Effect of mean platelet volume and platelet count on the prognosis of branch atheromatous disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive value of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC) in branch atheromatous disease (BAD). METHODS: This retrospective study included 216 patients with BAD-stroke within 48 h of symptom onset. These patients were divided into good and poor prognosis groups according to their 3-month modified Rankin scale scores after discharge. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent predictors of poor prognosis in BAD-stroke patients. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to estimate the predictive value of MPV and PC on BAD-stroke. RESULTS: Our research showed that a higher MPV (aOR, 2.926; 95% CI, 2.040-4.196; p < .001) and PC (aOR, 1.013; 95% CI, 1.005-1.020; p = .001) were independently associated with poor prognosis after adjustment for confounders. The ROC analysis of MPV for predicting poor prognosis showed that the sensitivity and specificity were 74% and 84.9%, respectively, and that the AUC was .843 (95% CI, .776-.909, p < .001). The optimal cut-off value was 12.35. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (END) was 24.5% (53 of 163), and 66% of patients in the poor prognosis group had END (33 of 50). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that elevated MPV and PC were associated with the occurrence of END (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that an elevated MPV and PC may be important in predicting a worse outcome in BAD-stroke patients. Our study also demonstrated an independent association of MPV and PC with END, which is presumably the main reason for the poor prognosis.

Toxic mechanism in Daphnia magna due to phthalic acid esters and CuO nanoparticles co-exposure: The insight of physiological, microbiomic and metabolomic profiles.

Various phthalic acid esters (PAEs) such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) co-exist with nanopollutants in aquatic environment. In this study, Daphnia magna was exposed to nano-CuO and DBP or BBP at environmental relevant concentrations for 21-days to investigate these combined toxic effects. Acute EC50 values (48 h) of nano-CuO, DBP, and BBP were 12.572 mg/L, 8.978 mg/L, and 4.785 mg/L, respectively. Results showed that co-exposure with nano-CuO (500 µg/L) for 21 days significantly enhanced the toxicity of DBP (100 µg/L) and BBP (100 µg/L) to Daphnia magna by 18.37% and 18.11%, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase were enhanced by 10.95% and 14.07%, 25.63% and 25.91%, and 39.93% and 35.01% in nano-CuO+DBP and nano-CuO+BBP treatments as compared to the individual exposure groups, verifying that antioxidative defense responses were activated. Furthermore, the co-exposure of nano-CuO and PAEs decreased the population richness and diversity microbiota, and changed the microbial community composition in Daphnia magna. Metabolomic analysis elucidated that nano-CuO + PAEs exposure induced stronger disturbance on metabolic network and molecular function, including amino acid, nucleotides, and lipid metabolism-related metabolic pathways, as comparison to PAEs single exposure treatments. In summary, the integration of physiological, microflora, and untargeted metabolomics analysis offers a fresh perspective into the potential ecological risk associated with nanopollutants and phthalate pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

La2O3 Nanoparticles Can Cause Cracking of Tomato Fruit through Genetic Reconstruction.

La2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential in agriculture, but cracking of plant sensitive tissue could occur during application, resulting in a poor appearance, facilitating entry for insects and fungi, and increasing economic losses. Herein, exocarp cracking mechanisms of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit in response to La2O3 NPs were investigated. Tomato plants were exposed to La2O3 NPs (0-40 mg/L, 90 days) by a split-root system under greenhouse condition. La2O3 NPs with high concentrations (25 and 40 mg/L) increased the obvious cracking of the fruit exocarp by 20.0 and 22.7%, respectively. After exposure to 25 mg/L La2O3 NPs, decreased thickness of the cuticle and cell wall and lower wax crystallization patterns of tomato fruit exocarp were observed. Biomechanical properties (e.g., firmness and stiffness) of fruit exocarp were decreased by 34.7 and 25.9%, respectively. RNA-sequencing revealed that the thinner cuticle was caused by the downregulation of cuticle biosynthesis related genes; pectin remodeling, including the reduction in homogalacturonan (e.g., LOC101264880) and rhamnose (e.g., LOC101248505), was responsible for the thinner cell wall. Additionally, genes related to water and abscisic acid homeostasis were significantly upregulated, causing the increases of water and soluble solid content of fruit and elevated fruit inner pressure. Therefore, the thinner fruit cuticle and cell wall combined with the higher inner pressure caused fruit cracking. This study improves our understanding of nanomaterials on important agricultural crops, including the structural reconstruction of fruit exocarp contributing to NPs-induced cracking at the molecular level.

