Search

The effect and underlying mechanism of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a plastic additive, on biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA USA300) remain unknown. This study first investigated the impact of different concentrations of TBBPA on the growth and biofilm formation of USA300. The results indicated that a low concentration (0.5 mg/L) of TBBPA promoted the growth and biofilm formation of USA300, whereas high concentrations (5 mg/L and 10 mg/L) of TBBPA had inhibitory effects. Further exploration revealed that the low concentration of TBBPA enhance biofilm formation by promoting the synthesis of extracellular proteins, release of extracellular DNA (eDNA), and production of staphyloxanthin. RTqPCR analysis demonstrated that the low concentration of TBBPA upregulated genes associated with extracellular protein synthesis (sarA, fnbA, fnbB, aur) and eDNA formation (atlA) and increased the expression of genes involved in staphyloxanthin biosynthesis (crtM), suggesting a potential mechanism for enhanced resistance of USA300 to adverse conditions. These findings shed light on how low concentrations of TBBPA facilitate biofilm formation in USA300 and highlight the indirect impact of plastic additives on pathogenic bacteria in terms of human health. In the future, in-depth studies about effects of plastic additives on pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria should be conducted. Capsule: The protein and eDNA contents in biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are increased by low concentrations of TBBPA.

Abstract In the Arctic, the spatiotemporal variation of net methane uptake in upland soils depends on unresolved interactive controls between edaphic and microbial factors not yet included in current models, underpinning the uncertainty of upscaling the Arctic methane budget. Here we show that upland soils in Greenland are consistent methane sinks (−1.83 ± 0.19 nmol methane g−1 dw d−1) across a N-S (64–83 °N) pedoclimatic transect. We demonstrate that methane oxidizers abundance, soil pH, and available soil copper are important controls on the spatial variation in methane oxidation. We revised a soil biogeochemical model with a high-resolution land classification and meteorological data for Greenland and tested it against our methane uptake measurements. The model simulated well the magnitudes of observed methane uptake but not the spatial variation across all sites. This work provides novel insights into the controls of methane uptake, which are critical for the accuracy of methane budgets.

Adiponectin is a pleiotropic cytokine predominantly derived from adipose tissue. In addition to its role in regulating energy metabolism, adiponectin may also be related to estrogen-dependent diseases, and many studies have confirmed its involvement in mediating diverse biological processes, including apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, all of which are related to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Although many researchers have reported low levels of adiponectin in patients with endometriosis and suggested that it may serve as a protective factor against the development of the disease. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to provide an up-to-date summary of the roles of adiponectin and its downstream cytokines and signaling pathways in the aforementioned biological processes. Further systematic studies on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of adiponectin may provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of endometriosis as well as potential therapeutic targets.

BackgroundMajor adverse cardiac events (MACE) are more likely to occur when abnormal heart rate recovery (HRR). This study aimed to assess the incremental predictive significance of HRR over exercise stress myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MPS) results for MACE in individuals with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2017, we continually gathered data on 595 patients with suspected CAD who received cycling exercise stress MPS. HRR at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min were used as study variables to obtain the optimal cut-off values of HRR for MACE. The difference between the peak heart rate achieved during exercise and the heart rate at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min was used to calculate the HRR, as shown in HRR3. Heart rate variations between two locations in time, such as HRR2 min−1 min, were used to establish the slope of HRR. All patients were followed for a minimum of 4 years, with MACE as the follow-up goal. The associations between HRR and MACE were assessed using Cox proportional hazards analyses.ResultsPatients with MACE were older (P = 0.001), and they also had higher rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, abnormal MPS findings (SSS ≥ 5%), medication history (all P

