and fission2,3. Little is known about the molecular basis of fission. Here we identify HPO-27, a conserved HEAT repeat protein, as a lysosome scission factor in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of HPO-27 impairs lysosome fission and leads to an excessive tubular network that ultimately collapses. HPO-27 and its human homologue MROH1 are recruited to lysosomes by RAB-7 and enriched at scission sites. Super-resolution imaging, negative-staining electron microscopy and in vitro reconstitution assays reveal that HPO-27 and MROH1 self-assemble to mediate the constriction and scission of lysosomal tubules in worms and mammalian cells, respectively, and assemble to sever supported membrane tubes in vitro. Loss of HPO-27 affects lysosomal morphology, integrity and degradation activity, which impairs animal development and longevity. Thus, HPO-27 and MROH1 act as self-assembling scission factors to maintain lysosomal homeostasis and function.

Pancreatic ß-cell failure, clinical implications, and therapeutic strategies in type 2 diabetes.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ß-cell failure due to a reduction in function and mass has been defined as a primary contributor to the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Reserving insulin-producing ß-cells and hence restoring insulin production are gaining attention in translational diabetes research, and ß-cell replenishment has been the main focus for diabetes treatment. Significant findings in ß-cell proliferation, transdifferentiation, pluripotent stem cell differentiation, and associated small molecules have served as promising strategies to regenerate ß-cells. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the mechanisms implicated in ß-cell dynamic processes under physiological and diabetic conditions, in which genetic factors, age-related alterations, metabolic stresses, and compromised identity are critical factors contributing to ß-cell failure in T2D. The article also focuses on recent advances in therapeutic strategies for diabetes treatment by promoting ß-cell proliferation, inducing non-ß-cell transdifferentiation, and reprograming stem cell differentiation. Although a significant challenge remains for each of these strategies, the recognition of the mechanisms responsible for ß-cell development and mature endocrine cell plasticity and remarkable advances in the generation of exogenous ß-cells from stem cells and single-cell studies pave the way for developing potential approaches to cure diabetes.

Promotion of anaerobic biodegradation of azo dye RR2 by different biowaste-derived biochars: Characteristics and mechanism study by machine learning.

The addition of biochar resulted in a 31.5 % to 44.6 % increase in decolorization efficiency and favorable decolorization stability. Biochar promoted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion, especially humic-like and fulvic-like substances. Additionally, biochar enhanced the electron transfer capacity of anaerobic sludge and facilitated surface attachment of microbial cells. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that biochar reduced microbial species diversity, enriching fermentative bacteria such as Trichococcus. Finally, a machine learning model was employed to establish a predictive model for biochar characteristics and decolorization efficiency. Biochar electrical conductivity, H/C ratio, and O/C ratio had the most significant impact on RR2 anaerobic decolorization efficiency. According to the results, the possible mechanism of RR2 anaerobic decolorization enhanced by different types of biochar was proposed.

Biomarker Changes during 20 Years Preceding Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Biomarker changes that occur in the period between normal cognition and the diagnosis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease have not been extensively investigated in longitudinal studies. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, nested case-control study of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cognitively normal participants who were enrolled in the China Cognition and Aging Study from January 2000 through December 2020. A subgroup of these participants underwent testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cognitive assessments, and brain imaging at 2-year-to-3-year intervals. A total of 648 participants in whom Alzheimer's disease developed were matched with 648 participants who had normal cognition, and the temporal trajectories of CSF biochemical marker concentrations, cognitive testing, and imaging were analyzed in the two groups. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 19.9 years (interquartile range, 19.5 to 20.2). CSF and imaging biomarkers in the Alzheimer's disease group diverged from those in the cognitively normal group at the following estimated number of years before diagnosis: amyloid-beta (Aß)42, 18 years; the ratio of Aß42 to Aß40, 14 years; phosphorylated tau 181, 11 years; total tau, 10 years; neurofilament light chain, 9 years; hippocampal volume, 8 years; and cognitive decline, 6 years. As cognitive impairment progressed, the changes in CSF biomarker levels in the Alzheimer's disease group initially accelerated and then slowed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study involving Chinese participants during the 20 years preceding clinical diagnosis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease, we observed the time courses of CSF biomarkers, the times before diagnosis at which they diverged from the biomarkers from a matched group of participants who remained cognitively normal, and the temporal order in which the biomarkers became abnormal. (Funded by the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03653156.).

