Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of Exogenous NAA Effects on Maize Seedling Root Systems under Potassium Deficiency.

Auxin plays a crucial role in regulating root growth and development, and its distribution pattern under environmental stimuli significantly influences root plasticity. Under K deficiency, the interaction between K+ transporters and auxin can modulate root development. This study compared the differences in root morphology and physiological mechanisms of the low-K-tolerant maize inbred line 90-21-3 and K-sensitive maize inbred line D937 under K-deficiency (K+ = 0.2 mM) with exogenous NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA = 0.01 mM) treatment. Root systems of 90-21-3 exhibited higher K+ absorption efficiency. Conversely, D937 seedling roots demonstrated greater plasticity and higher K+ content. In-depth analysis through transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed that 90-21-3 and D937 seedling roots showed differential responses to exogenous NAA under K-deficiency. In 90-21-3, upregulation of the expression of K+ absorption and transport-related proteins (proton-exporting ATPase and potassium transporter) and the enrichment of antioxidant-related functional genes were observed. In D937, exogenous NAA promoted the responses of genes related to intercellular ethylene and cation transport to K-deficiency. Differential metabolite enrichment analysis primarily revealed significant enrichment in flavonoid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and hormone signaling pathways. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis is a crucial pathway, with core genes (related to peroxidase enzyme) and core metabolites upregulated in 90-21-3. The findings suggest that under K-deficiency, exogenous NAA induces substantial changes in maize roots, with the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway playing a crucial role in the maize root's response to exogenous NAA regulation under K-deficiency.

Electrochemical promotion of organic waste fermentation: Research advances and prospects.

The current methods of treating organic waste suffer from limited resource usage and low product value. Research and development of value-added products emerges as an unavoidable trend for future growth. Electro-fermentation (EF) is a technique employed to stimulate cell proliferation, expedite microbial metabolism, and enhance the production of value-added products by administering minute voltages or currents in the fermentation system. This method represents a novel research direction lying at the crossroads of electrochemistry and biology. This article documents the current progress of EF for a range of value-added products, including gaseous fuels, organic acids, and other organics. It also presents novel value-added products, such as 1,3-propanediol, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, succinic acid, acrylic acid, and lysine. The latest research trends suggest a focus on EF for cogeneration of value-added products, studying microbial community structure and electroactive bacteria, exploring electron transfer mechanisms in EF systems, developing effective methods for nutrient recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus, optimizing EF conditions, and utilizing biosensors and artificial neural networks in this area. In this paper, an analysis is conducted on the challenges that currently exist regarding the selection of conductive materials, optimization of electrode materials, and development of bioelectrochemical system (BES) coupling processes in EF systems. The aim is to provide a reference for the development of more efficient, advanced, and value-added EF technologies. Overall, this paper aims to provide references and ideas for the development of more efficient and advanced EF technology.

Anaerobic fermentation of organic solid waste: Recent updates in substrates, products, and the process with multiple products co-production.

The effective conversion and recycling of organic solid waste contribute to the resolution of widespread issues such as global environmental pollution, energy scarcity and resource depletion. The anaerobic fermentation technology provides for the effective treatment of organic solid waste and the generation of various products. The analysis, which is based on bibliometrics, concentrates on the valorisation of affordable and easily accessible raw materials with high organic matter content as well as the production of clean energy substances and high value-added platform products. The processing and application status of fermentation raw materials such as waste activated sludge, food waste, microalgae and crude glycerol are investigated. To analyse the status of the preparation and engineering applications of the products, the fermentation products biohydrogen, VFAs, biogas, ethanol, succinic acid, lactic acid, and butanol are employed as representatives. Simultaneously, the anaerobic biorefinery process with multiple product co-production is sorted out. Product co-production can reduce waste discharge, enhance resource recovery efficiency, and serve as a model for improving anaerobic fermentation economics.

Improving lactic acid yield of hemicellulose from garden garbage through pretreatment of a high solid loading coupled with semi-hydrolysis using low enzyme loading.

