Boron induced multiple quorum-sensing circuits in parallel to assist in anaerobic digestion recovery from volatile fatty acids accumulation.

Exogenous quorum sensing (QS) molecular can regulate the activity and granulation process of anaerobic sludge in anaerobic digestion process, but would be impractical as a standalone operation. Here we demonstrated that application of 1 mg L-1 boric acid assisted in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor recovery from volatile fatty acids (VFAs) accumulation. After VFAs accumulation, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal suddenly reduced from 78.98% to 55.86%. The relative abundance of acetoclastic methanogens decreased from 55.79% to 68.28%-23.14%∼25.41%, and lead to the acetate accumulate as high as 1317.03 mg L-1. Granular sludge disintegrated and the average size of sludge decreased to 586.38 ± 42.45 µm. Application of 1 mg L-1 boric acid activated the interspecies QS signal (AI-2) and then induced the secretion of intraspecies QS signal (N-acyl-homoserine lactones, AHLs). AHLs were then stimulated the growth of syntrophic acetate oxidizing bacteria and hydrogenotrophic methanogen. Moreover, the concentration of acetate decreased to 224.50 mg‧L-1, and the COD removal increased to 75.10% after application of 1 mg L-1 boric acid. The activated AI-2 may induce multiple quorum-sensing circuits enhance the level of AI-2 and AHLs in parallel, and in turn assisted in anaerobic digestion recovery from VFAs accumulation.

Advances in CAR-NK cell therapy for lung cancer: is it a better choice in the future?

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cell therapy represents a promising advancement in the field of oncology offering a novel approach to target and eliminate tumor cells with high specificity and reduced risk of immune-related adverse effects. This paper reviews the mechanism, potential targets, and recent advances in CAR-NK cell therapy for lung cancer, including the design and engineering of CAR-NK cells, preclinical studies, and the outcomes of early-phase clinical trials. We highlight the unique advantages of using NK cells, such as their innate ability to recognize and kill cancer cells and their reduced potential for inducing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) compared to CAR T-cell therapies. Results from recent studies demonstrate significant antitumor activity in lung cancer models with improved targeting and persistence of CAR-NK cells observed in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we discuss the challenges in optimizing CAR-NK cell therapies, including the potential resistance mechanisms. The paper concludes with an outlook on the future directions of CAR-NK cell research and its implications for lung cancer treatment emphasizing the importance of continued innovation and collaboration in the field.

Tm,Ho:YLF waveguide lasers at 2.05†µm.

In this work, we report on the first, to our knowledge, 2.05-µm laser based on femtosecond-laser direct written (FsLDW) Tm,Ho:YLF cladding waveguides. A channel waveguide with a 90-µm diameter "fiber-like" low-index cladding is fabricated in a 6 at. % Tm3+, 0.4 at. % Ho3+:LiYF4 crystal by FsLDW. Pumped by Ti:sapphire laser at 795.1 nm, the fabricated waveguide supports efficient lasing oscillation at 2050 nm with a maximum output power of 47.5 mW, a minimum lasing threshold of 181 mW, and a slope efficiency of 20.1%. The impacts of cavity conditions and polarizations of the pump light on the obtained lasing performance are well studied. The experimental results obtained in this study demonstrate the great potential of utilizing Tm,Ho:YLF and FsLDW for the development of durable mid-infrared lasers featuring compact designs.

Metagenomic insights into carbon and nitrogen cycling in the water-land transition zone of inland alkaline wetlands.

Inland alkaline wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological functions. However, these wetlands are becoming more vulnerable to the effects of water level fluctuations caused by global climate change, especially concerning carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. Here, metagenomics sequencing was used to investigate microorganism diversity, C and N cycling gene abundance at three water level types (D (dry), MF (middle flooded), HF (high flooded)) along an inland alkaline wetland. Our findings reveal that water level was the most important factor in regulating the microbial communities. Distinct shifts in community composition were found along the water level increases, without fundamentally altering their composition. With the increase of water level, the relative abundance of pmoA decreased from 2.5 × 10-5 to 5.1 × 10-6. The C cycling processes shift from predominantly CO2-generated processes under low water levels to CO2 and CH4 co-generated processes under high water levels. The relative abundance of nosZ reached 4.9 × 10-5 in HF, while in D and MF, it is recorded at 4.5 × 10-5 and 3.4 × 10-5, respectively. Water levels accelerate N cycling and generating N2O intermediates. Furthermore, our study highlights the dynamic competition and cooperation between C and N cycling processes. This research provides a comprehensive biological understanding of the influence of varying water levels on soil C and N cycling processes in wetland.

