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Abstract Background In this study, we investigated the patient population of Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) in China, understood the basic situation, prevalence and diagnosis and treatment status of the patients, as well as the economic burden of the patients, and analyzed the influencing factors. Methods A cross-sectional study focusing on patients with MPS II was conducted in China in 2023. Participants in the study were drawn from the Beijing Zhengyu Mucopolysaccharide Rare Disease Care Center, which is the only non-profit organization in mainland China registered with the civil affairs department that focuses on mucopolysaccharidosis. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included basic patient information, disease status, self-assessment of quality of life, diagnosis and treatment, as well as direct and indirect medical costs. The demographic and diagnosis and treatment profile of patients were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Furthermore, univariate and multiple linear regression were used to explore the economic burden and influencing factors of patients with MPS II. Results The survival data of 145 patients were collected, the majority (98.62%) were male, and 78 were less than or equal to 10 years old. All patients were covered by medical insurance, mainly urban residents (135 cases). In terms of expenses, the 124 patients in the year before the survey incurred a total cost of about 14.7895 million yuan, and the direct economic burden accounted for 87.19%. Univariate analysis showed that age, number of hospitalizations, length of hospital stay, number of outpatient/emergency departments, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) were significantly associated with the economic burden of disease. Multiple regression analysis showed that the number of hospitalizations, days of hospitalization, number of outpatient/emergency departments and HSCT treatment were the main influencing factors. Conclusions This study found that patients with MPS II were difficult to diagnose and easily misdiagnosed, their physical functions were impaired in many aspects. The existing treatment options are not sufficient in terms of economy and effectiveness, and there is also a lack of corresponding policy guarantees and support, which makes patients and their families have to face huge financial pressure.

AIM: To compare relative peripheral refractive errors (RPREs) in Chinese children with and without myopic anisometropia (MAI) and to explore the relationship between RPRE and myopia. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included 160 children divided into two groups according to the interocular spherical equivalent refraction (SER) difference ≥1.0 D in the MAI group (n=80) and

Abstract Objective This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of Sonazoid-contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in identifying definitive HCC within hepatic nodules in cirrhotic patients, comparing the KLCA-NCC 2022 and APASL 2017 diagnostic guidelines. Materials and methods This retrospective study analyzed cirrhotic patients who underwent Sonazoid-CEUS for liver lesion evaluation between October 2019 and October 2023. HCC diagnosis was based on the KLCA-NCC 2022 and APASL 2017 guidelines. Inter-reader agreement on CEUS imaging features and the diagnostic accuracy of the guidelines were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity comparisons were made using McNemar’s test. Results Among 400 patients with 432 lesions, CEUS showed excellent inter-reader consistency in detecting arterial phase hyperenhancement and Kupffer defects. The KLCA-NCC 2022 criteria notably enhanced sensitivity to 96.2%, with specificity and accuracy of 93.8% and 95.8%, respectively. APASL 2017 achieved the highest sensitivity at 97.8%, although specificity dropped to 46.9%, resulting in an accuracy of 90.3%. The KLCA-NCC 2022 guidelines demonstrated significantly higher specificity than APASL 2017 (p

Abstract Aurora-B is a kinase that regulates spindle assembly and kinetochore-microtubule (KT-MT) attachment during mitosis and meiosis. SUMOylation is involved in the oocyte meiosis regulation through promoting spindle assembly and chromosome segregation, but its substrates to support this function is still unknown. It is reported that Aurora-B is SUMOylated in somatic cells, and SUMOylated Aurora-B contributes the process of mitosis. However, whether Aurora-B is SUMOylated in oocytes and how SUMOylation of Aurora-B impacts its function in oocyte meiosis remain poorly understood. In this study, we report that Aurora-B is modified by SUMOylation in mouse oocytes. The results show that Aurora-B colocalized and interacted with SUMO-2/3 in mouse oocytes, confirming that Aurora-B is modified by SUMO-2/3 in this system. Compared with that in young mice, the protein expression of SUMO-2/3 decreased in the oocytes of aged mice, indicating that SUMOylation might be related to mouse aging. Overexpression of Aurora-B SUMOylation site mutants, Aurora-BK207R and Aurora-BK292R, inhibited Aurora-B recruitment and first polar body extrusion, disrupting localization of gamma tubulin, spindle formation and chromosome alignment in oocytes. The results show that it was related to decreased recruitment of p-HDAC6 which induces the high stability of whole spindle microtubules including the microtubules of both correct and wrong KT-MT attachments though increased acetylation of microtubules. Therefore, our results corroborate the notion that Aurora-B activity is regulated by SUMO-2/3 in oocytes, and that SUMOylated Aurora B plays an important role in spindle formation and chromosome alignment.

