Machine Learning in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Nonlinear Model From Clinical and CMR Features Predicting Cardiovascular Events.

BACKGROUND: The cumulative burden of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is significant, with a noteworthy percentage (10%-15%) of patients with HCM per year experiencing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). A current risk stratification scheme for HCM had only limited accuracy in predicting sudden cardiac death (SCD) and failed to account for a broader spectrum of adverse cardiovascular events and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to develop and evaluate a machine learning (ML) framework that integrates CMR imaging and clinical characteristics to predict MACEs in patients with HCM. METHODS: A total of 758 patients with HCM (67% male; aged 49 ± 14 years) who were admitted between 2010 and 2017 from 4 medical centers were included. The ML model was built on the internal discovery cohort (533 patients with HCM, admitted to Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China) by using the light gradient-boosting machine and internally evaluated using cross-validation. The external test cohort consisted of 225 patients with HCM from 3 medical centers. A total of 14 CMR imaging features (strain and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE]) and 23 clinical variables were evaluated and used to inform the ML model. MACEs included a composite of arrhythmic events, SCD, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation-related stroke. RESULTS: MACEs occurred in 191 (25%) patients over a median follow-up period of 109.0 months (Q1-Q3: 73.0-118.8 months). Our ML model achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.830 and 0.812 (internally and externally, respectively). The model outperformed the classic HCM Risk-SCD model, with significant improvement (P < 0.001) of 22.7% in the AUC. Using the cubic spline analysis, the study showed that the extent of LGE and the impairment of global radial strain (GRS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were nonlinearly correlated with MACEs: an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular events was observed when these parameters reached the high enough second tertiles (11.6% for LGE, 25.8% for GRS, -17.3% for GCS). CONCLUSIONS: ML-empowered risk stratification using CMR and clinical features enabled accurate MACE prediction beyond the classic HCM Risk-SCD model. In addition, the nonlinear correlation between CMR features (LGE and left ventricular pressure gradient) and MACEs uncovered in this study provides valuable insights for the clinical assessment and management of HCM.

G-quadruplex structures in FGFR3 promoter negatively regulate its gene expression and DNA replication.

FGFR3 activating mutations and abnormal expression are linked to tumor development. However, the current state of research on FGFR3 gene expression regulation is relatively insufficient. In this study, we have reported that the FGFR3 promoter's positive strand contains several G-tracts and most likely forms a G-quadruplex (G4) structure. Circular dichroism investigations revealed that oligonucleotides from this region exhibit G-quadruplex-like molar ellipticity. We further validated the G4 structure of the FGFR3 promoter using biochemical and cellular molecular biology techniques. The G-quadruplex mutation enhanced the transcriptional activity of the FGFR3 promoter and DNA replication, suggesting that the G4 structure inhibits its expression. Furthermore, we conducted a preliminary screen for helicases associated with FGFR3 expression and explored their regulatory effects on FGFR3 gene transcription. Subsequently, we investigated the effect of curcumin on the stability of the G4 structure of the FGFR3 promoter and its regulatory effect on FGFR3 expression.

Pro-inflammatory diets promote the formation of hyperuricemia.

Background: Hyperuricemia, as a very prevalent chronic metabolic disease with increasing prevalence year by year, poses a significant burden on individual patients as well as on the global health care and disease burden, and there is growing evidence that it is associated with other underlying diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The association between hyperuricemia and dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores was investigated in this study. Methods: This study enrolled 13, 040 adult subjects (aged ≥ 20 years) from the US National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2003 to 2018. The inflammatory potential of the diet was assessed by the DII score, and logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between the DII score and the development of hyperuricemia; subgroup analyses were used to discuss the influence of other factors on the relationship. Results: Participants in the other quartiles had an increased risk of hyperuricemia compared to those in the lowest quartile of DII scores. Stratification analyses stratified by body mass index (BMI), sex, hypertension, drinking, diabetes, education level and albumin-creatinine-ratio (ACR) revealed that the DII score was also associated with the risk of hyperuricemia (P<0.05). There was an interaction in subgroup analysis stratified by sex, age, and hypertension (P for interaction <0.05). The results showed a linear-like relationship between DII and hyperuricemia, with a relatively low risk of developing hyperuricemia at lower DII scores and an increased risk of developing hyperuricemia as DII scores increased. Conclusions: This study showed that the risk of hyperuricemia increased at slightly higher DII scores (i.e., with pro-inflammatory diets), but not significantly at lower levels (i.e., with anti-inflammatory diets). The contribution of the DII score to the development of hyperuricemia increased with higher scores. The relationship between inflammatory diets and hyperuricemia requires more research on inflammation, and this study alerts the public that pro-inflammatory diets may increase the risk of developing hyperuricemia.