Cross-talk between Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer: a scientometric analysis.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is considered a leading risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this article is to conduct bibliometric and visual analysis to assess scientific output, identify highly cited papers, summarize current knowledge, and explore recent hotspots and trends in HP/GC research. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted on October 24, 2023, to retrieve relevant studies on HP/GC research between 2003 and 2022. The search terms were attached to HP and GC. The main data were from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Data visualization was performed using Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel. Results: In HP/GC research, 1970 papers were retrieved. The total number of papers (Np) in HP/GC was growing from 2003 to 2022. China and Japan were in the leading position and made the most contributions to HP/GC. Vanderbilt University and the US Department of Veterans Affairs had the highest Np. The most productive authors were Peek Jr Richard M. and Piazuelo M Blanca. Helicobacter received the most Np, while Gastroenterology had the most total citations (TC). High-cited publications and keyword clustering were used to identify the current status and trends in HP/GC research, while historical citation analysis provided insight into the evolution of HP/GC research. The hot topics included the effect of HP on gastric tumorigenesis and progression, the pathogenesis of HP-induced GC (HP factors), and the mechanisms by which HP affects GC (host factors). Research in the coming years could focus on topics such as autophagy, gut microbiota, immunotherapy, exosomes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Conclusion: This study evaluated the global scientific output in HP/GC research and its quantitative characteristics, identified the essential works, and collected information on the current status, main focuses and emerging trends in HP/GC research to provide academics with guidance for future paths.

Residue quality drives SOC sequestration by altering microbial taxonomic composition and ecophysiological function in desert ecosystem.

Plant residues are important sources of soil organic carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. The degradation of plant residue by microbes can influence the soil carbon cycle and sequestration. However, little is known about the microbial composition and function, as well as the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in response to the inputs of different quality plant residues in the desert environment. The present study evaluated the effects of plant residue addition from Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (Pi), Artemisia desertorum (Ar) and Amorpha fruticosa (Am) on desert soil microbial community composition and function in a field experiment in the Mu Us Desert. The results showed that the addition of the three plant residues with different C/N ratios induced significant variation in soil microbial communities. The Am treatment (low C/N ratio) improved microbial diversity compared with the Ar and Pi treatments (medium and high C/N ratios). The variations in the taxonomic and functional compositions of the dominant phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were higher than those of the other phyla among the different treatments. Moreover, the network links between Proteobacteria and other phyla and the CAZyme genes abundances from Proteobacteria increased with increasing residue C/N, whereas those decreased for Actinobacteria. The SOC content of the Am, Ar and Pi treatments increased by 45.73%, 66.54% and 107.99%, respectively, as compared to the original soil. The net SOC accumulation was positively correlated with Proteobacteria abundance and negatively correlated with Actinobacteria abundance. These findings showed that changing the initial quality of plant residue from low C/N to high C/N can result in shifts in taxonomic and functional composition from Actinobacteria to Proteobacteria, which favors SOC accumulation. This study elucidates the ecophysiological roles of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in the desert carbon cycle, expands our understanding of the potential microbial-mediated mechanisms by which plant residue inputs affect SOC sequestration in desert soils, and provides valuable guidance for species selection in desert vegetation reconstruction.

Cohort profile: Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study (BHACS).

The Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study (BHACS) was established to supplement the limited data of a large representative cohort of older people based on the general population and was designed to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, and natural history of cognitive decline, functional disability, and conventional vascular risk factors. The aim was to determine the evolution of these conditions by estimating the rates and determinants of progression and regression to adverse outcomes, including dementia, cardiovascular events, cancer, and all-cause death. It can therefore provide evidence to help policy makers develop better policies to promote healthy aging in China. BHACS consisted of three cohorts (BLSA, CCHS-Beijing, and BECHCS) in Beijing with a total population of 11 235 (6281 in urban and 4954 in rural areas) and an age range of 55 years or older (55-101 years) with a mean age of 70.35 ± 7.71 years (70.69 ± 7.62 years in urban and 69.92 ± 7.80 years in rural areas). BHACS-BLSA conducted the baseline survey in 2009 with a multistage stratification-random clustering procedure for people aged 55 years or older; BHACS-CCHS-Beijing conducted the baseline survey in 2013-2015 with a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method for people aged 55 years or older; and BHACS-BECHCS conducted the baseline survey in 2010-2014 with two-stage cluster random sampling method for people aged 60 years or older. Data were collected through questionnaires, physical measurements, and laboratory analyses. Topics covered by BHACS include a wide range of physical and mental health indicators, lifestyles and personal, family, and socio-economic determinants of health. There are no immediate plans to make the cohort data freely available to the public, but specific proposals for further collaboration are welcome. For further information and collaboration, please contact the corresponding author Yao He (e-mail: yhe301@x263.net).