Co-exposure effects of butyl benzyl phthalate and TiO2 nanomaterials (anatase) on Metaphire guillelmi gut health.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and TiO2 nanomaterials (nTiO2) are commonly used as plastic additives, nano-fertilizers or nano-pesticides. Their excessive co-applications led to the co-occurrence, which can induce damage to soil organisms such as Metaphire guillelmi (an earthworm widespread in farmland). However, the co-exposure effects of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP, a typical PAEs) and nTiO2 on Metaphire guillelmi at environmental-relevant concentrations remain unclear. In this study, 1 mg kg-1 BBP and 1 mg kg-1 nTiO2 (anatase) were added into the soil to assess: (1) their effects on oxidative damage, digestive system, and neurotoxicity in Metaphire guillelmi gut on days 14 and 28; and (2) whether BBP and nTiO2 affected Metaphire guillelmi gut health by disrupting intestinal microorganisms. The results demonstrated that BBP and nTiO2 had the potential to inhibit the activity of superoxide dismutase, cellulase, protease, Na+K+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase, as well as cause oxidative damage by altering intestinal bacteria such as Marmoricola and Microvirga at genus levels after 28 d-exposure. However, the exposure did not cause disorders of the intestinal bacteria. The present study provides more evidence for the sustainable application and scientific management of BBP and nTiO2, thus providing better guidance for PAEs and engineered nanomaterials regulations in agroecosystems.

Lanthanum Silicate Nanomaterials Enhance Sheath Blight Resistance in Rice: Mechanisms of Action and Soil Health Evaluation.

In the current study, foliar spray with lanthanum (La) based nanomaterials (La10Si6O27 nanorods, La10Si6O27 nanoparticle, La(OH)3 nanorods, and La2O3 nanoparticle) suppressed the occurrence of sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) in rice. The beneficial effects were morphology-, composition-, and concentration-dependent. Foliar application of La10Si6O27 nanorods (100 mg/L) yielded the greatest disease suppression, significantly decreasing the disease severity by 62.4% compared with infected controls; this level of control was 2.7-fold greater than the commercially available pesticide (Thifluzamide). The order of efficacy was as follows: La10Si6O27 nanorods > La10Si6O27 nanoparticle > La(OH)3 nanorods > La2O3 nanoparticle. Mechanistically, (1) La10Si6O27 nanorods had greater bioavailability, slower dissolution, and simultaneous Si nutrient benefits; (2) transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that La10Si6O27 nanorods simultaneously strengthened rice systemic acquired resistance, physical barrier formation, and antioxidative systems. Additionally, La10Si6O27 nanorods improved rice yield by 35.4% and promoted the nutritional quality of the seeds as compared with the Thifluzamide treatment. A two-year La10Si6O27 nanorod exposure had no effect on soil health based on the evaluated chemical, physical, and biological soil properties. These findings demonstrate that La based nanomaterials can serve as an effective and sustainable strategy to safeguard crops and highlight the importance of nanomaterial composition and morphology in terms of optimizing benefit.

Depression status and functional outcome of patients with ischemic stroke and the impact on caregivers living in Chengdu: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate the associations between risk factors and depression symptoms in ischemic stroke (IS) survivors and the effect of IS survivors' depression status and functional outcomes on caregiver burden in Chengdu, China. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited a convenience sample of patients with IS and paired caregivers living in Chengdu from February 2022 to May 2022. Depression symptoms were assessed using the 17-item Chinese Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the social support of patients was assessed using the perceived social support scale (PSSS), caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit burden interview (ZBI). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data between risk factors and depression symptoms, and multiple linear regression models were constructed to examine the depression symptoms and functional outcomes of stroke survivors, and caregiver burden. Results: In total, 966 IS survivors and paired caregivers were included in this study. Among IS survivors, 35.51% (343/966) experienced depression. Age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.04; p = 0.036], the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.47-1.68; p < 0.001), and PSSS score (aOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.84-0.89; p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of depression. The NIHSS score (b = 2.57, p < 0.001), patients' depression status (b = 2.54, p < 0.001), duration of care (b = 0.359, p = 0.006), and social support of caregivers (b = -0.894, p = 0.038) were significantly associated with the ZBI score. Conclusion: The PSSS score was a major risk factor for the development of depression in IS survivors, and patients' depression status and severe functional deficits had a negative impact on the ZBI score of the main caregivers. Social support can reduce the ZBI score.

The combined toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics and different forms of arsenic on the zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio).