Byproduct (acetate and ethanol) generation and carbon catabolite repression are two critical impediments to lactic acid production from the hemicellulose of lignocellulosic biomass. To reduce byproduct generations, acid pretreatment with high solid loading (solid-liquid ratio 1:7) of garden garbage was conducted. The byproduct yield was only 0.30 g/g during in the subsequent lactic acid fermentation from acid pretreatment liquid and 40.8% lower than that of low solid loading (0.48 g/g). Furthermore, semi-hydrolysis with low enzyme loading (10 FPU/g garden garbage cellulase) was conducted to regulate and reduce glucose concentration in the hydrolysate, thereby relieving carbon catabolite repression. During the lactic acid fermentation process, the xylose conversion rate was restored from 48.2% (glucose-oriented hydrolysis) to 85.7%, eventually achieving a 0.49 g/g lactic acid yield of hemicellulose. Additionally, RNA-seq revealed that semi-hydrolysis with low enzyme loading down-regulated the expression of ptsH and ccpA, thereby relieving carbon catabolite repression.

Long-term clinical safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon in the treatment of in-stent restenosis: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR). BACKGROUND: There is a long-term safety issue in peripheral arterial disease patients treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon, this has also raised concerns on DCB in coronary intervention. METHODS: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nine observational studies (OSs) were included with a total of 3,782 patients (1,827 in the DCB group, 1,955 in the drug-eluting stent [DES] group) being analyzed. The primary outcome measure-major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death (CD), stent thrombosis (ST), all-cause death (AD), and coronary angiography outcomes included late lumen loss (LLL), minimum luminal diameter (MLD), diameter stenosis (DS) were analyzed. RESULTS: DCB treatment significantly reduced the LLL (MD: -0.13; [CI -0.23 to -0.03], p = .01). No difference was found for MLD (MD: -0.1; [CI -0.24 to 0.04], p = .17) and DS% (RR = 0.98 [CI 0.80-1.20], p = .86). There was no significant difference in TLR, TVR, MI, CD, ST, AD, and the overall incidence of MACEs between the two groups up to 3 years follow-up. Subgroup analysis for different type of ISR and DES showed no significant difference in the incidence of endpoints, and there is no difference when considering RCTs or OSs only. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and efficacy of the DCB and DES in the treatment of ISR is comparable at up to 3 years follow-up.

Degradation of acetaminophen with ferrous/copperoxide activate persulfate: Synergism of iron and copper.

To enhance the advanced oxidation process based on persulfate, CuO was introduced into the Fe2+/PS system to achieve a synergistic effect between Fe and Cu. Results showed that Fe2+ was able to adsorb onto the CuO surface to form Fe(II) and further reduced Cu(II) into Cu(I), which can further release into the solution to participate in oxidation reactions. In this case, SO4·- can be generated via Fe2+ and Cu+ reactions with PS and ·OH from Cu+ reaction with dissolved oxygen (DO). The degradation efficiency of APAP was studied under the optimal condition (initial pH 6.5, PS = 0.8 g L-1, Fe2+ = 0.7 mM, CuO = 0.3 g L-1), and the results indicated that the Fe2+/CuO/PS system can achieve a higher degradation rate of APAP (92% within 90 min) rather than Fe2+/PS and CuO/PS system (79% and 10%). Quenching experiment was performed to verify the active radicals in the Fe2+/CuO/PS system. Sulfate and hydroxyl radicals were generated in the Fe2+/CuO/PS system. Besides, some critical factors, such as Fe2+ concentration, catalyst dosage, PS concentration, initial pH (buffers and nonbuffers), and dissolved oxygen were evaluated in bath experiments. Results indicated that dissolved oxygen was essential in the Fe2+/CuO/PS system. APAP degradation experiments were conducted in surface water, and the intermediates were detected via GC-MS. The results indicated that the Fe2+/CuO/PS system is effective in the treatment of APAP in natural waters.

[Generation and release of Microcystin-lR by Microcystis aeruginosa under hydroquinone inhibition].