The functional and structural alterations in brain regions related to the fear network model in panic disorder: A resting-state fMRI and T1-weighted imaging study.

Abnormal functional connectivity (FC) within the fear network model (FNM) has been identified in panic disorder (PD) patients, but the specific local structural and functional properties, as well as effective connectivity (EC), remain poorly understood in PD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural and functional patterns of the FNM in PD. Magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 33 PD patients and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Gray matter volume (GMV), degree centrality (DC), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) were used to identify the structural and functional characteristics of brain regions within the FNM in PD. Subsequently, FC and EC of abnormal regions, based on local structural and functional features, and their correlation with clinical features were further examined. PD patients exhibited preserved GMV, ReHo, and ALFF in the brain regions of the FNM compared with HCs. However, increased DC in the bilateral amygdala was observed in PD patients. The amygdala and its subnuclei exhibited altered EC with rolandic operculum, insula, medial superior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus. Additionally, Hamilton Anxiety Scale score was positively correlated with EC from left lateral nuclei (dorsal portion) of amygdala to right rolandic operculum and left superior temporal gyrus. Our findings revealed a reorganized functional network in PD involving brain regions regulating exteroceptive-interoceptive signals, mood, and somatic symptoms. These results enhance our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of PD, suggesting potential biomarkers for diagnosis and targets for therapeutic intervention.

Prognostic and therapeutic potential of imbalance between PD-1+CD8 and ICOS+Treg cells in advanced HBV-HCC.

Over 50% of patients with hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which is characterized by immune imbalance between CD8+ T cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells that accelerates disease progression. However, there is no imbalance indicator to predict clinical outcomes. Here, we show that the proportion of CD8+ T cells decreases and Treg cells increases in advanced HBV-HCC patients. During this stage, CD8+ T cells and Treg cells expressed the coinhibitory molecule PD-1 and the costimulatory molecule ICOS, respectively. Additionally, the ratio between PD-1+CD8 and ICOS+Tregs showed significant changes. Patients were further divided into high- and low-ratio groups: PD-1+CD8 and ICOS+Tregs high- (PD-1/ICOShi) and low-ratio (PD-1/ICOSlo) groups according to ratio median. Compared with PD-1/ICOSlo patients, the PD-1/ICOShi group had better clinical prognosis and weaker CD8+ T cells exhaustion, and the T cell-killing and proliferation functions were more conservative. Surprisingly, the small sample analysis found that PD-1/ICOShi patients exhibited a higher proportion of tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells and had more stable killing capacity and lower apoptosis capacity than PD-1/ICOSlo advanced HBV-HCC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In conclusion, the ratio between PD-1+CD8 and ICOS+Tregs was associated with extreme immune imbalance and poor prognosis in advanced HBV-HCC. These findings provide significant clinical implications for the prognosis of advanced HBV-HCC and may serve as a theoretical basis for identifying new targets in immunotherapy.

