Histone variant H2A.Z is required for plant salt response by regulating gene transcription

As a well-conserved histone variant, H2A.Z epigenetically regulates plant growth and development as well as the interaction with environmental factors. However, the role of H2A.Z in response to salt stress remains unclear, and whether nucleosomal H2A.Z occupancy work on the gene responsiveness upon salinity is obscure. Here, we elucidate the involvement of H2A.Z in salt response by analysing H2A.Z disorder plants with impaired or overloaded H2A.Z deposition. The salt tolerance is dramatically accompanied by H2A.Z deficiency and reacquired in H2A.Z OE lines. H2A.Z disorder changes the expression profiles of large-scale of salt responsive genes, announcing that H2A.Z is required for plant salt response. Genome-wide H2A.Z mapping shows that H2A.Z level is induced by salt condition across promoter, transcriptional start site (TSS) and transcription ending sites (-1 kb to +1 kb), the peaks preferentially enrich at promoter regions near TSS. We further show that H2A.Z deposition within TSS provides a direct role on transcriptional control, which has both repressive and activating effects, while it is found generally H2A.Z enrichment negatively correlate with gene expression level response to salt stress. This study shed light on the H2A.Z function in salt tolerance, highlighting the complex regulatory mechanisms of H2A.Z on transcriptional activity for yielding appropriate responses to particularly environmental stress.

Asymmetrical disassortative pollination mediated by long-/short-tongued pollinators in a distylous Limonium myrianthum (Plumbaginaceae) with a short corolla tubular small flower

In heterostylous plants, short-tongued pollinators are often ineffective/inefficient owing to the limitations imposed by a long corolla tube. However, it is unclear how disassortative pollen transfer is achieved in small flowers. We investigated the pollination pattern and floral morph variation by analyzing heterostylous syndrome, pollinator groups, and pollen deposition after a single visitation in two Limonium myrianthum populations with short-corolla-tubular small flowers. The predominant pollinators in the Hutubi population were pollen-seeking short-tongued syrphids, which can only transfer pollen between high-level sexual organs. In the Xishan population, nectar-seeking short-tongued insects were efficient pollinators with symmetrical disassortative pollen transfer between high- and low-level sexual organs, whereas long-tongued pollinators had a low efficiency between high-level sexual organs due to the low contact probability with the stigma of long-styled flowers (L-morph), which no longer offered the same advantage observed in tubular flowers. Asymmetrical disassortative pollination may cause the female fitness of short-styled (S-morph) individuals in the Hutubi and L-morph individuals in the Xishan population to suffer greater selection pressure and exhibit a higher degree of floral morph variation. Limonium myrianthum exhibits an unusual pollination pattern in which the small flowers with short corolla tubes make it possible for short-tongued insects to become effective pollinators. However, factors such as the position of stigma-anther within the flower, pollinator species and their preference further caused asymmetrical disassortative pollen transfer. Therefore, more factors should be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of short- and long-tongued insects in pollination service.

Cobalt doping amount determines dominant reactive species in peroxymonosulfate activation via porous carbon catalysts co-doped by cobalt and nitrogen

Switching the reaction routes in peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes have attracted much attention but remain challenging. Herein, a series of Co-N/C catalysts with different compositions and structures were prepared by using bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks based on ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 (xZn/Co-ZIFs). Results show that Co doping amount could mediate the transformation of the activation pathway of PMS over Co-N/C. When Co doping amount was less than 10%, the constructed xCo-N/C/PMS system (x ≤ 10%) was singlet oxygen-dominated reaction; however further increasing Co doping amount would lead to the generation and coexistence of sulfate radicals and high-valent cobalt, besides singlet oxygen. Furthermore, the nitrogen-coordinated Co (Co-NX) sites could serve as main catalytically active sites to generate singlet oxygen. While excess Co doping amount caused the formation of Co nanoparticles from which leached Co ions were responsible for the generation of sulfate radicals and high-valent cobalt. Compared to undoped N/C, Co doping could significantly enhance the catalytic performance. The 0.5% Co-N/C could achieve the optimum degradation (0.488 min-1) and mineralization abilities (78.4%) of sulfamethoxazole among the investigated Co-N/C catalysts, which was superior to most of previously reported catalysts. In addition, the application prospects of the two systems in different environmental scenarios (pH, inorganic anions and natural organic matter) were assessed and showed different degradation behaviors. This study provides a strategy to regulate the reactive species in PMS-based advanced oxidation process.

Integrative metagenomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the potential of gut microbiota to exacerbate acute pancreatitis

Early dysbiosis in the gut microbiota may contribute to the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP), however, a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiome, potential pathobionts, and host metabolome in individuals with AP remains elusive. Hence, we employed fecal whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing in 82 AP patients and 115 matched healthy controls, complemented by untargeted serum metabolome and lipidome profiling in a subset of participants. Analyses of the gut microbiome in AP patients revealed reduced diversity, disrupted microbial functions, and altered abundance of 77 species, influenced by both etiology and severity. AP-enriched species, mostly potential pathobionts, correlated positively with host liver function and serum lipid indicators. Conversely, many AP-depleted species were short-chain fatty acid producers. Gut microflora changes were accompanied by shifts in the serum metabolome and lipidome. Specifically, certain gut species, like enriched Bilophila wadsworthia and depleted Bifidobacterium spp., appeared to contribute to elevated triglyceride levels in biliary or hyperlipidemic AP patients. Through culturing and whole-genome sequencing of bacterial isolates, we identified virulence factors and clinically relevant antibiotic resistance in patient-derived strains, suggesting a predisposition to opportunistic infections. Finally, our study demonstrated that gavage of specific pathobionts could exacerbate pancreatitis in a caerulein-treated mouse model. In conclusion, our comprehensive analysis sheds light on the gut microbiome and serum metabolome in AP, elucidating the role of pathobionts in disease progression. These insights offer valuable perspectives for etiologic diagnosis, prevention, and intervention in AP and related conditions.

[Key microbial monitoring and clinical analysis of bloodstream infections and CRO colonization after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in hematological patients]

Objective: To investigate the distribution and clinical characteristics of pathogenic bacteria following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), as well as to provide a preliminary research foundation for key microbial monitoring, and clinical diagnosis and treatment of infections after HSCT in hematological patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 190 patients who tested positive for microbial testing [G-bacteria blood culture and/or carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) screening of perianal swabs] at our center from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients were divided into blood culture positive, perianal swab positive, and double positive groups based on the testing results. The three patient groups underwent statistical analysis and comparison. Results: The top four pathogenic bacteria isolated from sixty-three patients with G-bacteria bloodstream infection (BSI) were Escherichia coli (28 strains, 43.75% ), Klebsiella pneumonia (26 strains, 40.63% ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 strains, 4.69% ), and Enterobacter cloacae (3 strains, 4.69% ). The top three pathogenic bacteria isolated from 147 patients with CRO perianal colonization were carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (58 strains, 32.58% ), carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (49 strains, 27.53% ), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (20 strains, 11.24% ). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS ) and overall survival (OS) of double positive group patients were significantly lower compared to those in the blood culture and perianal swab positive groups (DFS: 35.6% vs 53.7% vs 68.6%, P=0.001; OS: 44.4% vs 62.4% vs 76.9%, P<0.001), while non-relapse mortality (NRM) was significantly higher (50.0% vs 34.9% vs 10.6%, P<0.001). Failed engraftment of platelets and BSI are independent risk factors for NRM (P<0.001). Using polymyxin and/or ceftazidime-avibactam for more than 7 days is an independent protective factor for NRM (P=0.035) . Conclusion: This study suggests that the occurrence of BSI significantly increases the NRM after HSCT in patients with hematological diseases; CRO colonization into the bloodstream has a significant impact on the DFS and OS of HSCT patients.

