[Correlation Analysis between STING Promoter Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Infection after Chemotherapy for Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the stimulator of interferon genes (STING ) promoter polymorphism and the susceptibility to infection after chemotherapy for multiple myeloma. METHODS: A total of 102 patients who had undergone chemotherapy for multiple myeloma in our hospital from January 2016 to July 2022 were selected. Depending on the presence or absence of infection after chemotherapy, the enrolled patients were divided into infection group (53 cases) and non-infection group (49 cases). The infection sites and distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria of the infection group were analyzed. The genotype distribution of STING gene promoter rs587777609 was compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of infection after chemotherapy for multiple myeloma were analyzed. RESULTS: For infection site, digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system, skin and mucous membranes accounted for 43.40%, 26.42%, 20.75%, and 9.43%, respectively. For pathogenic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi accounted for 57.14%, 26.98%, and 15.87%, respectively. The CC genotype frequency of STING gene rs587777609 locus in the infection group was lower than that in the non-infection group, while the TT genotype frequency was higher than that in the non-infection group (P < 0.05). The proportions of patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal insufficiency, serum albumin level< 35 g/L, ISS stage III, mechanical ventilation, and indwelling catheter in the infection group were higher than those in the non-infection group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes (OR =1.992), serum albumin level< 35 g/L (OR =2.782), ISS stage III (OR =2.707), mechanical ventilation (OR =3.031), and TT genotype (OR =2.401) were risk factors of infection after chemotherapy for multiple myeloma (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between STING promoter polymorphism and the susceptibility to infection after chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, and patients with TT genotype have a higher risk of infection.

Responses in Plant Growth and Root Exudates of Pistia stratiotes under Zn and Cu Stress.

At present, the situation regarding heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments is becoming more and more serious. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic plants causes obvious phytotoxicity, which can also induce secondary pollution in the aquatic environment. Zinc and copper, as indispensable elements for plant growth, are also prominent heavy metals in water pollution in China, and their concentrations play a crucial role in plant growth. In this study, we investigated the response of Pistia stratiotes (P. stratiotes) to different concentrations of Zn and Cu, and the results showed that plant growth and photosynthesis were inhibited under both Zn (1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/L) and Cu (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1 mg/L) stresses. The relative growth rates of P. stratiotes under 8 mg/L Zn or 1 mg/L Cu stress were 6.33% and 6.90%, which were much lower than those in the control group (10.86%). Meanwhile, Zn and Cu stress caused insignificant change in the relative water contents of plants. The decrease in phlorophyll fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll contents suggested the significant photoinhibition of Zn and Cu stress. Chemical analysis of plant root exudates showed that the root secretion species obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) mainly included amino acids, alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, and more. Compared with the control group, the influence of Zn or Cu on the reduction in relative amounts of exudates was greater than that on the increase. The results of this study provide important data for the utilization of P. stratiotes in heavy metal-polluted water environments.

Insight into the absorption and migration of polystyrene nanoplastics in Eichhornia crassipes and related photosynthetic responses.

Nanoplastics, as emerging contaminants are being released into aquatic environments with their increasing applications, and induce potential hazards to aquatic ecosystem. In this work, we investigated the removal process of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) by Eichhornia crassipes and the related photosynthetic responses of E. crassipes. Results showed that both sizes of PS NPs (20 and 200 nm) with 50 mg/L induced the prominent damage on the root epidermis after 48 h exposure, and smaller size PS NPs caused the greater damage. PS NPs has been entered the roots of E. crassipes and migrated from the epidermis, cortex, to vascular system by using confocal laser scanning microscopy observation. Scanning electron microscope images confirmed the distribution of PS NPs (200 nm) in the roots. The crack at sites of primary-lateral root junction was an important way for the uptake of PS NPs, which destroyed the defense of Casparian strip, and promoted the migration of PS NPs into the vascular system. PS NPs entered the submerged leaves by stomata and the intercellular spaces of lower epidermis. Moreover, PS NPs in the plants showed significant inhibition on net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. This study concluded the absorption and migration processes of PS NPs by E. crassipes, and the negative effects on photosynthesis, which will be useful for guiding the floating plants application for PS NPs removal in aqueous environment and ecological improvement.