miR397 regulates cadmium stress response by coordinating lignin polymerization in the root exodermis in Kandelia obovata

Secondary lignification of the root exodermis of Kandelia obovata is crucial for its response to adversity such as high salinity and anaerobic environment, and this lignification is also effective in blocking cadmium transport to the roots. However, how the differences in lignification of root exodermis at different developmental stages respond to Cd stress and its regulatory mechanisms have not been revealed. In this study, after analyzing the root structure and cell wall thickness using a Phenom scanning electron microscope as well as measuring cadmium content in the root cell wall, we found that the exodermis of young and mature roots of K. obovata responded to Cd stress through the polymerization of different lignin monomers, forming two different mechanisms: chelation and blocking. Through small RNA sequencing, RLM-5'-RACE and dual luciferase transient expression system, we found that miR397 targets and regulates KoLAC4/17/7 expression. The expression of KoLAC4/17 promoted the accumulation of guaiacyl lignin during lignification and enhanced the binding of cadmium to the cell wall. Meanwhile, KoLAC7 expression promotes the accumulation of syringyl lignin during lignification, which enhances the obstruction of cadmium and improves the tolerance to cadmium. These findings enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential lignification of the root exodermis of K. obovata in response to cadmium stress, and provide scientific guidance for the conservation of mangrove forests under heavy metal pollution.

COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events of special interest: A multinational Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) cohort study of 99 million vaccinated individuals

BACKGROUND

The Global COVID Vaccine Safety (GCoVS) Project, established in 2021 under the multinational Global Vaccine Data Network™ (GVDN®), facilitates comprehensive assessment of vaccine safety. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of adverse events of special interest (AESI) following COVID-19 vaccination from 10 sites across eight countries.

METHODS

Using a common protocol, this observational cohort study compared observed with expected rates of 13 selected AESI across neurological, haematological, and cardiac outcomes. Expected rates were obtained by participating sites using pre-COVID-19 vaccination healthcare data stratified by age and sex. Observed rates were reported from the same healthcare datasets since COVID-19 vaccination program rollout. AESI occurring up to 42 days following vaccination with mRNA (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and adenovirus-vector (ChAdOx1) vaccines were included in the primary analysis. Risks were assessed using observed versus expected (OE) ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Prioritised potential safety signals were those with lower bound of the 95 % confidence interval (LBCI) greater than 1.5.

RESULTS

Participants included 99,068,901 vaccinated individuals. In total, 183,559,462 doses of BNT162b2, 36,178,442 doses of mRNA-1273, and 23,093,399 doses of ChAdOx1 were administered across participating sites in the study period. Risk periods following homologous vaccination schedules contributed 23,168,335 person-years of follow-up. OE ratios with LBCI > 1.5 were observed for Guillain-Barré syndrome (2.49, 95 % CI: 2.15, 2.87) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (3.23, 95 % CI: 2.51, 4.09) following the first dose of ChAdOx1 vaccine. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis showed an OE ratio of 3.78 (95 % CI: 1.52, 7.78) following the first dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine. The OE ratios for myocarditis and pericarditis following BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1 were significantly increased with LBCIs > 1.5.

CONCLUSION

This multi-country analysis confirmed pre-established safety signals for myocarditis, pericarditis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Other potential safety signals that require further investigation were identified.

Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of salivary gland myoepithelial carcinoma: institutional experience of 42 cases

Myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA) is a rare type of carcinoma for which the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors have not yet been fully clarified. A retrospective study of 42 patients diagnosed with salivary gland MECA was performed, focusing on the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors. Of the 42 patients, 20 died of cancer, 20 lived without tumour, one lived with distant metastasis, and one was lost to follow-up. Overall, 69.0% had tumour recurrence, 16.7% had cervical nodal metastasis, and 21.4% had distant metastasis. The 5-year overall survival rate was 70.2%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with pathological positive lymph nodes (pN+), multiple recurrences of tumour, and higher histological grade had worse overall survival. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated pN+ and higher histological grade to be independent predictors of decreased survival. The 5-year overall survival rate in the pN0 group was 87.5%, while that in the pN+ group was 28.6%. In conclusion, myoepithelial carcinoma can be defined as a tumour with a high incidence of recurrence and poor prognosis, especially in pN+ patients. Pathological positive lymph nodes and histological grade may serve as predictors of survival.

Immobilization mechanisms of Sr(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) on glomalin-related soil protein in mangrove sediments at the microscopic scale

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a significant component in the sequestration of heavy metal in soils, but its mechanisms for metal adsorption are poorly known. This study combined spectroscopic data with molecular docking simulations to reveal metal adsorption onto GRSP's surface functional groups at the molecular level. The EXAFS combined with FTIR and XPS analyses indicated that the adsorption of Cd(II), Sr(II), and Ni(II) by GRSP occurred mainly through the coordination of -OH and -COOH groups with the metal. The -COOH and -OH groups bound to the metal as electron donors and the electron density of the oxygen atom decreased, suggesting that electrostatic attraction might be involved in the adsorption process. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy revealed that preferential adsorption occurred on GRSP for the metal in sequential order of -COOH groups followed by -OH groups. The presence of the Ni-C shell in the Ni EXAFS spectrum suggested that Ni formed organometallic complexes with the GRSP surface. However, Sr-C and Cd-C were absent in the second shell of the Sr and Cd spectra, which was attributed to the adsorption of Sr and Cd ions with large hydration ion radius by GRSP to form outer-sphere complexes. Through molecular docking simulations, negatively charged residues such as ASP151 and ASP472 in GRSP were found to provide electrostatic attraction and ligand combination for the metal adsorption, which was consistent with the spectroscopic analyses. Overall, these findings provided new insights into the interaction mechanisms between GRSP and metals, which will help deepen our understanding of the ecological functions of GRSP in metal sequestration.

Enhanced Cr(VI) stabilization by terrestrial-derived soil protein: Photoelectrochemical properties and reduction mechanisms

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a stable iron-organic carbon mixture that can enhance heavy metal sequestration in soils. However, the roles of GRSP in the transformation and fate of Cr(VI) have been rarely reported. Herein, we investigated the electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of GRSP and its mechanisms in Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction. Results showed that GRSP had a stronger ability for Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction than other biomaterials, with the highest adsorption amount of up to 0.126 mmol/g. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) by GRSP was enhanced (4-7%) by ultraviolet irradiation due to the hydrated electrons produced by GRSP. Fe(II) ions, persistent free radicals, and oxygen-containing functional groups on the GRSP surface as electron donors participated in the reduction of Cr(VI) under dark condition. Moreover, Cr(III) was mainly adsorbed on the -COOH groups of GRSP via electrostatic interactions. Based on 2D correlation spectroscopy, the preferential adsorption occurred on the GRSP surface for Cr(VI) in the sequential order of CO → COO- → O-H → C-O. This work provides new insights into the Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction mechanism by GRSP. Overall, GRSP can serve as a natural iron-organic carbon for the photo-reduction of Cr(VI) pollution in environments.

Inhibition mechanism of cordycepin and ergosterol from Cordyceps militaris Link. against xanthine oxidase and cyclooxygenase-2

Cordyceps militaris Link. (C. militaris) is an entomopathogenic fungus that parasitizes the pupa or cocoon of lepidopteran insect larvae, with various bioactive compounds. Cordycepin and ergosterol are the two active components in C. militaris. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory activity of cordycepin and ergosterol against xanthine oxidase (XO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as investigate the inhibition mechanism. Cordycepin could better inhibit XO (IC50 = 0.014 mg/mL) and COX-2 (IC50 = 0.055 mg/mL) than ergosterol. Additionally, surface hydrophobicity and circular dichroism (CD) spectra results confirmed the conformational changes in enzymes induced by cordycepin and ergosterol. Finally, cordycepin and ergosterol significantly decreased uric acid (UA) and inflammatory factors to normal level in mice with gouty nephropathy (GN). This study could provide theoretical evidence for utilization of C. militaris in hyperuricemia-management functional foods.

[Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of pediatric epiretinal membranes without specific etiologies]

Objective: To describe clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of pediatric epiretinal membranes (ERMs) without specific etiologies. Methods: Medical data of a cohort of pediatric patients (≤14 years) who had ERMs without specific etiologies, underwent surgical removal from January 2019 to September 2021, and were followed up for at least 12 months were retrospectively reviewed. Age at presentation, chief complaints, color fundus photographs, optical coherence tomographic images, preoperative and postoperative visual acuities, anatomical changes, and postoperative complications were assessed. Results: There were 14 patients (17 eyes), including 5 females (6 eyes) and 9 males (11 eyes). The mean age at surgery was 6.31±2.91 years, and the follow-up duration was 17.3±9.5 months. Eight patients were found to have low vision in the school physical examination. Fifteen eyes had an appearance of cellophane macular reflex on fundus images. On optical coherence tomographic images, 10 eyes had"taco"folds, and 7 eyes had"ripple"folds. Five eyes had ellipsoid zone disruptions, while 12 eyes had ellipsoid zone integrity. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities in logMAR were 0.532±0.302 and 0.340±0.298. One patient suffered traumatic cataract and secondary retinal detachment postoperatively, and after further vitrectomy, the retina became attached. Conclusion: Pediatric ERMs without specific etiologies were mostly found in school-age children with cellophane macular reflex and"taco"folds. Vitrectomy may result in both potential visual acuity and macular anatomical improvements.

Iron plaque formation and its influences on the properties of polyethylene plastic surfaces in coastal wetlands: Abiotic factors and bacterial community

Iron (Fe) plaques in coastal wetlands are widely recognized because of their strong adsorption affinity for natural particles, but their interaction behaviors and mechanisms with plastics remain unknown. Through laboratory incubation experiments, paired with multiple characterization methods and microbial analysis, this work focused on the characteristics of Fe plaques on low-density polyethylene plastic surfaces and their relationship with environmental factors in coastal wetlands (Mangrove and Spartina alterniflora soil). The results showed that iron plaques increased the adhesive force of the plastic surface from 65.25 to 300 nN and promoted the oxidation of the plastic surface. Fe plaque formation was stimulated by salinity, anaerobic conditions, natural organic matter, and a weak alkaline scenario (pH 8.0-8.3). The Fe content showed a stable positive correlation with heavy metals loading (i.e., As, Mn, Co, Cr, Pb, and Zn). Furthermore, we revealed that Fe plaque was positively regulated by Nitrospirae through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing analysis. Meanwhile, Verrucomicrobia and Kiritimatiellaeota. may act as depressants by consuming salt. This work illustrated that iron plaques could enhance the role of plastics in contaminant migration by altering their adsorption performance, providing new insights into plastic interface behavior and potential ecological effects in coastal wetlands.

Centennial-scale source shift in potentially toxic metal(loid)s in Yangtze River

Estuarine sedimentation is an important historical record of potentially toxic metal (PTM) emissions from human activities that can be used to improve environmental management. However, the contribution of different human activities to PTM deposition has not been accurately estimated, and their coupled relationship with riverine organic matter is typically not considered. In this study, we reconstruct the century-scale PTM depositional history of sediment cores from the Yangtze Grand Delta. Eight potential metal sources (PMSs) were identified using positive matrix factorization, and the results of lagged correlation determined the PMSs associated with the riverine discharge of the Yangtze River. Riverine PTMs were predominantly composed of Cr (79.0%), Ni (77.3%), and Pb (64.1%) but were deprived in Cu (34.9%). Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), which is a typical terrestrial refractory carbon, has a strong affinity for Cu, and contributed to 2.82-22.6% Cu deposition. The change in the PMS is mainly related to power generation, whereas the GRSP-bound PTM is mainly related to road construction and transportation. We advocate for responsible management of human activities in river catchments, particularly on coal-based power generation and road transportation, to maintain ecological security and promote the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Combined use of positive matrix factorization and 13C15N stable isotopes to trace organic matter-bound potential toxic metals in the urban mangrove sediments

Coastal sediments act as sinks of sediment organic matter (SOM) and metals because of their special land-sea location and depositional properties. However, there are few reports on the correlation between the sources of organic matter (OM) and associated potential toxic metals (PTMs). In this study, we combined CN stable isotope analysis and positive matrix factorization to identify the matter and metal sources of OM and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) in an estuary under several decades of urbanization. The results of the positive matrix factorization (PMF) reveal a correlation between the sources of total sediment metals and the sources of OM-related metals. The sources of both SOM-bound PTMs and GRSP-bound PTMs are significantly related to the sources of total PTMs. OM sources were elucidated through 13C-15 N stable isotopes, and the potential sources of different types of OM differed. In addition, there is a significant correlation between OM-associated PTMs and organic matter sources. Interestingly, the functional groups of SOM were mainly influenced by multiple PTM sources but no OM source, while the functional groups of GRSP were regulated by a single metal source and OM source. This study deepened the understanding of the coupling between PTMs and SOM. The possibility of combined use of positive matrix factorization and 13C-15 N stable isotope tracing of metals as well as the sources of each metal fractions has been evaluated, which will provide new insights for the transportation of PTMs.

Fermented rape pollen powder can alleviate benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats by reducing hormone content and changing gut microbiota

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can cause urethral compression, bladder stone formation, and renal function damage, which may endanger the life of patients. Therefore, we aimed to develop plant-based preparations for BPH treatment with no side effects. In this study, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 322Hp, Lactobacillus acidophilus 322Ha, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri 322Hr were used to ferment rape pollen. The fermented rape pollen was subsequently converted into fermented rape pollen powder (FRPP) through vacuum freeze-drying technology. After fermenting and drying, the bioactive substances and antioxidant capacity of FRPP were significantly higher than those of unfermented rapeseed pollen, and FRPP had a longer storage duration, which can be stored for over one year. To investigate the therapeutic effect of FRPP on BPH, a BPH rat model was established by hypodermic injection of testosterone propionate. The BPH rats were treated differently, with the model group receiving normal saline, the positive control group receiving finasteride, and the low, medium, and high dose FRPP group receiving FRPP at doses of 0.14 g/kg/d, 0.28 g/kg/d, and 0.56 g/kg/d, respectively. The results indicate that medium dose FRPP reduced the levels of hormone such as testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and oestradiol in rats with BPH by about 32%, thus bringing the prostate tissue of BPH rats closer to normal. More importantly, medium dose FRPP treatment had a significant effect on the composition of gut microbiota in rats with BPH, increasing the levels of beneficial genera (such as Coprococcus and Jeotgalicoccus), and decreasing the levels of harmful pathogens (such as Turicibacter and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium) in the gut. This study showed that medium dose FRPP reduced the hormone level and regulated the unbalanced gut microbiota in BPH rats, thereby alleviating BPH.

