Search

The soil surface in the southern Xinjiang region has a high salt content, and flooding water causes salt dissolution and pollutes surface water. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the technology of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the degradation of high salt wastewater. Activated sludge was inoculated in an SBR system with a height to diameter ratio (RH/D) of 7.5, and synthetic wastewater (containing 0.25 mg/L Ni2+) was used as influent to analyze the changes in sludge morphology, pollutant removal performance, microbial community during the sludge granulation process, as well as the ability of granular sludge to remove pollutants from high salt wastewater under salinity stress. The results showed that the mature granular sludge was yellow in multiple forms, with an average particle size of 357 μm. The average removal rates of COD, TP, and NH4+-N in wastewater were 95%,91.27%,and 94.5%, respectively. The dominant bacterial genera were Zoogloea, Flavobacterium,and Unclassified_f_Comamonadaceae. The influent water quality would change the relative abundance of microorganisms, while there was no significant impact on the microbial community structure. When the salt application rate was 15 g/L, the removal rates of COD, TP, and NH4+-N were 86.7%, 67.2%, and 62.6%, respectively. The sludge maintained good carbon removal ability. When the salt application rate exceeded 15 g/L, the removal rates of all indicators showed a downward trend. The application of low concentrations of heavy metals accelerated the start-up of granular sludge and targeted microorganisms for nitrogen and phosphorus removal, which had reference for the treatment of pollutants in high salt wastewater.

Objective Grouting reinforcement is a common measure to reduce disturbance on existing buildings during tunnel construction. It is essential to focus on the design of GRM (grouting reinforcement mass) parameters in the engineering. Appropriate GRM parameters are crucial to ensure reinforcement effectiveness and reduce project costs. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize and analyze these parameters based on practical engineering conditions. Method Taking the tunneling project of Wuyi Overpass Station to Xinxiu Park Station interval on Nanning Rail Transit Line 5 as example, the under-passing construction is classified by the position relation between existing buildings and tunnel. Numerical calculations are used to optimize the GRM cross-sectional parameters, and the stress mechanism of the GRM is analyzed. On-site grouting reinforcement is carried out according to the parameter optimization results to validate the effectiveness of GRM parameter optimization. Result & Conclusion Under-passing construction is divided into three categories: under-passing directly beneath buildings, side-passing Type I buildings, and side-passing Type II buildings. For the first one, the GRM should extend into the micro-disturbance area by approximately 1 m, with a grouting thickness of 6 m. For the second and third, the GRM should extend approximately 4 m beyond the close tunnel side and penetrate 4 m into the micro-disturbance area on the far tunnel side, with a thickness of 6 m. The stress mechanism of the GRM can be simplified to anchor beams at both ends when under-passing directly beneath buildings and to cantilever beams when side-passing buildings. Monitoring results demonstrate that optimizing the GRM parameters can effectively control building deformation.

