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Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are cell-released vesicles ranging from 30-150nm in size. They have garnered increasing attention because of their potential for both the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The diversity of sEVs derives from their biological composition and cargo content. Currently, the isolation of sEV subpopulations is primarily based on bio-physical and affinity-based approaches. Since a standardized definition for sEV subpopulations is yet to be fully established, it is important to further investigate the correlation between the biomolecular composition of sEVs and their physical properties. In this study, we employed a platform combining single-vesicle surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning to examine individual sEVs isolated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The biomolecular composition of each vesicle examined was reflected by its corresponding SERS spectral features (biomolecular "fingerprints"), with their roots in the composition of their collective Raman-active bonds. Origins of the SERS spectral features were validated through a comparative analysis between SERS and mass spectrometry (MS). SERS fingerprinting of individual vesicles was effective in overcoming the challenges posed by EV population averaging, allowing for the possibility of analyzing the variations in biomolecular composition between the vesicles of similar and/or different sizes. Using this approach, we uncovered that each of the size-based fractions of sEVs contained particles with predominantly similar SERS spectral features. Indeed, more than 84% of the vesicles residing within a particular group were clearly distinguishable from that of the other EV sub-populations, despite some spectral variations within each sub-population. Our results suggest the possibility that size-based EV fractionation methods produce samples where similarly eluted sEVs are correlated with their respective biochemical contents, as reflected by their SERS spectra. Our findings therefore highlight the possibility that the biogenesis and respective biological functionalities of the various sEV fractions may be inherently different.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants causing serious global health concern. Interventions to address this concern include improving our understanding of methods for treating waste material of human and animal origin that are known to harbor ARGs. Anaerobic digestion is a commonly used process for treating dairy manure, and although effective in reducing ARGs, its mechanism of action is not clear. In this study, we used three ARGs to conducted a longitudinal bench scale anaerobic digestion experiment with various temperatures (28, 36, 44, and 52°C) in triplicate using fresh dairy manure for 30 days to evaluate the reduction of gene abundance. Three ARGs and two mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were studied: sulfonamide resistance gene (sulII), tetracycline resistance genes (tetW), macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) superfamily resistance genes (ermF), class 1 integrase gene (intI1), and transposase gene (tnpA). Genes were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. Results show that the thermophilic anaerobic digestion (52°C) significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the absolute abundance of sulII (95%), intI1 (95%), tnpA (77%) and 16S rRNA gene (76%) after 30 days of digestion. A modified Collins-Selleck model was used to fit the decay curve, and results suggest that the gene reduction during the startup phase of anaerobic digestion (first 5 days) was faster than the later stage, and reductions in the first five days were more than 50% for most genes.

Purpose: To explore the association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) score and prognosis in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated patients with lung cancer. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched up to August 1, 2024. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary outcomes queried. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined, and subgroup analysis was based on pathological type [non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) vs. small-cell lung cancer (SCLC)], lines of ICIs (first-line vs. second- or further-line), and combinations of other therapies (yes vs. no). Results: Twenty retrospective studies with 2424 participants were included. The pooled results demonstrated that an elevated SII was associated with poorer PFS (HR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.49–2.21; P < 0.001) and OS (HR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.73–3.09; P < 0.001) in lung cancer patients receiving ICIs. Subgroup analysis stratified by pathological type, lines of ICIs and combinations of other therapies for PFS and OS further revealed the predictive role of the SII in ICI-treated lung cancer patients. Conclusion: Based on current evidence the SII is significantly related to prognosis and could serve as a reliable prognostic indicator in lung cancer patients receiving ICIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy farms generate a considerable amount of manure, which is applied in cropland as fertilizer. While the use of manure as fertilizer reduces the application of chemical fertilizers, the main concern with regards to manure application is microbial pollution. Manure is a reservoir of a broad range of microbial populations, including pathogens, which have potential to cause contamination and pose risks to public and animal health. Despite the widespread use of manure fertilizer, the change in microbial diversity of manure under various treatment processes is still not well-understood. We hypothesize that the microbial population of animal waste changes with manure handling used in a farm environment. Consequential microbial risk caused by animal manure may depend on manure handling. In this study, a reconnaissance effort for sampling dairy manure in California Central Valley followed by 16S rRNA analysis of content and diversity was undertaken to understand the microbiome of manure after various handling processes. The microbial community analysis of manure revealed that the population in liquid manure differs from that in solid manure. For instance, the bacteria of genus Sulfuriomonas were unique in liquid samples, while the bacteria of genus Thermos were observed only in solid samples. Bacteria of genus Clostridium were present in both solid and liquid samples. The population among liquid samples was comparable, as was the population among solid samples. These findings suggest that the mode of manure application (i.e., liquid versus solid) could have a potential impact on the microbiome of cropland receiving manure as fertilizers.