Abstract The emergence of nanogenerators, which have the ability to capture mechanical energy from the environment and to collect and transmit tiny energy, is rapidly becoming a hot research topic. The performance of electrode materials is the key to the efficiency of nanogenerators. Covalent organic skeletons (COFs), a class of crystalline organic porous materials with the advantages of large specific surface area, high porosity, tunable structure, and flexible tailorability, have very significant advantages in being used as nanogenerator materials. In this paper, we synthesised two COF materials to investigate the effect of the introduction of active metals on the friction power generation performance of COFs without changing their topology, COF-2 containing zinc ions is capable of generating a short-circuit current of 107.5 µA during friction. The porous structure increases the effective contact area to form a larger charge density, and the introduction of metal ions can accelerate the charge separation and transport. The two bidirectional synergistic effects of the materials significantly improve the output performance of the nanogenerator, and a simple and efficient method is explored for the enhancement of the output performance of COF-based triboelectric nanogenerators.

Abstract Intrahepatic circulation is essential for the repair of acute liver injury (ALI); however, very limited information is available concerning changes in the circulatory pathways during ALI. Therefore, multi-scale X-ray phase-contrast CT combined with three-dimensional (3D) visualization is used to quantitatively analyze the intrahepatic circulation pathway (including the hepatic vein, portal vein and hepatic sinusoid) in the mouse model via the intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) from acute injury to recovery. The results demonstrate that the liver still preserves some vessel-like channels accessed to the central vein when the injury causes the severe collapse of the hepatic sinusoids that cannot be observed in two-dimensional pathologic slices. Moreover, angiogenesis is observed in the terminal branches of the hepatic vein and portal vein. Additionally, we extend the two-dimensional primary lobule to a 3D model and find that the sinusoids in zone III have the most severe injury. The sinusoids in different zones also show changes in parameters such as density and mean diameter during the ALI. In conclusion, phase-contrast CT can reveal the intact vascular system within the liver lobes, thus providing critical information for studying the mechanisms involved in the evolution of circulatory structures from damage to repair.

Abstract Thyroid hormones (THs) may affect chronic thyrotoxic myopathy (CTM). The relationship between TH sensitivity and CTM is inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the associations between TH sensitivity and the risk of CTM and to screen potential CTMs with strength and function tests. A total of 162 Chinese patients (36.58% men) with Graves’ disease were enrolled and divided into CTM and non-CTM groups. TH and sensitivity indices were measured. Muscle power and function were assessed by grip, upper-limb fatigue (ULFT), lower-limb fatigue (LLFT), and squat-up (SUT) tests, and walking pace. Association between sensitivity to TH indices and the risk of developing CTM was assessed via multivariate logistic regression. The diagnostic effectiveness of muscle power and function for predicting CTM was evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Thyroid feedback quantile-based index FT3 (TFQIFT3) and the parametric TFQIFT3 (PTFQIFT3), TFQIFT4, and PTFQIFT4 were positively associated with CTM risk by using inverse probability of treatment weighting multivariate logistic regression. For each 1-SD increase in TFQIFT3 and PTFQIFT3, TFQIFT4 and PTFQIFT4, the odds ratios for CTM were 1.67 (95% CI = 1.17–2.48) ,1.64 (95% CI = 1.51–2.93), 1.60 (95%CI = 1.12–2.32), 1.58 (95%CI = 1.11–2.30), respectively. LLFT and SUT best predicted male/female CTM, respectively (AUC = 0.89/0.85). In Graves’ disease patients, TH sensitivity is associated with CTM development, which can be predicted by SUT and LLFT results.