Floral morph variation mediated by clonal growth and pollinator functional groups of Limonium otolepis in a heterostylous fragmented population

Abstract. Heterostyly, a genetic style polymorphism, is linked to symmetric pollen transfer, vital for its maintenance. Clonal growth typically impacts sexual reproduction by influencing pollen transfer. However, the floral morph variation remains poorly understood under the combined effects of pollinators and clonal growth in heterostyly characterized by negative frequency-dependent selection and disassortative mating. We estimated morph ratios, ramets per genet and heterostylous syndrome and quantified legitimate pollen transfer via clonal growth, pollinators and reciprocal herkogamy between floral morphs in Limonium otolepis, a fragmented population composed of five subpopulations in the desert environment of northwestern China, with small flower and large floral morph variation. All subpopulations but one exhibited pollen-stigma morphology dimorphism. The compatibility between mating types with different pollen-stigma morphologies remained consistent regardless of reciprocal herkogamy. Biased ratios and ramets per genet of the two mating types with distinct pollen-stigma morphologies caused asymmetric pollen flow and varying fruit sets in all subpopulations. Short-tongued insects were the primary pollinators due to small flower sizes. However, pollen-feeding Syrphidae sp. triggered asymmetry in pollen flow between high and low sex organs, with short-styled morphs having lower stigma pollen depositions and greater variation. Clonal growth amplified this variation by reducing intermorph pollen transfer. All in all, pollinators and clonal growth jointly drive floral morph variation. H-morphs with the same stigma-anther position and self-incompatibility, which mitigate the disadvantages of sunken low sex organs with differing from the classical homostyly, might arise from long- and short-styled morphs through a 'relaxed selection'. This study is the first to uncover the occurrence of the H-morph and its associated influencing factors in a distylous plant featuring clonal growth, small flowers and a fragmented population.

Endogenous melatonin involved in plant salt response by impacting auxin signaling

KEY MESSAGE

The study on melatonin biosynthesis mutant snat1snat2 revealed that endogenous melatonin plays an important role in salt responsiveness by mediating auxin signaling. Melatonin is a pleiotropic signaling molecule, which, besides being involved in multiple growth and developmental processes, also mediates environmental stress responses. However, whether and how endogenous melatonin is involved in salt response has not been determined. In this study, we elucidated the involvement of endogenous melatonin in salt response by investigatiing the impact of salt stress on a double mutant of Arabidopsis (snat1snat2) defective in melatonin biosynthesis genes SNAT1 and SNAT2. This mutant was found to exhibit salt sensitivity, manifested by unhealthy growth, ion imbalance and ROS accumulation under salt stress. Transcriptomic profiles of snat1snat2 revealed that the expression of a large number of salt-responsive genes was affected by SNAT defect, and these genes were closely related to the synthesis of auxin and several signaling pathways. In addition, the salt-sensitive growth phenotype of snat1snat2 was alleviated by the application of exogenous auxin. Our results show that endogenous melatonin may be essential for plant salt tolerance, a function that could be correlated with diverse activity in mediating auxin signaling.

Arabidopsis nucleoporin NUP96 mediates plant salt tolerance by modulating the transcription of salt-responsive genes

MAIN CONCLUSION

Physiological and molecular tests show that NUP96 plays an important role in the plant response to salt stress, resulting from the reprogramming of transcriptomic profiles, which are likely to be mediated by the influence on the nuclear/cytosol shuttling of the key regulators of salt tolerance. As a key component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), nucleoporin 96 (NUP96) is critical for modulating plant development and interactions with environmental factors, but whether NUP96 is involved in the salt response is still unknown. Here, we analyzed the role of Arabidopsis NUP96 under salt stress. The loss-of-function mutant nup96 exhibited salt sensitivity in terms of rosette growth and root elongation, and showed attenuated capacity in maintaining ion and ROS homeostasis, which could be compensated for by the overexpression of NUP96. RNA sequencing revealed that many salt-responsive genes were misregulated after NUP96 mutation, and especially NUP96 is required for the expression of a large portion of salt-induced genes. This is likely correlated with the activity in facilitating nuclear/cytosol transport of the underlying regulators in salt tolerance such as the transcription factor ATAP2, targeted by eight downregulated genes in nup96 under salt stress. Our results illustrate that NUP96 plays an important role in the salt response, probably by regulating the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of key mRNAs or proteins associated with plant salt responsiveness.

Biochar addition accelerates the humification process by affecting the microbial community during human excreta composting

Biochar addition plays an important role in manure composting, but its driving mechanism on microbial succession and humification process of human excreta composting is still unclear. In the present study, the mechanism of biochar addition was explored by analysing the humification process and microbial succession pattern of human excreta aerobic composting without and with 10% biochar (HF and BHF). Results indicated that BHF improved composting temperature, advanced the thermophilic phase by 1 d, increased the germination index by 49.03%, promoted the growth rate of humic acid content by 17.46%, and raised the compost product with the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid (HA/FA) by 16.19%. Biochar regulated the diversity of fungi and bacteria, increasing the relative abundance of Planifilum, Meyerozyma and Melanocarpus in the thermophilic phase, and Saccharomonospora, Flavobacterium, Thermomyces and Remersonia in the mature phase, which accelerates the humification. Bacterial communities' succession had an obvious correlation with the total carbon, total nitrogen, and temperature (P < 0.05), while the succession of fungal communities was influenced by the HA/FA and pH (P < 0.05). This study could provide a reference for the improvement of on-site human excreta harmless by extending the thermophilic phase, and facilitating the humification in human excreta compost with biochar addition.

Characterizations of the multi-kingdom gut microbiota in Chinese patients with gouty arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The gut microbial composition has been linked to metabolic and autoimmune diseases, including arthritis. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the gut bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome in patients with gouty arthritis (GA).

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the multi-kingdom gut microbiome of 26 GA patients and 28 healthy controls, using whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing of their stool samples.