Change in glomalin-related soil protein along latitudinal gradient encompassing subtropical and temperate blue carbon zones

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), an abundant and eco-friendly bioproduct associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), contributes significantly to the soil particle aggregation and carbon sequestration. Although much research has been conducted on the storage of GRSP at different spatio-temporal scales in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the deposition of GRSP in large-scale coastal environments has not been revealed, which hinders an in-depth understanding of GRSP storage patterns and environmental controls, and this knowledge gap has become one of the key uncertainties in understanding the ecological functions of GRSP as blue carbon components in coastal environments. Therefore, we conducted large-scale experiments (spanning subtropical and warm temperate climate zones, coastlines over 2500 km) to test the relative contributions of environmental drivers that shape unique GRSP storage. In salt marshes of China, we found that the abundance of GRSP ranges from 0.29 mg g-1 to 1.10 mg g-1, and its concentration decreases with increasing latitude (R2 = 0.30, p < 0.01). The GRSP-C/SOC of salt marshes ranged from 4 % to 43 % and increased with the increase in latitude (R2 = 0.13, p < 0.05). The carbon contribution of GRSP does not follow the trend of increasing abundance, but is limited by the total amount of background organic carbon. In salt marsh wetlands, precipitation, clay content and pH are the main factors influencing GRSP storage. GRSP is positively correlated with precipitation (R2 = 0.42, p < 0.01) and clay content (R2 = 0.59, p < 0.01), but negatively correlated with pH (R2 = 0.48, p < 0.01). The relative contributions of the main factors to the GRSP differed across climatic zones. Soil properties, such as clay content and pH, explained 19.8 % of the GRSP in subtropical salt marshes (20°N < 34°N), however, in warm temperate salt marshes (34°N < 40°N), precipitation explained 18.9 % of the GRSP variation. Our study provides insight into the distribution and function of GRSP in coastal environments.

Gut Microbiota-Derived D-Tagatose from EGCG Attenuates Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

As a rapidly self-renewing tissue, the small intestine is particularly sensitive to ionizing radiation, which limits the outcomes of radiotherapy against abdominal malignancies, resulting in poor prognosis. The polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major bioactive constituent of green tea, is beneficial in radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) alleviation. However, the bioavailability of EGCG in vivo is very low, with only 0.1% to 1.6% being absorbed into the intestine of mice. It is unclear whether gut microbial metabolites mediated by EGCG exert an effect to protect against radiation-induced intestinal injury.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 13 Gy abdominal irradiation after EGCG gavage, and the severity of intestinal tissue damage was evaluated by HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL assays. Fresh fecal samples were collected after the end of gavage, and then fecal sterile fecal filtrate (SFF) was obtained. Stool samples were collected 3 d after irradiation. The gut microbiome was detected by 16S rRNA sequencing, the metabolites were detected by GC‒MS analysis, and then the metabolites were applied to male C57BL/6J mice, observing and evaluating the severity of RIII.

RESULTS

We first explored the effect of oral EGCG delivery on radiation-induced intestinal injury. Our results revealed that EGCG pre-supplementation prolongs survival time, prevents weight loss in mice and mitigates radiation-induced intestinal injury in irradiated mice. Using 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis, we first found that EGCG ameliorated ionizing radiation-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and enriched short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria such as Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Clostridia_UCG-014. In addition, metabolomic profiling analysis showed that the gut microbiota modulated EGCG-induced metabolic reprogramming in colonic tissues, particularly by enhancing galactose metabolism. Notably, EGCG supplementation resulted in the enrichment of the microbiota-derived galactose metabolism metabolite D-tagatose. Furthermore, exogenous treatment with D-tagatose reproduced similar protective effects as EGCG to protect against radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII). D-tagatose restored the length of villi and improved the number of goblet cells, Ki-67-positive cells and Lgr5+ ISCs, while the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the intestinal tissues decreased significantly. To validate these discoveries, we performed fecal sterile fecal filtrate (SFF) from EGCG-dosed mice to untreated mice before ionizing radiation. SFF from EGCG-dosed mice alleviated the RIII over SFF from control mice superiorly.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first data indicating that oral EGCG ameliorated radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) by regulating the gut microbiota and metabolites. Our findings provide novel insights into D-tagatose derived by gut microbiota from EGCG-mediated remission of RIII.

Probiotic Consortia and their Metabolites Protect Intestine Against Radiation Injury by Improving Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The intestine is a highly radiosensitive tissue that is susceptible to structural and functional damage due to systemic as well as localized radiation exposure. Unfortunately, no therapeutic agents are available at present to manage radiation-induced intestinal injuries (RIII). Probiotics, especially Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, are orally taken as food supplements or microbial drugs by patients with gastrointestinal disorders due to their safety, efficacy, and power to restore the gut microenvironment. Our results demonstrate that probiotic consortia and their metabolites could exert protective roles in the RIII mouse model by restoring the structure of the gut microbiota and regulating redox imbalance. Moreover, the effect of probiotic consortia is better than that of any single probiotic strain.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were treated with 13 Gy of whole abdominal irradiation (WAI). Probiotics were administered by gavage before (once a day for 30 days) WAI. The survival and body weight were recorded, while the severity of RIII was evaluated by HE staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and TUNEL assay of gut tissues. Meanwhile, stool samples were obtained 3.5 d after irradiation. Gut microbiome were measured by 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolites were detected by LC-MS analysis. For sterile fecal filtrate (SFF), the supernatants were collected and passed through 70 and 0.2μm filters.

RESULTS

Compared to the control, probiotic consortia (Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus paracasei) treatment significantly increased survival rates by 50% (P<0.05) and improved clinical scores of mice after WAI. HE staining showed that probiotics mitigated RIII, as reflected by the dramatic attenuation of crypt-villus architecture destruction. IHC results showed that probiotic consortia treatment markedly increased the Lgr5+ cells, Paneth cells, and Ki67+ cells (P<0.001) per crypt, indicating that probiotics promoted the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs after WAI. Consistent with the H&E staining, the level of CD4/CD8 was increased by the probiotic consortia compared with that of the control group. The probiotic consortia modulated the structure of the gut microbiota and metabolites in the RIII mouse model. To further investigate the impact of metabolites on RIII, crude probiotic fermentation metabolites were administered to the RIII mouse model. Specifically, mice fed the mixed-metabolite daily for 7 days before IR had significantly more Lgr5+ and Ki67+cells in the SI crypt than mice of control. Moreover, treatment with mixed metabolites resulted in insignificant changes in SOD, MDA, GSH and T-AOC activity compared to the control group in intestinal tissues.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we demonstrate that probiotic consortia and their metabolites treatment attenuate RIII by modulating the structure and composition of the gut microbiota and regulating redox imbalance.

Sequestration of strontium, nickel, and cadmium on glomalin-related soil protein: Interfacial behaviors and ecological functions

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a widespread recalcitrant soil protein complex that promotes the immobilization of metals in soils. Herein, we combined indoor simulation and field investigation to reveal the interfacial behaviors and ecological functions of GRSP to the three typical metals (Sr(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II)). The kinetic and isotherm data suggested that GRSP had a strong ability to adsorb the metals, which was closely related to the Hard-Soft-Acid-Base theory and the film diffusion mechanisms. Regarding environmental factors, the higher solution pH was beneficial to the adsorption of the metals onto GRSP, while the adsorption capacity decreased at lower or higher salinity due to the salting-out and Na⁺ competition effects. Moreover, Sr(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) showed competitive adsorption onto GRSP, which was associated with the spatial site resistance effect. By comparing the retention factors of seven natural and artificial particles, GRSP had elevated distribution coefficients in high metal concentration, while its retention factors showed a relatively lower decrease, suggesting that GRSP had excellent buffer performance for a potential metal pollution emergency. Through the continental-scale coastal regions investigation, GRSP sequestered 1.05-3.11 μmol/g Ni, 0.31-1.49 μmol/g Sr, and 0.01-0.06 μmol/g Cd with 0.54-0.91 % of the sediment mass, demonstrating its strong ability to adsorb the metals. Therefore, we advocate that GRSP, as a recalcitrant protein complex, can be considered an effective tool for buffering capacity of metal pollution and environmental capacity within coastal wetlands.

