CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 complex-dependent MALT1 activation facilitates myocardial oxidative stress in doxorubicin-treated mice via enhancing k48-linked ubiquitination of Nrf2.

AIMS: Down-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) contributes to doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial oxidative stress, and inhibition of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) increased Nrf2 protein level in rat heart suffered ischemia/reperfusion, indicating a connection between MALT1 and Nrf2. This study aims to explore the role of MALT1 in DOX-induced myocardial oxidative stress and the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: The mice received a single injection of DOX (15 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce myocardial oxidative stress, evidenced by increases in the levels of reactive oxidative species while decreases in the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes, concomitant with a down-regulation of Nrf2; these phenomena were reversed by MALT1 inhibitor. Similar phenomena were observed in DOX-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, knockdown or inhibition of MALT1 notably attenuated the interaction between Nrf2 and MALT1, and decreased the k48-linked ubiquitination of Nrf2. Furthermore, inhibition or knockdown of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII-δ) reduced the phosphorylation of caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 11 (CARD11), and subsequently disrupted the assembly of CARD11, B-cell lymphoma 10 (BCL10) and MALT1 (CBM) complex, and reduced the MALT1-dependent k48-linked ubiquitination of Nrf2 in DOX-treated mice or cardiomyocytes. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION: The E3 ubiquitin ligase function of MALT1 accounts for the down-regulation of Nrf2 and aggravation of myocardial oxidative stress in DOX-treated mice, and CaMKII-δ-dependent phosphorylation of CARD11 triggered the assembly of CBM complex and subsequent activation of MALT1.

Inhibition of astroglial hemichannels ameliorates infrasonic noise induced short-term learning and memory impairment.

As a kind of environmental noise, infrasonic noise has negative effects on various human organs. To date, research has shown that infrasound impairs cognitive function, especially the ability for learning and memory. Previously, we demonstrated that impaired learning and memory induced by infrasound was closely related with glia activation; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Connexin 43 hemichannels (Cx43 HCs), which are mainly expressed in hippocampal astrocytes, are activated under pathological conditions, lending support to the hypothesis that Cx43 HCs might function in the impaired learning and memory induced by infrasound. This study revealed that that blocking hippocampal Cx43 HCs or downregulating hippocampal Cx43 expression significantly alleviated impaired learning and memory induced by infrasound. We also observed that infrasound exposure led to the abundant release of glutamate and ATP through Cx43 HCs. In addition, the abundant release of glutamate and ATP depended on proinflammatory cytokines. Our finds suggested that the enhanced release of ATP and glutamate by astroglial Cx43 HCs may be involved in the learning and memory deficits caused by infrasound exposure.

Non-retroareolar male mucinous breast cancer without gynecomastia development in an elderly man: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer (MBC) is an extremely rare condition and accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancers, and malignant tumors occur in less than 1% of the affected men. Mucinous breast cancer is extremely rare and accounts for 2% of all invasive breast cancers. Generally, MBC is accompanied by a retroareolar mass. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we report a case of male mucinous breast carcinoma (MMBC) without gynecomastia development and with mass localization outside the common retroareolar region, wherein the mass was a painless nodule in the right breast of a 64-year-old man. We also discuss the clinical and pathological characteristics of this unusual tumor. The excised breast specimen showed pure mucinous carcinoma. The patient had strong expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, a low Ki-67 proliferation index of the tumor cells, and negative pathological axillary lymph nodes. The patient underwent modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, followed by tamoxifen hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of MMBC in the non-retroareolar region of the nipple without gynecomastia development. Mucinous tumors are easily missed during diagnosis, and the incidence of axillary lymph node metastases of chest mucinous tumors has increased.

[Characteristics and Impact Factors of Number Concentration of Primary Biological Aerosol Particles in Beijing].

Primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP) are an important part of ambient aerosols. Both living and dead organisms not only influence human health and air quality but also play important roles in regulating certain atmospheric processes and affect the hydrological cycle and climate change. In this study, flow cytometry (FCM) was utilized in combination with the simultaneous use of permeant (SYBR Green I) and impermeant (propidium iodide, PI) nucleic acid fluorescent staining to detect and quantify the viable and dead airborne biological particles. At the same time, based on this method, the dead/viable PBAP in a Beijing urban area was detected and quantified. Moreover, the influence of environmental factors on the concentrations of primary biological aerosol particles was illuminated. The results showed that the media number concentration of dead and alive PBAP in the Beijing urban area during summer (1.03×106 m-3 and 7.43×105 m-3, respectively) were higher than those during winter (7.34×105 m-3and 6.18×105 m-3, respectively). Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between PBAP number concentration and environmental factors, i.e., meteorological conditions and air quality, showing a weak positive correlation with temperature and humidity and weak negative correlations with O3, maximum wind speed, and sunshine duration. The number concentration of PBAP was weakly correlated with the mass concentration of PM2.5 but positively correlated with that of coarse particulate matter (PM2.5-10). Both stable weather and dust transport could increase the number concentration of PBAP in Beijing.

Above- and Belowground Plant Functional Composition Show Similar Changes During Temperate Forest Swamp Succession.

Plant functional composition, defined by both community-weighted mean (CWM) traits and functional diversity, can provide insights into plant ecological strategies and community assembly. However, our understanding of plant functional composition during succession is largely based on aboveground traits. Here we investigated community-level traits and functional diversity for six pairs of analogous leaf and fine root traits of understory plants in a temperate forest swamp during succession with a decrease in soil pH and nutrient availability. CWMs of traits related to resource acquisition (including specific leaf area, specific root length, leaf N, leaf P, root N, and root P) decreased with succession, whereas those related to resource conservation (leaf dry matter content, root dry matter content, leaf tissue density, leaf C, and root C) increased along the forest swamp successional gradient. Multi-trait functional dispersion (FDis) of both leaf and fine root traits tended to decrease along the successional gradient, but functional richness and evenness were highest at the middle successional stage. Moreover, FDis of individual plant traits except N showed the same pattern as multi-trait FDis. Soil pH and nutrient availability were the main drivers of successional changes in both CWM traits and FDis. The changes of community-level traits along succession indicated a shift from acquisitive to conservative strategy of understory plants during forest swamp succession. Similar trends in leaf and fine root functional diversity along succession may indicate above- and belowground functional diversity are coordinated during the processes of plant community assembly. These findings of linkages between above- and belowground plant functional composition have important implications for plant community dynamics and assembly rules.

[C:N:P stoichiometry of leaves and fine roots in typical forest swamps of the Greater Hinggan Mountains, China]. / å¤§å ´å®‰å²­å ¸åž‹æ£®æž—æ²¼æ³½æ¤ç‰©å¶ç‰‡å’Œç»†æ ¹ç¢³æ°®ç£·åŒ–å­¦è®¡é‡ç‰¹å¾.

Investigating ecological stoichiometry of leaves and fine roots of forest swamps in the Greater Hinggan Mountains will improve our understanding of plant nutrient use and material cycling in ecosystems at high latitudes with high sensitivity to climate change. In this study, we collected leaf and fine root samples from 19 dominant and subordinate vascular plant species and measured their C, N and P concentrations in three typical forest swamps (Larix gmelinii-Carex schmidtii, L. gmelinii-Vaccinium uliginosum-moss and L. gmelinii-Ledum palustre-Sphagnum) of the Greater Hinggan Mountains, China. We compared C:N:P stoichiometry in leaves and fine roots among different forest swamp types, plant growth forms, and mycorrhizal types. Standardized major axis regression was performed to examine the relationships between leaf and fine root stoichiometry. The results showed that interspecific variation accounted for the largest proportion of total variation in C:N:P stoichiometry of leaves (42.5%-84.6%). N:P had the highest, C:N had the intermediate, and C:P had the lowest interspecific variation in both leaves and fine roots. L. gmelinii-C. schmidtii forest swamps, which had higher soil nutrient and water availability, had lower C:N and C:P in leaves and fine roots. N:P of all three forest swamps were lower than 10, indicating N limitation in this ecosystem. Herbaceous plants had significantly lower leaf C:P, fine root C:N, and fine root C:P than woody species. Both ectomycorrhizal and ericoid mycorrhizal plants had higher leaf and fine root C:N and C:P than arbuscular mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species, while the C:P of ericoid mycorrhizal plants was significantly higher than that of ectomycorrhizal species. Forest swamp type, plant growth form, and mycorrhizal type all had greater influences on leaf and fine root C:N and C:P rather than N:P. Leaf and fine root C:N, C:P, and N:P were positively correlated, indicating strong coordination between plant above- and below-ground C:N:P stoichiometry.