Impact of Functional Mitral Regurgitation on Left Ventricular Strain in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients with Type 2 Mellitus Diabetes: A Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking Study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of functional mitral regurgitation and type 2 mellitus diabetes (T2DM) on left ventricular (LV) strain in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) patients remains unclear. PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of mitral regurgitation severity on LV strain, and explore additive effect of T2DM on LV function across varying mitral regurgitation severity levels in NIDCM patients. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: 352 NIDCM (T2DM-) patients (49.1 ± 14.6 years, 67% male) (207, 85, and 60 no/mild, moderate, and severe mitral regurgitation) and 96 NIDCM (T2DM+) patients (55.2 ± 12.4 years, 77% male) (47, 30, and 19 no/mild, moderate, and severe mitral regurgitation). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 T/balanced steady-state free precession sequence. ASSESSMENT: LV geometric parameters and strain were measured and compared among groups. Determinants of LV strain were investigated. STATISTICAL TEST: Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, univariable and multivariable linear regression. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: LV GLPS and longitudinal PDSR decreased gradually with increasing mitral regurgitation severity in NIDCM patients with T2DM(GLPS: -5.7% ± 2.1% vs. -4.3% ± 1.6% vs. -2.6% ± 1.3%; longitudinal PDSR:0.5 ± 0.2 sec-1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2 sec-1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 sec-1). NIDCM (T2DM+) demonstrated decreased GCPS and GLPS in the no/mild subgroup, reduced LV GCPS, GLPS, and longitudinal PDSR in the moderate subgroup, and reduced GRPS, GCPS, GLPS, and longitudinal PDSR in the severe subgroup compared with NIDCM (T2DM-) patients. Multivariable regression analysis identified that mitral regurgitation severity (ß = -0.13, 0.15, and 0.25 for GRPS, GCPS, and GLPS) and the presence of T2DM (ß = 0.14 and 0.13 for GCPS and GLPS) were independent determinants of LV strains in NIDCM patients. DATA CONCLUSION: Increased mitral regurgitation severity is associated with reduced LV strains in NIDCM patients with T2DM. The presence of T2DM exacerbated the decline of LV function across various mitral regurgitation levels in NIDCM patients, resulting in reduced LV strains. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Electro-stimulation modulates syntrophic interactions in methanogenic toluene-degrading microbiota for enhanced functionality.

Syntrophy achieved via microbial cooperation is vital for anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation and methanogenesis. However, limited understanding of the metabolic division of labor and electronic interactions in electro-stimulated microbiota has impeded the development of enhanced biotechnologies for degrading hydrocarbons to methane. Here, compared to the non-electro-stimulated methanogenic toluene-degrading microbiota, electro-stimulation at 800 mV promoted toluene degradation and methane production efficiencies by 11.49 %-14.76 % and 75.58 %-290.11 %, respectively. Hydrocarbon-degrading gene bamA amplification and metagenomic sequencing analyses revealed that f_Syntrophobacteraceae MAG116 may act as a toluene degrader in the non-electro-stimulated microbiota, which was proposed to establish electron syntrophy with the acetoclastic methanogen Methanosarcina spp. (or Methanothrix sp.) through e-pili or shared acetate. In the electro-stimulated microbiota, 37.22 ± 4.33 % of Desulfoprunum sp. (affiliated f_Desulfurivibrionaceae MAG10) and 58.82 ± 3.74 % of the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanobacterium sp. MAG74 were specifically recruited to the anode and cathode, respectively. The potential electrogen f_Desulfurivibrionaceae MAG10 engaged in interspecies electron transfer with both syntroph f_Syntrophobacteraceae MAG116 and the anode, which might be facilitated by c-type cytochromes (e.g., ImcH, OmcT, and PilZ). Moreover, upon capturing electrons from the external circuit, the hydrogen-producing electrotroph Aminidesulfovibrio sp. MAG60 could share electrons and hydrogen with the methanogen Methanobacterium sp. MAG74, which uniquely harbored hydrogenase genes ehaA-R and ehbA-P. This study elucidates the microbial interaction mechanisms underlying the enhanced metabolic efficiency of the electro-stimulated methanogenic toluene-degrading microbiota, and emphasizes the significance of metabolic and electron syntrophic interactions in maintaining the stability of microbial community functionality.

Identification and biophysical characterization of a novel domain-swapped camelid antibody specific for fentanyl.

Opioid use disorders (OUD) and overdoses are ever-evolving public health threats that continue to grow in incidence and prevalence in the United States and abroad. Current treatments consist of opioid receptor agonists and antagonists, which are safe and effective but still suffer from some limitations. Murine and humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have emerged as an alternative and complementary strategy to reverse and prevent opioid-induced respiratory depression. To explore antibody applications beyond traditional heavy-light chain mAbs, we identified and biophysically characterized a novel single-domain antibody specific for fentanyl from a camelid variable-heavy-heavy (VHH) domain phage display library. Structural data suggested that VHH binding to fentanyl was facilitated by a unique domain-swapped dimerization mechanism, which accompanied a rearrangement of complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops leading to the formation of a fentanyl-binding pocket. Structure-guided mutagenesis further identified an amino acid substitution that improved the affinity and relaxed the requirement for dimerization of the VHH in fentanyl binding. Our studies demonstrate VHH engagement of an opioid and inform on how to further engineer a VHH for enhanced stability and efficacy, laying the groundwork for exploring the in vivo applications of VHH-based biologics against OUD and overdose.