RESULTS

Profound alterations were observed in the gut bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome of GA patients. We identified 1,117 differentially abundant bacterial species, 23 fungal species, and 4,115 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs). GA-enriched bacteria included Escherichia coli_D GENOME144544, Bifidobacterium infantis GENOME095938, Blautia_A wexlerae GENOME096067, and Klebsiella pneumoniae GENOME147598, while control-enriched bacteria comprised Faecalibacterium prausnitzii_G GENOME147678, Agathobacter rectalis GENOME143712, and Bacteroides_A plebeius_A GENOME239725. GA-enriched fungi included opportunistic pathogens like Cryptococcus neoformans GCA_011057565, Candida parapsilosis GCA_000182765, and Malassezia spp., while control-enriched fungi featured several Hortaea werneckii subclades and Aspergillus fumigatus GCA_000002655. GA-enriched vOTUs mainly attributed to Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, Podoviridae, and Microviridae, whereas control-enriched vOTUs spanned 13 families, including Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, Podoviridae, Quimbyviridae, Phycodnaviridae, and crAss-like. A co-abundance network revealed intricate interactions among these multi-kingdom signatures, signifying their collective influence on the disease. Furthermore, these microbial signatures demonstrated the potential to effectively discriminate between patients and controls, highlighting their diagnostic utility.

CONCLUSIONS

This study yields crucial insights into the characteristics of the GA microbiota that may inform future mechanistic and therapeutic investigations.

Enhancement of sulfur metabolism and antioxidant machinery confers Bacillus sp. Jrh14-10-induced alkaline stress tolerance in plant

Alkaline stress is a major environmental challenge that restricts plant growth and agricultural productivity worldwide. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be used to effectively enhance plant abiotic stress in an environment-friendly manner. However, PGPR that can enhance alkalinity tolerance are not well-studied and the mechanisms by which they exert beneficial effects remain elusive. In this study, we isolated Jrh14-10 from the rhizosphere soil of halophyte Halerpestes cymbalaria (Pursh) Green and found that it can produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore. By 16S rRNA gene sequencing, it was classified as Bacillus licheniformis. Inoculation Arabidopsis seedlings with Jrh14-10 significantly increased the total fresh weight (by 148.1%), primary root elongation (by 1121.7%), and lateral root number (by 108.8%) under alkaline stress. RNA-Seq analysis showed that 3389 genes were up-regulated by inoculation under alkaline stress and they were associated with sulfur metabolism, photosynthetic system, and oxidative stress response. Significantly, the levels of Cys and GSH were increased by 144.3% and 48.7%, respectively, in the inoculation group compared to the control under alkaline stress. Furthermore, Jrh14-10 markedly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, resulting in lower levels of O2•-, H2O2, and MDA as well as higher levels of Fv/Fm in alkaline-treated seedlings. In summary, Jrh14-10 can improve alkaline stress resistance in seedlings which was accompanied by an increase in sulfur metabolism-mediated GSH synthesis and antioxidant enzyme activities. These results provide a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between a beneficial bacterial strain and plants under alkaline stress.

Acute myocardial infarction and myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination

Emerging reports raise concerns on the potential association between the COVID-19 vaccines and cardiac manifestations. We sought to evaluate cardiac complications associated with COVID-19 vaccination in a pooled analysis from our institution's cohort study and systematic review. Consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Singapore between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, with the onset of cardiac manifestations within 14 days following COVID-19 vaccination, were studied. Furthermore, a systematic review was performed, with PubMed, Embase, Research Square, MedRxiv and LitCovid databases accessed from inception up to 29 June 2021. Relevant manuscripts reporting individual patient data on cardiac complications following COVID-19 vaccination were included. Thirty patients were included in the study cohort, with 29 diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 1 with myocarditis. Five patients developed heart failure, two had cardiogenic shock, three intubated, and one had cardiovascular-related mortality. In the systematic review, 16 studies were included with 41 myocarditis and 6 AMI cases. In the pooled analysis of the study cohort and the systematic review, 35 patients had AMI and 42 had myocarditis. Majority were men, and myocarditis patients were younger than AMI patients. Myocarditis patients tended to present 72 h postvaccination, while AMI patients were older and typically presented 24 h postvaccination. Majority with AMI or myocarditis developed symptoms after the first and second vaccination dose, respectively. This pooled analysis of patients presenting with cardiac manifestations following COVID-19 vaccination highlights the differences between myocarditis and AMI presentations in temporal association with the vaccination.

Robotic versus laparoscopic left colectomy with complete mesocolic excision for left-sided colon cancer: a multicentre study with propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Robotic surgery for right-sided colon and rectal cancer has rapidly increased; however, there is limited evidence in the literature of advantages of robotic left colectomy (RLC) for left-sided colon cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of RLC versus laparoscopic left colectomy (LLC) with complete mesocolic excision (CME) for left-sided colon cancer.

METHODS

Patients who had RLC or LLC with CME for left-sided colon cancer at 5 hospitals in China between January 2014 and April 2022 were included. A one-to-one propensity score matched analysis was performed to decrease confounding. The primary outcome was postoperative complications occurring within 30 days of surgery. Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival, overall survival and the number of harvested lymph nodes.

RESULTS

A total of 292 patients (187 males; median age 61.0 [20.0-85.0] years) were eligible for this study, and propensity score matching yielded 102 patients in each group. The clinical-pathological characteristics were well-matched between groups. The two groups did not differ in estimated blood loss, conversion to open rate, time to first flatus, reoperation rate, or postoperative length of hospital stay (p > 0.05). RLC was associated with a longer operation time (192.9 ± 53.2 vs. 168.9 ± 52.8 minutes, p=0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications did not differ between the RLC and LLC groups (18.6% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.856). The total number of lymph nodes harvested in the RLC group was higher than that in the LLC group (15.7 ± 8.3 vs. 12.1 ± 5.9, p< 0.001). There were no significant differences in 3-year and 5-year overall survival or 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to laparoscopic surgery, RLC with CME for left-sided colon cancer was found to be associated with higher numbers of lymph nodes harvested and similar postoperative complications and long-term survival outcomes.

Covalent Bonding Enhanced Polypropylene Based T-ZIF-8 Masterbatch with Superior Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Performances

In order to solve the problem of poor compatibility between modified-ZIF-8 nanoparticles and mask matrix polypropylene (PP) and melt-blown materials, in this work, PP based modified-ZIF-8 antibacterial masterbatch was prepared employing surface modification and torque blending method. IR, SEM, XRD, XPS, DSC results confirm that the antibacterial masterbatch maintains the chemical and crystal structure of modified-ZIF-8 and the thermal stability of PP. Photocatalytic performance indicates that the antibacterial masterbatch basically maintains the photoresponse range of modified-ZIF-8, has narrower band gap and the superior photocatalytic performance than that of modified-ZIF-8. The photocatalytic antibacterial mechanism of ·O2- and h+ as antibacterial active species is revealed according to the energy band structure and free radical capture experiment. The photocatalytic antibacterial activity of the antibacterial masterbatch against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli under different dosage holds that the relationship between antibacterial rate and antibacterial agent concentration conforms to Beta distribution, demonstrating second-order kinetic behavior. The antibacterial properties reach the maximum when the loading of modified-ZIF-8 is 2% of the total weight of PP and melt-blown materials. S. aureus and E. coli could be completely killed when the simulated sunlight is irradiated for 30 min. These results indicate that PP based modified-ZIF-8 antibacterial masterbatch has potential application in photocatalytic antibacterial masks.