Microplastics have been widely studied for their ability to adsorb heavy metals. In the natural environment, arsenic exists in different forms and its toxicity depends mainly on its form and concentration. However, different forms of arsenic combined with microplastics have yet to be explored for their biological hazards. This study was conducted to reveal the adsorption mechanism of different forms of arsenic onto PSMP and to study the effects of PSMP on the tissue accumulation and developmental toxicity of different forms of arsenic in zebrafish larvae. As a result, the absorbing ability of PSMP for As(III) was 35 times higher than that of DMAs, in which hydrogen bonding plays an important role in the adsorption process. In addition, the adsorption kinetics of As(III) and DMAs on PSMP were in good agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, PSMP reduced the accumulation of As(III) early in zebrafish larvae development, thereby increasing hatching rates compared with the As(III)-treated group, whereas PSMP had no significant effect on DMAs accumulation in zebrafish larvae, but decreased hatching rates compared with the DMAs-treated group. In addition, except for the microplastic exposure group, the other treatment groups could lead to a decrease in the heart rate of zebrafish larvae. Both PSMP+As(III) and PSMP+DMAs exhibited aggravated oxidative stress compared with PSMP-treated group, but PSMP+As(III) caused more severe oxidative stress at later stages of zebrafish larvae development. Moreover, specific metabolic differences (e.g., AMP, IMP, and guanosine) were produced in the PSMP+As(III) exposure group, which would mainly affect purine metabolism and promoted specific metabolic disturbances. However, PSMP+DMAs exposure shared metabolic pathways altered by PSMP and DMAs, indicating an independent effect of these two chemicals. Taken together, our findings emphasized that the combined toxicity of PSMP and different forms of arsenic posed a health risk that cannot be ignored.

Serum uric acid to serum creatinine ratio predicts neurological deterioration in branch atheromatous disease.

Background and objective: Branch atheromatous disease (BAD) makes patients prone to early neurological deterioration (END), resulting in poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SUA/SCr and END in BAD stroke patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included 241 patients with BAD-stroke within 48 h of symptom onset. We divided the patients into the END group and the no END group. END was defined as an NIHSS score increase of more than 2 points within 1 week. SUA/SCr was calculated by the concentration of serum uric acid and creatine (serum uric acid/serum creatine) on admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent predictors of END in BAD-stroke patients. Results: END was observed in 24.1% (58/241) of the patients in our study. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that SUA/SCr (aOR, 0.716; 95% CI, 0.538-0.952; P = 0.022) and female sex (aOR, 0.469; 95% CI, 0.245-0.898; P = 0.022) were associated with END after adjusting for confounding factors. The predicted value of SUA/Scr for END was a sensitivity of 79.3%, a specificity of 44.8%, and an AUC of 0.609 (95% CI, 0.527-0.691, P < 0.05). The optimal cut-off value was 4.76. Conclusion: SUA/SCr was negatively associated with the risk of END in BAD stroke patients.

Isolation, identification and toxicity of three strains of Heterocapsa (Dinophyceae) in a harmful event in Fujian, China.

Heterocapsa is a genus of dinoflagellates including species that can form harmful algae blooms (HABs) and cause deleterious ecological effects. To date two species ( H circularisquama and H bohaiensis) are known to be toxic. Here we isolated three strains of Heterocapsa from a multi-species dinoflagellate bloom in the aquaculture area of Fujian, China in June, 2019 that caused mass mortality of farmed abalone. Morphological analysis using light, transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy along with phylogenetic analyses with small (SSU) and large (LSU) subunit rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequences showed that these strains were H. cf. niei H. horiguchii, and H. cf. pygmaea, respectively. Furthermore, rabbit erythrocyte assay revealed hemolytic activity in all three strains in cell density dependent fashion, and only in the presence of light. In addition, the strains caused significant mortality of Artemia salina, and the toxicity was also cell density dependent. The Heterocapsa cultures and toxicity information obtained in this study expanded our knowledge of toxic species of Heterocapsa, and will facilitate further investigating the mechanism of their toxicity and developing monitoring tools for their blooms in the future.