Adenofibroma is an extremely rare benign biphasic tumour composed of glandular and fibrous tissues. It occurs more often in the endometrium but it can also occur in the cervix and extrauterine sites. This case report describes a 39-year-old asymptomatic woman with cervical adenofibroma. The patient was treated successfully with surgical removal of the tumour. As adenofibromas are very rare, the report is presented with a brief review of the literature.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) including 17β-estradiol (E2) are widely distributed in the aquatic environment and are known to negatively affect the reproductive system of many animals, including fish. EDCs leading to feminization, altered sex ratio and reduced fecundity, it is possibly posing potential risks to the ecosystems. To investigate the potentially toxic effects of E2 exposure on little yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis, L. poliactis) who have a unique gonadal development pattern that males undergo a hermaphroditic stage. An experiment was set up where L. poliactis were maintained in tanks and exposed to E2 concentrations of 10 μg/L or no E2 exposure (the ethanol and control groups) from 30 to 90 days post-hatching (dph). After exposure, the E2 withdrawal and continual cultured to 150 and 365 dph. The morphological and histological analyses were used to compare the changes in the fish body and gonad under E2 exposure. The results showed that E2 exposure caused three major phenotypes at 30 and 60 days after treatment (dat), including ovary, ovotestis and gonadal development retardation compared with the control groups. The average ratio of these three phenotypes is 60.6%, 11.97% and 27.43%, respectively. The body length and weight of E2 exposure groups were repressed during the E2 exposure period, while it can recover after E2 withdrawal. However, the gonadal development (Gonadosomatic Index) of E2 exposure groups testis were retarded at 60 dat and doesn’t recover until 365 dph. The sex determination/differentiation-related genes erα, erβI, erβII, fshβ and cyp11b2 were significantly decreased in E2-exposure male fish. This research highlights the E2 leads to feminization, disrupts testis maturation and spermatogenesis, this effect persisted into the stage of sexual maturity. Collectively, our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying E2 disturbance of a marine economic fish reproduction.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the most notable obesity index and its optimal cut-off point of hypertension in different age groups stratified by sexes among community residents in southern China. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 620 men and 631 women aged 18–59 years were enrolled. The independent-samples t-test and chi-square test were conducted to analyze continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed the association between the obesity indices and hypertension risk. Results: Waist–stature ratio (WSR) and waist–hip ratio (WHR) were the most notable risk factors for hypertension in young men and women, respectively. The odds ratios (ORs) of hypertension risk increased with per standard deviation (SD) in WSR and WHR (WSR: OR = 2.877, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.602 to 5.167; WHR: OR = 10.683, 95%CI = 2.179 to 52.376). In the middle-aged group of both sexes, body mass index (BMI) was the most distinctive risk factor for hypertension, the ORs of hypertension risk increased with per SD in BMI (men: OR = 2.297, 95%CI = 1.683 to 3.136; women: OR = 1.810, 95%CI = 1.338 to 2.450). ROC curve analysis demonstrated WSR and PI were better indicators than other indices among young men, and WSR was the best marker among young women. However, BMI and WC were the most sensitive markers in middle-aged men and women, respectively. Conclusions: In this Chinese population, the association of obesity indices and hypertension is inconsistent in different age groups and sexes. It is important to choose appropriate indicators for specific groups of people.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic. In this unprecedented situation, the intimate relationship, sexual behavior, and family functions of partners have also undergone unique changes. There are few reports on whether sexual behavior and family function affect intimate relationships between partners, especially among people aged 18 to 44 years. Aim: To analyze the influence of sociodemographic characteristics, family function, and changes in sexual behavior on male-female intimacy, the independent contributions of the aforementioned factors in this population group are required to be further investigated. Methods: In the present study, 284 Chinese citizens aged 18-44 years completed the online questionnaire. The univariate analysis and cluster multiple linear regression were used to analyze the associations between sociodemographic factors, sexual-behavior changes, family function, and male-female intimacy. Main Outcome Measure: Family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, resolve (APGAR) Scale and Relationship Assessment Scale were used to evaluate participants' family function and their intimacy. Details of the participants (sociodemographic and sexual factors) were obtained. Results: The summary scores, with Relationship Assessment Scale and APGAR scales, were 27.19 ± 4.49 and 6.76 ± 2.28, respectively. About 43.3% of participants reported a decrease in sexual frequency. There were considerable differences among age, education level, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, quality of sexual life, family function with male-female intimacy (P < .05). The sexual satisfaction and intimacy demonstrated a significant positive correlation (P < .05) by cluster multiple linear regression analysis. Compared with those who had a sexual life of mediocre quality, respondents who experienced a good quality sexual life had relatively higher scores in intimacy. The independent contributions of sociodemographic factors, sexual behavior factors, and family function in male-female intimacy were 13.0%, 38.2%, and 48.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Sexual behavior factors and family function were important independent determinants of partner intimacy among people aged 18-44 years. It can provide supportive information for health care to develop intervention plans and services to promote the harmonious development of intimate relationship.Feng Y-J, Fan Y-J, Su Z-Z, et al. Correlation of Sexual Behavior Change, Family Function, and Male-Female Intimacy Among Adults Aged 18-44 Years During COVID-19 Epidemic. Sex Med 2021;9:100301.

