Unveiling the nitrogen removal performance from microbial network establishment in vertical flow constructed wetlands.

The combined effects of substrate types (natural zeolite or shale ceramsite) and hydraulic retention time (HRT, 3-day or 6-day) on nutrient removal and microbial co-occurrence networks in vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) remains to be elucidated. In this study, zeolite-packed VFCWs demonstrated superior removal rates, achieving 93.65% removal of NH4+-N and 83.84% removal of COD at 6-day HRT. The activity and establishment of microbial community were influenced by combined operating conditions. The abundances of Amx, amoA, nxrA, and nosZ genes increased with longer HRTs in zeolite-packed VFCWs. Additionally, a 6-day HRT significantly increased the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Nitrospirae. At the species level, zeolite-packed VFCWs exhibited ecological niche sharing as a coping strategy in response to environment changes, while ceramsite-packed VFCWs displayed ecological niche differentiation. Both zeolite-packed and ceramsite-packed VFCWs established functional networks of nitrogen-transforming genera that utilized ecological niche differentiation strategies.

Simultaneous removal of antibiotics and nitrogen by microbial fuel cell-constructed wetlands: Microbial response and carbon-nitrogen metabolism pathways.

Microbial fuel cell-constructed wetlands (MFC-CWs) are attracted extensive attention due to their simultaneous removal performance during the co-occurrence of various pollutants in wastewater. This study explored the performance and mechanisms on the simultaneous removal of antibiotics and nitrogen from MFC-CWs which packed with coke (MFC-CW (C)) and quartz sand (MFC-CW (Q)) substrate. Results showed that removal of sulfamethoxazole (93.60 %), COD (77.94 %), NH4+-N (79.89 %), NO3-- N (82.67 %), and TN (70.29 %) significantly enhanced by MFC-CW (C) due to the enhancement of relative abundance of membrane transport, amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. The results indicated that coke substrate can generate more electric energy in MFC-CW. Firmicutes (18.56-30.82 %), Proteobacteria (23.33-45.76 %), and Bacteroidetes (17.1-27.85 %) were dominant phyla in the MFC-CWs. MFC-CW (C) posed significant effects on the microbial diversity and structure, which motivated the functional microbes involved in the transformation of antibiotics and nitrogen and bioelectricity generation. Given the overall performance of MFC-CW, packing with cost-effective substrate to electrode region of MFC-CWs was found to be an effective strategy for simultaneously removing antibiotics and nitrogen in the wastewater treatment.

Lipid metabolism-related miRNAs with potential diagnostic roles in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa), the second most prevalent solid tumor among men worldwide, has caused greatly increasing mortality in PCa patients. The effects of lipid metabolism on tumor growth have been explored, but the mechanistic details of the association of lipid metabolism disorders with PCa remain largely elusive. METHODS: The RNA sequencing data of the GSE45604 and The Cancer Genome Atlas-Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) datasets were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and UCSC Xena databases, respectively. The Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) was utilized to identify lipid metabolism-related genes. The limma R package was used to identify differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes (DE-LMRGs) and differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs). Moreover, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) were applied to select signature miRNAs and construct a lipid metabolism-related diagnostic model. The expression levels of selected differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related miRNAs (DE-LMRMs) in PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) specimens were verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR). Furthermore, a transcription factor (TF)-miRNA‒mRNA network was constructed. Eventually, Kaplan‒Meier (KM) curves were plotted to illustrate the associations between signature miRNA-related mRNAs and TFs and overall survival (OS) along with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCR). RESULTS: Forty-seven LMRMs were screened based on the correlation analysis of 29 DE-LMRGs and 56 DEMs, in which 27 LMRMs were stably expressed in the GSE45604 dataset. Subsequently, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and machine learning methods were employed to develop a lipid metabolism-related diagnostic signature, which may be of diagnostic value for PCa patients. qRT‒PCR results showed that all seven key DE-LMRMs were differentially expressed between PCa and BPH tissues. Eventually, a TF-miRNA‒mRNA network was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that 7 key diagnostic miRNAs were closely related to PCa pathological processes and provided new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa. Moreover, CLIC6 and SCNN1A linked to miR-200c-3p had good prognostic potential and provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of PCa.

Long-Term Survival and Prognostic Factors After Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy.