As most teleosts are unable to synthesize vitamin C, supplemental diets containing vitamin C diets play a crucial role in fish health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin C on the intestinal enzyme activity and intestinal microbiota of silver pomfre (Pampus argenteus). Four experimental diets were supplemented with basic diets containing 300 mg of vitamin C/kg (group tjl3), 600 mg of vitamin C/kg (group tjl6), and 1200 mg of vitamin C/kg (group tjl12), as well as vitamin C-free supplemental basic diet (group tjl0), respectively. The four diets were fed to juvenile P. argenteus (average initial weight: 4.68 ± 0.93 g) for 6 weeks. The results showed that the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase) increased significantly while that of MDA (malondialdehyde) decreased significantly in group tjl3 compared to vitamin group tjl0. At the genus level, groups tjl0, tjl6, and tjl12 contained the same dominant microbial community, Stenotrophomonas, Photobacterium, and Vibrio, whereas group tjl3 was dominated by Stenotrophomonas, Delftia, and Bacteroides. Among the fish fed with a basic diet containing 300 mg of vitamin C/kg, the intestines exhibited a notable abundance of probiotic bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus) and Bacillus. The abundance of Aeromonas in groups tjl3 and tjl6 was lower than that of the vitamin C-free supplemental basic diet group, whereas Aeromonas was not detected in group tjl12. In addition, a causative agent of the disease outbreak in cultured P. argenteus, Photobacterium damselae subsp. Damselae (PDD) was the dominant microbiota community in groups tjl0, tjl6 and tjl12, whereas the abundance of PDD in group tjl3 was the lowest among the diets. Taken together, the diets supplied with vitamin C could influence the composition microbial community of P. argenteus. The low level of vitamin C (300 mg of vitamin C/kg per basic diet) supplementation could not only improve the antioxidant capacity but also resist the invasion of pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric IgMs are secreted from plasma cells abundantly despite their structural complexity and intricate multimerization steps. To gain insights into IgM's assembly mechanics that underwrite such high-level secretion, we characterized the biosynthetic process of a natural human IgM, SAM-6, using a heterologous HEK293(6E) cell platform that allowed the production of IgMs both in hexameric and pentameric forms in a controlled fashion. By creating a series of mutant subunits that differentially disrupt secretion, folding, and specific inter-chain disulfide bond formation, we assessed their effects on various aspects of IgM biosynthesis in 57 different subunit chain combinations, both in hexameric and pentameric formats. The mutations caused a spectrum of changes in steady-state subcellular subunit distribution, ER-associated inclusion body formation, intracellular subunit detergent solubility, covalent assembly, secreted IgM product quality, and secretion output. Some mutations produced differential effects on product quality depending on whether the mutation was introduced to hexameric IgM or pentameric IgM. Through this systematic combinatorial approach, we consolidate diverse overlapping knowledge on IgM biosynthesis for both hexamers and pentamers, while unexpectedly revealing that the loss of certain inter-chain disulfide bonds, including the one between μHC and λLC, is tolerated in polymeric IgM assembly and secretion. The findings highlight the differential roles of underlying non-covalent protein-protein interactions in hexamers and pentamers when orchestrating the initial subunit interactions and maintaining the polymeric IgM product integrity during ER quality control steps, secretory pathway trafficking, and secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The natural outcome of coronary plaque in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unique, which can be analyzed quantitatively by optical flow ratio (OFR) software. Methods: A total of 184 ACS patients with at least one nonculprit subclinical atherosclerosis (NSA) detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline and 1-year follow-up were divided into non-CKD group (n = 106, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)> 90 mL/(min×1.73 m2)) and mild CKD group (n = 78, 60≤eGFR<90 mL/(min×1.73 m2)). Changes of normalized total atheroma volume (TAVn) of NSA was the primary endpoint at the 1-year follow-up. Results: Patients with mild CKD showed more TAVn progression of NSA than non-CKD (p = 0.019) from baseline to the 1-year follow-up, which was mainly due to an increase in calcium TAVn (p<0.001). The morphological change in the maximal calcification thickness (p = 0.026) was higher and the change in the distance from the calcified surface to the contralateral coronary media membrane (ΔC-to-M) at the maximal cross-sectional calcium area was lower (p<0.001) in mild CKD group than in non-CKD group. Mild CKD had more NSA related MACEs at the 5-year follow-up than non-CKD (30.8% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Mild CKD patients had more plaque progression of NSA which showed the increase of calcium component with more protrusion into the lumen morphologically at the 1-year follow-up and a higher corresponding incidence of NSA-related MACEs at the 5-year follow-up. Trial registration: Clinical Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02140801. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02140801. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To further identify the effectiveness of trans-nasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) for pre- and apneic oxygenation during the anesthesia induction by comparison to facemask ventilation (FMV) based on current available evidence. Methods: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CNKI databases were searched from inception to December 22, 2023 for available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcomes were PaO2 and PaCO2 after intubation and safe apnoea time. Secondary outcomes included the O2 desaturation, end expiratory carbon dioxide (EtCO2) and complications. The effect measures for continuous and categorical outcomes were separately the mean difference (MD) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval. Results: Twelve RCTs with 403 patients in the THRIVE group and 401 patients in th FMV group were included. Pooled results demonstrated that the PaO2 after intubation was significantly higher (MD = 82.90mmHg, 95% CI: 12.25~153.54mmHg, P = 0.02) and safe apnoea time (MD = 103.81s, 95% CI: 42.07~165.56s, P = 0.001) was longer in the THRIVE group. Besides, the incidence rate