Phenylacetylglutamine as a novel biomarker of type 2 diabetes with distal symmetric polyneuropathy by metabolomics

PURPOSE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a disease involving the nervous system caused by metabolic disorder, while the metabolic spectrum and key metabolites remain poorly defined.

METHODS

Plasma samples of 30 healthy controls, 30 T2DM patients, and 60 DSPN patients were subjected to nontargeted metabolomics. Potential biomarkers of DSPN were screened based on univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, ROC curve analysis, and logistic regression. Finally, another 22 patients with T2DM who developed DSPN after follow-up were selected for validation of the new biomarker based on target metabolomics.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group and the T2DM group, 6 metabolites showed differences in the DSPN group (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.1; VIP > 1) and a rising step trend was observed. Among them, phenylacetylglutamine (PAG) and sorbitol displayed an excellent discriminatory ability and associated with disease severity. The verification results demonstrated that when T2DM progressed to DSPN, the phenylacetylglutamine content increased significantly (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The discovered and verified endogenous metabolite PAG may be a novel potential biomarker of DSPN and involved in the disease pathogenesis.

[Clinical study of induction chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of FLT3-ITD(+) acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype]

Objective: To assess the efficacy of induction chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of FLT3-ITD(+) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal karyotype. Methods: The clinical data of FLT3-ITD(+) AML patients with normal karyotype in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Jan 2018 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The study included 49 patients with FLT3-ITD(+)AML, 31 males, and 18 females, with a median age of 46 (16-59) years old. All patients received induction chemotherapy, and 24 patients received sequential allo-HSCT (transplantation group) . The median follow-up time was 465 days, the one-year overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was (70.0 ± 7.4) %, and one-year disease-free survival (DFS) was (70.3±7.4) %. The one-year OS was significantly different between the transplantation group and the non-transplantation group [ (85.2 ± 7.9) % vs (52.6 ± 12.3) %, P=0.049]. but one-year DFS [ (84.7 ± 8.1) % vs (55.2 ± 11.9) %, P=0.061] was not. No significance was found in one-year OS between patients with low-frequency and high-frequency FLT3-ITD(+) (P>0.05) . There were 12 patients with high-frequency FLT3-ITD(+) in the transplantation and the non-transplantation groups, respectively. The one-year OS [ (68.8 ± 15.7) % in the transplantation group vs (26.2 ± 15.3) % in the non-transplantation group, P=0.027] and one-year DFS [ (45.5 ± 21.3) % in the transplantation group vs (27.8±15.8) % in the non-transplantation group, P=0.032] were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Induction chemotherapy followed by allo-HSCT can enhance the prognosis of FLT3-ITD(+) patients, particularly those with FLT3-ITD high-frequency mutation.

Variation of glomalin-metal binding capacity in 1 m soil profiles from mangrove forests to mudflat and affected factor analysis

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) plays an important role in soil metal sequestration in coastal wetlands. Additionally, it can release dissolved organic matter (GDOM) in water-soaked condition. The purpose of this study was to clarify the variation of GRSP's heavy metal immobilisation capacity at soil profiles of coastal wetland, and explore the compositional characteristics of GDOM and its influence on the heavy metals' environmental behaviour. The results indicated that the metal immobilisation capacity of GRSP decreased with increasing burial depth. The contributions of GRSP to soil Cr, As, and Pb were higher in both mangrove soils (K. obovata and A. marina forests) than in the mudflat. Oxygen-containing functional groups of GRSP (CO, -COO^-, etc.) played a positive role in heavy metals accumulation. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that high soil pH was not conducive to the enrichment of heavy metals by GRSP. Besides, the concentrations of GRSP-Fe showed a significant positive correlation with the concentrations of other metals (Cu, As, and Pb) in GRSP. It is speculated that the Fe minerals in GRSP contributed the enrichment of heavy metals. Based on PARAFAC modelling, four fluorescent components of GDOM were identified, including three humic-like fluorescent components and one tyrosine-like fluorescent component. The contributions of GDOM to GRSP-bound heavy metals fluctuated between 4.05 % and 88.80 %, which could enhance the fluidity of heavy metals in water and weaken the soil heavy metal immobilisation capacity of GRSP. High salinity exerted an inhibitory effect on the heavy metal content of the GDOM. This study comprehensively explored the potential of GRSP to immobilise heavy metals in wetland soils and highlighted the potential heavy metal risks associated with the GDOM component in water, which could contribute to the multidimensional assessment and control of heavy metal pollution in coastal wetlands.

Meta-analysis of InterTan, PFNA and PFNA-II internal fixation for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly individuals

Elderly individuals are often affected by osteoporosis and have poor stability after fracture reduction. Moreover, there is still controversy regarding the clinical effects of the treatment for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. The Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and other databases were searched, and a meta-analysis of the literature on the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the elderly with InterTan, PFNA, and PFNA-II was conducted. Seven studies were screened, with a total of 1236 patients. Our meta-analysis results show that InterTan is not significantly different from PFNA in terms of operation and fluoroscopy times, but it takes longer than PFNA-II. In terms of postoperative screw cut, pain, femoral shaft fracture, and secondary operations, InterTan is superior to PFNA and PFNA-II. Conversely, in terms of intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative Harris score, there is no significant difference between InterTan and PFNA and PFNA-II. Compared to PFNA and PFNA-II, InterTan internal fixation has advantages in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly individuals in terms of screw cutting, femoral shaft fractures, and secondary operations. However, InterTan operation and fluoroscopy times take longer than PFNA and PFNA-II.

Association between sarcopenia and prediabetes among non-elderly US adults

AIM

To explore the specific association between sarcopenia and prediabetes based on large population samples.

METHODS

A total of 16,116 U.S. adults aged 20-59 with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was identified from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Sarcopenia was defined according to appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) adjusted for body mass index (BMI). Multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to ascertain odds ratios (ORs) for developing prediabetes. Stratified analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

Prevalence of prediabetes was higher in the sarcopenia group (n = 1055) compared with the non-sarcopenia group (n = 15,061) (45.50% vs 28.74%, P < 0.001). Sarcopenia was strongly associated with an increased risk of prediabetes after full adjustment (OR = 1.21, 95CI%: 1.05, 1.39, P = 0.009). In the stratified analysis, this association remained significant independent of obesity, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. When sarcopenia subjects combined with obesity especially central obesity, the risk of prediabetes was the highest (OR = 2.63, 95CI%: 2.22, 3.11, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a greater proportion of any of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) individuals was observed in the sarcopenia group compared to the non-sarcopenia group among prediabetes population (41.72% vs 24.06%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia was positively associated with prevalent prediabetes especially IGT in the non-elderly. Moreover, synergistic interactions between the sarcopenia and obesity could greatly increase the risk of prediabetes.