Chemical mutagenesis-driven forward genetic screens are pivotal in unveiling gene functions, yet identifying causal mutations behind phenotypes remains laborious, hindering their high-throughput application. Here, we reveal a non-uniform mutation rate caused by Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis in the C. elegans genome, indicating that mutation frequency is influenced by proximate sequence context and chromatin status. Leveraging these factors, we developed a machine learning enhanced pipeline to create a comprehensive EMS mutagenesis probability map for the C. elegans genome. This map operates on the principle that causative mutations are enriched in genetic screens targeting specific phenotypes among random mutations. Applying this map to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data of genetic suppressors that rescue a C. elegans ciliary kinesin mutant, we successfully pinpointed causal mutations without generating recombinant inbred lines. This method can be adapted in other species, offering a scalable approach for identifying causal genes and revitalizing the effectiveness of forward genetic screens. Author summary: Exploring gene functions through chemical mutagenesis-driven genetic screens is pivotal, yet the cumbersome task of identifying causative mutations remains a bottleneck, limiting their high-throughput potential. In this investigation, we uncovered a non-uniform mutation pattern induced by Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis in the C. elegans genome, highlighting the influence of proximate sequence context and chromatin status on mutation frequency. Leveraging these insights, we engineered a machine learning enhanced pipeline to construct a comprehensive EMS mutagenesis probability map for the C. elegans genome. This map operates on the principle that causative mutations are selectively enriched in genetic screens targeting specific phenotypes amid the backdrop of random mutations. Applying this mapping tool to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data derived from genetic suppressors rescuing a C. elegans ciliary kinesin mutant, we achieved precise identification of causal mutations without resorting to the conventional generation of recombinant inbred lines. Our work not only advances understanding of mutation dynamics but also revitalizes the efficacy of forward genetic screens, contributing to the refinement of genetic exploration methodologies with implications for various organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignant tumor, and the RNA-binding protein polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) has been identified as a crucial factor in various tumor types. Moreover, abnormal autophagy levels have been shown to significantly impact tumorigenesis and progression. Despite this, the precise regulatory mechanism of PTBP1 in autophagy regulation in GC remains poorly understood. Methods: To assess the expression of PTBP1 in GC, we employed a comprehensive approach utilizing western blot, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR), and bioinformatics analysis. To further identify the downstream target genes that bind to PTBP1 in GC cells, we utilized RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (si-PTBP1 RNA-seq). To evaluate the impact of PTBP1 on gastric carcinogenesis, we conducted CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, and GC xenograft mouse model assays. Additionally, we utilized a transmission electron microscope, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, western blot, RT–qPCR, and GC xenograft mouse model experiments to elucidate the specific mechanism underlying PTBP1's regulation of autophagy in GC. Results: Our findings indicated that PTBP1 was significantly overexpressed in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Silencing PTBP1 resulted in abnormal accumulation of autophagosomes, thereby inhibiting GC cell viability both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, interference with PTBP1 promoted the stability of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) mRNA, leading to increased TXNIP-mediated oxidative stress. Consequently, this impaired lysosomal function, ultimately resulting in blockage of autophagic flux. Furthermore, our results suggested that interference with PTBP1 enhanced the antitumor effects of chloroquine, both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: PTBP1 knockdown impairs GC progression by directly binding to TXNIP mRNA and promoting its expression. Based on these results, PTBP1 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling metals from waste materials has become a major approach to metal resource utilization, with electronic waste (e‐waste) and waste catalysts being the most important recycling resources. Although traditional recovery technologies (pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy) have a recovery efficiency of up to 100%, they have disadvantages of high energy consumption, high cost, and strong corrosiveness. Most importantly, they cannot achieve selective leaching. To address these issues, some fusion technologies have been developed. Electrodeposition has significant advantages in separating and purifying each metal, but if applied on a large scale in industry, it requires higher energy consumption. While photocatalytic technology has low energy consumption but low selectivity, hence further exploration is needed. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) materials have great selectivity for metal ions, which are environmentally friendly and efficient, and a promising new material. Some recently typical recovery methods for six valuable metals, platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co) in e‐waste and industrial catalysts are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of each method as well as their impact on the leaching efficiency and selectivity of different metals are also compared, aiming to provide useful guidance for further continuously advancing the research on efficient, selective, environmentally friendly metal recycling in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To understand the genotyping of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in Yunnan Province, and to analyze the differences in viral load, biochemical indicators, and blood routine indicators among different genotypes, in order to provide a laboratory basis for the diagnosis and clinical treatment of HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Methods From November 2022 to June 2023, the serum samples and basic information of patients diagnosed with HIV/HCV co-infection were collected in the antiviral outpatient clinic of Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Infectious Diseases. The HCV viral load was detected by one-step qRT-PCR amplification, the positive samples were sequenced, and genotyping was determined based on NS5 gene sequence. The differences in biochemical and blood routine indexes between HIV patients co-infected with different HCV genotypes and low/high viral loads were analyzed. Results A total of 126 HIV/HCV co-infected patients were collected, including 20 HCV genotype 1 (15.9%), 91 HCV genotype 3 (72.2%), and 15 HCV genotype 6 (11.9%). The maximum and minimum viral load of the three HCV genotypes were as follows: HCV type 1 (1.0x108, 4.8x104 IU/mL), HCV type 3 (2.2x108, 2.9x10² IU/mL), and HCV type 6 (8.1x107, 6.8x104 IU/mL). The results showed that there was no significant difference between HIV co-infection with different genotypes of HCV and three HIV treatment schemes, including nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+integrase strand transfer inhibitors (NRTIs+ INSTIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs+NNRTIs) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+protease inhibitor (NRTIs+PLs), and the viral load of patients (P>0.05). The analysis of biochemical indexes such as total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CREA), and blood routine indexes such as white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), platelet (PLT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) among different HCV genotypes and low/high viral loads showed that there was no significant difference in biochemical indexes and blood routine indexes between low/high viral loads of HIV co-infected HCV patients (P>0.05); however, the biochemical indicators TBIL, IBIL and MCHC were significantly different statistically between patients with genotype 3 HCV infection and those with genotype 1 HCV infection (P<0.05), while other biochemical and blood routine indexes were not statistically different among different HCV genotypes (P>0.05). Conclusions There are six subtypes of HCV co-infection in HIV patients in Kunming, Yunnan Province, including three genes of genotype 1, 3, and 6. Among them, genotype 3 HCV is the main prevalent genetic virus among HIV co-infected populations. The TBIL, IBIL and MCHC values of HIV patients co-infected with HCV type 3 are different from those infected with HCV type 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune evasion is not only critical for tumor initiation and progression, but also determines the efficacy of immunotherapies. Through iterative in vivo CRISPR screens with seven syngeneic tumor models, we identified core and context-dependent immune evasion pathways across cancer types. This valuable high-confidence dataset is available for the further understanding of tumor intrinsic immunomodulators, which may lead to the discovery of effective anticancer therapeutic targets. With a focus on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), we found that Mga knock-out significantly enhances antitumor immunity and inhibits tumor growth. Transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses revealed that Mga influences various immune-related pathways in the tumor microenvironment. Our findings suggest that Mga may play a role in modulating the tumor immune landscape, though the precise mechanisms require further investigation. Interestingly, we observed that low MGA expression in breast cancer patients correlates with a favorable prognosis, particularly in those with active interferon-γ signaling. These observations provide insights into tumor immune escape mechanisms and suggest that further exploration of MGA's function could potentially lead to effective therapeutic strategies in TNBC., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.