Animal taxa show remarkable variability in sexual reproduction, where separate sexes, or gonochorism, is thought to have evolved from hermaphroditism for most cases. Hermaphroditism accounts for 5% in animals, and sequential hermaphroditism has been found in teleost. In this study, we characterized a novel form of the transient hermaphroditic stage in little yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) during early gonadal development. The ovary and testis were indistinguishable from 7 to 40 days post-hatching (dph). Morphological and histological examinations revealed an intersex stage of male gonads between 43 and 80 dph, which consist of germ cells, somatic cells, efferent duct, and early primary oocytes (EPOs). These EPOs in testis degenerate completely by 90 dph through apoptosis yet can be rescued by exogenous 17-β-estradiol. Male germ cells enter the mitotic flourishing stage before meiosis is initiated at 180 dph, and they undergo normal spermatogenesis to produce functional sperms. This transient hermaphroditic stage is male-specific, and the ovary development appears to be normal in females. This developmental pattern is not found in the sister species Larimichthys crocea or any other closely related species. Further examinations of serum hormone levels indicate that the absence of 11-ketotestosterone and elevated levels of 17-β-estradiol delineate the male intersex gonad stage, providing mechanistic insights on this unique phenomenon. Our research is the first report on male-specific transient hermaphroditism and will advance the current understanding of fish reproductive biology. This unique gonadal development pattern can serve as a useful model for studying the evolutionary relationship between hermaphroditism and gonochorism, as well as teleost sex determination and differentiation strategies.

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a popular vegetable in China and Japan that is consumed for its general health benefits. The principal active component of burdock is arctigenin, which shows a range of bioactivities in vivo and in vitro. Here, we investigated the potential anti-tumor effects of arctigenin using two human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B, and sought to elucidate its potential mechanisms of action. Our results showed that arctigenin treatment inhibited cell growth in both HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines (IC50 of 4.74 nM for HepG2 cells, and of 59.27 nM for Hep3B cells). In addition, migration, invasion, and colony formation by HepG2 cells were significantly inhibited by arctigenin. By contrast, treatment of Hep3B cells with arctigenin did not alter these parameters. Arctigenin also significantly reduced the levels of gankyrin mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells, but not in Hep3B cells. A luciferase assay indicated that arctigenin targeted the -450 to -400 region of the gankyrin promoter. This region is also the potential binding site for both C/EBPα and PPARα, as predicted and confirmed by an online software analysis and ChIP assay. Additionally, a co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay showed that binding between C/EBPα and PPARα was increased in the presence of arctigenin. However, arctigenin did not increase the expression of C/EBPα or PPARα protein. A binding screening assay and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) were performed to identify the mechanisms by which arctigenin regulates gankyrin expression. The results suggested that arctigenin could directly increase C/EBPα binding to the gankyrin promoter (-432 to -422 region), but did not affect PPARα binding. Expression of gankyrin, C/EBPα, and PPARα were analyzed in tumor tissues of patients using real-time PCR. Both C/EBPα and PPARα showed negative correlations with gankyrin. In tumor-bearing mice, arctigenin had a significant inhibitory effect on HCC growth. In conclusion, our results suggested that arctigenin could inhibit liver cancer growth by directly recruiting C/EBPα to the gankyrin promoter. PPARα subsequently bound to C/EBPα, and both had a negative regulatory effect on gankyrin expression. This study has identified a new mechanism of action of arctigenin against liver cancer growth.

OBJECTIVES:Sickness situation in the past two weeks, an indicator of health service needs, is an increasing major health concern. However, data on the relationship between obesity and two-week morbidity in the female population, particularly in middle-aged and elderly women, is sparse. The present study aimed to examine the association between obesity and two-week morbidity among middle-aged and elderly women in Southern China, and to explore the independent contributions of socio-demographic variables, health-related factors, and obesity to two-week morbidity. METHODS:In total, 2364 middle-aged and elderly women were included in this cross-sectional, community-based survey. Obesity was assessed using body mass index (BMI). The outcome variable was sickness situation over the past two weeks (two-week morbidity). Clustered logistic regression was applied to analyze the independent contribution of obesity to two-week morbidity. RESULTS:Approximately 14.6% of participants experienced sickness in the past two weeks. Obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.12) was significantly associated with two-week morbidity and its independent contribution accounted for 3.7%, lower than that of socio-demographic variables (73.7%) and health-related factors(22.6%). CONCLUSIONS:Some degree of correlation was observed between obesity and two-week morbidity among middle-aged and elderly women in Southern China, which can be used as a reference for health-related decision-making.