Assessment of subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction in T2DM patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most prevalent complication of diabetes, and has been demonstrated to be independently associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. This aim of this study was to investigate the subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without DPN. METHODS: One hundred and thirty T2DM patients without DPN, 61 patients with DPN and 65 age and sex-matched controls who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging were included, all subjects had no symptoms of heart failure and LV ejection fraction ≥ 50%. LV myocardial non-infarct late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was determined. LV global strains, including radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain (PS) and peak systolic and diastolic strain rates (PSSR and PDSR, respectively), were evaluated using CMR feature tracking and compared among the three groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the independent factors of reduced LV global myocardial strains in T2DM patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-infarct LGE was higher in patients with DPN than those without DPN (37.7% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.008). The LV radial and longitudinal PS (radial: 36.60 ± 7.24% vs. 33.57 ± 7.30% vs. 30.72 ± 8.68%; longitudinal: - 15.03 ± 2.52% vs. - 13.39 ± 2.48% vs. - 11.89 ± 3.02%), as well as longitudinal PDSR [0.89 (0.76, 1.05) 1/s vs. 0.80 (0.71, 0.93) 1/s vs. 0.77 (0.63, 0.87) 1/s] were decreased significantly from controls through T2DM patients without DPN to patients with DPN (all p < 0.001). LV radial and circumferential PDSR, as well as circumferential PS were reduced in both patient groups (all p < 0.05), but were not different between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Radial and longitudinal PSSR were decreased in patients with DPN (p = 0.006 and 0.003, respectively) but preserved in those without DPN (all p > 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for confounders demonstrated that DPN was independently associated with LV radial and longitudinal PS (ß = - 3.025 and 1.187, p = 0.014 and 0.003, respectively) and PDSR (ß = 0.283 and - 0.086, p = 0.016 and 0.001, respectively), as well as radial PSSR (ß = - 0.266, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: There was more severe subclinical LV dysfunction in T2DM patients complicated with DPN than those without DPN, suggesting further prospective study with more active intervention in this cohort of patients.

PTPN23[Thr] variant reduces susceptibility and tumorigenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through dephosphorylation of EGFR.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of the development of cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of PTM-related genetic variants associated with ESCC risk using large-scale genome-wide and exome-wide association datasets. We observed significant enrichment of PTM-related variants in the ESCC risk loci and identified five variants that were significantly associated with ESCC risk. Among them, rs6780013 in PTPN23 exhibited the highest level of significance in ESCC susceptibility in 9,728 ESCC cases and 10,977 controls (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.81- 0.89, P = 9.77 × 10-14). Further functional investigations revealed that PTPN23[Thr] variant binds to EGFR and modulates its phosphorylation at Thr699. PTPN23[Thr] variant substantially inhibited ESCC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings underscore the critical role of PTPN23[Thr]-EGFR interaction in ESCC development, providing more insights into the pathogenesis of this cancer.

Structural basis for raccoon dog receptor recognition by SARS-CoV-2.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, raccoon dogs have been suggested as a potential intermediary in transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans. To understand their role in the COVID-19 pandemic and the species barrier for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans, we analyzed how their ACE2 protein interacts with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Biochemical data showed that raccoon dog ACE2 is an effective receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, though not as effective as human ACE2. Structural comparisons highlighted differences in the virus-binding residues of raccoon dog ACE2 compared to human ACE2 (L24Q, Y34H, E38D, T82M, R353K), explaining their varied effectiveness as receptors for SARS-CoV-2. These variations contribute to the species barrier that exists between raccoon dogs and humans regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Identifying these barriers can help assess the susceptibility of other mammals to SARS-CoV-2. Our research underscores the potential of raccoon dogs as SARS-CoV-2 carriers and identifies molecular barriers that affect the virus's ability to jump between species.

Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in respiratory tract pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study.