The generation and release of algal toxin Microcystin-LR (MCLR), as well as the intracellular organic chemicals were studied during the inhibition processes of Microcystis aeruginosa using hydroquinone as the inhibitor. According to the dose-effect relationship, the corresponding dosages of EC20, EC50, EC70, EC90, EC99 were added to the algae suspension. The TOC was determined by the total organic carbon analyzer, and the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum was obtained by the fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results showed that the generation of MCLR was inhibited at EC20 and the total MCLR was 72.4%-83.0% of the control samples. Whereas the cells were stimulated to produce higher amount of MCLR, and the total MCLR was 1.77-3.13 times as high as that of the control samples at EC50-EC99. The intracellular MCLR was largely released to the water at EC70-EC99. The release of other intracellular organic chemicals mainly referred to humic-like and fulvic-like substances, which were unstable and had an obvious degradation and transformation after 6 days of cultivation.

Flocculation of Microcystis aeruginosa using modified larch tannin.

To flocculate the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa from water, larch tannin, a natural polymer, was modified by Mannich reaction to obtain a flocculant, named A-TN, which was then quaternized to yield another flocculant, named Q-TN. A-TN and Q-TN were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and zeta potential analysis. The effects of the flocculation parameters, e.g., dosage, pH, cell density, culture time, and extracellular organic materials, were studied. The results showed that Q-TN was effective under a wider range of pH values than A-TN and could work under a pH of 9.0, whereas A-TN could work only under a pH of 7.0. For algal samples with densities from 1 × 10(8) to 5 × 10(9) cells/L, the optimum dosages of Q-TN to achieve more than 90% removal efficiency ranged from 0.5 to 20 mg/L, and the optimum dosages had a good linear relationship with cell density. Furthermore, the required dosage of Q-TN clearly increased along with the algae culture time, most of which was consumed by the extracellular organic materials (EOM) excreted from the cells. The spectra of the three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix showed that 100% of simple aromatic proteins and 78.8% of protein-like substances in the EOM could be removed by Q-TN. However, Q-TN was less effective in humic/fulvic-like substance flocculation. Q-TN functioned to settle the algae cells and a large amount of their metabolites effectively.

Specific expression of osteopontin and S100A6 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to identify differential expression of genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the ultimate goal of discovering novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. METHODS: We examined differences in gene expression between HCC and noncancerous liver tissue using a cDNA array with probes for 15,843 genes/clones. Two genes, osteopontin (OPN) and S100A6, were found to be >10-fold differentially expressed, and were selected for further immunohistochemical staining in 51 HCC and 10 nonmalignant liver specimens. The relation between OPN and S100A6 alterations and various clinicopathologic parameters was also evaluated. RESULTS: We found a total of 219 genes that were differentially expressed >3-fold. Of these, 109 were upregulated and 110 downregulated. Within this group, 123 genes, including 59 upregulated and 64 downregulated, had been identified previously. These known genes were mainly involved in cell migration, cytoskeleton dynamics, the signaling pathway and cell cycle, and metabolism. OPN expression and S100A6 expression were seen in 26 of 51 (51.0 %) and 16 of 51 (31.4 %) HCC samples, respectively. More importantly, proteins coded by these genes were not found in any noncancerous liver specimen by immunohistochemical analysis. Expression of these genes correlated with poor differentiation (OPN: P = .013; S100A6: P = .008). CONCLUSION: OPN, a secreted phosphoprotein that has been increasingly implicated in the progression and metastasis of cancer, and S100A6, a member of the S100 protein family that can perform cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cytoskeletal dynamics, may be promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for HCC. In addition, the results encourage future studies involving the roles of these proteins in the development and progression of this cancer.

