Biological control agents (BCAs) are considered as one of the most important strategies for controlling
Fusarium
wilt, and bioorganic fertilizer, in particular, has been extensively investigated. ...However, little is known regarding how a biocontrol microorganism affects the suppression mechanisms when combined with different amendments. In this study, a pot experiment was performed using banana plants to investigate the different mechanisms by which the biocontrol bacterium
Bacillus velezensis
HN03 (isolated from our laboratory) and amendments suppress
Fusarium
wilt. The incidence of banana wilt was decreased under HN03 and was reduced further when HN03 was combined with compost, particularly wormcast. In the suppression of
Fusarium
wilt, HN03 was found to influence the soil environment in various ways. HN03 increased the peroxidase level, which improves plant defense, and was highest when combined with wormcast, being 69 times higher than when combined with cow dung compost. The high accumulation of Mg and P in the “HN03 + wormcast” and Zn and Mn in the “HN03 + cow dung” treatments was negatively correlated with disease incidence. Furthermore, HN03 re-established the microbial community destroyed by the pathogen and further increased the level of suppression in the wormcast. HN03 also enhanced the functional traits of the soil, including defensive mechanism-related traits, and these traits were further enhanced by the combination of HN03 + wormcast.
Due to toxicity and persistence of paraquat (a widely used herbicide), eco-friendly remediation approaches to its contamination and effective antidotes to its poisoning have been highly desired and ...raised increasing concerns. Paraquat degradation was lesser in aerobic soil in comparison with anaerobic soil, and humic-reducing microorganisms (HRMs) play a key role in paraquat anaerobic transformation process. However, the degradation pathways and related mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the specific interaction mechanisms of the paraquat transformation processes mediated by a humic-reducing strain under anaerobic conditions. A strain of pure culture, designated as PQ01, was successfully isolated from paddy soil using anaerobic enrichment procedure, and identified as
Pseudomonas geniculata
using phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis. Sucrose, glucose, pyruvate, formic acid, and acetic acid were shown to be favorable electron donors for the reduction of anthrahydroquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) reduction by PQ01. The strain also had the ability of reducing Fe(III) (hydr)oxides in the presence of sucrose with efficiencies in the order of ferrihydrite > α-FeOOH/γ-FeOOH > γ-Fe
2
O
3
> α-Fe
2
O
3
. In the “PQ01 + paraquat + AQDS + sucrose” system, AQDS reduction and paraquat biotransformation by strain PQ01 occurred simultaneously, and the presence of sucrose significantly enhanced the biotransformation. Specific mechanisms of the electron transfer processes are promoted by both PQ01 and AQDS, and proceed in two aspects: (1) paraquat served as electron donor in the anaerobic reduction of AQDS by strain PQ01; (2) AQDS was reduced by PQ01 anaerobic metabolism to produce AH
2
QDS, which can directly react with paraquat under anaerobic conditions to generate a single crystal compound (molecular formula of the unit structure is C
2
6
H
2
0
N
2
O
8
S
2
), causing the paraquat to decline dramatically. In conclusion, this main mechanism included the microbial reduction of AQDS to AH
2
QDS, followed by the abiotic reaction between AH
2
QDS and paraquat. This study reported the new characteristics of
P. geniculata
capable of reducing humics analogs, Fe(III) (hydr)oxides, and paraquat, and proposed a novel electron transformation mechanism of the HRMs’ mediated degradation of organic contaminants.