Abstract Yoga is effective in binge eating disorder (BED) treatment, but it does not seem effective enough to improve low physical fitness. In contrast, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is effective in improving physical fitness but has never been studied in the context of BED. In the study, 47 young inactive females with mild to moderate BED were recruited and randomly assigned to a HIIT group (HIIT), a Yoga group (YG), or a control group (CG; age, 19.47 ± 0.74, 19.69 ± 0.874, and 19.44 ± 0.63 years; BMI, 21.07 ± 1.66, 21.95 ± 2.67, and 20.68 ± 2.61 kg/m2, respectively). The intervention groups participated in 8-week specific exercises, while the CG maintained their usual daily activity. Before and after the training, participants were evaluated for BED using the binge eating scale (BES) and for physical fitness. The obtained data were compared within groups and between groups, and a correlation analysis between BES and physical fitness parameters was performed. After the training, the YG presented significant improvements in BES (− 20.25%, p = 0.006, η p 2 = 0.408), fat mass (FM, − 3.13%, p = 0.033, η p 2 = 0.269), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max, 11.51%, p = 0.000, η p 2 = 0.601), whereas the HIIT showed significant improvements in body weight (BW, − 1.78%, p = 0.006, η p 2 = 0.433), FM (− 3.94%, p = 0.033, η p 2 = 0.285), and BMI (− 1.80%, p = 0.006, η p 2 = 0.428), but not in BES. Comparisons between groups revealed that both HIIT and YG had significantly higher VO2max levels than CG (HIIT 12.82%, p = 0.006, η p 2 = 0.088; YG: 11.90%, p = 0.009, η p 2 = 0.088) with no difference between HIIT and YG. Additionally, YG presented significantly lower BES than both HIIT (15.45%, p = 0.02, η p 2 = 0.03) and CG (11.91%, p = 0.022, η p 2 = 0.03). In conclusion, Yoga is an effective treatment for BED, but HIIT is not, despite its high efficacy in improving physical fitness.

Abstract Background To compare the differences in long-term quality of life (QoL) between survivors of paediatric and adult patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and assess the clinical factors that predict long-term QoL. Methods We enrolled 420 long-term NPC survivors who were alive for at least 8 years after treatment, including 195 paediatric and 225 adult patients diagnosed and treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre (SYSUCC) between 2011 and 2015. Data on clinical factors and EORTC QLQ-C30 were collected from all participants. The QoL of paediatric and adult NPC survivors was compared. Results The paediatric group had significantly better outcomes in global health status (paediatric: 80.2 ± 12.7; adult: 77.2 ± 11.5; P = 0.027), physical function (paediatric: 98.5 ± 4.6; adult: 95.1 ± 7.0; P

One of the most prevalent disorders that cause blindness worldwide is cataract, and its essence is the visual disorder caused by the opacity of the lens. The significant degree of variation in cataracts and the fact that a variety of factors can impact a patient's lens transparency make it especially crucial to investigate the pathogenesis of cataracts at the molecular level. It has been found that more than 60 genes are linked to the formation of cataracts, and the construction of a transgenic mouse model of cataract similar to the selection of human lens clouding due to a variety of causes has become an important means of studying the pathogenesis of cataract. Therefore, the research on the application of transgenic mice to the molecular pathogenesis of cataracts will be the main topic of this review of the literature.