Characterizations of the Gut Bacteriome, Mycobiome, and Virome in Patients with Osteoarthritis

The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the regulation of the immune system and the etiology of human autoimmune diseases. However, a holistic understanding of the gut bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) remains lacking. Here, we explored the gut microbiotas of 44 OA patients and 46 healthy volunteers via deep whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing of their fecal samples. The gut bacteriome and mycobiome were analyzed using a reference-based strategy. Gut viruses were identified from the metagenomic assembled contigs, and the gut virome was profiled based on 6,567 nonredundant viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs). We revealed that the gut microbiome (including bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome) of OA patients is fundamentally altered, characterized by a panel of 279 differentially abundant bacterial species, 10 fungal species, and 627 vOTUs. The representative OA-enriched bacteria included Anaerostipes hadrus (GENOME147149), Prevotella sp900313215 (GENOME08259), Eubacterium_E hallii (GENOME000299), and Blautia A (GENOME001004), while Bacteroides plebeius A (GENOME239725), Roseburia inulinivorans (GENOME 001770), Dialister sp900343095 (GENOME075103), Phascolarctobacterium faecium (GENOME233517), and several members of Faecalibacterium and Prevotella were depleted in OA patients. Fungi such as Debaryomyces fabryi (GenBank accession no. GCA_003708665), Candida parapsilosis (GCA_000182765), and Apophysomyces trapeziformis (GCA_000696975) were enriched in the OA gut microbiota, and Malassezia restricta (GCA_003290485), Aspergillus fumigatus (GCA_003069565), and Mucor circinelloides (GCA_010203745) were depleted. The OA-depleted viruses spanned Siphoviridae (95 vOTUs), Myoviridae (70 vOTUs), and Microviridae (5 vOTUs), while 30 Siphoviridae vOTUs were enriched in OA patients. Functional analysis of the gut bacteriome and virome also uncovered their functional signatures in relation to OA. Moreover, we demonstrated that the OA-associated gut bacterial and viral signatures are tightly interconnected, suggesting that they may impact disease together. Finally, we showed that the multikingdom signatures are effective in discriminating the OA patients from healthy controls, suggesting the potential of gut microbiota for the prediction of OA and related diseases. Our results delineated the fecal bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome landscapes of the OA microbiota and provided biomarkers that will aid in future mechanistic and clinical intervention studies. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiome of OA patients was completely altered compared to that in healthy individuals, including 279 differentially abundant bacterial species, 10 fungal species and 627 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs). Functional analysis of the gut bacteriome and virome also revealed their functional signatures in relation to OA. We found that OA-associated gut bacterial and viral signatures were tightly interconnected, indicating that they may affect the disease together. The OA patients can be discriminated effectively from healthy controls using the multikingdom signatures, suggesting the potential of gut microbiota for the prediction of OA and related diseases.

A Dual-Wavelength Phosphorescent Anti-Counterfeiting Copolymer Containing Eu(III) and Tb(III)

The anti-counterfeiting technology of banknotes, bills and negotiable securities is constantly copied, and it is urgent to upgrade its anti-counterfeiting technology. In view of the defect of easy replication of single-wavelength anti-counterfeiting technology, the bonded copolymer PMEuTb was synthesized, employing the technique of first coordination and then polymerization. The molecular structure of copolymer PMEuTb was confirmed by infrared spectrum and UV-vis absorption spectrum. The internal mechanism of negative correlation between initiator concentration and number-average molecular weight M_n of the copolymer was revealed, and the positive correlation between M_n and luminescent behavior of the copolymer was analyzed. The luminescent properties of copolymer PMEuTb with initiator amount of 0.1% were investigated, the copolymer PMEuTb exhibits dual-wavelength emission of green light and red light under the excitation of ultraviolet light at 254 nm and 365 nm. The copolymer has the lifetime of 1.083 ms at ⁵D₄-⁷F₅ transition and 0.665 ms at ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition, which belongs to phosphorescent emitting materials. The copolymer remains stable at 240 °C, and variable temperature photoluminescent spectra demonstrate the luminescent intensity remains 85% at 333 K, meeting the requirements of room temperature phosphorescent anti-counterfeiting materials. The luminescent patterns made by standard screen printing display the green and cuticolor logo at 254 nm and 365 nm, respectively, indicating that the bonded phosphors PMEuTb has potential application in phosphorescent anti-counterfeiting.

Alterations of the gut virome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that has been linked to the dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and virome. However, the potential characterization of the gut virome in SLE patients needs to be explored more extensively.

Methods

Herein, we analyzed the gut viral community of 16 SLE patients and 31 healthy controls using both bulk and virus-like particle (VLP)-based metagenomic sequencing of their fecal samples. A total of 15,999 non-redundant viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were identified from the metagenomic assembled contigs and used for gut virome profiling.

Results

SLE patients exhibited a significant decrease in gut viral diversity in the bulk metagenome dataset, but this change was not significant in the VLP metagenome dataset. Also, considerable alterations of the overall gut virome composition and remarkable changes in the viral family compositions were observed in SLE patients compared with healthy controls, as observed in both two technologies. We identified 408 vOTUs (177 SLE-enriched and 231 control-enriched) with significantly different relative abundances between patients and controls in the bulk virome, and 18 vOTUs (17 SLE-enriched in 1 control-enriched) in the VLP virome. The SLE-enriched vOTUs included numerous Siphoviridae, Microviridae, and crAss-like viruses and were frequently predicted to infect Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus_E, while the control-enriched contained numerous members of Siphoviridae and Myoviridae and were predicted to infect Prevotella and Lachnospirales_CAG-274. We explored the correlations between gut viruses and bacteria and found that some Lachnospirales_CAG-274 and Hungatella_A phages may play key roles in the virus-bacterium network. Furthermore, we explored the gut viral signatures for disease discrimination and achieved an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of above 0.95, suggesting the potential of the gut virome in the prediction of SLE.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated the alterations in viral diversity and taxonomic composition of the gut virome of SLE patients. Further research into the etiology of SLE and the gut viral community will open up new avenues for treating and preventing SLE and other autoimmune diseases.