[Hematological changes and related gene mutation of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome patients with osteonecrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hematological changes and related gene mutation of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients with osteonecrosis so as to find the sensitive molecular symbols for early screening of the high risk populations. METHODS: Fast peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 61 post-SARS patients with osteonecrosis, 25 males and 36 females, aged 30.4 (20 - 60), and 52 sex and age-matched healthy persons as controls. ELISA was used to detect the coagulation and fibrinolysis indicators: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), protein C (PC), antithrombin III (AT-III), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), activated protein C resistance (APC-R), plasminogen (PLG), von Willebrand factor (VWF), D-dimer (D-D), and fibrinogen (Fib). Real-time PCR was used to detect the mutation of factor V G1601A (FV Leiden) and prothrombin G20210A. RESULTS: The levels of PC, AT-III, and PLG of the osteonecrosis group were 85% +/- 34%, 84 +/- 29%, and 69 +/- 23%, significantly lower than that of the control group (109% +/- 20%, 104% +/- 14%, and 94% +/- 15% respectively, all P < 0.01). PAI of the osteonecrosis group was 16 U/ml +/- 14 U/ml, significantly higher than that of the control group (8.0 U/ml +/- 4.3 U/ml, P < 0.01). The percentage of patients with abnormal indicators was 99.5% (54/61) in the osteonecrosis group, significantly higher than that of the control group (36.5%, 19/52, P < 0.01). The percentage of patients with 3 or more abnormal indicators was 72.1% (44/61) in the osteonecrosis group, significantly higher than that of the control group (17.3%, 9/52, P < 0.01). No mutations of F V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A was found in both groups. CONCLUSION: Trends of hypercoagulation and hypofibrinolysis exist in the post-SARS patients with osteonecrosis. APTT, PC, AT-III, and PLG can be used as sensitive indicator for screening high risk populations of osteonecrosis.

Changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis of post-SARS osteonecrosis in a Chinese population.

The purpose of this study was to detect changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Chinese patients with osteonecrosis, investigate the aetiology of post-SARS osteonecrosis (ON), and select the sensitive molecular markers for identifying the susceptible population. For this study, blood samples were collected from 88 patients with post-SARS ON and 52 healthy people. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), protein C (PC), antithrombin III (AT-III), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), activated protein C resistance (APC-R), plasminogen (PLG), von Willebrand's factor(vWF), D-dimer (D-D), fibrinogen (Fib), and homocysteine (HCY) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We noted that blood agents of patients with ON changed obviously. APTT, PC, AT-III, PAI, APC-R, and PLG were significantly different between the two groups. Hypercoagulation and hypofibrinolysis were found in patients with post-SARS ON. Therefore, these examinations can be used to screen a population susceptible to ON. Measurements of APTT, PC, AT-III, PAI, APC-R, and PLG are sensitive blood tests for screening purposes.

Analysis of serum cytokines in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory system. Although a novel coronavirus has been identified as the causative agent of SARS, the pathogenic mechanisms of SARS are not understood. In this study, sera were collected from healthy donors, patients with SARS, patients with severe SARS, and patients with SARS in convalescence. The serum concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor growth factor beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The concentrations of IL-1 and TNF-alpha were not significantly different in different groups. The IL-6 concentration was increased in SARS patients and was significantly elevated in severe SARS patients, but the IL-6 concentrations were similar in convalescent patients and control subjects, suggesting that there was a positive relationship between the serum IL-6 concentration and SARS severity. The concentrations of IL-8 and TGF-beta were decreased in SARS patients and significantly reduced in severe SARS patients, but they were comparable in convalescent SARS patients and control subjects, suggesting that there was a negative relationship between the IL-8 and TGF-beta concentrations and SARS severity. The concentrations of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 showed significant changes only in convalescent SARS patients. The IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels were decreased, while the levels of IL-10 were increased, and the differences between convalescent SARS patients and other patient groups were statistically significant. These results suggest that there are different immunoregulatory events during and after SARS and may contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Loss of DPC4 expression and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters in pancreatic carcinoma.