METTL21C mediates lysine trimethylation of IGF2BP1 to regulate chicken myoblast proliferation

1. Methyltransferase-like 21C (METTL21C) and insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) play important roles in the proliferation of chicken myoblasts. However, it remains unclear whether there is protein-protein interaction between METTL21C and IGF2BP1 to regulate proliferation of chicken myoblasts.2. In this study, the Igf2bp1 gene was amplified from cDNA of liver tissue of Lueyang black-bone chicken to construct the overexpression vector HA-Igf2bp1. The HA-Igf2bp1 and Flag-Mettl21c vectors were individually transfected and co-transfected into HEK293T, respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay indicated a protein-protein interaction between METTL21C and IGF2BP1.3. Using the Western blotting and LC-MS/MS, it was found that METTL21C could mediate the lysine methylation modification of IGF2BP1. Furthermore, the His-tagged overexpression vector HA-Igf2bp1-His was constructed, transfected and co-transfected with Flag-Mettl21c into HEK293T. His-tagged IGF2BP1 was purified by nickel ion affinity chromatography. Western blotting revealed that IGF2BP1 was successfully purified, and the trimethylation modification level of co-transfection group was significantly elevated compared with the single-transfection Igf2bp1 group.4. Mettl21c and Igf2bp1 overexpression vectors were transfected and co-transfected into primary chicken myoblasts, respectively. The results of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay and the expression level of Pax7 and MyoD indicated that overexpression of Igf2bp1 alone inhibited the chicken myoblast proliferation, whereas co-expression of Mettl21c and Igf2bp1 eliminated the inhibitory effects of Igf2bp1, thereby favouring cell proliferation and differentiation.5. The results, for the first time, revealed that METTL21C mediated the lysine trimethylation modification of IGF2BP1 to regulate the proliferation of chicken myoblasts, which provided a new insight into in-depth analysis of the molecular mechanism of METTL21C methylation involved in regulating the growth and development of skeletal muscle in Lueyang black-bone chicken.

Hydrogen sulfide protects against ischemic heart failure by inhibiting RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis

The aim of the present study was to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protects against ischemic heart failure (HF) by inhibiting the necroptosis pathway. Mice were randomized into Sham, myocardial infarction (MI), MI + propargylglycine (PAG) and MI + sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group, respectively. The MI model was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. PAG was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, and NaHS at a dose of 4mg/kg/day for the same period. At 4 weeks after MI, the following were observed: A significant decrease in the cardiac function, as evidenced by a decline in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS); an increase in plasma myocardial injury markers, such as creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTNI); an increase in myocardial collagen content in the heart tissues; and a decrease of H2S level in plasma and heart tissues. Furthermore, the expression levels of necroptosis-related markers such as receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1), RIP3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) were upregulated after MI. NaHS treatment increased H2S levels in plasma and heart tissues, preserving the cardiac function by increasing EF and FS, decreasing plasma CK-MB and cTNI and reducing collagen content. Additionally, NaHS treatment significantly downregulated the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway. While, PAG treatment aggravated cardiac function by activated the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway. Overall, the present study concluded that H2S protected against ischemic HF by inhibiting RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis which could be a potential target treatment for ischemic HF.

[Research progress of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous with Peters anomaly]

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is a rare congenital ocular developmental malformation caused by the failure of regression of the primary vitreous during the embryonic development period. Peters anomaly is a monogenetic disease of congenital anterior segment dysgenesis. Recent studies have shown that these two diseases may occur concomitantly and be associated with a variety of systemic abnormalities. This review demonstrates the basis of ocular embryonic development, research status of molecular genetics, clinical manifestations, surgical objectives and progress of treatment of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous with Peters anomaly, in order to provide guidance for clinical practice and research as well as to promote further progression of related gene detection.

Enhanced heavy metal adsorption on microplastics by incorporating flame retardant hexabromocyclododecanes: Mechanisms and potential migration risks

Microplastics (MPs) are known to act as carriers of heavy metals; however, little is known about the intrinsic chemical additives of MPs, such as hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), in terms of the adsorption behaviors and migration risks of heavy metals on MPs. Here, we reported the potential mechanisms and risks of HBCD inherent in polystyrene (PS) MPs with Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) adsorption/desorption. A comparison of the adsorption capacity of the metals onto HBCD/PS composites (HBCD/PS) MPs (10.31-20.76 μmol/g), pure MPs (0-3.60 μmol/g), and natural minerals (0.11-13.88 μmol/g) showed that the addition of HBCD significantly promoted the metals adsorption onto the HBCD/PS MPs, and even exceeded that of natural particles. Isotherms and thermodynamic data suggested that the adsorption process of the metals onto the HBCD/PS MPs was spontaneous and endothermic, and that the adsorption was a mainly multi-ion process with an inclined direction. Furthermore, the results of SEM-EDS, FTIR, and XPS analyses, as well as density functional theory well explained that the metals were mainly adsorbed on the -O and -Br groups of the HBCD/PS MPs via electrostatic interactions and surface complexation. More importantly, by comparing the desorption activity with natural river water and seawater, HBCD inherent in MPs can enhance the long-range transfer of metals carried by the HBCD/PS MPs from contamination sources to potential sink like oceans. Thus, the HBCD/PS MPs with high loading of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) could be potential secondary sources of these metals in seawater. Overall, these findings revealed the potential risks of flame retardant in MPs associated with metal migration, and advocated that flame retardant-related waste MPs should be included in coastal sustainable development.

Spatial heterogeneity in chemical composition and stability of glomalin-related soil protein in the coastal wetlands

GRSP is widely distributed in coastal wetlands, and there is a tendency for it to degrade with increasing burial depth. However, the dynamic changes in the chemical composition and stability of GRSP during the burial process are still unclear. The purpose of this study is to clarify the chemical composition and accumulation characteristics of GRSP during the burial process in the Zhangjiang estuary. In a field study, soil cores to the depth of 100 cm were collected in the estuary from mangrove forests dominated by Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina, and from mudflat. The results showed that the concentration of GRSP in mangrove forest soil was significantly higher than that in the mudflat (p < 0.05), and the C/N ratio of GRSP increased with depth at all sites. Analysis of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data showed that the degradation rates of the GRSP's compositions varied with increasing burial depth, with microbial action and pH possibly being the main factors affecting degradation. Values of recalcitrance index (RI) showed that the stability of GRSP increased with increasing depth, and the contribution of GRSP to soil organic carbon (SOC) also increased. This suggests that the burial process plays a role in screening and storing the stable components of GRSP. Overall, our findings suggest that the concentration and chemical composition of GRSP vary dynamically according to habitat and burial processes. In addition, the improved stability of GRSP could contribute to carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands.

Uncovering the disposable face masks as vectors of metal ions (Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), Sr(Ⅱ)) during the COVID-19 pandemic

The demand for disposable face masks (DFMs) increased sharply in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, information regarding the underlying roles of the largely discarded DFMs in the environment is extremely lacking. This study focused on the pristine and UV-aged DFMs as vectors of metal ions (Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), and Sr(Ⅱ)). Further, the aging mechanism of DFMs with UV radiation as well as the interaction mechanisms between DFMs and metal ions were investigated. Results revealed that the aging process would help to promote more metal ions adsorbed onto DFMs, which was mainly attributed to the presence of oxygen-containing groups on the aged DFMs. The adsorption affinity of pristine and aged DFMs for the metal ions followed Pb(Ⅱ) > Cd(Ⅱ) > Sr(Ⅱ), which was positively corrected with the electronegativity of the metals. Interestingly, we found that even if DFMs were not disrupted, DFMs had similar or even higher adsorption affinity for metals compared with other existing microplastics. Besides, regarding environmental factors, including salinity and solution pH played a crucial role in the adsorption processes, with greater adsorption capacities for pristine and aged DFMs at higher pH values and low salinity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory further confirmed that the pristine DFMs interacted with the metals mainly through electrostatic interaction, while electrostatic interaction and surface complexation jointly regulated the adsorption of the metals onto aged DFMs. Overall, these findings would help to evaluate environmental behaviors and risks of DFMs associated with metals.