Purpose: Our study aims to investigate the long-term survival and prognostic factors of patients after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Methods: Totally, 245 patients with renal cell carcinoma in our hospital from January 2015 to February 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The 5-year survival status of patients with renal cell carcinoma was under analysis and further based on univariate analysis, and its influencing factors were analyzed by Cox regression. Results: The average 5-year follow-up time of 245 patients with renal cell carcinoma was (4.88 ± 0.52) years. The mortality of 1 year, 3 years and 5 years were 2.45% (5/245), 6.35% (16/245) and 9.80% (24/245), respectively. The survival rates were 97.55% (239/245), 93.06% (228/245) and 90.61% (222/245). Univariate analysis showed that age, tumor diameter, hematuria, TNM stage and postoperative recurrence may be the influencing factors of 5-year survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma (P < .05). However, the following parameters, including gender, course of disease, and other clinical complications were not related to the 5-year survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma (P > .05). the influencing factors of 5-year survival status of patients with renal cell carcinoma were age, tumor diameter, hematuria, TNM stage, and postoperative recurrence. Conclusion: The study revealed the long-term survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma may be associated with age, tumor diameter, hematuria, TNM stage and postoperative recurrence.

Immature rat testis sustained long-term development using an integrative model.

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation has been primarily performed using fresh donor tissue to study testicular development for about 20 years, and whether the cultured tissue would be a suitable donor is unclear. In this study, we combined testicular culture and xenotransplantation into an integrative model and explored whether immature testicular tissue would survive and continue to develop in this model. METHODS: In the new integrative model group, the testes of neonatal rats on postnatal day 8 (PND 8) were cultured for 4 days ex vivo and then were transplanted under the dorsal skin of castrated nude mice. The xenografted testes were resected on the 57th day after xenotransplantation and the testes of rats in the control group were harvested on PND 69. The survival state of testicular tissue was evaluated from morphological and functional perspectives including H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining of 8-OH-dG, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL assay, ultrastructural study, gene expression and protein analysis. RESULTS: (a) We found that complete spermatogenesis was established in the testes in the new integrative model group. Compared with the control in the same stage, the seminiferous epithelium in some tubules was a bit thinner and there were vacuoles in part of the tubules. Immunofluorescence staining revealed some ACROSIN-positive spermatids were present in seminiferous tubule of xenografted testes. TUNEL detection showed apoptotic cells and most of them were germ cells in the new integrative model group. 8-OH-dG immunohistochemistry showed strongly positive-stained in the seminiferous epithelium after xenotransplantation in comparison with the control group; (b) Compared with the control group, the expressions of FOXA3, DAZL, GFRα1, BOLL, SYCP3, CDC25A, LDHC, CREM and MKI67 in the new integrative model group were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), indicating that the testicular tissue was in an active differentiated and proliferative state; (c) Antioxidant gene detection showed that the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and SOD1 in the new integrative model group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and DNA methyltransferase gene detection showed that the expression of DNMT3B was significantly elevated as well (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new integrative model could maintain the viability of immature testicular tissue and sustain the long-term survival in vivo with complete spermatogenesis. However, testicular genes expression was altered, vacuolation and thin seminiferous epithelium were still apparent in this model, manifesting that oxidative damage may contribute to the testicular development lesion and it needs further study in order to optimize this model.

miR-20b-5p is a novel biomarker for detecting prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed solid tumor and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among men worldwide. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test for PCa remains controversial. Therefore, the development of more effective non-invasive biomarkers for PCa is necessary. The present study evaluated the diagnostic value of microRNA (miR)-20b-5p in PCa. Tissue miR-20b-5p expression levels and their correlation with clinical parameters were assessed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, and the diagnostic value of the miR-20b-5p expression levels in PCa tissues was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to assess the relative expression levels of miR-20b-5p in PCa tissues compared with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) tissues. In addition, miR-20b-5p expression levels in PCa cell lines and non-tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells were compared. In this study, exosomes were extracted from the prostatic fluid as a source of liquid biopsy for the detection of PCa. The prostatic fluid exosomal miR-20b-5p expression levels between patients with PCa and the biopsy-negative patients were compared, and the diagnostic efficiency of prostatic fluid exosomal miR-20b-5p expression levels in PCa was compared with PSA and with the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) risk calculator. The mechanism by which miR-20b-5p may function in PCa was assessed using bioinformatic analysis and validation experiments. miR-20b-5p was expressed at a markedly higher level in PCa tissues compared with normal prostate tissues with high diagnostic efficiency (area under the curve: 0.826). The expression levels of miR-20b-5p were also significantly higher in PCa tissues compared with BPH tissues; similarly, miR-20b-5p was more highly expressed in PCa cells compared with non-tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells. Prostatic fluid exosomal miR-20b-5p expression levels in patients with PCa were significantly higher compared with confirmed to be biopsy-negative, and the diagnostic performance of miR-20b-5p was superior to PSA and ERSPC risk calculator. The results of RT-qPCR and western blotting following transfection of DU145 cells with miR-20b-5p mimics and inhibitor showed that miR-20b-5p reduced the expression of retinoblastoma-associated protein 1 (RB1). Therefore, RB1 may be a significant target gene for miR-20b-5p. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR-20b-5p was upregulated in PCa at the tissue and cellular levels, as well as in prostatic fluid exosomes. Therefore, miR-20b-5p may be a promising early diagnostic biomarker for PCa and an important tool to guide the decision-making of prostate biopsy.