Abstract Background Data on the association between dietary patterns and age-related cognitive decline are inconsistent. Objective To determine whether dietary patterns assessed by the alternate ...Mediterranean diet score (aMED), the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), or the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score are associated with cognitive decline in older women, and to examine whether dietary patterns modify the risk for cognitive decline in women with hypertension. Design Prospective, longitudinal cohort study. Food frequency questionnaires were used to derive dietary patterns at baseline. Hypertension was defined as self-report of current drug therapy for hypertension or clinic measurement of systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg. Participants and setting Postmenopausal women (N=6,425) aged 65 to 79 years who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study and were cognitively intact at baseline. Main outcome measures Cognitive decline was defined as cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or probable dementia (PD). Cases were identified through rigorous screening and expert adjudication. Statistical analyses performed Cox proportional hazards models with multivariable adjustment were used to estimate the relative risk for developing MCI or PD. Results During a median follow-up of 9.11 years, we documented 499 cases of MCI and 390 of PD. In multivariable analyses we did not detect any statistically significant relationships across quintiles of aMED, HEI-2010, DASH, and AHEI-2010 scores and MCI or PD ( P values for trend=0.30, 0.44, 0.23, and 0.45). In women with hypertension, we found no significant association between dietary patterns and cognitive decline ( P values for trend=0.19, 0.08, 0.07, and 0.60). Conclusions Dietary patterns characterized by the aMED, HEI-2010, AHEI-2010, or DASH dietary score were not associated with cognitive decline in older women. Adherence to a healthy dietary pattern did not modify the risk for cognitive decline in women with hypertension.
The role of the humic model compound, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS), in the anaerobic reductive dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) by the Fe(III)- and humic substances ...(HS)-reducing bacterium,
Comamonas koreensis strain CY01 was investigated. The results taken as a whole indicated that (i) strain CY01 could couple glucose oxidation to 2,4-D reductive dechlorination; (ii) reductive dechlorination of 2,4-D by strain CY01 was greatly stimulated by the addition of AQDS; (iii) the transfer of electrons from biogenic AH
2QDS to 2,4-D was an abiotic process which can take place in the absence of microorganisms; and (iv) AH
2QDS was reoxidized during the chemical reaction, AQDS can serve again as electron acceptor for microorganisms, thus acting as electron shuttles. All the results suggested that 2,4-D reductive dechlorination by CY01 strain was a biochemical process that oxidizes the electron donors and transfers the electron to the acceptors through redox mediator, AQDS. We proposed the possible mechanism for the HS dependent reduction of 2,4-D. Our results suggested that microbial reduction of HS and subsequent chemical reduction of organic pollutants represent an important path of electron flow in anoxic natural environments. This work is a necessary preliminary step for better understanding the biodegradation of 2,4-D in subsurface soil.
Oligoasthenospermia is the primary cause of infertility. However, there are still enormous challenges in the screening of critical candidates and targets of oligoasthenospermia owing to its complex ...mechanism. In this study, stem cell factor (SCF), c-kit, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) biosensors were successfully established and applied to studying apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms. Interestingly, the detection limit reached 2.787 × 10−15 g/L, and the quantitative limit reached 1.0 × 10−13 g/L. Furthermore, biosensors were used to investigate the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis. Schisandrin A is an excellent candidate to form a system with c-kit similar to SCF/c-kit with a detection constant (KD) of 5.701 × 10−11 mol/L, whereas it had no affinity for SCF. In addition, it also inhibited autophagy in oligoasthenospermia through antagonizing TRPV1 with a KD of up to 4.181 × 10−10 mol/L. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments were highly consistent with the biosensor. In summary, high-potency schisandrin A and two potential targets were identified, through which schisandrin A could reverse the apoptosis caused by excessive autophagy during oligoasthenospermia. Our study provides promising insights into the discovery of effective compounds and potential targets via a well-established in vitro-in vivo strategy.
