A composite microfiltration membrane, prepared by blending polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, was successfully used in a submerged membrane bioreactor ...system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine the surface properties of GO modified PVDF membrane. To compare the composite membrane with a commercial PVDF membrane, the critical flux, fouling behavior, membrane resistance, and anti-fouling properties against extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were studied. Higher critical flux was obtained by PVDF/GO composite membrane due to the change of surface characteristics. The PVDF/GO composite membrane demonstrated sustained permeability, lower cleaning frequency, and filtration time that was three times longer than that of the PVDF membrane. In terms of anti-EPS accumulation, the PVDF/GO composite membrane showed lower membrane resistance, particularly, lower pore plugging resistance than the PVDF membrane. Fewer amounts of EPS, specifically polysaccharide accumulated on the composite membrane surface due to the introduction of GO nanosheets. The SEM and confocal laser scanning microscope images showed that the cake layer on composite membrane was looser and thinner than that of commercial PVDF membrane. Consequently, membrane surface was exposed, resulting in the maintenance of high permeability over a long period of time.
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•Membrane surface presented a large amount of oxygen-containing functional groups.•The prepared PVDF/GO composite membrane was successfully used in long term MBR test.•The filtration period lasted three times longer than that of the PVDF membrane.•Less EPS, especially polysaccharide, accumulated on PVDF/GO composite membrane.•The PVDF/GO membrane surface formed a porous and thin cake layer.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
As non-coding RNA molecules of more than 200 bp in length, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a variety of roles in biological processes, including regulating the immune responses to bacterial ...infections. In recent years, there have been many in-depth studies on mammalian lncRNAs, but the relevant studies in fish are very limited. Meanwhile, since lncRNAs are not conserved among species, it is difficult to apply the existing results directly to unstudied species. To obtain the information of lncRNAs in Megalobrama amblycephala, one of the most economically important freshwater fish in China, also to better understand the biological significance of lncRNAs in the immunity system, the fish liver at 0, 4, 12, 24, and 72 h post Aeromonas hydrophila infection (hpi) were obtained for lncRNA-sequencing (lncRNA-seq). A total of 14,849 lncRNAs were identified, and 2196 lncRNAs showed significant differences at different time points post A. hydrophila infection. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses showed that the target genes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs were enriched in several pathways related to immune such as apoptosis, inflammation, and immune response. Time-specific modules were then identified, using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and 28 modules significantly correlated with different time point after infection were found. Furthermore, four immune-related genes and six lncRNAs in the time-specific modules were subsequently verified by RT-qPCR. The above findings reveal the discovery of widespread differentially expressed lncRNAs in the M. amblycephala liver post A. hydrophila infection, suggesting that lncRNAs might participate in the regulation of host response to bacterial infection, enriching the information of lncRNAs in teleost and providing a resources basis for further studies on the immune function of lncRNAs.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
► The activity of anammox bacteria can be enhanced in dose-dependent manner of GO. ► The maximum 10.26% increase in activity is obtained at a GO dose of 0.1 g L-1. ► The appropriate GO dose can ...efficiently stimulate the increase of EPS. ► GO can be used as a scaffold for anammox bacteria attachment.
Graphene oxide (GO) was applied in this study to enhance the activity of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria for nitrogen removal. A GO dose-dependent effect on anammox bacteria was observed through batch tests. The results showed that the activity increased as the GO dose was varied within 0.05–0.1gL−1. A maximum 10.26% increase of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing activity was achieved at 0.1gL−1 GO. Analysis of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) indicated that the highest carbohydrate, protein, and total EPS contents (42.5, 125.7, and 168.2mg (g volatile suspended solids)−1, respectively) were obtained with 0.1gL−1 GO. Appropriate GO dose stimulated EPS production to promote the activity of anammox bacteria. Transmission electron microscopy showed the large surface area of GO benefited cell attachment. These findings proved that the application of GO was an effective approach to enhancing the activity of anammox bacteria.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Social support is an important factor for individual's mental health. However, the association between social support and depressive symptoms among physicians in China' tertiary hospitals has not ...been explored. This study aimed to investigate its association among physicians stratifying by sex.
Six hundred fifty-six physicians were enrolled from 12 tertiary hospitals of Shandong Province, China. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Social support was evaluated using the Social Support Rating Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms among physicians.
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 42.3% and the average social support score was 38.82 ± 7.53 among physicians. Lower subjective social support scores (male: β = - 0.317, p < 0.001; female: β = - 0.241, p < 0.001) and lower objective social support scores (male: β = - 0.218, p = 0.038; female: β = - 0.277, p = 0.035) were associated with high depressive symptoms among physicians. Lower support utilization scores (β = - 0.472, p < 0.001) were associated with high depressive symptoms among male physicians.