Health Effects of Particulate Uranium Exposure.

Uranium contamination has become a nonnegligible global health problem. Inhalation of particulate uranium is one of the predominant routes of occupational and environmental exposure. Uranium particle is a complex two-phase flow of matter that is both particulate and flowable. This particular physicochemical property may alter its biological activity. Epidemiological studies from occupationally exposed populations in the uranium industry have concluded that there is a possible association between lung cancer risk and uranium exposure, while the evidence for the risk of other tumors is not sufficient. The toxicological effects of particulate uranium exposure to animals have been shown in laboratory tests to focus on respiratory and central nervous system damage. Fibrosis and tumors can occur in the lung tissue of the respiratory tract. Uranium particles can also induce a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity, targeting mitochondria. The understanding of the health risks and potential toxicological mechanisms of particulate uranium contamination is still at a preliminary stage. The diversity of particle parameters has limited the in-depth exploration. This review summarizes the current evidence on the toxicology of particulate uranium and highlights the knowledge gaps and research prospects.

10-7 M genistein partially alleviates 10-7 M MEHP unfavorable effects in a new modified fetal rat testis culture system.

Background: Recent studies revealed that some common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) including phthalates and phytoestrogens may exhibit low-dose effects properties. However, how low dose of these EDCs and their mixture would affect fetal rat testis development still needs further investigation. Moreover, testis organ culture system also needs further modification to provide an effective tool for ex vivo EDCs study. Methods: We firstly modified the agarose organ culture system, in which fetal rat testes were cultured for 4 days (d1 to d4) on agarose gels held by Millicell inserts. Then we used the modified agarose culture system to study the combined effects of multiple EDCs exposure. 15.5 dpc fetal rat testes were isolated and treated with vehicle, MEHP (0.1 µmol/L), GEN (0.1 µmol/L) or MEHP (0.1 µmol/L) + GEN (0.1 µmol/L). Parameters concerning testicular cell development and function were evaluated, trying to gain insight into the early molecular events after multiple EDCs exposure. Results: The development of somatic, germ cells and seminiferous tubule in 15.5 dpc fetal rat testis was better sustained in the modified agarose culture system. Based on the modified system, we found that MEHP at 0.1 µmol/L induced alterations in gonocyte markers, antioxidative enzyme activity as well as transient reduction of testosterone production, accompanied by mitochondria swelling in gonocytes and Sertoli cells. No obvious morphological and histological alterations were observed in all treated groups. However, coadministration of genistein at 0.1 µmol/L partially alleviated MEHP-induced fetal testis damage ex vivo through enhancement of antioxidative action. MEHP at low dose still showed weak endocrine disrupting properties but did not exhibit typical low-dose effects. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the modified agarose culture system could better mimic testicular microenvironment without obvious hypoxic cell damage. Furthermore, low dose of MEHP induced mild disruption to fetal testis development, cotreatment of genistein at low dose attenuated MEHP induced fetal testis injuries in part by balancing redox state, indicating that low dose of genistein may partially protect fetal testis from phthalates induced injury.

Mercury fractionation, bioavailability, and the major factors predicting its transfer and accumulation in soil-wheat systems.