[Environmental Factors Influence and Microbial Community Structure Analysis of Entrapped Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidizing Bacteria].

To solve the problems of a slow start, easy loss, and easily inhibited activity of the Anammox bacteria suspension culture, polyvinyl alcohol-polypropylene (PVA-PP) was used to prepare the Anammox immobilized filler. To improve the activity of Anammox bacteria and ensure stable operation of the reaction system, the effects of COD interference, change in pH value, and rotating speed on the nitrogen removal characteristics of the immobilized filler were determined in batch tests. Changes in the structure and diversity of the bacteria in the filler were analyzed by a high-throughput sequencing technique. The results showed that the activity of Anammox bacteria could recover to 100% on the 30th day, and the total nitrogen removal rate was 87.7% when the total nitrogen volume load (NLR) was 0.69 kg·(m3·d)-1 at the stage of 99 days. After 140 days of long-term operation, the total nitrogen removal rate (NRR) reached 1.83 kg·(m3·d)-1, which was 9.4 times the suspended sludge before immobilization. The diversity of the population was maintained in the inclusion carrier, and the effective enrichment of Candidatus Kuenenia (AF375995.1), which performs anaerobic ammonia-oxidization, increased from 11.06% to 32.55%. The influence of COD interference and changes in the pH value of Anammox bacteria was significantly weakened, and the PVA-PP entrapped carrier could achieve the coupling removal of nitrogen by Anammox and denitrification. Appropriate external hydraulic disturbance would promote the Anammox reaction in immobilized systems.

[Fast Start-Up ANAMMOX Operation Strategy and Flora Characteristics of a Biofilter].

To achieve the rapid start-up of anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX) reaction at room temperature and sludge granulation, a small amount of ANAMMOX sludge was inoculated by an upflow biological filter reactor, and ANAMMOX was started by stage variable load and shortening hydraulic residence time (HRT) operation strategy. The reaction was evaluated, and the nitrogen removal characteristics of the biofilter were evaluated. The results showed that the biofilter started the ANAMMOX reaction in a medium-temperature (25-29℃) environment for 22 days. After 97 days of culture, the total nitrogen volume removal rate (NRR) reached 5.64 kg·(m3·d)-1, the total nitrogen (TN) removal rate was close to 80%, and the average particle size of the granular sludge was 4.5 mm. High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that the biofilter formed a layered structure of nitrifying bacteria-heterotrophic bacteria, anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria (AAOB), and AAOB-heterotrophic bacteria from bottom to top. The various microflora synergistically denitrified, creating a low dissolved oxygen (DO) stable environment for AAOB, and the dominant population Candidatus Kuenenia (AF375995.1) was enriched. In addition, the removal process of pollutants along the path and the characteristics of sludge along the process were analyzed, and it was verified that the sludge in the reaction zone had good ANAMMOX activity. An ANAMMOX-biofilter reactor achieves rapid start-up of the ANAMMOX reaction, sludge granulation, and efficient operation by effectively maintaining the amount of bacteria and stabilizing the reaction conditions.

Is there coordination of leaf and fine root traits at local scales? A test in temperate forest swamps.