Chinese physicians had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and lower social support than the Chinese general population. Objective and subjective social support were inversely associated with depressive symptoms among male and female physicians while support utilization was inversely associated with depressive symptoms among male rather than female physicians. It is critical to improve physicians' mental health through strengthening social support in China.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The purpose of this study was to develop a new prognostic model for osteosarcoma based on cuproptosis-mitochondrion genes.
The data of osteosarcoma were obtained from TARGET database. By using Cox ...regression and LASSO regression analysis, a novel risk score was constructed based on cuproptosis-mitochondrion genes. Kaplan-Meier, ROC curve and independent prognostic analyses were performed to validate the risk score in GSE21257 dataset. Then, a predictive nomogram was constructed and further validated by calibration plot, C-index and ROC curve. Based on the risk score, all patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk group. GO and KEGG enrichment, immune correlation and drug sensitivity analyses were performed between groups. Real-time quantitative PCR verified the expression of cuproptosis-mitochondrion prognostic model genes in osteosarcoma. And we explored the function of FDX1 in osteosarcoma by western blotting, CCK8, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and transwell assays.
A total of six cuproptosis-mitochondrion genes (FDX1, COX11, MFN2, TOMM20, NDUFB9 and ATP6V1E1) were identified. A novel risk score and associated prognostic nomogram were constructed with high clinical application value. Strong differences in function enrichment and tumor immune microenvironment were shown between groups. Besides, the correlation of cuproptosis-mitochondrion genes and drug sensitivity were revealed to search for potential therapeutic target. The expression of FDX1, COX11, MFN2, TOMM20 and NDUFB9 at mRNA level was elevated in osteosarcoma cells compared with normal osteoblast hFOB1.19. The mRNA expression level of ATP6V1E1 was decreased in osteosarcoma. Compared with hFOB1.19, western blotting revealed that the expression of FDX1 was significantly elevated in osteosarcoma cells. Functional experiments indicated that FDX1 mainly promoted the migration of osteosarcoma rather than proliferation.
We developed a novel prognostic model of osteosarcoma based on cuproptosis-mitochondrion genes, which provided great guidance in survival prediction and individualized treatment decision making for patients with osteosarcoma.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Devising a desirable nano-heterostructured photoelectrode based on the charge transfer kinetics mechanism is a pivotal strategy for implementing efficient photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technology, ...since the charge separation and utilization efficiency of a photoelectrode is critical to its PEC performance. Herein, we fabricate a F–Co3O4@Bi2WO6 core–shell hetero-array photoanode by coupling Bi2WO6 nanosheets with F–Co3O4 nanowires using a simple solvothermal solution method. The three-dimensional hierarchical heterostructure has a homogeneous chemical interface, helping it to promote an S-scheme-based carrier transport kinetics and maintain excellent cycling stability. Charge density difference calculations verify the electron migration trend from F–Co3O4 to Bi2WO6 upon hybridization and the formation of an internal electric field in the heterojunction, consistent with the S-scheme mechanism, which is identified by in situ irradiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The optimized F–Co3O4@Bi2WO6-2 photoelectrode achieves high carrier utilization efficiency and exhibits superior PEC degradation performance for various organic pollutants, including reactive brilliant blue KN-R, rhodamine B, sulfamethoxazole, and bisphenol A. This work not only reveals that F–Co3O4@Bi2WO6-2 is effective for PEC water remediation but also provides a strategy to enhance carrier transport kinetics by designing binary oxides.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cancer burden, and prognosis is determined by many demographic and clinicopathologic factors. The present study aimed to construct a prognostic nomogram for ...colorectal cancer patients with distant metastasis.
Colorectal cancer patients with distant metastasis diagnosed between 2010 and 2016 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify independent prognostic factors. A nomogram was constructed to predict survival, and validation was performed.
A total of 7099 stage IV colorectal cancer patients were enrolled in the construction cohort. The median overall survival was 20.0 (95% CI 19.3-20.7) months. Age at diagnosis, marital status, race, primary tumour site, tumour grade, CEA level, T stage, N stage, presence of bone, brain, liver and lung metastasis, surgery for primary site and performance of chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. The nomogram was constructed and the calibration curve showed satisfactory agreement. The C-index was 0.742 (95% CI 0.726-0.758). In the validation cohort (7098 patients), the nomogram showed satisfactory discrimination and calibration with a C-index of 0.746 (95% CI 0.730-0.762).