To understand the distribution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogens in respiratory samples in Changle District People's Hospital in Fujian Province in recent years, and provide empirical guidance for infection control and clinical treatment in the region. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 5137 isolates of pathogens from respiratory samples collected from 2019 to 2022. The AMR patterns were systematically analyzed. For research purposes, the data was accessed on October 12, 2023. A total of 3517 isolates were included in the study, including 811 (23.06%) gram-positive bacteria and 2706 (76.94%) gram-negative bacteria. The top 3 gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus with 455 isolates (12.94%), Streptococcus pneumoniae with 99 isolates (2.81%), and Staphylococcus hemolytic with 99 isolates (2.81%). The top 3 gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae with 815 isolates (23.17%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 589 isolates (16.75%), and Acinetobacter baumannii with 328 isolates (9.33%). The proportion of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and K pneumoniae fluctuated between 41.9% and 70.5%, and 18.6% and 20.9%, respectively. The resistance rates of E coli, K pneumoniae, P aeruginosa, and A baumannii to carbapenems were 2.36%, 8.9%, 18.5%, and 19.6%, respectively. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) was 48.55%, but it decreased to 38.4% by 2022. The resistance rate of Staphylococcus haemolyticus to methicillin was 100%, and 1 case of vancomycin-resistant strain was detected. K pneumoniae, P aeruginosa, A baumannii, and S aureus are the main pathogens in respiratory samples. Although the resistance rates of some multidrug-resistant strains have decreased, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant bacteria have still increased. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of pathogen resistance, promote rational use of antibiotics, and promptly report findings.

Regulating microbial redox reactions towards enhanced removal of refractory organic nitrogen from wastewater.

Biotechnology for wastewater treatment is mainstream and effective depending upon microbial redox reactions to eliminate diverse contaminants and ensure aquatic ecological health. However, refractory organic nitrogen compounds (RONCs, e.g., nitro-, azo-, amide-, and N-heterocyclic compounds) with complex structures and high toxicity inhibit microbial metabolic activity and limit the transformation of organic nitrogen to inorganic nitrogen. This will eventually result in non-compliance with nitrogen discharge standards. Numerous efforts suggested that applying exogenous electron donors or acceptors, such as solid electrodes (electrostimulation) and limited oxygen (micro-aeration), could potentially regulate microbial redox reactions and catabolic pathways, and facilitate the biotransformation of RONCs. This review provides comprehensive insights into the microbial regulation mechanisms and applications of electrostimulation and micro-aeration strategies to accelerate the biotransformation of RONCs to organic amine (amination) and inorganic ammonia (ammonification), respectively. Furthermore, a promising approach involving in-situ hybrid anaerobic biological units, coupled with electrostimulation and micro-aeration, is proposed towards engineering applications. Finally, employing cutting-edge methods including multi-omics analysis, data science driven machine learning, technology-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment would contribute to optimizing the process design and engineering implementation. This review offers a fundamental understanding and inspiration for novel research in the enhanced biotechnology towards RONCs elimination.

The role of FGF-21 in promoting diabetic wound healing by modulating high glucose-induced inflammation.

Background: Wound healing is a complex biological process that can be impaired in individuals with diabetes. Diabetic wounds are a serious complication of diabetes that require promoting diagnosis and effective treatment. FGF-21, a member of the endocrine FGF factors family, has caught the spotlight in the treatment of diabetes for its beneficial effects on accelerating human glucose uptake and fat catabolism. However, the therapeutic efficacy of FGF-21 in promoting diabetic wounds remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of FGF-21 in promoting diabetic wound healing. Methods: we investigated the effects of FGF-21 on wound healing related-cells under high-glucose conditions using various assays such as CCK8, scratch assay, flow cytometry analysis, endothelial tube-formation assay, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, we used db/db mice to verify the healing-promoting therapeutic effects of FGF-21 on diabetic wounds. We also conducted qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining analyses to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Result: Our results indicate that FGF-21 treatment restored hyperglycemic damage on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube-forming ability. It also reduced endothelial cell death rates under high-glucose conditions. TEM analysis showed that FGF-21 treatment effectively restored mitochondrial damage and morphological changes in endothelial cells caused by glucose. Additionally, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis indicated that FGF-21 treatment restored inflammatory responses caused by hyperglycemic damage. Animal experiments confirmed these findings, suggesting that FGF-21 may be a promising candidate for the treatment of non-healing diabetic wounds due to its effectiveness in stimulating angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory function. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that FGF-21 is an essential regulator of wound-related cells under high-glucose conditions and has the potential to be a novel therapeutic target for accelerating diabetic wound healing.

Insight into the mechanism of chlorinated nitroaromatic compounds anaerobic reduction with mackinawite (FeS) nanoparticles.