AIM: DPC4 is a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 18q21.1 that has high mutant frequencies in pancreatic carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DPC4 alterations in tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic carcinomas. METHODS: We studied the immunohistochemical markers of DPC4 in 34 adenocarcinomas and 16 nonmalignant specimens from the pancreas. The 16 nonmalignant specimens from the pancreas included 8 non-neoplastic cysts and 8 normal pancreatic tissues. The relationship between DPC4 alterations and various clinicopathological parameters was evaluated by chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Survivals were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method (by a log-rank test). RESULTS: All the 16 nonmalignant cases of the pancreas showed expression of DPC4 gene. Loss of DPC4 expression was seen in 8 of 34(23.5%) pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The frequency of loss of DPC4 expression was higher in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (G3) than in well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (G1 and G2) histologically (P=0.037). Loss of DPC4 expression of the patients at TNM stage IV was also higher than that of the patients at TNM stages I, II and III (60.0% at stage IV, versus 14.3% at stage I, 18.2% at stage II, and 18.2% at stage III) (P=0.223). The mean and median survival in patients with DPC4 expression was longer than those in patients with loss of DPC4 expression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated patients with DPC4 expression had a higher survival rate than patients with loss of DPC4 expression, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.879). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that DPC4 is involved in the development of pancreatic carcinoma and is a late event in pancreatic carcinogenesis, DPC4 expression may be a molecular prognostic marker for pancreatic carcinoma.

Extra-stent vascular remodeling in in-stent restenosis after 188Re-MAG3 radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: The effect of beta-radiation on extra-stent vascular remodeling in patients with in-stent restenosis has not been studied. The correlation between the extent of extra-stent plaque proliferation and that of intimal hyperplasia (IH) in in-stent restenosis in patients who received beta-radiation therapy as well as conventional therapy has also not been studied. METHODS: We evaluated the extra-stent remodeling in diffuse in-stent restenosis between a beta-radiation therapy patient group (188Re-MAG3, n=50) and a control group (n=9) by applying serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis. Matching (post-intervention and follow-up) images were acquired at the follow-up lesion site and were available in 44 of 50 patients who received radiation therapy and in seven of nine control patients. RESULTS: There was a significant increase of the external elastic membrane (EEM) area in both groups: 16.4 +/- 3.3 mm2 post-intervention to 17.1 +/- 3.3 mm2 at follow-up, P=0.001 in the radiation therapy group, and 16.8 +/- 4.0 mm2 post-intervention to 17.4 +/- 4.1 mm2 at follow-up, P=0.008 in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences of the Delta EEM area between the two groups: 0.7 +/- 0.4 mm2 in the radiation therapy group vs. 0.6 +/- 0.4 mm2 in the control group, P=0.389. The Delta IH area correlated with the Delta EEM area in the control group (r=0.826, P=0.022), but not in the radiation therapy group (r=0.016, P=0.919). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this IVUS study were that positive remodeling (increased EEM area) occurred equally in both control and irradiated patients with in-stent restenosis. The extent of remodeling was directly in proportion to IH in the control group, but no such relationship existed in the irradiated patient group.

[Change of T lymphocyte and its activated subsets in SARS patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study abnormal changes of T lymphocyte and its activated subsets in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients. METHODS: Flow cytometer with multi-color flouroscence and hematology analyzer were used to detect the expression of T lymphocyte and its activated a subsets in 240 SARS patients including 50 cases of critical type and 190 cases of common type. RESULTS: Statistical analysis by means of SAS software showed that there was significant decrease in absolute counts (AC) of T lymphocyte and its subsets in SARS patients when compared with normal people, while percentages (PC) of CD3+CD25+ and CD3+ HLA-DR+ subsets were increased markedly. Compared with common type, there was significant decrease in absolute counts of critical type of T lymphocyte, CD4+, CD25+CD3+, CD28+CD4+, and CD95+CD4+subsets. The ACs of T lymphocytes including CD4 and CD8 subsets in different phases were as below: III > II > I. The ACs of subsets involved in activation such as CD3+ HLA-DR+/lym, CD3+CD25+/lym, CD28+CD4+/CD4, CD28+CD8+/CD8, and CD38+CD4+/CD4 all were highest in group III. In addition, the AC and PC of CD95+CD4+/CD4 and CD95+CD8/CD8 subset in group III were highest while group I was lowest. CONCLUSIONS: With depressing cellular immunity, the activation of T lymphocytes were suppressed obviously in SARS patients, especially for critical patients.