A series of factors associated with the survival of CRC patients with distant metastasis were found. Based on the identified factors, a nomogram was generated to predict the survival of stage IV colorectal cancer patients. The predictive model showed satisfactory discrimination and calibration, which can provide a reference for survival estimation and individualized treatment decisions.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Although the Ostwald ripening approach is often utilized to manufacture single hollow metal oxide, constructing hollow binary oxide heterostructures as potent photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysts is ...still obscure and challenging. Herein, we reveal a general strategy for fabricating hollow binary oxides heterostructures (Co3O4-δ-MnO2 and Co3O4–SnO2) utilizing Ostwald ripening. Hollow Co3O4-δ-MnO2 nano-network with the structure evolution process was systematically explored through experimental and theoretical tools, identifying the origin of hollow binary oxides due to the interfaces acting as landing sites for their growth. In addition, the structural evolution, from hollow Co3O4-δ-MnO2 to Co3O4-α-MnO2, can be observed when the time of secondary hydrothermal reaches 96 h due to the topotactic layer-to-tunnel transition process. Notably, optimized Co3O4-δ-MnO2-48 exhibits a superior PEC degradation efficiency of 96.42% and excellent durability (20,000 min) under harsh acid conditions, attributed to the massive hollow structures' vast surface area for high intently active species. Furthermore, density functional theory simulations elucidated the Co3O4-δ-MnO2’ electron-deficient surface and high d-band center (Co3O4-δ-MnO2, -1.06; Co3O4-α-MnO2, -1.49), strengthening the interaction between the catalyst's surface and active species and prolonging the lifetime of active species of •O2− and 1O2. This work not only demonstrates superior PEC degradation efficiency of hollow Co3O4-δ-MnO2 for practical use but also lays the cornerstone for constructing hollow binary oxides heterostructures through Ostwald ripening.
Constructing hollow binary oxide heterostructures as effective photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysts remains ambiguous and challenging. We reveal a general strategy for fabricating hollow binary oxide heterostructures. Especially, Co3O4-δ-MnO2-48 exhibit a superior PEC degradation efficiency of 96.42% and excellent durability, attributed to the massive hollow structures' vast surface area for highly intently active species. Display omitted
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Anoikis, a form of apoptosis that occurs due to detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix, has been linked to the development of cancer in several studies. However, its role in pancreatic ...cancer remains incompletely understood. In this study, we utilized univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses to establish a prognostic model for pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on anoikis-related genes in the TCGA database. Additionally, we performed univariate and multifactorial Cox analyses of protein expression results for TCGA pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We further explored the difference in immune infiltration between the high-risk and low-risk groups and verified the expression of the screened genes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Our findings indicate that numerous anoikis-related genes are linked to pancreatic adenocarcinoma prognosis. We identified seven prognostic genes (MET, DYNLL2, CDK1, TNFSF10, PIP5K1C, MSLN, GKN1) and validated that their related proteins, such as EGFR and MMP2, have a significant impact on the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Based on clustering analyses of the seven prognostic genes, patients could be classified into three distinct categories, for which somatic mutations varied significantly across the groups. High-risk and low-risk groups also exhibited significant differences in immune infiltration. All genes were found to be highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines (ASPC-1, CFPAC-1) as compared to a normal pancreatic cell line (HPDE). Based on the seven anoikis-related genes, we formulated a robust prognostic model with high predictive accuracy. We also identified the significant impact of KRAS, P53, and CDKN2A mutations on the prognosis of this fatal disease. Therefore, our study highlights the crucial role of anoikis in the development of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The yak is a symbol of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and provides important basic resources for human life on the plateau. Domestic yaks have been subjected to strong artificial selection and ...environmental pressures over the long-term. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of phenotypic differences in yak populations can reveal key functional genes involved in the domestication process and improve genetic breeding.
Here, we re-sequenced 80 yaks (Maiwa, Yushu, and Huanhu populations) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genetic variants. After filtering and quality control, remaining SNPs were kept to identify the genome-wide regions of selective sweeps associated with domestic traits. The four methods (π, XPEHH, iHS, and XP-nSL) were used to detect the population genetic separation.
By comparing the differences in the population stratification, linkage disequilibrium decay rate, and characteristic selective sweep signals, we identified 203 putative selective regions of domestic traits, 45 of which were mapped to 27 known genes. They were clustered into 4 major GO biological process terms. All known genes were associated with seven major domestication traits, such as dwarfism (ANKRD28), milk (HECW1, HECW2, and OSBPL2), meat (SPATA5 and GRHL2), fertility (BTBD11 and ARFIP1), adaptation (NCKAP5, ANTXR1, LAMA5, OSBPL2, AOC2, and RYR2), growth (GRHL2, GRID2, SMARCAL1, and EPHB2), and the immune system (INPP5D and ADCYAP1R1).
We provided there is an obvious genetic different among domestic progress in these three yak populations. Our findings improve the understanding of the major genetic switches and domestic processes among yak populations.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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