This study compared different doublet and triplet therapies for efficacy and safety in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to October 2023. Interventions included abiraterone, apalutamide, enzalutamide, docetaxel, darolutamide, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), either as doublet or triplet therapies. The outcomes examined were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)-free survival, time to symptomatic skeletal event (SSE), and toxicity. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was determined to identify the preferred treatments. Ten RCTs were included. The combination of darolutamide, docetaxel, and ADT had the highest SUCRA of 84.3 for OS, followed by combined abiraterone, docetaxel, and ADT (SUCRA = 71.6). The highest SUCRAs for PFS were observed for triplet therapies (abiraterone, docetaxel, and ADT [SUCRA = 74.9], followed by enzalutamide, docetaxel, and ADT [SUCRA = 74.3]) and other androgen receptor axis-targeted therapy-based doublet therapies (SUCRAs: 26.5–59.3). Darolutamide, docetaxel, and ADT had the highest SUCRAs, i.e., 80.8 and 84.0 regarding CRPC-free survival and time to SSE, respectively. Regarding Grade >3 adverse events (AEs), the SUCRAs of triplet therapies (SUCRAs: 14.8–31.5) were similar to that of docetaxel and ADT (SUCRA = 39.5). Three studies had a low risk of bias in all categories; the remaining studies had at least an unclear risk of bias in at least one category. Triplet therapy demonstrated potentially enhanced effectiveness than doublet therapy in mHSPC, with acceptable safety concerns. Darolutamide might be the optimal option for triplet therapy in combination with docetaxel and ADT.

Rice bran extract (RBE) is a nutritional substance isolated from rice bran. Due to its high content of bioactive components and its good antioxidant capacity, RBE has unique advantages in the food and health fields. Furthermore, the types and contents of bioactive compounds obtained vary depending on the raw materials and preparation methods used. This review systematically discusses the common preparation methods, functional properties and application status of RBE in the context of recent research on it, and points out the shortcomings of the current research. Next, this paper explores the potential application value of RBE in the food and health fields and future research hotspots, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the intensive processing of rice bran.

Abstract Aquilaria sinensis is a significant resin-producing plant worldwide that is crucial for agarwood production. Agarwood has different qualities depending on the method with which it is formed, and the microbial community structures that are present during these methods are also diverse. Furthermore, the microbial communities of plants play crucial roles in determining their health and productivity. While previous studies have investigated the impact of microorganisms on agarwood formation, they lack comprehensiveness, particularly regarding the properties of the microbial community throughout the entire process from seedling to adult to incense formation. We collected roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and other tissues from seedlings, healthy plants and agarwood-producing plants to address this gap and assess the dominant bacterial species in the microbial community structures of A. sinensis at different growth stages and their impacts on growth and agarwood formation. The bacteria and fungi in these tissues were classified and counted from different perspectives. The samples were sequenced using the Illumina sequencing platform, and sequence analyses and species annotations were performed using a range of bioinformatics tools to assess the plant community compositions. An additional comparison of the samples was conducted using diversity analyses to assess their differences. This research revealed that Listeria, Kurtzmanomyces, Ascotaiwania, Acinetobacter, Sphingobium, Fonsecaea, Acrocalymma, Allorhizobium, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Peethambara, and Debaryomyces are potentially associated with the formation of agarwood. Overall, the data provided in this article help us understand the important roles played by bacteria and fungi in the growth and agarwood formation process of A. sinensis, will support the theoretical basis for the large-scale cultivation of A. sinensis, and provide a basis for further research on microbial community applications in agarwood production and beyond.

Abstract Background To investigate the prognosis of longitudinal health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on survival outcomes in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods During 2012–2014, 145 adult NPC patients with stage II-IVb NPC were investigated weekly using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire core 30 (EORCT QLQ-C30) during their CCRT period. The effects of longitudinal trends of HRQOL on survival outcomes were estimated using joint modeling, and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were reported as a 10-point increase in HRQOL scores. Results After a median follow-up of 83.4 months, the multivariable models showed significant associations of longitudinal increasing scores in fatigue and appetite loss during the CCRT period with distant metastasis-free survival: 10-point increases in scores of fatigue and appetite loss domains during CCRT period were significantly associated with 75% (HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.02; p = 0.047) and 59% (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.59; p = 0.018) increase in the risk of distant metastasis, respectively. The prognostic effects of the longitudinal HRQOL trend on overall survival and progress-free survival were statistically non-significant. Conclusion Increases in fatigue and appetite loss of HRQOL during the CCRT period are significantly associated with high risks of distant metastasis in advanced NPC patients. Nutritional support and psychological intervention are warranted for NPC patients during the treatment period.