Soil mercury (Hg) and its bioaccumulation in food crops have attracted widespread concerns globally due to its harmful effects on biota. However, soil mercury fractionation, bioavailability, and the major factors predicting its transfer and accumulation in soil-wheat-systems have not been thoroughly explored. Twenty-one (21) soil samples collected throughout China with a wide spectrum of physico-chemical characteristics were contaminated with HgCl2 and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown on the soils in a greenhouse pot-culture experiment for 180 days. A four-step sequential extraction was used segregating soil Hg into water-soluble (F1, 0.21 %), exchangeable (F2, 0.07 %), organically bound (F3, 16.40 %), and residual fractions (F4, 83.32 %). Step-wise multiple linear regression (SMLR) and path analysis (PA) were used to develop a prediction model and identify the major controlling factors of soil-wheat Hg transference. The SMLR results revealed that wheat Hg in leaves, husk, and grain was positively correlated with soil total and available Hg, and crystalline manganese (Cryst-Mn), while negatively correlated with soil pH, amorphous manganese (Amor-Mn) and crystalline aluminium (Cryst-Al). Bioconcentration factor (BCF) values were significantly higher in acidic soils (highest 0.05), with phytotoxic effects in some soils, as compared to alkaline soils (lowest 0.006). Furthermore, wheat grain Hg was significantly correlated with total (R2 = 0.25), water-soluble (R2 = 0.54) and NH4Ac-extractable Hg (R2 = 0.43) while also had a good correlation with soil pH (R2 = -0.20). In conclusion, the soil total and available Hg (water-soluble + exchangeable fraction), pH, organic matter, and Amor-Mn are the most important soil variables that support Hg uptake in the wheat plants, which benefit managing Hg-enriched agricultural soils for safe wheat production.

Early Diagnostic Value of Urinary NGAL in Acute Kidney Injury in Septic Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipid (uNGAL) for the prediction of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). Methods: From September to December 2012, 110 patients were prospectively enrolled from the intensive care units (ICUs) of 3 general hospitals. After being admitted to the ICU, the patients were continuously observed for 72 hours. According to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria for the diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI), the patients were divided into the AKI group (33 patients) and non-AKI group (77 patients). Per the sepsis diagnostic criteria, the patients were classified as septic (79 patients) and non-septic (31 patients). Serum creatinine and uNGAL of the patients were analyzed daily. The difference in uNGAL in septic and non-septic patients, patients with and without AKI, and septic patients with with and without AKI were compared. In addition, the difference in serum creatinine and uNGAL in patients with and without AKI were recorded and compared, and the sensitivity and specificity of uNGAL and sCr for the diagnosis of AKI in the ICU patients were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: uNGAL levels were all significantly different in septic and non-septic patients (P = .001, P = .028, P = .010, respectively), patients with and without AKI (P = .001, P = .042, P = .001, respectively), septic patients with AKI and septic patients without AKI (P = .003, P = .012, P = .001, respectively) at 24, 48 and 72 hours after being admitted to the ICU, while the difference in sCr was not significant (P = .169) after 24 hours. The area under the ROC curve of uNGAL and sCr in patients admitted to the ICU at 24 hours were 0.828 (95% CI, 0.742 to 0.914) and 0.583 (95% CI, 0.471 to 0.695), respectively. The cutoff value of uNGAL was 170 ng/mL in patients admitted to the ICU at 24 hours, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.778 and 0.784, respectively. The sensitivity of uNGAL was superior sCr. Conclusion: uNGAL has relatively high sensitivity and specificity in predicting the occurrence of AKI in septic patients, which is superior to sCr and has certain clinical early diagnostic value. uNGAL could be used as an indicator for early diagnosis of AKI in septic patients in the ICU.

Intracellular and extracellular untargeted metabolomics reveal the effect of acute uranium exposure in HK-2 cells.

Uranium exposure poses a serious threat to the health of occupational populations and the public. Although metabolomics is a promising research approach to study the toxicological mechanisms of uranium exposure, in vitro studies using human cells are scarce. Applying cultured cell metabolomics, we exhaustively analyzed the intracellular and extracellular differential metabolites upon uranium exposure and characterized the possible biological effects of uranium exposure on human kidney cells. Uranium exposure significantly induced disturbance in the amino acid biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism of the cells. Cells exposed to uranium produce excessive amounts of arachidonic acid, which has the potential to cause oxidative stress and damage cells. The results provide new evidence for an oxidative stress mechanism of uranium-induced renal cell injury. Cell metabolomics has proven to be a useful diagnostic tool to study the molecular mechanisms of uranium poisoning.