Background: High intracuff pressure can cause severe pharyngeal complications including sore throat or hoarseness after laryngeal mask airway (LMA) removal postoperatively. Though the application of minimum effective cuff inflating volume is suggested to maintain airway sealing and adequacy of ventilation for patients receiving general anesthesia with LMA at lower level of the intracuff pressure, it is currently not a standard care in most of the anesthetic departments. In this study, the minimum effective cuff inflating volume was determined for classic LMA Well Lead™ (Well Lead Medical Co., Ltd., China) and its impact on postoperative pharyngeal complications was also explored. Methods: Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (I–III) undergoing the short-duration urological surgery were recruited in this trial. First, the minimum effective cuff inflating volume was determined for size 4 or 5 LMA Well Lead in the study 1. Immediately following placement and confirmation of ideal LMA position, the cuff was inflated with 5, 7, 10 ml of air and up to 30 ml at 5 ml increment. The intracuff pressure, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), and inspiratory peak airway pressure under positive pressure ventilation at the corresponding cuff volume as indicated above were recorded. Second, the enrolled patients were randomly allocated into minimum effective cuff inflating volume group (MC) and routine care (RC) group in the study 2. The minimum effective cuff inflating volume was applied and maintained in MC group, whereas the cuff volume was inflated with half of the maximum cuff inflating volume recommended by manufacturer in RC group throughout the surgical procedure and stay in postanesthesia care unit prior to LMA removal. The incidence of pharyngeal complications at 0, 2, 24, and 48 h after removal of LMA and other intra-operative adverse events were also documented. Results: The intracuff pressure varied with the cuff inflating volume in a positive linear correlation manner (Y = 11.68X − 42.1, r2 = 0.9191) under the range of 5–30 ml for size 4 LMA. In similar with size 4 LMA, the data were also showed the linear relationship between the intracuff pressure and the cuff inflating volume (Y = 7.39X − 10.9, r2 = 0.8855) for size 5 LMA. The minimal effective cuff inflating volume for size 4 or 5 LMA was 7–9 ml in combination of considering OLP needed to maintain airway sealing during intermittently positive pressure ventilation. The intracuff pressure in MC group was lower compared with RC group (63.0 ± 3.7 vs. 126.4 ± 24.0 cmH2O for size 4 LMA; 55.6 ± 2.4 vs. 138.5± 26.8 cmH2O for size 5 LMA; P < 0.0001). The incidence of pharyngeal adverse events was lower in MC group versus the RC group at 2, 24 h after LMA removal. Conclusions: The relationship between the cuff inflating volume and the intracuff pressure for size 4 or 5 LMA Well LeadTM is in a linear correlation manner at the range of 5–30 ml. The minimal cuff inflating volume is adequate for satisfactory airway sealing and consequently associated with lower incidence of postoperative pharyngeal complications for LMA Well Lead.™

In cognitive radio system,the traditional methods of digital modulation signals recognition with Alpha stable distribution noise have the problems of poor performance and high computation complexity.A novel recognition method based on correlation coefficient of fractional lower order cyclic spectrum was proposed to solve this problem.The method extracts the recognition characteristic parameters which are five correlation coefficients of the fractional lower order cyclic spectrum’s section and frequency spectrum’s section and projection planes of both,and then decision tree was used as a classifier to achieve digital modulation signals recognition.Simulation results show that the proposed method not only has higher recognition rates and better robustness but also has lower computation complexity in an Alpha stable distribution noise environment,which is more suitable for cognitive radio system.

The traditional blind SNR estimation algorithms had problems of poor performance and high computation complexity for OFDM systems in cognitive radio with low signal to noise ratio(SNR)and multi-path channel conditions,in view of which a novel blind SNR estimation method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM)signals was proposed.Firstly,the channel order was roughly estimated by utilizing the characteristics of autocorrelation function to determine the data interval which was free of inter-symbol interference(ISI).Secondly,the signal average power was estimated by computing the autocorrelation values of data in the determined interval.Finally,the noise average power was estimated by utilizing the characteristics that the data in cyclic prefix which was replication of part useful data.So the SNR of the received signals could be estimated.The simulation results show that the proposed method doesn’t need any prior information and has better performance and lower computation complexity,which is more suitable for OFDM systems in cognitive radio.