Abstract Background Neurocognitive dysfunction is observationally associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders. Blood metabolites, which are readily accessible, may become highly promising biomarkers for brain disorders. However, the causal role of blood metabolites in neurocognitive function, and the biological pathways underlying their association with psychiatric disorders remain unclear. Methods To explore their putative causalities, we conducted bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using genetic variants associated with 317 human blood metabolites (n max = 215,551), g-Factor (an integrated index of multiple neurocognitive tests with n max = 332,050), and 10 different psychiatric disorders (n = 9,725 to 807,553) from the large-scale genome-wide association studies of European ancestry. Mediation analysis was used to assess the potential causal pathway among the candidate metabolite, neurocognitive trait and corresponding psychiatric disorder. Results MR evidence indicated that genetically predicted acetylornithine was positively associated with g-Factor (0.035 standard deviation units increase in g-Factor per one standard deviation increase in acetylornithine level; 95% confidence interval, 0.021 to 0.049; P = 1.15 × 10−6). Genetically predicted butyrylcarnitine was negatively associated with g-Factor (0.028 standard deviation units decrease in g-Factor per one standard deviation increase in genetically proxied butyrylcarnitine; 95% confidence interval, −0.041 to −0.015; P = 1.31 × 10−5). There was no evidence of associations between genetically proxied g-Factor and metabolites. Furthermore, the mediation analysis via two-step MR revealed that the causal pathway from acetylornithine to bipolar disorder was partly mediated by g-Factor, with a mediated proportion of 37.1%. Besides, g-Factor mediated the causal pathway from butyrylcarnitine to schizophrenia, with a mediated proportion of 37.5%. Other neurocognitive traits from different sources provided consistent findings. Conclusion Our results provide genetic evidence that acetylornithine protects against bipolar disorder through neurocognitive abilities, while butyrylcarnitine has an adverse effect on schizophrenia through neurocognition. These findings may provide insight into interventions at the metabolic level for risk of neurocognitive and related disorders.

Abstract Objectives To establish a nomogram for differentiating malignant and benign focal liver lesions (FLLs) using ultrasomics features derived from contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Methods 527 patients were retrospectively enrolled. On the training cohort, ultrasomics features were extracted from CEUS and b-mode ultrasound (BUS). Automatic feature selection and model development were performed using the Ultrasomics-Platform software, outputting the corresponding ultrasomics scores. A nomogram based on the ultrasomics scores from artery phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP) and delayed phase (DP) of CEUS, and clinical factors were established. On the validation cohort, the diagnostic performance of the nomogram was assessed and compared with seniorexpert and resident radiologists. Results In the training cohort, the AP, PVP and DP scores exhibited better differential performance than BUS score, with area under the curve (AUC) of 84.1-85.1% compared with the BUS (74.6%, P

Abstract Background Infectious diseases persistently pose global threats, and it is imperative to accelerate the professionalization of public health workforce. This study aimed to develop and validate the infectious disease control competency scale (IDCCS) for public health professionals to fill a theoretical gap and elevate practical capabilities by informing public health professionals’ development goals. Methods The initial item pool was generated through a literature review, and categorized into three dimensions (knowledge, practical skills, and leadership) based on the competency iceberg model and public health leadership framework. A two-round Delphi process was conducted to determine indicators within the scale. A pilot survey was utilized for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A formal survey was employed for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The weight value of each indicator was calculated using the analytic hierarchy process. Results An initial scale with three primary items, 14 secondary items, and 81 tertiary items was generated. Twenty experts participated in the two rounds of the Delphi process. Authority coefficients exceeded 0.9 in both rounds. Kendall's W was 0.29 and 0.19, respectively (both P