Coastal reclamation mediates heavy metal fractions and ecological risk in saltmarsh sediments of northern Jiangsu Province, China

Coastal reclamation has created enormous extra land for the rapidly growing economy, but it has also caused serious environmental pollution problems and threatened the sustainable development of coastal areas. However, there are few studies focusing on the distribution patterns, geochemical speciation and ecological risks of heavy metals along the land-to-sea belt, as well as the differences between reclamation and non-reclamation. Here, we collected 69 sediment samples from four sediment types along the land-to-sea sampling belts in the reclaimed and non-reclaimed tidal flats of Jiangsu, China. Geochemical speciation and contents of heavy metals were determined to investigate their spatial distributions, ecological risks and effect factors. Results showed that As, Cd, Cr and Ni in the sediments posed considerable or moderate ecological risk according to the Ontario guidelines and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) of USEPA, but they were lower than the SQGs of China. Higher geoaccumulation index and potential ecological risk index suggested that the sediments were moderately to heavily polluted by Cd and As. Generally, reclaimed sediments exhibited higher metal pollution levels. Additionally, reclaimed areas showed a unimodal pattern of metal content along the direction of land-to-sea, suggesting that Spartina alterniflora could accelerate the deposition and accumulation of metal pollutants caused by reclamation, and ultimately control the transfer of terrigenous metals to marine environment. We found that residual fraction was the dominant geochemical fraction for the metals determined. Reclamation processes have changed the composition of heavy metal fractions, especially Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni. Approximately 20% of Cd existed in the acid extractable/exchangeable fraction and posed medium ecological risk according to the risk assessment code. The principal component analysis and correlation matrix further indicate that organic matter and particle size of sediment could be the major factors regulating the metal distribution, and Cd and Zn might be anthropogenic sources.

LncRNA ABHD11-AS1 promotes tumor progression in papillary thyroid carcinoma by regulating EPS15L1/EGFR signaling pathway

OBJECTIVES

lncRNA ABHD11 antisense RNA 1 (ABHD11-AS1) acts as an oncogene involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) occurrence and progression. ABHD11-AS1 exerts biologic functions by some miRNAs and proteins to regulate multiple targets. Identification of novel mechanism of ABHD11-AS1 could be helpful in therapeutic targeting for PTC treatment.

METHODS

Differentially expressed lncRNAs were selected from TCGA database. qRT-PCR analysis was applied to examine the expression of ABHD11-AS1 in PTC cell lines and tissues. The relationship of ABHD11-AS1 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Two PTC cell lines (TPC-1 and KTC-1) were transfected with pcDNA 3.1, pcDNA3.1-ABHD11-AS1, si-NC and si-ABHD11-AS1, respectively, to verify the ABHD11-AS1 oncogene-regulating capacity to promote tumor progression. The cell metastasis and proliferation had been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

High expression of ABHD11-AS1 was found in PTC tissues (P < 0.01), which was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). ABHD11-AS1 overexpression noticeably promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities, which were obviously decreased upon ABHD11-AS1 knockdown. ABHD11-AS1 positively regulated EGFR/EPS15L1 pathway, as EGFR, EPS15L1, STAT3, and p-STAT3 were activated.

CONCLUSION

ABHD11-AS1 promotes tumor progression in PTC by regulating EPS15L1/EGFR pathway.

Post COVID-19 pandemic: Disposable face masks as a potential vector of antibiotics in freshwater and seawater

With the outbreak and widespread of the COVID-19 pandemic, large numbers of disposable face masks (DFMs) were abandoned in the environment. This study first investigated the sorption and desorption behaviors of four antibiotics (tetracycline (TC), ciprofloxacin (CIP), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and triclosan (TCS)) on DFMs in the freshwater and seawater. It was found that the antibiotics in the freshwater exhibited relatively higher sorption and desorption capacities on the DFMs than those in the seawater. Here the antibiotics sorption processes were greatly related to their zwitterion species while the effect of salinity on the sorption processes was negligible. However, the desorption processes were jointly dominated by solution pH and salinity, with greater desorption capacities at lower pH values and salinity. Interestingly, we found that the distribution coefficient (K_d) of TCS (0.3947 L/g) and SMX (0.0399 L/g) on DFMs was higher than those on some microplastics in freshwater systems. The sorption affinity of the antibiotics onto the DFMs followed the order of TCS > SMX > CIP > TC, which was positively correlated with octanol-water partition coefficient (log K_ow) of the antibiotics. Besides, the sorption processes of the antibiotics onto the DFMs were mainly predominated by film diffusion and partitioning mechanism. Overall, hydrophobic interaction regulated the antibiotics sorption processes. These findings would help to evaluate the environmental behavior of DFMs and to provide the analytical framework of their role in the transport of other pollutants.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at subcritical levels as novel indicators of microbial adaptation in a pre-industrial river delta

Marine sediment is considered a vast sink for organic pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, little is known about the relationship between subcritical PAH allocation and benthic microbial patterns. Thus, we carried out a field investigation at the abandoned Yellow River Delta (AYRD) to deepen the understanding of PAHs' horizontal distribution and ecological roles on the continental shelf. The PAH level in the AYRD is relatively low and distance-independent, indicating it resulted from long-term, chronic, anthropogenic input. The combined application of diagnostic molecular ratios reported inconsistent PAH sources, which might be due to the low PAH concentrations and the complexity of contributing sources. Positive Matrix Factorization provided a more robust source classification and identified three main PAH sources-coal combustion and vehicle emissions, petrogenic process, and fossil fuels. The benthic microbiome did not show a significant response to PAHs in terms of microbial assemblage or alpha-diversity. However, Operational Taxonomic Units in some specific phyla, like Thaumarchaeota, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chytridiomycota, correlated with the PAH source indicators, supporting the notion that PAH source indicators can act as a novel environmental indicator for microbial adaption. What's more, Microbial Ecological Networks show more connection at sites identified as biomass combustion by both Fluoranthene/(Fluoranthene + Pyrene) and Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene/(Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene + Benzo(ghi)perylene) compared to the ones identified as biomass combustion by Fluoranthene/(Fluoranthene + Pyrene) and petroleum combustion by Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene/(Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene + Benzo(ghi)perylene). Herein, we demonstrate that the PAHs' source indicator can serve as a novel indicator of the interactions between microorganisms, and thus, should be applied to the sustainable management effort in the offshore area.

Immobilization of lead(Ⅱ) and zinc(Ⅱ) onto glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP): Adsorption properties and interaction mechanisms

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), a microbial product that can be used as a bioflocculant, is critical to metal sequestration in the ecosystem. However, the relationship between GRSP and heavy metal has not been well explored. In this study, the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions on GRSP were investigated. Results reveal that the Pb(II) and Zn(II) adsorption closely conform to the pseudo second-order model, which indicates that the chemisorption of GRSP occurred after intra-particle diffusion. The adsorption process is influenced by the degree of pollution, pH value, GRSP content in the environment. In addition, scanning electron microscopy coupled with microanalysis (SEM-EDX) reveals that the surface structure of GRSP is irregularly blocky or flaky and metal ions are uniformly distributed on the surface of GRSP. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that the carboxyl and nitro groups on GRSP act as ligands to form complexes with two divalent metal ions. The interaction between GRSP and the metals is mainly surface complexation. This research further reveals the dynamic response of its structural components when GRSP sequestrates heavy metals in mangrove sediment and aqueous ecosystems, demonstrating a new perspective for the transport and transformation of heavy metals onto GRSP.

