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Uricase (or Urate oxidase), a key enzyme involved in purine metabolism, is commonly used in treating conditions such as gout, hyperuricemia, and tumor lysis syndrome. In this study, a uricase-producing strain (named CSAJ-16) was isolated from the soil sample of Cangshan Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. This strain was identified as Arthrobacter sp. CSAJ-16. Based on the gene sequence alignment, the uricase gene (named aruox) of Arthrobacter sp. CSAJ-16 was amplified and heterologously expressed. The recombinant uricase (ArUOX) was about 32 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature of ArUOX were pH 7 and 20°C, respectively. The ArUOX remained above 50% relative activity after incubation at 37°C for 100 min or at pH 6.0–8.6 for 24 h. Moreover, metal ions such as K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+ and Pb2+ can significantly enhance the activity of ArUOX (> 200%). These enzymatic properties indicate that ArUOX has potential applications in pharmaceutical enzymes and uric acid detection kits.

In the present study, Cu-doped (1, 2, 5 and 10 wt.%) TiO 2 thin films were prepared on silicon wafers via sol–gel method and dip coating process. The prepared thin films were thermally treated at 450 °C for 1 h with a heating rate of 2 °C/min. The microstructures of synthesized thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle measurement (WCA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD results showed that the as-prepared thin films were mainly in anatase phase. XPS analysis indicated that Cu 2 O transformed into CuO with increasing content of copper. Such doped surfaces showed the ability of catalytic decomposition of exogenous donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) to generate nitric oxide (NO). Based on SEM and fluorescence analysis results, such films had the ability to inhibit platelet adhesion and activation with SNAP in vitro . This study suggested that the films were capable of generating physiological levels of NO in the presence of endogenous donor S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) when in contact with blood. So the films may be useful to improve the hemocompatibility of blood contact devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the current status of physical activity and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in Chengdu,Sichuan and explore the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Methods Multi-stage proportional stratified random sampling was employed to select middle-aged and older adults aged ≥45 years as the participants,and face-to-face interviews were carried out to collect data.Logistic regression was adopted to explore the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults.The trend test was performed for the relationship between different levels of physical activity and depressive symptoms.The subgroup analysis and the test for multiplicative interactions were conducted for the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Results A total of 4376 middle-aged and older adults were included.Among them,14.58% (638/4376),25.98% (1137/4376),and 27.83% (1218/4376) had depressive symptoms,failed to reach the guideline-recommended standards of physical activity,and were at low levels of physical activity,respectively.There was a negative association between reaching guideline-recommended physical activity standard and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults ( OR =0.713,95% CI =0.589-0.861, P <0.001).In addition,moderate levels ( OR =0.714,95% CI =0.586-0.871, P =0.001) and high levels of physical activity ( OR =0.705,95% CI =0.548-0.906, P =0.006) had negative associations with the presence of depressive symptoms.The trend test revealed that the negative association between physical activity and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults enhanced as the level of physical activity increased ( P for trend =0.001).The subgroup analysis and the test for multiplicative interactions revealed that neither reaching guideline-recommended physical activity standards or not nor the physical activity level had an interaction with each of the subgroups (all P for interaction >0.05). Conclusion The current status of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in Chengdu,Sichuan needs to be ameliorated.A negative association existed between reaching the guideline-recommended physical activity standard and presence of depressive symptoms,and the negative association enhanced as the physical activity level elevated.

Objective To analyze the current situation of dietary diversity and caregiver self-efficacy for complementary feeding among infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months in rural Nanchong city,Sichuan province,and to explore the relationship between dietary diversity and caregiver self-efficacy. Methods Multi-stage randomized cluster sampling method was used to select infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months and their caregivers in rural areas of Nanchong city,Sichuan province as the subjects.A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the basic information of the subjects,dietary diversity,and caregiver self-efficacy for complementary feeding.Multivariate Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the relationship between the dietary diversity and caregiver self-efficacy for complementary feeding of infants and young children. Results A total of 770 pairs of infants and young children and their caregivers were included.The minimum pass rate of dietary diversity was 61.56%(474/770) for all the infants and young children and 45.00%(108/240),69.16%(287/415),and 68.70%(79/115) for the infants and young children aged 6 to 11,12 to 17,and 18 to 23 months,respectively.The results of regression analysis showed that the caregiver self-efficacy of complementary feeding was a contributing factor for qualified dietary diversity of infants and young children in the case of other confounders being controlled( OR =1.42,95% CI =1.17-1.73, P <0.001). Conclusion The dietary diversity for infants and young children in rural Nanchong city,Sichuan province needs to be improved,and caregivers with higher self-efficacy of complementary feeding are more likely to provide diversified complementary feeding for infants and young children.