The dissimilatory metal reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, known for its capacity of reducing iron and manganese oxides, has great environmental impacts. The iron oxides reducing process is affected by the coexistence of alternative electron acceptors in the environment, while investigation into it is limited so far. In this work, the impact of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), a ubiquitous chemical in marine environment, on the reduction of hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) by S. oneidensis MR-1 was investigated. Results show that DMSO promoted HFO reduction by both wild type and ΔdmsE, but had no effect on the HFO reduction by ΔdmsB, indicating that such a promotion was dependent on the DMSO respiration. With the DMSO dosing, the levels of extracellular flavins and omcA expression were significantly increased in WT and further increased in ΔdmsE. Bioelectrochemical analysis show that DMSO also promoted the extracellular electron transfer of WT and ΔdmsE. These results demonstrate that DMSO could stimulate the HFO reduction through metabolic and genetic regulation in S. oneidensis MR-1, rather than compete for electrons with HFO. This may provide a potential respiratory pathway to enhance the microbial electron flows for environmental and engineering applications.

The asymmetric unit of the title Schiff base compound, C18H20ClN3O2, contains two independent molecules. An O—H...N hydrogen bond contributes to the planarity of each molecule: the dihedral angles between the two benzene rings are 12.8 (3) and 27.2 (3)° in the two molecules. In the crystal, molecules are linked through intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the a axis.

The structure of the polymeric title compound, [Ni2(C8H10O4)2(C14H14N4)]n, features a five-coordinate NiII centre defined by four carboxylate O atoms from two different cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (chdc) ligands and an N atom from one end of a 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (1,4-bix) molecule. The NO4 coordination geometry is distorted square-pyramidal with the N atom in the apical position. Each end of the chdc ligand links pairs of NiII atoms into a paddle-wheel assembly, i.e. Ni2(O2CR′)4. These are connected into rows owing to the bridging nature of the chdc ligands, and the rows are connected into a two-dimensional grid via the 1,4-bix ligands. The 1,4-bix ligand, which is disposed about a centre of inversion, is disorderd. Two positions of equal occupancy were discerned for the –H2C(C6H4)CH2– residue.

In the title coordination polymer, [Cd(C8H11O4)2(C14H14N4)]n, the Cd atom (site symmetry 2) is six-coordinated by two O,O′-bidentate 4-carboxycyclohexanecarboxylate (Hchdc) ligands and two N atoms from two different 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (1,4-bix) molecules in a very distorted cis-CdN2O4 octahedral environment. The 1,4-bix molecules act as bridging ligands that bind two CdII atoms, thus forming an infinite chain propagating in [100], which is decorated by the Hchdc anions. The structure is completed by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, which link the chains together.

Osteomyelitis is a debilitating bone infection primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Despite advancements in surgery and chemotherapy, the treatment of osteomyelitis remains unsatisfactory, characterized by antibiotic resistance and recurrent relapses. Numerous studies have confirmed that non-coding RNAs could play an emerging role in regulating gene expression, as well as in the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, along with bone formation. In this context, we provide an overview of current knowledge regarding the roles of non-coding RNAs in osteomyelitis and explore the potential therapeutic applications of these molecules in disease management, aiming to uncover novel diagnostic and treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent progressive joint disease that still requires an optimal therapeutic approach. Intermittent fasting is an attractive dieting strategy for improving health. Here this study shows that intermittent fasting potently relieves medial meniscus (DMM)‐ or natural aging‐induced osteoarthritic phenotypes. Osteocytes, the most abundant bone cells, secrete excess neuropeptide Y (NPY) during osteoarthritis, and this alteration can be altered by intermittent fasting. Both NPY and the NPY‐abundant culture medium of osteocytes (OCY‐CM) from osteoarthritic mice possess pro‐inflammatory, pro‐osteoclastic, and pro‐neurite outgrowth effects, while OCY‐CM from the intermittent fasting‐treated osteoarthritic mice fails to induce significant stimulatory effects on inflammation, osteoclast formation, and neurite outgrowth. Depletion of osteocyte NPY significantly attenuates DMM‐induced osteoarthritis and abolishes the benefits of intermittent fasting on osteoarthritis. This study suggests that osteocyte NPY is a key contributing factor in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and intermittent fasting represents a promising nonpharmacological antiosteoarthritis method by targeting osteocyte NPY.