[Clinicopathological characteristics and differential diagnosis of 6 cases of congenital granular cell tumor]

To provide references for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital granular cell tumor (CGCT), by comprehensive analysis of the clinical data, histopathological and immunohistochemical results. Patients with CGCT were involede, from March 2015 to November 2020, at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. A total of 6 children, aged 3-16 days, 1 male and 5 female, 5 maxillary and 1 mandibular, with maximum tumor diameter of 6-70 mm, were included. The lesions of CGCT were single and connected to the alveolar ridge by a pedicle. The surface of the tumor was covered with a vascular network, and two cases had ulcers on the surface of the tumor. All 6 cases had the tumor removed surgically and there was no recurrence or metastasis in the follow-up visit. Although CGCT is rare, it is a benign tumor and generally does not recur or metastasize after surgery, and has a good prognosis. The prenatal imaging, clinical manifestations after delivery, pathological characteristics and immunohistochemical analyses may provide reference for early diagnosis and treatment of CGCT.

Cingulate circuits are associated with escalation of heroin use and naloxone-induced increases in heroin self-administration

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is defined as a compulsion to seek and take opioids, loss of control over intake and the development of a negative emotional state when access to opioids is denied. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data in a rat model of OUD, we demonstrate that the escalation of heroin self-administration (SA) and the increased heroin SA following an injection of an opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone) are associated with changes in distinct brain circuits, centered on the cingulate cortex (Cg). Here, SA escalation score was negatively associated with changes in resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the Cg and the dorsal striatum. Conversely, increased heroin SA following naloxone injection, was associated with increased connectivity between the Cg and the extended amygdala and hypothalamus. Naloxone-induced increased SA was also positively associated with changes in the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations within the Cg, a measure of spontaneous neuronal activity. Characterizing the distinct brain circuit and behavior changes associated with different facets of addiction increases our understanding of OUD and may provide insight into addiction prevention and treatment.

Effect of land-use and land-cover change on mangrove soil carbon fraction and metal pollution risk in Zhangjiang Estuary, China

Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is the main cause of mangrove deforestation and degradation. However, the effect of LULCC on mangrove soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and metal pollution risks, and the difference between the effects of those two soil evolutions are largely unknown. Here, we collected soil samples from natural systems (mangroves and mudflat), land-cover changes (Spartina alterniflora invasion), and anthropogenic land-use changes (cropland and culture pond) in Zhangjiang Estuary. We determined the soil aggregate fractions (macro-aggregate, micro-aggregate, and silt-clay fraction) and the associated carbon, and heavy metal dynamics. Our findings suggested that LULCC did not remarkably affect SOC contents, but changed the soil aggregate structures. LULCC significantly increased aggregate-associated carbon fractions, especially macro-aggregate carbon fraction. The large proportion of silt-clay fraction in natural systems was corresponding to a high percentage of mineral organic carbon, indicating that LULCC decreases the mangrove SOC stability. Land-cover change promoted the accumulation of SOC, nitrogen, and heavy metals compared with uninvaded mudflat. The heavy metal contents in mangrove soil were highest among all studied soils, expect for Cd, which suggested that mangrove soil had high metal accumulation. However, land-use changes could stimulate the mobility and dynamics of metals enriched in mangrove soils; these changes, especially in cropland, will also cause a large amount of exogenous Cd being exported into the adjacent aquatic environment. Thus, mangrove shifts metal pollutant from sink to source when affected by land-use changes. The contamination index demonstrated that heavy metals have posed ecological risks, especially for Cd in cropland. Compared with mangrove, land-use change was dominated by single-element pollution, but land-cover change showed low multiple-element complex pollution. These findings elucidate the effects of LULCC on mangrove SOC fraction and metal pollution risk, and are of great significance for designing the long-term management and conservation policies for mangrove managers.

Release of sediment metals bound by glomalin related soil protein in waterfowls inhabiting mangrove patches

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) has received extensive attention due to its ability to immobilize metals in the environment. However, whether it can enter the food chain through digestion is still unclear. Mangroves occupy the transition zone between the sea and land, have important ecological functions. Mangroves suffer from fragmentation due to human activities and urbanization. A variety of waterfowls inhabit near the mangroves and ingest sediment settled on their food inadvertently or for grit; therefore, they are ideal for revealing GRSP's role in metal enrichment. In this study, we investigated the release of metals from mangrove surface sediments and GRSP through a physiologically based extraction test. The investigated metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in sediments and those bound to GRSP would be mainly released in the gizzard phase. GRSP appeared to be an efficient carrier of Cu, Zn, Pb, and As from sediments to the waterfowls via direct sediment ingestion. For instance, 3.21% and 3.34% of sediment Cu were released in the gizzard and intestinal phases, respectively, meanwhile GRSP-bound Cu contributed 5.04% and 5.42% to this flux. The continuum of GRSP enrichment - complexation of GRSP and metals - biological accessibility of GRSP-bound metals, influenced by both direct and indirect effects from major nutrients (e.g., C, N, P, and S) and metal contents (e.g., Cu, Cd, Ni), controlled the release of GRSP-bound metals during simulated digestion. Overall, this study provides new insights into the potential risk of GRSP acting as a metal delivery vehicle in the food chain.

Dynamics of low-molecular-weight organic acids for the extraction and sequestration of arsenic species and heavy metals using mangrove sediments

Mangrove wetlands are subjected to pollution due to anthropogenic activities. Mangrove fitness is mainly determined by root exudates and microorganisms activities belowground, but the mechanisms are not yet well known. Rhizospheric interactions among mangrove sediments, microorganisms and root exudates were simulated. In particular, low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOA), were examined to explore the metal(loid)s rhizospheric dynamics via batch experiments. Using a combination of comparative sterilised and unsterilised sediments, LMWOA extracts and sediments constituents were examined. Factors such as the solution pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), arsenic and iron species and metal(loid)s in the aqueous phase were evaluated. The results show that on an average, the As decreased by 68.3 % and 42.1 % under citric and malic acid treatments, respectively, after sterilisation. In contrast, the As content increased by 29.6 % under oxalic acid treatment. Microorganisms probably facilitate sediment As release in the presence of citric and malic acids but suppress As mobilisation in the presence of oxalic acid. Fe, Mn and Al were significantly (p < 0.05) positively correlated with the trace metal(loid)s (Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Co, Ba, Cd and As). The solution pH was negatively correlated with the solution As. Both DOC and pH reach the peaks at the end of all treatments. The As absorption-desorption dynamics are closely linked to proton consumption, Fe-Mn-Al sedimentation of ageing performance and organic ligand complexation. The study provides an insight into the rhizospheric processes of microbial involvement and gives an enlightening understanding of the metal(loid)s redeployment for plant adaptation in mangrove wetlands.