Mulches assist degraded soil recovery via stimulating biogeochemical cycling: metagenomic analysis.

Soil degradation of urban greening has caused soil fertility loss and soil organic carbon depletion. Organic mulches are made from natural origin materials, and represent a cost-effective and environment-friendly remediation method for urban greening. To reveal the effects of organic mulch on soil physicochemical characteristics and fertility, we selected a site that was covered with organic mulch for 6 years and a nearby lawn-covered site. The results showed that soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus levels were improved, especially at a depth of 0-20 cm. The activities of cellulase, invertase, and dehydrogenase in soil covered with organic mulch were 17.46%, 78.98%, and 283.19% higher than those under lawn, respectively. The marker genes of fermentation, aerobic respiration, methanogenesis, and methane oxidation were also enriched in the soil under organic mulch. Nitrogen cycling was generally repressed by the organic mulch, but the assimilatory nitrate and nitrite reduction processes were enhanced. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was 12.63% higher in the mulch-covered soil, and functional genes involved in phosphorus cycling were also enriched. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the influence of organic mulch on soil microbes and provides a deeper insight into the recovery strategy for soil degradation following urban greening. KEY POINTS: • Long-term cover with organic mulches assists soil recovery from degradation • Soil physical and chemical properties were changed by organic mulches • Organic mulches enhanced genes involved in microbially mediated C and P cycling • Soil organic matter was derived from decomposition of organic mulch and carbon fixation • N cycling was repressed by mulches, except for assimilatory NO2- and NO3- reductions.

Cd contamination determined assembly processes and network stability of AM fungal communities in an urban green space ecosystem.

The effects of cadmium (Cd) contamination on the assembly mechanism and co-occurrence patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities remain unclear, especially in urban green spaces. This study sequenced AM fungal communities in greenbelt soils in Zhengzhou (China). The effects of Cd contamination on the AM fungal diversity, community assembly processes, and co-occurrence patterns were explored. We found that (1) an increase in Cd contamination changed the community composition, which resulted in a significant improvement in the diversity of specialists of AM fungi and a significant decrease in the diversity of generalists. (2) Deterministic processes dominated the community assembly of specialists and stochastic processes dominated the community assembly of generalists. (3) Specialists played a more important role than generalists in maintaining the stability of AM fungal networks under Cd contamination. Overall, Cd contamination affected the ecological processes of AM fungi in urban green space ecosystems. However, the effects on the assembly processes and network stability of different AM fungi taxa (specialists and generalists) differed significantly. The present study provides deeper insight into the effect of Cd contamination on the ecological processes of AMF and is helpful in further exploring the ecological risk of Cd contamination in urban green spaces.

Ultrasound visualization of the central nervous system during embryonic and fetal periods: Neurosonoembryology utilizing multiple three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound technology.

OBJECTIVE: To study the ultrasonographic features of the central nervous system (CNS) in normally developing embryos and fetuses with a crown-rump length (CRL) of 10-84 mm, utilizing a high-frequency transvaginal probe in conjunction with various three-dimensional (3D) imaging modes. METHODS: From January 2020 to February 2021, 210 normally developing embryos and fetuses in early pregnancy were enrolled and classified based on their gestational age. A high-frequency transvaginal transducer was used to perform 2D and 3D ultrasounds, and the 3D images were saved. These images were then processed using multiple 3D technologies, such as HD live silhouette, OmniView, and TUI. Additionally, the circumference of the vermis was measured through the posterior fontanelle. RESULTS: Beginning at the 10 mm CRL stage of embryonic development, high-frequency transvaginal 3D ultrasound imaging was able to clearly visualize the prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon. Notable changes were observed in the rhombencephalon during the 16-22 mm CRL stage, including the visualization of the pontine flexure and cerebellar primordium. At 23-40 mm CRL, there was a distinct pontine flexure, and the developing cerebellum, the fourth ventricle, and choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle (4th VCP) could be observed. The roof of the rhombencephalon was partitioned by the 4th VCP into the anterior membranous area (AMA) located rostrally and the posterior membranous area situated caudally. Additionally, the original Blake's pouch was identifiable. Among fetuses measuring 41-84 mm CRL, the AMA progressively decreased in size as the vermis developed. From the mid-sagittal view, the orientation of the 4th VCP seemed to shift from being perpendicular to the neural tube's long axis to being parallel to it. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between CRL and vermis circumference. CONCLUSION: Using three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound scanning, detailed visualization of the morphological changes in the CNS during normal embryonic development from 7 to 13+6  weeks is possible. This technology can aid in accurately characterizing the embryonic origin of the CNS.