Abstract Background The formation of stem cell clones enables close contact of stem cells inside. The gap junctions in such clone spheres establish a microenvironment that allows frequent intercellular communication to maintain self-renewal and functions of stem cells. Nevertheless, the essential gap junction protein for molecular signaling in clones is poorly known. Methods Primary human airway basal cells (hBCs) were isolated from brushing samples through bronchoscopy and then cultured. A tightly focused femtosecond laser was used to excite the local Ca2+ in an individual cell to initiate an internal Ca2+ wave in a clone to screen gap junction proteins. Immunoflourescence staining and clonogenicity assay were used to evaluate self-renewal and functions. RNA and protein levels were assessed by PCR and Western blot. Air–liquid interface assay was conducted to evaluate the differentiation potential. A Naphthalene injury mouse model was used to assess the regeneration potential. Results Herein, we identify Connexin 25 (Cx25) dominates intercellular Ca2+ communications in clones of hBCs in vitro to maintain the self-renewal and pluripotency of them. The self-renewal and in vitro differentiation functions and in vivo regeneration potential of hBCs in an airway damage model are both regulated by Cx25. The abnormal expression of Cx25 is validated in several diseases including IPF, Covid-19 and bronchiectasis. Conclusion Cx25 is essential for hBC clones in maintaining self-renewal and functions of hBCs via gap junctions.

Abstract Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after trauma. Here, we integrate plasma metabolomics and proteomics to evaluate the metabolic alterations and their function in up to 680 individuals with and without DVT after trauma (pt-DVT). We identify 28 metabolites and 2 clinical parameter clusters associated with pt-DVT. Then, we develop a panel of 9 metabolites (hexadecanedioic acid, pyruvic acid, L-Carnitine, serotonin, PE(P-18:1(11Z)/18:2(9Z,12Z)), 3-Hydroxycapric acid, 5,6-DHET, 3-Methoxybenzenepropanoic acid and pentanenitrile) that can predict pt-DVT with high performance, which can be verified in an independent cohort. Furthermore, the integration analysis of metabolomics and proteomics data indicates that the upregulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis-TCA cycle may promote thrombosis by regulating ROS levels in red blood cells, suggesting that interfering with this process might be potential therapeutic strategies for pt-DVT. Together, our study comprehensively delineates the metabolic and hematological dysregulations for pt-DVT, and provides potential biomarkers for early detection.

AIM: To investigate the antioxidant protective effect of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGP) pretreatment on retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury (RIRI) in rats. METHODS: RIRI was induced in Sprague Dawley rats through anterior chamber perfusion, and pretreatment involved administering LbGP via gavage for 7d. After 24h of reperfusion, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine (CREA) levels, retinal structure, expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the retina were measured. RESULTS: The pretreatment with LbGP effectively protected the retina and retinal tissue from edema and inflammation in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and nerve fiber layer (NFL) of rats subjected to RIRI, as shown by light microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Serum AST was higher in the model group than in the blank group (P=0.042), but no difference was found in ALT, AST, and CREA across the LbGP groups and model group. Caspase-3 expression was higher in the model group than in the blank group (P=0.006), but no difference was found among LbGP groups and the model group. Caspase-8 expression was higher in the model group than in the blank group (P=0.000), and lower in the 400 mg/kg LbGP group than in the model group (P=0.016). SOD activity was lower in the model group than in the blank group (P=0.001), and the decrease was slower in the 400 mg/kg LbGP group than in the model group (P=0.003). MDA content was higher in the model group than in the blank group (P=0.001), and lower in the 400 mg/kg LbGP group than in the model group (P=0.016). The pretreatment with LbGP did not result in any observed liver or renal toxicity in the model. CONCLUSION: LbGP pretreatment exhibits dose-dependent anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects by reducing Caspase-8 expression, preventing declines of SOD activity, and decreasing MDA content in the RIRI rat model.