of O2 desaturation (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12–0.66, P = 0.004) and gastric insufflation (RR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13–0.49, P<0.001) was significantly lower in the THRIVE group. Conclusion: Based on current evidence, THRIVE manifested better effectiveness representing as improved oxygenation, prolonged safe apnoea time and decreased risk of complications compared to standard FMV in surgical patients. Therefore, THRIVE could be served as a novel and valuable oxygenation technology for patients during anesthesia induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spillover effect of university-based agricultural research and development (R&D) has been recognized as a crucial factor contributing to the enhanced performance of the agricultural industry. Nonetheless, the psychological impact of organizational inertia on individuals and groups may shape the influence of such spillovers for agribusiness firms. To date, there has been limited exploration of the interplay between university agricultural R&D spillovers and agribusiness firms. Utilizing panel data from Chinese listed agribusiness firms between 2009 and 2019, our empirical investigation reveals a negative short-term relationship between university agricultural R&D spillovers and agribusiness firm performance due to the similarity in knowledge backgrounds. In the short term, organizational inertia, stemming from familiar and parallel knowledge, renders university agricultural R&D spillovers unfavorable to agribusiness firm performance, thereby reducing their value to the enterprises. Conversely, the long-term influence of university agricultural R&D spillovers on agricultural enterprise performance is positive, as organizational inertia dissipates over time. Additionally, our findings indicate that university non-agricultural R&D spillovers serve to positively moderate the relationship between agricultural R&D spillovers and agribusiness firm performance in the short term, while exerting a negative moderating effect in the long term. Lastly, our analysis reveals a negative correlation between the effect of university agricultural R&D spillovers and the geographical distance between agribusiness firms and universities. This suggests that proximity to academic institutions may play a role in shaping the impact of R&D spillovers on agribusiness performance. In summary, our study highlights the complex dynamics between university agricultural R&D spillovers and agribusiness firm performance, revealing both short-term and long-term effects. We also underscore the importance of considering the influence of organizational inertia and the moderating role of non-agricultural R&D spillovers. Understanding these relationships is crucial for informing strategic decisions and fostering innovation within the agricultural industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizational sustainability has become a critical challenge in the current era. This research purpose is to determine the impact of empowering leadership on conflict management and employees' performance for organizational sustainability. Furthermore, it also investigates the moderating impact of emotional stability on the relationship between empowering leadership, conflict management, and employee performance. Quantitative data for this research was collected from 512 middle-management-level employees from manufacturing firms in China. The partial least squares structural equation modelling results highlighted that empowering leadership positively impacts conflict management and employees' performance. Furthermore, the study showed that the organization's sustainability is possible with conflict management and employee performance when there is emotional stability. The theoretical grounding of this research closed a loop in the literature, and the findings are reliable for practice for organization sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to human health globally. Antrodia camphorata was grown in a malt/yeast extract broth liquid medium for 15 days. Then, 4-L fermentation broth was harvested, yielding 7.13 g of the ethyl acetate extract. By tracing the antimicrobial activity, 12.22 mg of the antimicrobial compound was isolated. The structure of 5-methyl-benzo [1,3]-dioxole-4,7-diol (MBBD) was elucidated using NMR and MS data analyses. The antibacterial activity of MBBD was detected through the microbroth dilution method. MBBD exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of MBBD for drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria was 64–256 μg/mL, with the lowest MIC observed for Acinetobacter baumannii (64 μg/mL), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 128 μg/mL). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli were also sensitive, with an MIC of 256 μg/mL. The MIC range of MBBD against 10 foodborne pathogens was 12.5–100 μg/mL. Based on the results of this study, MBBD exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, particularly demonstrating excellent inhibitory effects against A. baumannii. MBBD will be good candidates for new antimicrobial drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic reconnection is a process that can rapidly convert magnetic field energy into plasma thermal energy and kinetic energy, and it is also an important energy conversion mechanism in space physics, astrophysics and plasma physics. Research related to analytical solutions for time-dependent three-dimensional magnetic reconnection is extremely difficult. For decades, several mathematical descriptions have been developed regarding different reconnection mechanisms, in which the equations based on magnetohydrodynamics theory outside the reconnection diffusion region are widely accepted. However, the equation set cannot be analytically solved unless specified constraints are imposed or the equations are reduced. Based on previous analytical methods for kinematic stationary reconnection, here the analytical solutions for time-dependent kinematic three-dimensional magnetic reconnection are discussed. In contrast to the counter-rotating plasma flows that existed in steady-state reconnection, it is found that spiral plasma flows, which have never been reported before, can be generated if the magnetic field changes exponentially with time. These analyses reveal new scenarios for time-dependent kinematic three-dimensional magnetic reconnection, and the deduced analytical solutions could improve our understanding of the dynamics involved in reconnection processes, as well as the interactions between the magnetic field and plasma flows during magnetic reconnection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]