Effect of Cellulose Nanofibrils on the Physical Properties and Frost Resistance of Pervious Concrete

Pervious concrete has good water permeability and, if used in construction, it can alleviate the heat island effect. However, its low strength and poor durability are major obstacles to its use. This study shows that nano-reinforced pervious concrete created by incorporating cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) can improve the physical properties and increase the durability of pervious concrete. CNFs were added to the concrete mix in proportions ranging from 0.05% to 0.2% by weight of binder. The additions were found to alter matrix rheology. The hydration kinetics of matrix with differing CNF contents were compared and analyzed. The experimental results show the addition of CNFs delayed peak heat flow and maximum cumulative heat. The 28 d compressive strength of pervious concrete increased by up to 26.5% and 28 d flexural strength by up to 25.8% with the addition of 0.05-0.2% CNFs. Addition of 0.1% and 0.2% CNFs increased water permeability. Addition of 0.05-0.15% CNFs decreased mass loss by 73.2-83.7% after 150 freeze-thaw cycles, which corresponded to an increase in frost resistance. Denser matrices and stronger interfacial transition zones were observed using scanning electron microscopy when 0.05-0.2% CNFs were added.

A novel anoikis-related prognostic signature associated with prognosis and immune infiltration landscape in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Anoikis plays an essential function in tumourigenesis, whereas the role of anoikis in ccRCC remains unclear. Methods: Anoikis-related genes (ARGs) were collected from the MSigDB database. According to univariate Cox regression analysis, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was utilized to select the ARGs associated with the overall rate (OS). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify 5 prognostic ARGs, and a risk model was established. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the OS rate of ccRCC patients. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSVA) were utilized to investigate the molecular mechanism of patients in the low- and high-risk group. ESTIMATE, CIBERSOT, and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithms were conducted to estimate the immune infiltration landscape. Consensus clustering analysis was performed to divide the patients into different subgroups. Results: A fresh risk model was constructed based on the 5 prognostic ARGs (CHEK2, PDK4, ZNF304, SNAI2, SRC). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the OS rate of patients with a low-risk score was significantly higher than those with a high-risk score. Consensus clustering analysis successfully clustered the patients into two subgroups, with a remarkable difference in immune infiltration landscape and prognosis. The ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA results illustrated a significant gap in immune infiltration landscape of patients in the low- and high-risk group. Enrichment analysis and GSVA revealed that immune-related signaling pathways might mediate the role of ARGs in ccRCC. The nomogram results illustrated that the ARGs prognostic signature was an independent prognostic predictor that distinguished it from other clinical characteristics. TIDE score showed a promising immunotherapy response of ccRCC patients in different risk subgroups and cluster subgroups. Conclusion: Our study revealed that ARGs play a carcinogenic role in ccRCC. Additionally, we firstly integrated multiple ARGs to establish a risk-predictive model. This study highlights that ARGs could be implemented as a stratification factor for individualized and precise treatment in ccRCC patients.

Higher long-term mortality in patients with concomitant acute coronary syndrome and aortic stenosis

Background

Aortic stenosis (AS) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) share similar cardiovascular risk factors, and their concomitant presentation is increasing in incidence with the aging population. Yet literature regarding the prognosis of patients with concomitant ACS and AS remains scarce.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study examined consecutive patients presenting with ACS (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and non-STEMI [NSTEMI]) and concomitant AS between 1 January 2011 and 31 March 2021 in a tertiary hospital. The cohort was divided into mild, moderate and severe AS based on index echocardiogram. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare all-cause mortality among the three groups of patients, based on ACS type and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Multivariable Cox regression was performed to identify independent predictors of all-cause mortality.

Results

Of a total of 563 patients, 264 had mild (46.9%), 193 moderate (34.3%) and 106 severe AS (18.8%). The mean follow-up duration was 2.5 (± 2.4) years. Majority of patients (72.5%) presented with NSTEMI. Patients with moderate and severe AS had higher rates of all-cause mortality compared to those with mild AS (49.7% vs. 51.4% vs. 35.6% respectively, p=0.002). Concomitant moderate (HR 1.439, 95% CI 1.012–2.048, p=0.043) and severe AS (HR 1.844, 95% CI 1.159–2.933, p=0.010) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality after adjusting for age, gender, LVEF, ACS type, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement as a time-dependent variable. The Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated excess mortality in moderate and severe AS, compared to the mild AS group (p&lt;0.001), with similar survival trends observed in the STEMI and the NSTEMI groups, as well as those with preserved LVEF.

Conclusion

Regardless of the ACS presentation type, long-term excess mortality in those with concomitant moderate or severe AS was observed. The adverse prognosis typically observed in patients with concomitant severe AS, in the setting of ACS, extends to patients with moderate AS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostically distinct phenotypes of metabolic health beyond obesity in aortic stenosis

Background

Whilst current evidence are in favour of metabolic health and non-obesity in the reduction of incident cardiovascular disease, little is known regarding the prognosis across the metabolic phenotypes once cardiovascular disease occurs. This study examined the prognosis of patients with significant aortic stenosis (AS) based on the presence of metabolic health and obesity.

Methods

This retrospective cohort on consecutive patients presenting with moderate-to-severe AS to a tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2015. Patients were allocated into 4 groups based on obesity and metabolic health: metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) and metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUNO). Metabolic health was defined in accordance to Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox regression examined independent associations between mortality and metabolic phenotypes, adjusting for aortic valve area, ejection fraction, age, sex, chronic kidney disease and AVR as a time-dependent covariate.

Results

Of 727 patients, the majority (51.6%) were MUNO, followed by MUO (32.7%), MHNO (11.4%), and MHO (4.3%). MHNO had the highest mortality (43.0%), followed by the MUNO (37.5%), MUO (30.0%) and MHO (6.9%) groups (p=0.001). Compared to MHNO, MHO (HR 0.159, 95% CI 0.038–0.668, p=0.012) and MUO (HR 0.614, 95% CI 0.403–0.937, p=0.024) were independently associated with lower all-cause mortality rates, after adjusting for confounders. In obese patients, metabolic health had favourable survival compared to metabolically unhealthy (p=0.015), but this protective impact of metabolic health was not observed in overweight or normal weight individuals. Obesity had favourable survival compared to overweight and normal weight, in both metabolically health (p=0.002) and unhealthy (p=0.007) patients,

Conclusion

MHO patients with AS have the most favourable prognosis whilst the seemingly healthy MHNO group had the worst survival. There should be a paradigm shift towards prioritising metabolic health rather than weight reduction in patients with significant AS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

A Pilot Study on the Concentration, Distribution and Bioaccumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Tissues and Organs of Grassland Sheep

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations in various tissues and organs of grassland sheep from Inner Mongolia, China, were determined. The abilities of PBDEs binding to ovine serum albumin (OSA) and Cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP3A24) were assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking simulations. The PBDE concentrations in the sheep tissue and organ samples were 33.4-167 pg/g dw. The distribution of PBDEs in sheep organs and tissues is affected not only by the function of organs and tissues, but also by the characteristics of PBDEs. Adipose tissue tends to bioaccumulate more-brominated BDEs (BDE-154, -153, and -183), but muscle tissues and visceral organs mainly bioaccumulate less-brominated BDEs. The distribution of PBDEs in visceral organs is mainly affected by the transport of ovine serum albumin (OSA) and the metabolism of CYP3A24 enzyme. The distribution of PBDEs in adipose tissue and brain is mainly affected by their logK_OW.