Discovery of Schisandrin A regulating the interplay of autophagy and apoptosis of oligoasthenospermia by targeting the SCF/c-kit and TRPV1 via biosensors coupled with in vivo and in vitro investigation. Display omitted
Abstract Falling significantly affects quality of life, morbidity, and mortality among older adults. We sought to evaluate the prospective association between sedentary time, physical activity, and ...falling among post-menopausal women aged 50–79 y recruited to the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study between 1993 and 1998 from 40 clinical centers across the United States. Baseline (B) and change in each of the following were evaluated at year 3 (Y3) and year 6 (Y6; baseline n = 93,676; Y3 n = 76,598; Y6 n = 75,428): recreational physical activity (MET-h/wk), sitting, sleeping (min /d ), and lean body mass by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (subset N = 6,475). Falls per year (0, 1, 2, ≥ 3) were assessed annually by self-report questionnaire and then dichotomized as ≤ 1and ≥ 2 falls/year. Logistic regression models were adjusted for demographics, body mass index, fall history, tobacco and alcohol use, medical conditions, and medications. Higher baseline activity was associated with greater risk of falling at Y6 (18%; p for trend < 0.0001). Increasing sedentary time minimally decreased falling (1% Y3; 2% Y6; p < 0.05). Increasing activity up to ≥ 9 MET-h/wk (OR: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.03-1.22) or maintaining ≥ 9 MET-h/wk (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.13-1.29) increased falling at Y3 and Y6 (p for trend < 0.001). Adding lean body mass to the models attenuated these relationships. Physically active lifestyles increased falling among post-menopausal women. Additional fall prevention strategies, such as balance and resistance training, should be evaluated to assist post-menopausal women in reaching or maintaining levels of aerobic activity known to prevent and manage several chronic diseases.
Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that affect many intracellular pathways that may have implications for chemoprevention against cancer. Epidemiologic data on statins and breast ...cancer are conflicting. We analyzed updated data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to assess the relationship between statins and breast cancer risk.
The population included 154,587 postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 years, with 7,430 pathologically confirmed cases of breast cancer identified over an average of 10.8 (SD, 3.3) years. Information on statins was collected at baseline and years one, three, six, and nine. Self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on risk factors. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate HRs with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to evaluate the relationship between statin use and cancer risk. Statistical tests were two-sided.
Statins were used by 11,584 (7.5%) women at baseline. The annualized rate of breast cancer was 0.42% among statin users and 0.42% among nonusers. The multivariable adjusted HR of breast cancer for users versus nonusers was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.83-1.06). In the multivariable-adjusted, time-dependent model, the HR for simvastatin was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.71-1.07). There was no significant trend by overall duration of use (P value for trend 0.68). There was no effect of tumor stage, grade, or hormone receptor status.
Overall, statins were not associated with breast cancer risk.
Our study is one of the largest prospective observational studies on this topic, and substantially adds to the literature suggesting no relationship between statins and breast cancer risk.
Tenofovir (TDF)-containing PrEP is effective for HIV prevention, but its effect on health-related quality of life (QOL) is unknown. Using data from HPTN 069/ACTG A5305, a randomized study of ...potential PrEP regimens comparing maraviroc alone, or together with TDF or emtricitabine (FTC), to TDF + FTC (control), we evaluated the impact of these regimens on QOL in at-risk HIV-uninfected U.S. women and men.
QOL was measured at baseline (before starting medications) and every 8 weeks through week 48 using the EQ-5D-3L. Responses were converted to a scale from 0.0 (death) to 1.0 (perfect health), using published valuation weights. Mean scores were compared between groups at each time point using nonparametric testing. Multivariable linear regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.
We analyzed 186 women (median age 35 years, 65% black, 17% Hispanic) and 405 men (median age 30 years, 28% black, 22% Hispanic), including 9 transgender participants analyzed based on sex-at-birth. Mean baseline QOL was 0.91 for women and 0.95 for men. There were minimal changes in mean QOL over time for any regimen (women: p = 0.29; men: p = 0.14). There were no significant differences between participants who continued the regimen compared to participants who discontinued early (women: p = 0.61; men: p = 0.1). Mean QOL did not differ significantly by regimen at any time point, both unadjusted and after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, adherence, and use of alcohol, marijuana, opiates, and other substances.