Objective To analyze the prevalence of coronary heart disease among community residents over 18 years old in Jinjiang district of Chengdu city,Sichuan province,and explore its associated factors,so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of coronary heart disease in communities.Methods From October 15 to November 10 in 2021,a total of 5220 adult residents from 33 communities in Jinjiang were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling for face-to-face questionnaire survey,physical examination,and laboratory blood test.Binary Logistic regression was employed to predict the factors associated with coronary heart disease among adult residents in Jinjiang.Results The crude and standard prevalence rates of coronary heart disease among 5220 adult residents were 3.39% and 2.11%,respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR =1.068,95% CI =1.051-1.086, P <0.001),depressive symptoms ( OR =1.639,95% CI =1.037-2.591, P =0.034),regular exercise ( OR =0.584,95% CI =0.378-0.902, P =0.015),elevated blood pressure ( OR =3.529,95% CI =2.344-5.312, P <0.001),dyslipidemia ( OR =2.152,95% CI =1.291-3.587, P =0.003),and core knowledge score of chronic diseases ( OR =1.144,95% CI =1.066-1.228, P <0.001) were associated with coronary heart disease among adult residents in Jinjiang.Conclusions The prevalence of coronary heart disease is high among adult residents in Jinjiang district of Chengdu.The urban residents who are older,have depressive symptoms,lack of exercise,elevated blood pressure,dyslipidemia,and score higher on core knowledge of chronic diseases are prone to coronary heart disease.

Thermoactinospora rubra YIM 77501 T is an aerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming and cellulose degrading thermophilic actinomycete isolated from a sandy soil sample of a volcano. Its growth temperature range is 28-60°C. The genomic sequence of this strain revealed that there are 27 cellulase genes belonging to six glycoside hydrolase families. To understand the strategy that this strain uses to utilize carbon sources such as cellulose at different temperatures, comparative transcriptomics analysis of T. rubra YIM 77501 T was performed by growing it with cellulose (CMC) and without cellulose (replaced with glucose) at 30, 40, and 50°C, respectively. Transcriptomic analyses showed four cellulase genes ( TrBG2, TrBG3, TrBG4 , and ThrCel6B ) were up-regulated at 30, 40, and 50°C. The rate of gene expression of TrBG2, TrBG3, TrBG4 , and ThrCel6B were 50°C > 30°C > 40°C. One cellulase gene ( TrBG1 ) and two cellulase genes ( TrBG5 and ThrCel6A ) were up-regulated only at 30 and 50°C, respectively. These up-regulated cellulase genes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . The enzymatic properties of up-regulated cellulases showed a variety of responses to temperature. Special up-regulated cellulases TrBG1 and ThrCel6A displayed temperature acclimation for each growth condition. These expression patterns revealed that a hybrid strategy was used by T. rubra to utilize carbon sources at different temperatures. This study provides genomic, transcriptomics, and experimental data useful for understanding how microorganisms respond to environmental changes and their application in enhancing cellulose hydrolysis for animal feed and bioenergy production.

Through textual research and surveying on officinal varieties of Rhizoma Arisaematis, we considered the following results. The name of Rhizoma Arisaematis is in ceaseless change and its original is in confusion in the development of bencaology history. The original plants as Rhizoma Arisaematis are from many species and have wide distribution. This review can provide important reference for exploitation and utilization of resources and further development of Rhizoma Arisaematis through the discussion of the state of its original plant, distribution and mainstream varieties in the current market.