Far-Field and Non-Intrusive Optical Mapping of Nanoscale Structures

Far-field high-density optics storage and readout involve the interaction of a sub-100 nm beam profile laser to store and retrieve data with nanostructure media. Hence, understanding the light–matter interaction responding in the far-field in such a small scale is essential for effective optical information processing. We present a theoretical analysis and an experimental study for far-field and non-intrusive optical mapping of nanostructures. By a comprehensive analytical derivation for interaction between the modulated light and the target in a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) configuration, it is found that the CLSM probes the local density of states (LDOSs) in the far field rather than the sample geometric morphology. With a radially polarized (RP) light for illumination, the far-field mapping of LDOS at the optical resolution down to 74 nm is obtained. In addition, it is experimentally verified that the target morphology is mapped only when the far-field mapping of LDOS coincides with the geometric morphology, while light may be blocked from entering the nanostructures medium with weak or missing LDOS, hence invalidating high-density optical information storage and retrieval. In this scenario, nanosphere gaps as small as 33 nm are clearly observed. We further discuss the characterization for far-field and non-intrusive interaction with nanostructures of different geometric morphology and compare them with those obtainable with the projection of near-field LDOS and scanning electronic microscopic results.

A scintillator attenuation spectrometer for intense gamma-rays

A new type of compact high-resolution high-sensitivity gamma-ray spectrometer for short-pulse intense gamma-rays (250 keV to 50 MeV) has been developed by combining the principles of scintillators and attenuation spectrometers. The first prototype of this scintillator attenuation spectrometer (SAS) was tested successfully in Trident laser experiments at LANL. Later versions have been used extensively in the Texas Petawatt laser experiments in Austin, TX, and more recently in OMEGA-EP laser experiments at LLE, Rochester, NY. The SAS is particularly useful for high-repetition-rate laser applications. Here, we give a concise description of the design principles, capabilities, and sample preliminary results of the SAS.

OP0015 PROINFLAMMATORY MONOCYTES AND MACROPHAGES IN SYNOVIAL FLUID AND BURSAL TISSUE OF PATIENTS WITH POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA: POTENT PRODUCERS OF IL-6 AND GM-CSF

Background

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common, rheumatic inflammatory disease. Inflammation of bursae and tendon sheaths is a characteristic finding in patients with PMR. Glucocorticoid treatment remains the mainstay treatment for PMR. A study published in 1996 reported that macrophages dominate the inflammatory infiltrates in the glenohumeral synovium of PMR patients1, suggesting the importance of these cells in the immunopathology of PMR. However, the functional and phenotypical heterogeneity of the tissue-infiltrating macrophages in PMR remains obscure. Although treatment with anti-IL-6 receptor (tocilizumab) has shown promising results2, it is unclear whether macrophages contribute to IL-6 production in PMR. Additionally, anti-GM-CSF receptor therapy (mavrilimumab), recently shown to be efficacious in the closely related disease giant cell arteritis3, may also be useful for the treatment of PMR. Knowledge on the functional heterogeneity of monocytes/macrophages in PMR may aid in identifying novel therapeutic targets for this condition.

Objectives

To determine the phenotype of monocyte/macrophages in peripheral blood, bursal/tenosynovial fluid and bursal tissue of patients with PMR.

Methods

Paired peripheral blood (PB), bursal/tenosynovial fluid (SF) and bursal tissue biopsy samples from 11 PMR patients were included in our study. Bursal and tenosynovial samples were obtained from the shoulder. Distribution of the monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes) was determined based on the level of CD14 and CD16 expression by flow cytometry. To study monocyte activation status, markers of ‘M1’ like (CD80 and CD64) and ‘M2’ like (CD206 and FRβ) macrophage polarization were included in the flow cytometry analysis. Immunohistochemistry of bursal tissue biopsies was focused on macrophage markers (CD68, CD86, CD64, CD206 and FRβ) andproinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and GM-CSF), which were scored semi-quantitatively. Double immunofluorescence stainings were performed to determine the expression of IL-6 and GM-CSF by tissue-infiltrating macrophages in bursal tissue.

Results

Monocytes were detected in the SF of PMR patients. The proportion of classical monocytes was significantly lowered (p=0.001) in SF versus PB, while the proportion of intermediate monocytes was significantly elevated (p=0.001). The expression of CD206 was significantly elevated (p=0.001) but not FRβ in SF monocytes, suggesting GM-CSF skewed phenotype. In bursal tissue, macrophages displayed mixed ‘M1’/’M2’ traits with high expression of all macrophage polarization markers. Proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and GM-CSF were highly expressed throughout the bursal tissue biopsies. Double immunofluorescence staining confirmed the expression of IL-6 and GM-CSF by the infiltrating macrophages.

Conclusion

SF monocytes and bursal tissue macrophages show a pro-inflammatory phenotype in PMR. Moreover, tissue-infiltrating macrophages show a prominent IL-6 and GM-CSF response in PMR. Our data add to the rationale of targeting IL-6 and GM-CSF as treatment options in PMR.

References

[1]Meliconi R, Pulsatelli L, Uguccioni M, et al. Leukocyte infiltration in synovial tissue from the shoulder of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Quantitative analysis and influence of corticosteroid treatment. Arthritis Rheum. 1996;39(7):1199-1207.

[2]Devauchelle-Pensec V, Berthelot JM, Cornec D, et al. Efficacy of first-line tocilizumab therapy in early polymyalgia rheumatica: a prospective longitudinal study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016;75(8):1506-1510.

[3]Cid MC, Unizoni S, Pupim L, et al. Mavrilimumab (anti GM-CSF Receptor α Monoclonal Antibody) Reduces Time to Flare and Increases Sustained Remission in a Phase 2 Trial of Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis [Abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020; 72 (suppl 10).

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a research grant from FOREUM Foundation for Research in Rheumatology. The PMR Research On disease Mechanisms In Synovium (PROMIS) study was also funded by the Rheumatology Grant (Dutch Society for Rheumatology) and Mandema Stipend (University Medical Center Groningen).

Disclosure of Interests

William Febry Jiemy: None declared, Rosanne Reitsema: None declared, Anqi Zhang: None declared, Maria Sandovici: None declared, Annemieke Boots: None declared, Peter Heeringa: None declared, Elisabeth Brouwer Speakers bureau: E. Brouwer reports speaker and consulting fees from Roche in 2017-2018, outside the submitted work, Consultant of: E. Brouwer reports speaker and consulting fees from Roche in 2017-2018, outside the submitted work, Kornelis van der Geest Consultant of: K. van der Geest reports personal fees from Roche, outside the submitted work.