Temporal hormetic response of soil microbes to cadmium: A metagenomic perspective.

The hormetic response of microbes to cadmium (Cd) is often observed in soil, but the mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we proposed a novel perspective of hormesis that successfully explained the temporal hermetic response of soil enzymes and microbes, and the variation of soil physicochemical properties. Several soil enzymatic and microbial activities were stimulated by 0.5 mg·kg-1 exogenous Cd, but inhibited at higher Cd dosages. The phenomena suggested the hormetic response to 0.5 mg·kg-1 Cd was highly generalizable concerning soil enzymes and microbial activity. However, the response disappeared after incubation for >10 days. Soil respiration was also initially enhanced by exogenous Cd and decreased after consumption of labile soil organic matter. The metagenomic results revealed Cd stimulation of genes involved in labile soil organic matter decomposition. Additionally, Cd enriched the antioxidant enzymatic activity and abundances of the corresponding marker genes, rather than genes involved in the efflux-mediated heavy metal resistance. The microbes enhanced their primary metabolism to make up the energy gaps, with hormesis evident. The hormetic response disappeared after the labile compounds in soil were exhausted. Overall, this study illustrates the dose-dependence and temporal variation of stimulants and provides a novel and feasible strategy for the study of Cd in soil microorganisms.

Mediative Mechanism of Freezing/Thawing on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in an Inland Saline-Alkaline Wetland: a Metagenomic Analysis.

Inland saline-alkaline wetlands distributed in the mid-high latitude have repeatedly experienced freezing and thawing. However, the response of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and microbially-mediated carbon and nitrogen cycle to freezing and thawing remains unclear. We monitored the GHG flux in an inland saline-alkaline wetland and found that, compared with the growth period, the average CO2 flux decreased from 171.99 to 76.61-80.71 mg/(m2‧h), the average CH4 flux decreased from 10.72 to 1.96-3.94 mg/(m2‧h), and the average N2O flux decreased from 56.17 to - 27.14 to - 20.70 µg/(m2‧h). Freezing and thawing significantly decreased the relative abundance of functional genes involved in carbon and nitrogen cycles. The aceticlastic methanogenic pathway was the main methanogenic pathway, whereas the Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera was the most abundant methane oxidizer in the wetland. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and denitrifier belonging to proteobacteria was the major microbial N2O source, while bacteria within clade II nosZ was the major microbial N2O sink. Freezing and thawing reduced the relative abundance of these genes, leading to a decrease in GHG flux.

Why is reusable bag consumption easier to say than do?

White pollution has become a global problem. China issued a strict plastic ban but fell into an awkward position. Despite the increasing environmental awareness, the positive attitude of consumers toward using reusable bags instead of plastic bags is difficult to reflect on from their behavior. This article bridges this gap by utilizing a consumer behavior framework based on the behavioral reasoning theory (BRT) and the attitude-behavior-context (ABC) model. This framework is tested using structural equation modeling with 481 Chinese consumers. This article confirms that the value has a significant impact on consumer attitudes. Meanwhile, the article reveals the positive influence of "reasons for" in predicting attitudes and the negative influence of "reasons against" in predicting intentions. Reusable bag consumption behavior is a result of multiple pathways working together, which causes the gap between attitudes and behaviors. This article also confirms the moderating role of the Chinese face and the enforcement of the plastic ban in influencing behavior. These findings offer interesting insights for enterprises and governments to solve the problem of plastic consumption.

Effective Extraction of the Al Element from Secondary Aluminum Dross Using a Combined Dry Pressing and Alkaline Roasting Process.