Artificial Neural Pathway Based on a Memristor Synapse for Optically Mediated Motion Learning.

Animals execute intelligent and efficient interactions with their surroundings through neural pathways, exhibiting learning, memory, and cognition. Artificial autonomous devices that generate self-optimizing feedback mimicking biological systems are essential in pursuing future intelligent robots. Here, we report an artificial neural pathway (ANP) based on a memristor synapse to emulate neuromorphic learning behaviors. In our ANP, optical stimulations are detected and converted into electrical signals through a flexible perovskite photoreceptor. The acquired electrical signals are further processed in a zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8)-based memristor device. By controlling the growth of the ZIF-8 nanoparticles, the conductance of the memristor can be finely modulated with electrical stimulations to mimic the modulation of synaptic plasticity. The device is employed in the ANP to implement synaptic functions of learning and memory. Subsequently, the synaptic feedbacks are used to direct a robotic arm to perform responding motions. Upon repeatedly "reviewing" the optical stimulation, the ANP is able to learn, memorize, and complete the specific motions. This work provides a promising strategy toward the design of intelligent autonomous devices and bioinspired robots through memristor-based systems.

Phytoavailability and transfer of mercury in soil-pepper system: Influencing factors, fate, and predictive approach for effective management of metal-impacted spiked soils.

Mercury (Hg) contamination and accumulation in food crops is a global threat posing potential health risk to humans. However, Hg phytoavailability in soil-pepper system and its influencing factors largely remain unknown. In this study, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to grow peppers using 21 Chinese agricultural soils with varied soil properties and aged Hg levels. Mercury concentration in pepper leaves and fruits ranged from 0.021 to 0.057 mg kg-1 and 0.005-0.022 mg kg-1 respectively, while fruit Hg content in three soils (Anhui, Hubei, Beijing) exceeded the safety limit. Fruit Hg concentration was better positively correlated with soil Mg(NO3)2-extractable Hg content (r = 0.7, P < 0.0001) than soil total Hg content (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001). Highest bioconcentration factor (BCF, ratio of Hg plant to Hg soil) yielded in acidic soils, while the lowest BCF occurred in alkaline soils. Path analysis indicated available-Hg (R2 = 0.40) and total-Hg (R2 = 0.40) had direct positive effects on the pepper fruit Hg concentration, while direct negative effects including pH (R2 = -0.86), organic matter (R2 = -0.7), crystalline-Fe (R2 = -0.68). Those agreed with the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis which yielded a regression predictive model (R2 = 0.73, P < 0.0001). Soil available-Hg, total-Hg, pH, organic matter and crystalline-Fe & Mn were the most influencing factors of Hg phytoavailability. These results provide new insights into the phytoavailability of Hg in soil-pepper system, thus facilitating the management of pepper cultivation in Hg-enriched soils.

Immature rat testis sustained long-term development using an integrative model

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation has been primarily performed using fresh donor tissue to study testicular development for about 20 years, and whether the cultured tissue would be a suitable donor is unclear. In this study, we combined testicular culture and xenotransplantation into an integrative model and explored whether immature testicular tissue would survive and continue to develop in this model. METHODS: In the new integrative model group, the testes of neonatal rats on postnatal day 8 (PND 8) were cultured for 4 days ex vivo and then were transplanted under the dorsal skin of castrated nude mice. The xenografted testes were resected on the 57th day after xenotransplantation and the testes of rats in the control group were harvested on PND 69. The survival state of testicular tissue was evaluated from morphological and functional perspectives including H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining of 8-OH-dG, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL assay, ultrastructural study, gene expression and protein analysis. RESULTS: (a) We found that complete spermatogenesis was established in the testes in the new integrative model group. Compared with the control in the same stage, the seminiferous epithelium in some tubules was a bit thinner and there were vacuoles in part of the tubules. Immunofluorescence staining revealed some ACROSIN-positive spermatids were present in seminiferous tubule of xenografted testes. TUNEL detection showed apoptotic cells and most of them were germ cells in the new integrative model group. 8-OH-dG immunohistochemistry showed strongly positive-stained in the seminiferous epithelium after xenotransplantation in comparison with the control group; (b) Compared with the control group, the expressions of FOXA3, DAZL, GFRα1, BOLL, SYCP3, CDC25A, LDHC, CREM and MKI67 in the new integrative model group were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), indicating that the testicular tissue was in an active differentiated and proliferative state; (c) Antioxidant gene detection showed that the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and SOD1 in the new integrative model group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and DNA methyltransferase gene detection showed that the expression of DNMT3B was significantly elevated as well (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new integrative model could maintain the viability of immature testicular tissue and sustain the long-term survival in vivo with complete spermatogenesis. However, testicular genes expression was altered, vacuolation and thin seminiferous epithelium were still apparent in this model, manifesting that oxidative damage may contribute to the testicular development lesion and it needs further study in order to optimize this model.