Anaerobic biotechnology for wastewaters treatment can nowadays be considered as state of the art methods. Nonetheless, this technology exhibits certain inherent limitations when employed for industrial wastewater treatment, encompassing elevated substrate consumption, diminished electron transfer efficiency, and compromised system stability. To address the above issues, increasing interest is being given to the potential of using conductive non-biological materials, e,g., iron sulfide (FeS), as a readily accessible electron donor and electron shuttle in the biological decontamination process. In this study, Mackinawite nanoparticles (FeS NPs) were studied for their ability to serve as electron donors for p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) anaerobic reduction within a coupled system. This coupled system achieved an impressive p-CNB removal efficiency of 78.3 ± 2.9% at a FeS NPs dosage of 1 mg/L, surpassing the efficiencies of 62.1 ± 1.5% of abiotic and 30.6 ± 1.6% of biotic control systems, respectively. Notably, the coupled system exhibited exclusive formation of aniline (AN), indicating the partial dechlorination of p-CNB. The improvements observed in the coupled system were attributed to the increased activity in the electron transport system (ETS), which enhanced the sludge conductivity and nitroaromatic reductases activity. The analysis of equivalent electron donors confirmed that the S2- ions dominated the anaerobic reduction of p-CNB in the coupled system. However, the anaerobic reduction of p-CNB would be adversely inhibited when the FeS NPs dosage exceeded 5 g/L. In a continuous operation, the p-CNB concentration and HRT were optimized as 125 mg/L and 40 h, respectively, resulting in an outstanding p-CNB removal efficiency exceeding 94.0% after 160 days. During the anaerobic reduction process, as contributed by the predominant bacterium of Thiobacillus with a 6.6% relative abundance, a mass of p-chloroaniline (p-CAN) and AN were generated. Additionally, Desulfomonile was emerged with abundances ranging from 0.3 to 0.7%, which was also beneficial for the reduction of p-CNB to AN. The long-term stable performance of the coupled system highlighted that anaerobic technology mediated by FeS NPs has a promising potential for the treatment of wastewater containing chlorinated nitroaromatic compounds, especially without the aid of organic co-substrates.

Exploration of the Changes in Facial Microbiota of Maskne Patients and Healthy Controls Before and After Wearing Masks Using 16 S rRNA Analysis.

Whether in the field of medical care, or in people's daily life and health protection, the importance of masks has been paid more and more attention. Acne, the most common complication after wearing masks, which is also called maskne, has been successfully introduced into the common language as a common topic of dermatologist consultations. This study aims to study the changes of microflora in maskne patients and healthy controls before and after wearing masks. In the summer of 2023, we collected a total of 50 samples from 15 maskne patients and 10 healthy controls before and after wearing surgical masks for a long time. 16 S ribosomal DNA sequencing and identification technology with V3-V4 variable region were adopted to explore the microbiome changes caused by mask wearing, analyze the changes in microbial diversity, and make interaction network. LDA effect size analysis was used to identify which bacteria showed significant changes in their relative abundance from phylum to genus. After wearing a mask, the microbiome of the maskne patients changed significantly more than that of the healthy controls, with both α diversity and ß diversity lower than those of maskne patients before wearing masks and those of healthy controls after wearing masks. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that compared with other groups, the network of maskne patients after wearing masks for a long time had the lowest connectivity and complexity, but the highest clustering property, while the opposite was true for healthy controls. Many microbes that are potentially beneficial to the skin decreased significantly after wearing a mask. There was almost no difference in healthy controls before and after wearing a mask.

What Was George Forrest's Plant Collection Journey like in China?