Secondary aluminum dross (SAD) is a hazardous solid waste discharged from aluminum electrolysis and processing and the secondary aluminum industries, which causes severe environmental pollution and public health disasters. The stable presence of the α-Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 phases in SAD makes it difficult for it to be efficiently utilized. A combined dry pressing and alkaline roasting process was proposed for extracting the valuable Al element from SAD. Two alkaline additives (NaOH and Na2CO3) were selected as a sodium source for extracting the aluminum source from SAD in order to perform the thermodynamic analysis and roasting experiments. The phase transition behavior and the leaching performance tests were conducted using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, leaching kinetics and thermal analysis. The recovery of Al and Na reached the values of 90.79% and 92.03%, respectively, under the optimal conditions (roasting temperature of 1150 °C, Na2CO3/Al2O3 molar ratio of 1.3, roasting time of 1 h, leaching temperature of 90 °C, L/S ratio of 10 mL·g-1 and leaching time of 30 min). Meanwhile, the removal efficiency of N and Cl reached 98.93% and 97.14%, respectively. The leaching kinetics indicated that the dissolution of NaAlO2 clinkers was a first-order reaction and controlled by layer diffusion process. The green detoxification and effective extraction of the Al element from SAD were simultaneously achieved without any pretreatments.

Soil fungal communities show more specificity than bacteria for plant species composition in a temperate forest in China.

BACKGROUND: Soil microbiome is an important part of the forest ecosystem and participates in forest ecological restoration and reconstruction. Niche differentiation with respect to resources is a prominent hypothesis to account for the maintenance of species diversity in forest ecosystems. Resource-based niche differentiation has driven ecological specialization. Plants influence soil microbial diversity and distribution by affecting the soil environment. However, with the change in plant population type, whether the distribution of soil microbes is random or follows an ecologically specialized manner remains to be further studied. We characterized the soil microbiome (bacteria and fungi) in different plant populations to assess the effects of phytophysiognomy on the distribution patterns of soil microbial communities in a temperate forest in China. RESULTS: Our results showed that the distribution of most soil microbes in different types of plant populations is not random but specialized in these temperate forests. The distribution patterns of bacteria and fungi were related to the composition of plant communities. Fungal species (32%) showed higher specialization than bacterial species (15%) for different types of plant populations. Light was the main driving factor of the fungal community, and soil physicochemical factors were the main driving factor of the bacterial community. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ecological specialization is important in maintaining local diversity in soil microbial communities in this forest. Fungi are more specialized than bacteria in the face of changes in plant population types. Changes in plant community composition could have important effects on soil microbial communities by potentially influencing the stability and stress resistance of forest ecosystems.

Interactive Music Learning Model Based on RBF Algorithm.

With the development of art education and information technology, it is increasingly necessary to use computer technology and multimedia technology to assist teaching in the teaching activities of music subjects nowadays, so as to cultivate students' independent inquiry ability and drilling ability. The design of an interactive teaching music intelligence system based on artificial intelligence is studied, and a music learning model based on the RBF algorithm is proposed, which helps to enhance students' inquiry ability and also plays the leading role of teachers. By teaching each other, students become the main subject of teaching and learning, and it stimulates students' enthusiasm and learning awareness of music learning.

Characterization of a novel chitinolytic Serratia marcescens strain TC-1 with broad insecticidal spectrum.

The Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen of many organisms, including insects. We report the identification and optimal in vitro chitinase production conditions of a novel chitinolytic S. marcescens strain TC-1 isolated from a naturally infected white grub (Anomala corpulenta) collected from a peanut field at Nanyang city, Henan province, China. Strain identification was conducted by morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular analyses. The amplified 16S rRNA gene of TC-1 showed a similarity greater than 99% with multiple strains of S. marcescens. Based on Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences, TC-1 formed a clade with S. marcescens, clearly separated from other Serratia spp. The strain TC-1 showed larvicidal activities against five insect species (A. corpulenta, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa armigera, Bombyx mori) and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but not against S. litura. The operating parameters of chitinase production by TC-1 were optimized by response surface methodology using a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken experimental design. The effects of three independent variables i.e. colloidal chitin concentration (7-13 g l-1), incubation time (24-72 h) and incubation temperature (24-32 °C) on chitinase production by TC-1 were investigated. A regression model was proposed to correlate the independent variables for an optimal chitinase activity predicted as 20.946 U ml-1, using a combination of colloidal chitin concentration, incubation time and incubation temperature of 9.06 g l-1, 63.83 h and 28.12 °C, respectively. The latter agreed well with a mean chitinase activity of 20.761 ± 0.102 U ml-1 measured in the culture supernatants of TC-1 grown under similar conditions with a colloidal chitin concentration, incubation time and incubation temperature of 9 g l-1, 64 h and 28 °C, respectively. Our study revealed the S. marcescens strain TC-1 with potential as a biocontrol agent of insect pests and nematodes and demonstrated the proposed regression model's potential to guide chitinase production by this strain.

Nonlinearity in mass spectrometry for quantitative multi-component gas analysis in reaction processes.