ABSTRACT: Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne diseases worldwide. Conventional rapid assays for detecting Salmonella in real samples often encounter severe matrix interference or detect a limited number of species of a genus, resulting in inaccurate detection. In this study, we developed a method that combined phage-based magnetic capture with real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for the rapid, highly sensitive, and specific detection of Salmonella in milk with an ultra-low detection limit. The Felix O-1 phage-conjugated magnetic beads (O-1 pMBs) synthesized in this method showed excellent capture ability for Salmonella spp. and ideal specificity for non-Salmonella strains. After O-1 pMBs-based magnetic separation, the limit of detection of the real-time RPA assay was 50 cfu/mL in milk samples, which was significantly increased by a magnitude of 3 to 4 orders. The method exhibited a high sensitivity (compatibility) of 100% (14/14) for all tested Salmonella serotype strains and an ideal specificity (exclusivity) of 100% (7/7) for the tested non-Salmonella strains. The entire detection process, including Salmonella capture, DNA extraction, and real-time RPA detection, was completed within 1.5 h. Furthermore, milk samples spiked with 10 cfu/25 mL of Salmonella were detected positive after being cultured in buffered peptone water for only 3 h. Therefore, the proposed method could be an alternative for the rapid and accurate detection of Salmonella.

The carbon–neutral target presents a significant challenge for the sewage sludge treatment and disposal (SSTD) industry, necessitating strategic planning for a low-carbon transition. However, flexible and comprehensive carbon emission analysis tools to support this goal remain lacking. This study presents a carbon emission analysis tool to evaluate the carbon emission characteristics and future mitigation potentials of SSTD. The tool integrates life cycle inventory (LCI) modeling-based analysis, sensitivity analysis, regression analysis, and scenario analysis. Carbon emissions are dynamically calculated based on sludge properties, technological level, and industry external parameters, providing a foundation for adaptable evaluation tailored to local conditions. The framework considers the potential effects of multi-parameter and multi-aspect changes in scene design, both within and outside the industry, to achieve dynamic and comprehensive simulations. A case study conducted in Wuhan, China, demonstrated the usability and application processes of the framework. The results indicated that carbon emissions from SSTD are projected to more than double from 2021 to 2060 without interventions. Among the mitigation measures, energy and chemical savings would yield the largest reduction potential, followed by the technical layout adjustment and the promotion of energy efficiency. Operational optimization in the sludge industry and outside the industry would contribute the least. With all mitigation measures applied, emissions could decrease to –82.91 kt CO2-eq in 2060, equivalent to 13.03% compensation for emissions from the sewage treatment line. Among all the processes, incineration routes are recommended due to their current and future low carbon emissions. The cooperative resource route of anaerobic digestion and land use also shows promise as it progressively demonstrates superior performance with increasing organic matter and nutrient content of sludge. Critical factors, sub-processes, and emission types for different routes were identified and can be optimized accordingly. The developed method demonstrates sufficient flexibility to be applied to other cities and larger-scale regions, thereby offering technical and strategic support for SSTD towards carbon–neutral operation.

Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) is an efficient method to remove nitrogen in municipal wastewater treatment. However, low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are generally required, leading to serious membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). This study aimed to clarify the synergistic effect of biomass and DO on nitrogen removal and membrane fouling. To achieve this goal, four submerged MBRs equipped with ceramic membranes were operated with different biomass (mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS)) concentrations (3 000 mg/L, 5 000 mg/L, 7 500 mg/L, and 12 000 mg/L) under various DO concentrations (2.0 mg/L, 1.0 mg/L, and 0.5 mg/L). As a result, increasing biomass in the MBRs enhanced total nitrogen (TN) removal via SND, and excellent TN removal efficiencies of 60.7% and 75.8% were obtained using the MBR with an MLSS concentration of 12 000 mg/L and DO concentrations of 2.0 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L. However, a further decrease in DO deteriorated TN removal due to the inhibition of nitrification. Moreover, high MLSS concentrations were beneficial to membrane fouling control for ceramic membranes in MBRs. The lowest transmembrane pressure development rate was observed for the MBR with an MLSS concentration of 12 000 mg/L. High biomass offset the adverse effect of DO decrease on membrane fouling to some extent, and improved the stability of the reactor. Therefore, biomass might be an important parameter for membrane fouling reduction in ceramic MBRs. Overall, optimal biomass and DO concentrations for TN removal were identified, providing useful information for the successful operation of MBRs with efficient TN removal and membrane fouling control.