Reduction of the canonical function of a glycolytic enzyme enolase triggers immune responses that further affect metabolism and growth in Arabidopsis

Primary metabolism provides energy for growth and development as well as secondary metabolites for diverse environmental responses. Here we describe an unexpected consequence of disruption of a glycolytic enzyme enolase named LOW EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE 2 (LOS2) in causing constitutive defense responses or autoimmunity in Arabidopsis thaliana. The autoimmunity in the los2 mutant is accompanied by a higher expression of about one-quarter of intracellular immune receptor nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes in the genome and is partially dependent on one of these NLR genes. The LOS2 gene was hypothesized to produce an alternatively translated protein c-Myc Binding Protein (MBP-1) that functions as a transcriptional repressor. Complementation tests show that LOS2 executes its function in growth and immunity regulation through the canonical enolase activity but not the production of MBP-1. In addition, the autoimmunity in the los2 mutants leads to a higher accumulation of sugars and organic acids and a depletion of glycolytic metabolites. These findings indicate that LOS2 does not exert its function in immune responses through an alternatively translated protein MBP-1. Rather, they show that a perturbation of glycolysis from the reduction of the enolase activity results in activation of NLR-involved immune responses which further influences primary metabolism and plant growth, highlighting the complex interaction between primary metabolism and plant immunity.

Thermal Analysis of PE Extended Chain Crystal of PE Extended Chain Crystal from Gel Spinning

It has been recognized that ultra-high strength and high modulus ultra-highly drawn Polyethylene (PE) fiber is produced from the formation of extended chain crystal. Nevertheless, whether extended chain crystal exists in gel spinning ultra-highly drawn PE fiber is still an unsettled question. In this work, decalin was adopted as a solvent for PE gel spinning. By means of thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction methods etc, the existence of extended chain crystal was explored. Reasons for confusion in previous studies of this problem were discussed.

In PE fiber from 3 wt-°/o dope, extended chain crystal starts to form during draw ratios over 20. When draw ratio equals 42, the content of extended chain crystal roughly equals that of folded chain crystal. The melting point of extended chain crystal is 6°C higher than that of folded chain crystal. They are 145.5° C and 150° C to 152.5° C respectively. The latter would slightly rise with arise of draw ratio.

Multi-crystallization behavior of annealed PE fiber was determined and discussed. It was also confirmed that there is a linear logarithm relationship between thermal shrinkage (internal stresses) and fiber moduli.

Arabidopsis Glutathione-S-Transferases GSTF11 and GSTU20 Function in Aliphatic Glucosinolate Biosynthesis

Glutathione (GSH) conjugation with intermediates is required for the biosynthesis of glucosinolate (GSL) by serving as a sulfur supply. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) primarily work on GSH conjugation, suggesting their involvement in GSL metabolism. Although several GSTs, including GSTF11 and GSTU20, have been recently postulated to act in GSL biosynthesis, molecular evidence is lacking. Here, we demonstrated that GSTF11 and GSTU20 play non-redundant, although partially overlapping, roles in aliphatic GSL biosynthesis. In addition, GSTU20 plays a more important role than GSTF11, which is manifested by the greater loss of aliphatic GSLs associated with GSTU20 mutant and a greater number of differentially expressed genes in GSTU20 mutant compared to GSTF11 mutant. Moreover, a double mutation leads to a greater aggregate loss of aliphatic GSLs, suggesting that GSTU20 and GSTF11 may function in GSL biosynthesis in a dosage-dependent manner. Together, our results provide direct evidence that GSTU20 and GSTF11 are critically involved in aliphatic GSL biosynthesis, filling the knowledge gap that has been speculated in recent decades.

Evidence for X(3872) in Pb-Pb Collisions and Studies of its Prompt Production at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first evidence for X(3872) production in relativistic heavy ion collisions is reported. The X(3872) production is studied in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV per nucleon pair, using the decay chain X(3872)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}π^{+}π^{-}. The data were recorded with the CMS detector in 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.7  nb^{-1}. The measurement is performed in the rapidity and transverse momentum ranges |y|<1.6 and 15<p_{T}<50  GeV/c. The significance of the inclusive X(3872) signal is 4.2 standard deviations. The prompt X(3872) to ψ2S yield ratio is found to be ρ^{Pb-Pb}=1.08±0.49(stat)±0.52(syst), to be compared with typical values of 0.1 for pp collisions. This result provides a unique experimental input to theoretical models of the X(3872) production mechanism, and of the nature of this exotic state.

An application research for near-surface repository of strontium-90 sorption kinetic model on mudrocks

In this study,90Sr was used as the test radionuclide to characterize the sorption kinetics and effects of initial 90Sr activity and remaining 90Sr in solid concentration were simulated for a near-surface repository. The study focused on the sorption characteristics of radionuclides in unsaturated groundwater environment (or vadose zone) is the important information for investigating the near-surface disposal of intermediate and low-level radioactive waste (ILLW). Moreover, the 90Sr sorption experiments reached equilibrium within 56 h, which fit to the first order sorption kinetic model, and the remaining 90Sr in mudrock samples showed obvious sorption equilibrium hysteresis, which fit to the second order sorption kinetic model. Before reaching the maximum sorption capacity, the sorption rate constant increases with 90Sr increasing; the distribution coefficient (Kd) of 56 h decreases with the remaining 90Sr decreasing. In addition, it showed that the slow sorption process dominated before the sorption reaches equilibrium. In fact, a reliable safety assessment methodology for on-going near-surface repository required a lot of the radionuclides parameters with local environment including the radionuclides sorption/desorption rate constant and maximum sorption capacity.

The halophyte gene ScVTC2 confers resistance to oxidative stress via AsA-mediated photosynthetic enhancement

Various abiotic stresses commonly cause excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and result in oxidative stress, which challenges the physiological homeostasis of plants. Maintaining a delicate balance between ROS generation and removal is critical for plants to cope with stressful environments. Suaeda corniculata is a typical euhalophyte with strong tolerance to salt stress, but its mechanism of ROS detoxification to prevent oxidative stress is unknown. Here, a combined analysis of RNA-Seq and photosynthetic assays was performed on S. corniculata under oxidative stress to uncover the underlying mechanism that modulates oxidative tolerance. Our results showed that all genes involved in the pathway of ROS scavenging, especially the AsA-GSH pathway, were highly enriched under oxidative stress. Notably, VTC2 (GGPase), which functions in the L-galactose pathway of AsA synthesis, was significantly upregulated. Arabidopsis transgenic plants with heterologous expression of ScVTC2 showed elevated AsA and increased tolerance to oxidative stress. Furthermore, ScVTC2 also established better photosynthetic capacity in these plants upon oxidative treatment. Thus, ScVTC2 not only functioned as an effective ROS scavenger but also as a protector of the photosynthetic apparatus in S. corniculata and allowed plants to respond to and tolerate oxidative stress.