Depression symptoms and quality of life in empty-nest elderly among Chengdu: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of depression symptoms and quality of life (QoL) and examined the influence of factors in the empty nest elderly. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which was conducted from February 2022 to May 2022. We recruited a convenience sample of no empty-nest elderly and empty-nest elderly (≥60 years) living in Chengdu. QoL was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depression symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze data between independent variables with depression symptoms. Results: Two thousand twenty-six participants were included in this study, 39.0% (660/1,082) experienced depression symptoms among empty-nest elderly. Age (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04; P = 0.046), chronic disease≥2 (aOR, 3.29; 95% CI, 2.50-4.33; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of depression symptoms, and physical activity (aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40-0.87; P = 0.008), physical health (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99; P = 0.026), psychological health (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.98; P = 0.013), and total score (aOR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99; P < 0.001) were associated with decreased risk of depression symptoms among empty-nest elderly. Conclusions: Depression symptoms are common mental health problems among empty-nest elderly. We found that age, chronic disease ≥2 and physical activity were important factors that have an impact on depressive symptoms. Empty-nest elderly would have lowered QoL score.

Risk factors for early neurological deterioration in acute isolated pontine infarction without any causative artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the risk predictors for early neurological deterioration (END) in isolated acute pontine infarction without any causative artery stenosis. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients with isolated acute pontine infarction within 72 h of symptom onset were enrolled between October 2017 and December 2021. END was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 2 points within the first week postadmission. Patients were divided into the END and the non-END groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent predictors of END in patients with isolated acute pontine infarction. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients were included in the final study (62 females; mean age, 67.27 ± 11.35 years), of whom 28.7% (47 of 153) experienced END. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that infarct volume (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.003; 95% CI, 1.001-1.005; P = 0.002) and basilar artery branch disease  (aOR, 3.388; 95% CI, 1.102-10.417; P = 0.033) were associated with END. The combined ROC analysis of the infarct volume and basilar artery branch disease for predicting END showed that the sensitivity and specificity were 80.9% and 72.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Basilar artery branch disease and infarct volume were associated with END in acute isolated pontine infarction and may be useful prognostic factors for neurological progression.

Proteomics-based analysis of potential therapeutic targets in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP) is the most common complication in peritoneal dialysis patients. We propose screening for characteristic expressed proteins in the dialysate of PDAP patients to provide clues for the diagnosis of PDAP and its therapeutic targets. METHODS: Dialysate samples were collected from patients with a first diagnosis of PDAP (n = 15) and from patients who had not experienced peritonitis (Control, n = 15). Data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomic analysis was used to screen for differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Co-expression networks were constructed via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) for detection of gene modules. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for functional annotation of DEPs and gene modules. Hub proteins were validated using the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) method. RESULTS: A total of 142 DEPs in the dialysate of PDAP patients were identified. 70 proteins were upregulated and 72 proteins were downregulated. GO and KEGG analysis showed that DEPs were mainly enriched in cell metabolism, glycolysis/glycogenesis and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway. Subsequently, a co-expression network was constructed and four gene modules were detected. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and myeloperoxidase (HP) were the key proteins of the blue and turquoise modules, respectively. Additionally, PRM analysis showed that the expression of MPO and HP was significantly upregulated in the PDAP group compared to the non-peritonitis group, which was consistent with our proteomics data. CONCLUSION: MPO and HP were differentially expressed in the dialysate of PDAP patients and may be potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for PDAP.

Foliar-applied cerium oxide nanomaterials improve maize yield under salinity stress: Reactive oxygen species homeostasis and rhizobacteria regulation.

Salinity stress seriously threatens agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. This work reports on the mechanisms of alleviating salinity stress by cerium oxide nanomaterials (CeO2 NMs) in maize (Zea may L.). Soil-grown maize plants were irrigated with deionized water or 100 mM NaCl solution as the control or the salinity stress treatment. CeO2 NMs (1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/L) with antioxidative enzyme mimicking activities were foliarly applied on maize leaves for 7 days. The morphological, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic responses of maize were evaluated. Specifically, salinity stress significantly reduced 59.0% and 63.8% in maize fresh and dry biomass, respectively. CeO2 NMs at 10, 20, and 50 mg/L improved the salt tolerance of maize by 69.5%, 69.1%, and 86.8%, respectively. Also, 10 mg/L CeO2 NMs maintained Na+/K+ homeostasis, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency by 30.8%, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level by 58.5% in salt-stressed maize leaves. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the antioxidative defense system-related genes recovered to the normal control level after CeO2 NMs application, indicating that CeO2 NMs eliminated ROS through their intrinsic antioxidative enzyme properties. The down-regulation of genes related to lignin synthesis in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway accelerated leaf cell elongation. In addition, CeO2 NMs increased the rhizobacteria richness and diversity through the increment of carbon source in root exudates and improved the abundance of halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (HT-PGPR). Importantly, the yield of salt-stressed maize was enhanced by 293.3% after 10 mg/L CeO2 NMs foliar application. These results will provide new insights for the application of CeO2 NMs in management to reduce the salinity-caused crop loss.