Oxidative Stress Disrupted Prepubertal Rat Testicular Development after Xenotransplantation.

In the past two decades, testicular tissue grafting and xenografting have been well established, with the production of fertilization-competent sperm in some studies. However, few studies have been carried out to observe the development of grafted prepubertal testicular tissue of rats and compare the biological differences between in situ testis and grafted testis. In this study, we established the prepubertal testicular tissue xenografting model using a 22-day-old rat and evaluated certain parameters, including testicular histology, testosterone production, and ultrastructure of the grafted testes. We also assessed gene expression of cell proliferation markers, testicular cell markers, and antioxidative defense system. Our results showed that 47 days after transplantation, intratesticular testosterone concentration was not significantly altered; however, cell proliferation, spermatogenesis, and Sertoli cell markers in the transplanted testes were significantly disrupted compared with the control group, accompanied by aggravated apoptosis and oxidative damage. Moreover, the transplanted testes showed smaller tubular diameter and disrupted spermatogenic epithelium with apparent vacuoles, distorted and degenerated germ cells with obscure nuclear margin, and no spermatids in the center of the tubules. Although testis xenografting has been extensively tested and attained great achievement in other species, the prepubertal rat testicular tissue xenografting to immunodeficient mice exhibited obvious spermatogenesis arrest and oxidative damage. The protocol still needs further optimization, and there are still some unknown factors in prepubertal rat testes transplantation.

Low Dose of Genistein Alleviates Mono-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate-Induced Fetal Testis Disorder Based on Organ Culture Model.

Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and genistein have been classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which interfere with the differentiation and development of the male reproductive system. However, how these two EDCs would affect fetal rat testis development at a low dose was rarely studied. In this study, we established the organ culture system and applied it to evaluate testicular effects following multiple EDC exposure at a low dose. 15.5 days postcoitum fetal rat testes were dissected, cultured, and exposed to vehicle (control), GEN (1 µmol/L, G), MEHP (1 µmol/L, M), or GEN (1 µmol/L)+MEHP (1 µmol/L, G+M). Testicular cell markers, testosterone concentration, redox state, testicular histology, and testicular ultrastructure were evaluated. Our results showed that a low dose of MEHP suppressed the development of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and gonocytes by triggering oxidative injuries, which was consistent with the ultrastructural findings. However, coadministration of genistein at a low dose could partially attenuate MEHP-induced fetal testis damage through antioxidative action. Cotreatment of genistein at a low dose may have a promising future on its protecting role for attenuating other EDC-induced reproductive disorders during early life. Based on the results, it can be speculated that dietary intake of isoflavones may make the fetal testis less susceptible to phthalate-induced injury.

The diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the clinical value of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of adult patients with sepsis. METHOD: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP database were searched by the index words to identify the qualified prospective studies, and relevant literature sources were also searched. The most recent research was done in the April 2017. The only languages included were English or Chinese. In the experiment group, patients were diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock; in the control group, the patients were of noninfectious origin or a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The diagnostic accuracy was analyzed by heterogeneity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and the summary receiver-operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: At least nine studies were involved in the meta-analysis with 495 patients in the sepsis group and 873 patients in the nonsepsis group. In terms of the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein (CRP) for sepsis, the overall area under the summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve was 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.77), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.63-0.90) and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.50-0.72) respectively, and the DOR was 6.89 (95% CI, 3.86-12.31). In terms of the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) for sepsis, the overall area under the SROC curve was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.82-0.88), with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.69-0.87) and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.60-0.88) respectively, and the DOR was 12.50 (95% CI, 3.65-42.80). CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, our results together indicate a moderate degree of value of PCT and CRP for the diagnosis of sepsis in adult patients. The diagnosis accuracy and specificity of PCT are higher than those of CRP.