Cultivation and Genomic Characterization of the Bile Bacterial Species From Cholecystitis Patients

The microbes in human bile are closely related to gallbladder health and other potential disorders. Although the bile microbial community has been investigated by recent studies using amplicon or metagenomic sequencing technologies, the genomic information of the microbial species resident in bile is rarely reported. Herein, we isolated 138 bacterial colonies from the fresh bile specimens of four cholecystitis patients using a culturome approach and genomically characterized 35 non-redundant strains using whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The bile bacterial isolates spanned 3 classes, 6 orders, 10 families, and 14 genera, of which the members of Enterococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, Lysinibacillus, and Enterobacter frequently appeared. Genomic analysis identified three species, including Providencia sp. D135, Psychrobacter sp. D093, and Vibrio sp. D074, which are not represented in existing reference genome databases. Based on the genome data, the functional capacity between bile and gut isolates was compared. The bile strains encoded 5,488 KEGG orthologs, of which 4.9% were specific to the gut strains, including the enzymes involved in biofilm formation, two-component systems, and quorum-sensing pathways. A total of 472 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were identified from the bile genomes including multidrug resistance proteins (42.6%), fluoroquinolone resistance proteins (12.3%), aminoglycoside resistance proteins (9.1%), and β-lactamase (7.2%). Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that some bile bacteria have the capabilities for bile salt deconjugation or biotransformation (of primary bile acids into secondary bile acids). Although the physiological or pathological significance of these bacteria needs further exploration, our works expanded knowledge about the genome, diversity, and function of human bile bacteria.

Robust Evaluation of Ultraviolet-C Sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 and Surrogate Coronaviruses

UV light, more specifically UV-C light at a wavelength of 254 nm, is often used to disinfect surfaces, air, and liquids. In early 2020, at the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, UV light was identified as an efficient means of eliminating coronaviruses; however, the variability in published sensitivity data is evidence of the need for experimental rigor to accurately quantify the effectiveness of this technique. In the current study, reliable and reproducible UV techniques have been adopted, including accurate measurement of light intensity, consideration of fluid UV absorbance, and confirmation of uniform dose delivery, including dose verification using an established biological target (T1UV bacteriophage) and a resistant recombinant virus (baculovirus). The experimental results establish the UV sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and highlight the potential for surrogate viruses for disinfection studies. All four coronaviruses were found to be easily inactivated by 254 nm irradiation, with UV sensitivities of 1.7, 1.8, 1.7, and 1.2 mJ/cm2/log10 reduction for SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and MHV, respectively. Similar UV sensitivities for these species demonstrate the capacity for HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, and MHV to be considered surrogates for SARS-CoV-2 in UV-inactivation studies, greatly reducing hazards and simplifying procedures for future experimental studies. IMPORTANCE Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 is of particular importance due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. UV-C irradiation is a compelling disinfection technique because it can be applied to surfaces, air, and water and is commonly used in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities. UV inactivation depends on the dose received by an organism, regardless of the intensity of the light source or the optical properties of the medium in which it is suspended. The 254 nm irradiation sensitivity was accurately determined using benchmark methodology and a collimated beam apparatus for four coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and MHV), a surrogate indicator organism (T1UV), and a resistant recombinant virus (baculovirus vector). Considering the light distribution across the sample surface, the attenuation of light intensity with fluid depth, the optical absorbance of the fluid, and the sample uniformity due to mixing enable accurate measurement of the fundamental inactivation kinetics and UV sensitivity.

The intergrated nanostructure of bimetallic CoNi-based zeolitic imidazolate framework and carbon nanotubes as high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors

In this study, a series of one-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure hybrids were fabricated through the in situ growth of a Co and Ni bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate framework (CoNi-ZIF) around N-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs). The hybrids were further exploited as effective supercapacitor materials. The N-CNTs were prepared by carbonizing a mixture of glucose and the melamine-cyanuric acid complex at a high temperature (900 °C) under N₂ atmosphere and applied as the template for the in situ synthesis of CoNi-ZIF nanosheets (NSs). The 1D N-CNTs in the hybrids can act as the high-way for charge transfer to boost the faradaic reactions. Changing the usage of metal precursors not only provided abundant redox reaction sites in 2D CoNi-ZIF NSs but also modulated the microstructures and chemical components of the hybrids. The integration of the features of N-CNTs and CoNi-ZIF NSs can result in a synergistic effect between N-CNTs and CoNi-ZIF NSs. Therefore, the obtained CoNi-ZIFs and N-CNTs hybrid (CoNi-ZIF@N-CNT) exhibited superior electrochemical capacitive performance. Comparison revealed that the CoNi-ZIF@N-CNT-2 hybrid, which was prepared with a 1:1 mass ratio of Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, displayed the largest specific capacitance of 1118F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1, which was higher than the capacitance of most reported metal-organic framework (MOF)-based supercapacitor electrodes. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor based on the CoNi-ZIF@N-CNT-2 electrode exhibited a high energy density of 51.1 Wh kg^-1 at the power density of 860.1 W kg^-1 and good cycle stability. This work can provide a facile and effective way for the fabrication of heterostructured 1D/2D nanostructures based on 2D MOFs for advanced energy storage.

Isobutanol tolerance and production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be improved by engineering its TATA-binding protein Spt15

Low isobutanol tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae limits its application in isobutanol fermentation. Here, we used global transcription machinery engineering to screen mutants with higher isobutanol tolerance and elevated isobutanol titres. TATA-binding protein Spt15 was used as the target of global transcription machinery engineering for improvement of such complex phenotypes. A random mutagenesis library of S. cerevisiae TATA-binding protein Spt15 was constructed and subjected to screening under isobutanol stress. A mutant strain (denoted as spt15-3) with improved isobutanol tolerance was identified. There were three mutations of Spt15 in strain spt15-3, including deletion of A at position -132 nt upstream of initiation codon, insertion of G at position -65 nt upstream of initiation codon and a synonymous mutation at position 315 nt (T → C) downstream of initiation codon. We then metabolically engineered isobutanol synthesis in strains harbouring plasmids YCplac22 containing these Spt15 mutations. Delta integration was used to overexpress ILV3 gene, and 2μ plasmids carrying PGK1p-ILV2 and PGK1p-ARO10 were used to overexpress ILV2 and ARO10 genes. After 24-h micro-aerobic fermentation, Engi-3 produced 0·556 g l^-1 isobutanol, which was 404% and 25·3% greater than isobutanol produced by control Engi-1 and engineered Engi-2, respectively. After 28 h, Engi-4 produced 0·459 g l^-1 isobutanol, which was 315% and 3·2% greater than isobutanol produced Engi-1 and Engi-2, respectively. RNA-Seq-based transcriptome analysis shows that mutations of Spt15 in strain spt15-3 increased the expression of SPT15. Meanwhile, compared with strain Engi-3, the spt15-3 mutation downregulated the expression of genes involved in the TCA cycle and glyoxylic acid cycle, but increased the expression of genes related to cell stability. This work demonstrates that isobutanol tolerance and production of S. cerevisiae can be improved by engineering its TATA-binding protein Spt15. This study clarified the molecular mechanisms regulating isobutanol production and tolerance in S. cerevisiae.