Quantitative mass spectrometry analysis for multi-component gas phase reaction processes is a typical multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear problem. Conventional calibration and analytical methods that are based on the common hypothesis of linearity of the detected signal and gas parameters, could result in misjudgment of the reaction mechanism and inaccuracy in the determination of the reaction kinetics. In the present work, theoretical derivations based on equivalent characteristic spectrum analysis (ECSA®), discrete mode experiments and continuous mode experiments were performed, and the nonlinearity of mass spectrometry was confirmed. It is only possible to determine the physical parameters such as flow rate and/or concentrations of gases by properly handling the nonlinearity of mass spectrometry. In such case comprehensive reaction mechanisms and even the kinetics of the process can be accurately characterized. Well-handled nonlinear mass spectrometry analysis ensures a reliable and highly accurate identification for the multi-component gas phase reaction processes, and ensures high signal-to-noise ratio for detecting the small-flow gases at a wide range of carrier gas flow.

Exogenous N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone assists in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket recovery from acetate accumulation via aceticlastic methanogens enrichment.

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) accumulation caused by shock loading severely hampers the performance and stability of anaerobic digestion. An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) was operated to examine its performance, sludge properties, and microbial community behavior during shock loading and recovery with exogenous N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL). After shock loading, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was significantly reduced from 79.09% to 65.63%. The abundance of Methanosarcinales also significantly decreased, which resulted in acetate accumulation (1,163.55 mg/L). Sludge granules disintegrated along with the decrease in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). After supplying 1 µg/L C6-HSL, COD removal resumed to 75.10%. Furthermore, C6-HSL enhanced the abundance and metabolic activity of aceticlastic methanogens, decreased acetate concentration to 146.87 mg/L, improved EPS secretion, and caused the re-assembly of disintegrated sludges to form large granules. These results advanced our understanding of microbial community behavior and provided an attractive strategy for restoration of UASB recovered from shock loading.

Role of education in poverty reduction: macroeconomic and social determinants form developing economies.

Education is the basis for poverty eradication and economic growth. Education provides the aim of this research is to explore educational and other environmental, economic and social determinants on poverty. The aim of this study is to measure an econometric estimation to measure the role of education on poverty reduction. The model was estimated using time series data from 1980 to 2018, using the Engle-Granger two-step co-integration technique, to obtain the economic long-term and short-term dynamic characteristics of education in reducing poverty rate in this era. This model is used to test the hypothesis that how education can uplift the economic progress of the country. Education significantly reduces the level of poverty, whereas the role of higher education seems more significant tool for alleviating poverty. The public and monetary sectors incorporate institutional features with relevant policy actions, while foreign sectors, particularly the oil sector, represent interactions with the rest of the world. A series of policy scenarios influence the industry-wide model, which is used to evaluate the government's various options for increasing economic productivity, resulting in sustained acceleration of growth and poverty reduction in the South Asian economics.

Circular RNA circWDR27 Promotes Papillary Thyroid Cancer Progression by Regulating miR-215-5p/TRIM44 Axis.

PURPOSE: This study was to explore the biological roles and underlying mechanism of circRNA WD repeat domain 27 (circWDR27). METHODS: The expression of circWDR27, microRNA-215-5p (miR-215-5p) and tripartite motif containing 44 (TRIM44) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assays were employed to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Cell migration and invasion abilities were examined by wound healing and transwell assays. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9 and TRIM44 were analyzed by Western blot assay. The relationship between miR-215-5p and circWDR27 or TRIM44 was predicted by bioinformatics tools and confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Mouse xenograft model was established to examine the role of circWDR27 in vivo. RESULTS: CircWDR27 and TRIM44 were highly expressed while miR-215-5p was lowly expressed in PTC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circWDR27 suppressed cell proliferation and metastasis and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PTC cells. Moreover, miR-215-5p was a direct target of circWDR27, and its inhibition reversed the suppressive effect of circWDR27 knockdown on PTC cell progression. In addition, miR-215-5p directly targeted TRIM44, and miR-215-5p exerted its anti-cancer role in PTC cells by targeting TRIM44. Furthermore, circWDR27 positively regulated TRIM44 expression by sponging miR-215-5p. Importantly, knockdown of circWDR27 suppressed tumor growth in vivo by upregulating miR-215-5p and downregulating TRIM44. CONCLUSION: CircWDR27 accelerates PTC progression via regulating miR-215-5p/TRIM44 axis, providing a potential therapeutic target for PTC.