Biosynthesis of Novel Naphthoquinone Derivatives in the Commonly-used Chassis Cells Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli

Naphthoquinones harboring 1,4-naphthoquinone pharmacophore are considered as privileged structures in medicinal chemistry. In pharmaceutical industry and fundamental research, polyketide naphthoquinones were widely produced by heterologous expression of polyketide synthases in microbial chassis cells, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. Nevertheless, these cell factories still remain, to a great degree, black boxes that often exceed engineers’ expectations. In this work, the biotransformation of juglone or 1,4-naphthoquinone was conducted to generate novel derivatives and it was revealed that these two naphthoquinones can indeed be modified by the chassis cells. Seventeen derivatives, including 6 novel compounds, were isolated and their structural characterizations indicated the attachment of certain metabolites of chassis cells to naphthoquinones. Some of these biosynthesized derivatives were reported as potent antimicrobial agents with reduced cytotoxic activities. Additionally, molecular docking as simple and quick in silico approach was performed to screen the biosynthesized compounds for their potential antiviral activity. It was found that compound 11 and 17 showed the most promising binding affinities against Nsp9 of SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating their potential antiviral activities. Overall, this work provides a new approach to generate novel molecules in the commonly used chassis cells, which would expand the chemical diversity for the drug development pipeline. It also reveals a novel insight into the potential of the catalytic power of the most widely used chassis cells.

Glomalin-related soil protein: The particle aggregation mechanism and its insight into coastal environment improvement

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), a ubiquitous microbial product, plays a crucial role in particle aggregation and metal adsorption, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, GRSP fraction was extracted from estuarine ecosystems and systematically characterized to elucidate the aggregation mechanisms and its impact on coastal environment improvement. We found that GRSP fraction (gravimetric mass of extracted GRSP, 5.1-24.3 mg g^-1) was a globally relevant novel bioflocculant and that protein (linked to Bradford protein assay, 1.64-4.37 mg g^-1) was the active flocculant constituent. The zeta potential, FTIR, XPS, and ¹³C NMR analyses identified its key constituents and structure, and revealed that the charge neutralization and bridging were GRSP fraction aggregation mechanisms. Thermogravimetric-infrared spectrometry analysis showed that GRSP fraction was highly thermostable, and the main volatile pyrolysis products included H₂O, CO₂, CO, and CH₄. The SEM-EDX and XPS Fe valence spectroscopy suggested that GRSP fraction contained rich Fe (11.91 ± 0.48%) and could form Fe-rich flocs with particles. We also found that GRSP fraction has a high adsorption capacity (76-95%) for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, and its flocculation properties provide new insights into metal adsorption. The analysis of particle aggregation mechanism and its metal adsorption capacity is of great significance to elucidate the role of GRSP fraction in coastal environment improvement.

Stage of colorectal cancer diagnosis for immigrants: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in Canada. Immigrants in Ontario, Canada's most populous province, are known to have lower rates of CRC screening, but differences in stage of CRC diagnosis are not known.

METHODS

We utilized linked administrative databases to compare early (stage I-II) versus late (stage III-IV) stage of CRC diagnosis for immigrants versus long-term residents among patients diagnosed in Ontario between 2012 and 2017 (n = 37,717) and examined the association of immigration-related, sociodemographic, and healthcare-related factors with stage.

RESULTS

Almost 45% of those with CRC were diagnosed at a late stage. Immigrants were slightly more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage than their long-term resident counterparts [Adjusted relative risks (ARRs) 1.06 (95% CI 1.02-1.10)], but after adjusting for age and sex, this difference was no longer significant. In fully adjusted models, we observed a higher likelihood of late-stage diagnosis for people with the fewest co-morbidities (ARR 0.86 [95% CI 0.83-0.89]) and those with no visits to primary care (versus a high level of continuity of care) [ARR 1.07 (95% CI 1.03-1.12)].

CONCLUSION

Immigrants were not more likely to have a late-stage CRC diagnosis after adjusting for relevant factors, but access to primary care and healthcare contact was significantly associated with diagnostic stage.

IMPACT

Attachment to a primary care provider who provides regular preventive care may play a role in more favorable stage at diagnosis for CRC and thus should be a healthcare system priority.

[Analysis of M2 macrophage infiltration and its clinical significance in 44 patients with multiple primary cancers of the head and neck]

Objective: To investigate and analyze the characteristics of M2 macrophage infiltration and the clinical significance in patients with multiple primary cancers (MPCs) of head and neck in order to explore its role in the diagnosis and prognosis for patients with MPCs. Methods: RNA-seq data were downloaded from the Genomic Data Commons data portal (TCGA) and the R software v4.0.3 was used to statistically analyze the differences. A retrospective analysis was conducted by screening the clinical data of 44 patients (17 males and 27 females) with MPCs in head and neck from July 1998 to February 2016 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. Clinical data from a batch of 41 patients (28 males and 13 females) with gingival cancer and without MPCs from August 2013 to December 2015 were collected and analyzed. The number of CD163 positive cells and the expression patterns in immunohistochemically panoramic slices were observed under high magnification. Chi-square test and Spearman correlation analysis were used to compare the difference and correlation between the CD163 positive counts and/or depths of invasion and the number of incidences. The descriptive statistics on the clinical features was performed by SPSS 25.0. Results: TCGA database analysis showed that the infiltration of macrophage in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC) was increased compared to the para-cancer sites. A total of 142 tissue samples from 44 patients with MPCs were selected in the present single-center retrospective research. The number of CD163-positive cells in MPCs patients [90.9% (40/44)] was significantly increased compared to single gingival cancer patients [61.0%(25/41)] (r=0.353, P=0.001), which was related to the number of occurrence (r=0.368, P=0.001). The ratio of the CD163 counts in primary tumor to the depths of invasion was positively correlated with the number of onsets (r=0.331, P=0.03). In terms of clinical features, the 44 patients with MPCs were mainly female, non-smoking, no alcohol addiction, no systemic history, Tis-T2 stage and N0 stage squamous cell carcinoma. The number of incidences ranged from two to eight. The incidence of cancer relative to synchronous cancer increased with the increased occurrence of MPCs. The primary cancer mainly occurred in tongue, gingiva and buccal sites, while the proportion of onset sites in gingiva, buccal and palate areas increased with the increased occurrence. Conclusions: M2 type macrophage counts and/or ratio to depth of infiltration were associated with the occurrence of MPCs, which could be used as a clinical indicator to distinguish single and MPCs in HNSCC. For early stage of HNSCC, patients with clinical characters of women, non-smoking, no alcohol addiction, no systemic medical history and sites of tongue, gingiva, and buccal should be paid more attention on their follow-up plan. The findings in the present study was also helpful to explore new treatment methods for the patients with MPCs.

Potential and mechanism of glomalin-related soil protein on metal sequestration in mangrove wetlands affected by aquaculture effluents

Aquaculture effluent discharge containing heavy metals affects estuarine mangrove wetlands. Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is recalcitrant organic matter that can be trapped in mangrove wetlands and is critical to metal sequestration. However, studies on the effects of long-term aquaculture effluents on metal pollution in adjacent mangrove wetlands and the ecological role of GRSP are lacking. For the first time, we revealed the effects of discharge histories (0, 8, and 14 years) of shrimp pond effluents on metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), including the entire process from feed to metals binding with GRSP in mangrove soils. Results showed that mangrove soils receiving the effluents generally had higher or similar metal loadings compared to the control, and long-term effluent discharge increased the potential toxicity of the metals. Aquaculture feed could be a main source of metal input. Redundancy analysis indicated that 14-year effluent discharge increased the pH, bulk density, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus of mangrove soils, reducing the potential of GRSP-bound metals. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy characterisation revealed that effluent disturbances changed the surface morphology and functional group contents of GRSP. This study provides insights into using GRSP as an aquaculture pollution bioindicator.