QOL in at-risk individuals starting candidate PrEP regimens in a clinical trial is similar to the general population and maintained over time. This finding did not vary among regimens or when adjusted for demographics, adherence, and substance use. Our findings are the first to show that starting a candidate PrEP regimen in at-risk HIV-uninfected U.S. women and men was not associated with significant changes in QOL.
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01505114.
Background: Among women who practice breast self-examination (BSE), breast cancers may be detected when they are at an earlier stage and are smaller than in women who do not practice BSE. However, ...the efficacy of breast self-examination for decreasing breast cancer mortality is unproven. This study was conducted to determine whether an intensive program of BSE instruction will reduce the number of women dying of breast cancer. Methods: From October 1989 through October 1991, 266 064 women associated with 519 factories in Shanghai were randomly assigned to a BSE instruction group (132 979 women) or a control group (133 085 women). Initial instruction in BSE was followed by reinforcement sessions 1 and 3 years later, by BSE practice under medical supervision at least every 6 months for 5 years, and by ongoing reminders to practice BSE monthly. The women were followed through December 2000 for mortality from breast cancer. Cumulative risk ratios of dying from breast cancer were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: There were 135 (0.10%) breast cancer deaths in the instruction group and 131 (0.10%) in the control group. The cumulative breast cancer mortality rates through 10 to 11 years of follow-up were similar (cumulative risk ratio for women in the instruction group relative to that in the control group = 1.04, 95% confidence interval = 0.82 to 1.33; P = .72). However, more benign breast lesions were diagnosed in the instruction group than in the control group. Conclusions: Intensive instruction in BSE did not reduce mortality from breast cancer. Programs to encourage BSE in the absence of mammography would be unlikely to reduce mortality from breast cancer. Women who choose to practice BSE should be informed that its efficacy is unproven and that it may increase their chances of having a benign breast biopsy.
Pesticides are heavily applied in rice–vegetable rotations in tropical China, yet publicly available information on the contamination and risk of currently used pesticides (CUPs) and legacy ...pesticides (LPs) in surface waters of river basins draining these areas is very limited. Therefore, in two tropical river basins (Nandu River and Wanquan River basins) dominated by rice–vegetable rotations in Hainan, China, pesticides were analyzed in 256 surface water samples in wet and dry seasons. Forty-one pesticides were detected, and total concentrations ranged from not detectable to 24.2 μg/L. Carbendazim and imidacloprid were the two most prevalent CUPs, detected in 59.8% and 17.7%, respectively, of surface water samples at concentrations above 0.1 μg/L. Chlorpyrifos was the main LP, detected in 9.0% of samples at a concentration above 0.05 μg/L. The fungicides difenoconazole and emamectin benzoate, the herbicide butachlor, and the insecticide acetamiprid occurred in ≥12.5% samples at concentrations above 0.1 μg/L. Surface waters typically (85.2%) contained 5 to 15 residues, with an average of nine. Seasonally, the concentrations of the 41 pesticides were in the order January > July > November > September. Spatially, the composition of the main CUPs (not LPs) was significantly different depending on position in the drainage, which also changed with seasons. Crop and pest types and wet and dry seasons were the key factors controlling the spatiotemporal distribution of CUPs and LPs in surface waters. On the basis of evaluations of the exposures to individual pesticides and the dominant combinations with ≥8 pesticides, multiple pesticides were likely a significant risk to aquatic organisms, although noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to humans were low. This study provides valuable data to better understand pesticide occurrence and ecological risks in river basins draining areas with rice–vegetable rotation systems in tropical China.
Display omitted
•Forty-one currently used and legacy pesticides were detected in surface waters.•Carbendazim (CUP) and chlorpyrifos (LP) were most frequently detected.•Most surface waters (64%) in the tropical river basins had ≥8 residues.•Ecotoxicological and noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of CUPs were low.•High ecological risk of multiple pesticides should not be ignored.
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