Since the 16th century, Western countries have conducted extensive plant collections in Asia, particularly in China, driven by the need to collect botanical resources and foster academic development. These activities have not only significantly enriched the Western botanical specimen collections but have also had a profound impact on the development of related disciplines such as botany, ecology, and horticulture. During this process, a large number of renowned plant hunters emerged, whose discoveries and contributions are still remembered today. George Forrest (1873-1932) was one of these distinguished plant hunters. From 1904 to 1932, he visited China seven times to collect plants and became famous for the regional distinctiveness of the species he collected. However, due to the lack of systematic collection, organization, and analysis of specimens collected by Forrest, only a few species, such as the species Rhododendron, are well-known among the many species he introduced to the West. Furthermore, the personal collecting characteristics and the characteristic species collected by Forrest are also not clear. This limits a comprehensive understanding of the specimen collection history and impact of Forrest in China. Therefore, systematic organization and analysis of Forrest's plant specimens collected in China are crucial to understanding his impact on botanical classification, Rhododendrons introduction, global horticulture, and plant propagation. This study aims to systematically organize and analyze the plant specimens collected by George Forrest in China to investigate the family, genus, and species composition of the collected specimens and the seven collection expeditions of Forrest in China, as well as the time and altitude of these collections. Furthermore, it seeks to discuss Forrest's scientific contributions to the global spread of plants, the widespread application of the Rhododendron, and his impact on the development of modern gardens, providing a theoretical basis and data reference for related research and professional development. To this end, we extensively consulted important historical literature related to Forrest and systematically collected data from online specimen databases. The conclusions drawn from the available data include 38,603 specimens, with 26,079 collection numbers, belonging to 233 families, 1395 genera, and 5426 species, which account for 48.24%, 32.63%, and 14.17% of the plant families, genera, and species in China, respectively. Rhododendron specimens made up 17.20% of the specimens collected in this study. The collection locations cover three provinces or autonomous regions, 11 prefecture-level cities, and 25 counties. Furthermore, we found that Forrest's collections were concentrated in spring and summer, mainly in high-altitude areas, with 135 species found below 1500 m and 3754 species at 1500 m and above. Rhododendron specimens were mostly found above 3000 m.

Assessing right ventricular peak strain in myocardial infarction patients with mitral regurgitation by cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking.

Background: Although it is known that mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) may increase the right ventricular (RV) afterload, leading to RV dysfunction, the exact detrimental effects on RV function and myocardial peak strain remain unresolved. In this study, we assessed the impact of MR on the impairment of RV myocardial deformation in patients with MI and explored the independent influential factors of RV peak strain. Methods: A total of 199 MI participants without or with MR were retrospectively assessed in this study. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance examination protocol included a late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) imaging technique and a cine-balanced steady-state free precession sequence. Statistical tests, including two independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression analysis models were performed. Results: The MI (MR+) group exhibited significantly lower RV strain parameters in the radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions when compared to the control and the MI (MR-) groups (both P<0.05). The RV global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) in the MI group significantly decreased when compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). As moderate-severe MR worsened in patients with MI, RV myocardial global peak strain and the peak systolic strain rate (PSSR) gradually decreased. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that left ventricular (LV) GLPS, triglycerides, and age were independently correlated with RV GLPS (all P<0.05). RV end-systolic volume (RVESV) acted as an independent association factor for RV global peak strain. Conclusions: MR may exacerbate the impairment of RV peak strain and functions in patients with MI. LV GLPS was positively correlated with RV GLPS. However, RVESV, triglycerides, and age acted as independent risk factors associated with worsening RV GLPS.

The additive effect of metabolic syndrome on left ventricular impairment in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease assessed by 3.0 T cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease and obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD), which usually have a poor prognosis. This study aimed to explore the impact of MetS on left ventricular (LV) deformation and function in OCAD patients and investigate the independent factors of impaired LV function and deformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 121 patients with OCAD and 52 sex- and age-matched controls who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance scanning were enrolled in the study. All OCAD patients were divided into two groups: OCAD with MetS [OCAD(MetS+), n = 83] and OCAD without MetS [OCAD(MetS-), n = 38]. LV functional and global strain parameters were measured and compared among the three groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were constructed to investigate the independent factors of LV impairment in OCAD patients. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to test the prediction efficiency of MetS for LV impairment. RESULTS: From controls to the OCAD(MetS-) group to the OCAD(MetS+) group, LV mass (LVM) increased, and LV global function index (LVGFI) and LV global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) decreased (all p < 0.05). Compared with the OCAD(MetS-) group, the LV GLPS declined significantly (p = 0.027), the LVM increased (p = 0.006), and the LVGFI decreased (p = 0.043) in the OCAD(MetS+) group. After adjustment for covariates in OCAD patients, MetS was an independent factor of decreased LV GLPS (ß = - 0.211, p = 0.002) and increased LVM (ß = 0.221, p = 0.003). The logistic multivariable regression analysis and ROC analysis showed that combined MetS improved the efficiency of predicting LV GLPS reduction (AUC = 0.88) and LVM (AUC = 0.89) increase. CONCLUSIONS: MetS aggravated the damage of LV deformation and function in OCAD patients and was independently associated with LV deformation and impaired LV strain. Additionally, MetS increased the prediction efficiency of increased LVM and decreased LV GLPS. Early detection and intervention of MetS in patients with OCAD is of great significance.