Application of chloroplast genome in the identification of Phyllanthus urinaria and its common adulterants.

Background: Phyllanthus urinaria L. is extensively used as ethnopharmacological material in China. In the local marketplace, this medicine can be accidentally contaminated, deliberately substituted, or mixed with other related species. The contaminants in herbal products are a threat to consumer safety. Due to the scarcity of genetic information on Phyllanthus plants, more molecular markers are needed to avoid misidentification. Methods: In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of nine species of the genus Phyllanthus was de novo assembled and characterized. Results: This study revealed that all of these species exhibited a conserved quadripartite structure, which includes a large single copy (LSC) region and small single copy (SSC) region, and two copies of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb), which separate the LSC and SSC regions. And the genome structure, codon usage, and repeat sequences were highly conserved and showed similarities among the nine species. Three highly variable regions (trnS-GCU-trnG-UCC, trnT-UGU-trnL-UAA, and petA-psbJ) might be helpful as potential molecular markers for identifying P. urinaria and its contaminants. In addition, the molecular clock analysis results showed that the divergence time of the genus Phyllanthus might occur at ~ 48.72 Ma. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information for further species identification, evolution, and phylogenetic research of Phyllanthus.

Metallic oxide nanomaterials act as antioxidant nanozymes in higher plants: Trends, meta-analysis, and prospect.

Improving plant resistance against various environmental stresses is crucial to gain higher agricultural productivity for meeting future food demands of the fast-growing global population. Nanozymes, nanomaterials (NMs) with enzyme-like activity, have shown the potential to defend environmental stresses via scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and augmenting the inherent antioxidant functions of plants. However, several studies confirmed that NMs could cause oxidative damage triggered by excessive ROS. In this study, the conversion mechanism between antioxidant and oxidant activities of metallic oxidative nanozymes was systematically reviewed and evaluated using meta-analysis approach. Moreover, our work attempts to seek the optimal dose and physicochemical property of antioxidant-functionalized NMs and put forward future research directions. The meta-analysis results indicated that NMs at a low dose (below 20 ppm) exhibited antioxidant activity which could scavenge ROS and alleviate their deleterious impacts. Conversely, their oxidant activity was activated at the exposure dose above 200 ppm which might induce ROS overproduction and lead to oxidative stress. Further, root exposure tends to stimulate the oxidant activity of NMs, and the NMs modification is highly promising for improving their bioavailability. A SWOT analysis was conducted to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of agro-applied nanozymes. Therefore, the rational design and development of nanozymes for better antioxidant potential will be beneficial to their applications in agriculture.

Atosiban Combined with Ritodrine for Late Threatened Abortion or Threatened Premature Labor Patients with No Response to Ritodrine: A Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND Premature labor is an important cause of infant death and long-term disability. This study aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of combining the tocolytic agents atosiban and ritodrine to extend gestation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 52 patients with late threatened abortion and threatened premature labor between 20°â¸7 and 336⸍7 weeks' gestation who were administrated continuous tocolytic agents for 48 h. Patients were divided into a research group receiving ritodrine combined with atosiban, owing to having no response to ritodrine alone (n=30), and a control group receiving ritodrine alone (n=22). The mean infusion rate and duration of tocolytic administration, gestation extension, pregnancy outcomes, and adverse effects were recorded. Routine blood tests, including C-reactive protein, and cultures for leukorrhea, candida, and mycoplasma were performed before and 1 week after treatment. RESULTS Patients receiving ritodrine with atosiban had a mean gestation extension of 42.53±31.70 days. The extension of gestation of the research group was statistically shorter than that of the control group (P<0.05). The fetal loss rate, newborn birth weight, and Apgar score at 1 min were similar between the 2 groups (all, P>0.05). The research group had a lower incidence of palpitations than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS For patients with late threatened abortion or threatened premature labor not controlled with ritodrine alone, ritodrine combined with atosiban extends gestation and improves pregnancy outcomes. For patients with abnormal uterine contractions, routine testing for reproductive tract infection should be performed. When infection is present, anti-infective therapy should be administered.

Signatures of vaginal microbiota by 16S rRNA gene: potential bio-geographical application in Chinese Han from three regions of China.