Examining the coordination of leaf and fine root traits not only aids a better understanding of plant ecological strategies from a whole-plant perspective, but also helps improve the prediction of belowground properties from aboveground traits. The relationships between leaf and fine root traits have been extensively explored at global and regional scales, but remain unclear at local scales. Here, we measured six pairs of analogous leaf and fine root traits related to resource economy and organ size for coexisting dominant and subordinate vascular plants at three successional stages of temperate forest swamps in Lingfeng National Nature Reserve in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, NE China. Leaf and fine root traits related to resource acquisition (e.g., specific leaf area [SLA], leaf N, leaf P, root water content, and root P) decreased with succession. Overall, we found strong linear relationships between leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and root water content, and between leaf and root C, N, and P concentrations, but only weak correlations were observed between leaf area and root diameter, and between SLA and specific root length (SRL). The strong relationships between LDMC and root water content and between leaf and root C, N, and P held at the early and late stages, but disappeared at the middle stage. Besides, C and P of leaves were significantly correlated with those of roots for woody plants, while strong linkages existed between LDMC and root water content and between leaf N and root N for herbaceous species. These results provided evidence for the existence of strong coordination between leaf and root traits at the local scale. Meanwhile, the leaf-root trait relationships could be modulated by successional stage and growth form, indicating the complexity of coordination of aboveground and belowground traits at the local scale.

Analysis of the origins of black carbon and carbon monoxide transported to Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei in China.

A novel back-trajectory approach was adopted to determine the origins of black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) transported to Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. Results showed that the transport efficiency was controlled mainly by mid-latitude westerlies in winter, the South Asian monsoon in summer and prevailing westerly and northwesterly winds in spring and autumn. Hebei was identified as the most important source region of both BC (respectively accounting for 55% and 49%) and CO (39% and 38%) transported to Beijing and Tianjin. Inner Mongolia contributed more to the effective emission intensity (EEI) in winter than in summer for both BC and CO transported to Beijing and Tianjin. Shandong was responsible for higher EEI in summer than in winter. The six provinces making the greatest contributions to BC transported to Hebei were Shandong (19%), Shanxi (19%), Inner Mongolia (17%), Beijing (11%), Henan (11%), and Tianjin (10%), whereas those making the greatest contributions to CO transported to Hebei were Shandong (20%), Inner Mongolia (10%), Tianjin (9%), Henan (9%), Shanxi (9%), and Beijing (8%). In summary, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Tianjin and Shanxi were determined as the dominant source regions of not only BC but also CO transported to Beijing. Hebei, Shandong, Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Liaoning and Shanxi were relatively important source regions for Tianjin. Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Henan, Tianjin, Liaoning, Jiangsu and Anhui were the main source regions for Hebei. Residential and industrial sectors were the dominant sectors for BC and CO transported to the receptors, respectively. These results are consistent with the results of previous studies. Finally, comparing the observed ΔBC/ΔCO ratio with the enhancement ratio of the EEI of BC with that of CO (ΔEEIBC/ΔEEICO) at Miyun site, we further confirmed that the EEI can be used to represent the amounts of BC and CO reaching receptors.

[Comparison of Chemical Components Characteristics of PM2.5 Between Haze and Clean Periods During Summertime in Lin'an].

PM2.5 samples were collected at a background site of the Yangtze River Delta in China, during summertime, of which the carbonaceous components, i.e., OC and EC, and water-soluble inorganic ions, including sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium, were quantified. The average concentrations of OC and EC in PM2.5 during summer at Lin'an were (14.3±3.95) µg·m-3 and (3.33±1.47) µg·m-3, respectively. Compared to an urban site, the correlation between OC and EC during summertime in Lin'an, which was a rural site, was relatively weak (R2=0.31, P<0.01). The concentrations of secondary inorganic aerosols (sulfate as SO42-, nitrate as NO3-, and ammonium as NH4+) were much higher than those of other water-soluble inorganic ions, with average values of (8.70±5.66), (2.04±1.07), and (3.25±2.29) µg·m-3, respectively. Based on long-term intensive observations, combined with the analysis of back trajectory and fire spots observations, it was revealed that regional transport and stable synoptic conditions both play important roles in controlling the variations in aerosol chemical components. During the transition from clean to hazy days, the EC and POC fractions showed no obvious variation; in contrast, the SOC fraction decreased obviously. Unlike for SOAs, relative contributions of sulfate and ammonia to PM2.5 increased during hazy days, suggesting enhanced chemical production via other pathways for these two secondary inorganic ions, probably through heterogeneous reactions.