Surgical management of retroperitoneal schwannoma complicated with severe hydronephrosis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Schwannomas are usually benign tumors arising from well-differentiated schwann cells, which rarely occur in the retroperitoneal space. The lack of specific signs and radiologic imaging characteristics makes preoperative diagnosis rather difficult. Most retroperitoneal schwannomas are benign and the primary treatment choice for retroperitoneal schwannomas is surgical excision, however, the involvement of the urinary system is scarcely reported. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 34-year-old woman presented with progressive left abdominal pain and rebound abdominal mass at the left lower quadrant for 1 month. Radiological imaging suggested capsulated solid mass with cystic and necrotic areas in the retroperitoneum accompanied by severe left kidney hydronephrosis and preoperative biopsy result was inconclusive. DIAGNOSES: We believe this is a rare case of retroperitoneal schwannoma complicated with severe hydronephrosis. INTERVENTIONS: After preparation, the patient underwent laparoscopy exploration and converted to open surgical exploration. The patient accepted complete surgical excision of the retroperitoneal tumor and left kidney. Postoperative pathology diagnosis of the mass was proven to be benign retroperitoneal schwannoma. OUTCOMES: Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful and the left abdominal pain was greatly improved. After 12-month follow up, no evidence of recurrence or any other complication including renal failure was observed. LESSONS: Preoperative imaging and preoperative ultrasound-guided biopsy are helpful to make accurate diagnosis. The final diagnosis is based on postoperative histological and immunohistochemical findings. The primary treatment option is complete surgical resection of the retroperitoneal schwannoma and the involved upper urinary system when severe hydronephrosis occured. Local recurrence and overall survival are closely correlated with negative resection margins and pathology types.

Autophagy is a major mechanism for the dual effects of curcumin on renal cell carcinoma cells.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of curcumin on renal cell carcinoma（RCC） through regulating autophagy. Cell viabilities were determined by MTT assay in RCC cells after treatment with curcumin at different concentrations for various durations. ATG7 silencing RCC cells were established to test the role of autophagy. The levels of key proteins on autophagy pathway were analyzed by Western blot. We found out that following 24 h curcumin treatment, the viability of RCC cells had an increase at 5 µM and no significant change at 20 µM but a decrease at 80 µM. These effects were affected by the inhibition of autophagy. When pre-incubated with inhibitors of the AMPK and ER stress pathways, the LC3II levels of RCC cells at 5 µM and 20 µM of curcumin were significantly decreased; however, when treated with the inhibitor of the oxidative stress pathway, the LC3II levels of RCC cells at 80 µM were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the present study indicated Curcumin protected cells from death at low concentration but promotes cell death at high concentration. Autophagy played a dual role in curcumin's effects on RCC. The AMPK and ER stress pathways might be involved at low concentrations of curcumin to protect cells, while the oxidative stress pathway might take part in toxicity at high curcumin concentration.

Genistein attenuates di­(2­ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular injuries via activation of Nrf2/HO­1 following prepubertal exposure.

Di­(2­ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and genistein (GEN) are of the most common endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in the environment or the diet. However, investigation of the effects of acute exposure to these two EDCs during prepuberty has been lacking. In this study, DEHP and GEN were administrated to prepubertal male Sprague­Dawley rats by gavage from PND22 to PND35 with vehicle control, GEN 50 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day, DEHP50, 150 and 450 mg/kg bw/day, and combined treatment. Reproductive parameters including testis weight, anogenital distance and organ coefficient were evaluated on PND36. Enzyme activity involved in the regulation of testicular redox state as well as expression of genes and proteins related to anti-oxidative ability and apoptosis were also investigated. The results revealed that by PND36, DEHP treatment had significantly decreased the testis weight, organ coefficient, testicular anti-oxidative enzyme activities and caused tubular vacuolation; however, co­administration of GEN partially alleviated DEHP­induced testicular injuries and enhanced testicular anti­oxidative enzyme activities and upregulated the expression of NF­E2 related factor 2 and heme oxygenase­1, which indicated that GEN partially attenuated DEHP­induced male reproductive system damage through anti­oxidative action following acute prepubertal exposure to DEHP. Thus, GEN may have use in attenuating the damaging effects of other EDCs that lead to reproductive disorders.