The human microbiome is expected to be a new and promising tool for classification of human epithelial materials. Vaginal fluids are one of the most common biological samples in forensic sexual assault cases, and its identification is crucial to accurately determine the nature of the case. With the development of molecular biology technologies, the concept of vaginal microflora in different physiological states, ethnic groups, and geography is constantly improved. In this study, we conducted high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene in vaginal samples from Henan, Guangdong, and Xinjiang populations, in an attempt to reveal more information about the vaginal microflora in different regions. The results showed that the bio-geographical factors might affect the relative abundance of some vaginal microflora, but there was no significant difference in the composition of dominant bacteria in the vagina, which was mainly composed of Lactobacillus and Gardnerella. However, prediction models based on the random forest algorithm suggested that we might be able to distinguish vaginal fluids from populations of different regions according to the species-level OTUs in low abundance. It is promising that microbiome-based methods could provide more personal information when being attempted to trace the origin of body fluids.

Downregulation of the photosynthetic machinery and carbon storage signaling pathways mediate La2O3 nanoparticle toxicity on radish taproot formation.

The molecular and physiological mechanisms of how rare earth oxide nanoparticles (NPs) alter radish (Raphanus sativus L.) taproot formation and cracking were investigated in the present study. We compared plants that received suspensions of 10, 50, 100, 300 mg L-1 of La2O3 NPs, 300 m L-1 La2O3 bulk-particles (BPs), 0.8 m L-1 La3+, or only water for six days during their tuber formation period. 100 and 300 mg L-1 La2O3 NPs exposure decreased storage root biomass by 38% and 60%, respectively, and they both induced visible root cracking. Physiological analyses showed that La2O3 NPs exposure (>100 mg L-1) significantly inhibited leaf net photosynthetic rate, cell wall pectin synthesis of both storage root epidermis and xylem parenchyma tissues, but increased the contents of cellulose and hemicellulose 1 in root epidermis cell walls. Moreover, transcriptome analysis further found that La2O3 NPs changed root cell wall structure by down-regulating core genes involved in cell wall pectin and IAA biosynthesis, which coincided with the observed La2O3 NPs-induced root cracking. Our results revealed the molecular mechanisms related to cell wall carbohydrate metabolism in response to NPs stress, providing a step forward for understanding the causes of NPs phytotoxicity on edible plant taproot formation and cracking.

Fluorescent g-C3N4 nanosheets enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in maize.

Nano-enabled agriculture becomes a new and rapidly evolving area of research, particularly, nanomaterials (NMs) with light-harvesting capacities for enhancing photosynthesis. However, mechanisms for the interactions between these NMs and plants are not fully understood. Herein, fluorescent and water-soluble graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets were prepared and used as artificial antenna to amplify light harvesting ability and enhance photosynthesis in maize. Upon root exposure to 10 mg·L-1 g-C3N4 nanosheets, the g-C3N4 can be taken up and distributed in leaves. Also, the nutrients (Mg, P, Fe, and Mn), chlorophyll content, electron transfer rate, net photosynthetic rate, and carbohydrates content in maize were increased significantly by 1.1%, 51.8%, 44.6%, 121.8%, 12.1%, 44.5%, 30.0% and 32.3%, respectively. In addition, the gene expressions of psbA (photosystem II reaction center protein A) and psaA (photosystem I P700 chlorophyll A apoprotein A1) were up-regulated by 56.3% and 26.8%, respectively. Moreover, the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) were significantly increased by 242.3% and 156.3%, respectively. This study provides a new perspective on the use of g-C3N4 nanosheets to promote plant growth and develop nano-enabled agricultural technology.

Unusual Periventricular Hemorrhage as the Initial Manifestation of Central Nervous System Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a rare complication of central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis, and intratuberculoma hemorrhage is even more rare. To the best of our knowledge, periventricular hemorrhage caused by CNS tuberculosis has not yet been reported. In the present report, we have described the peculiar neuroradiological manifestations of periventricular hemorrhage secondary to CNS tuberculosis and discussed the possible mechanisms of intratuberculoma hemorrhage supported by the neuroradiological findings. CASE DESCRIPTION: We have reported the case of a 50-year-old man who had presented with headache. The initial computed tomography (CT) scan had shown periventricular hematoma with intraventricular hemorrhage. Despite conventional treatment of ICH, his headache deteriorated and repeated CT scan revealed expansion of the hematoma. Further investigation demonstrated CNS tuberculosis and tuberculomas lying within the periventricular hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: ICH can present as the initial manifestation of CNS tuberculosis, and CNS tuberculosis should be suspected when hemorrhage has occurred at an unusual site or the hematoma has expanded despite conventional treatment.