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•A total nitrogen removal rate of 0.18gNg−1VSSd−1 was obtained in the reactor.•Flexible flocs and compact granules were both found in the system.•Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi and ...Planctomycetes were selected over the startup.•Filamentous bacteria constitute a large portion (>25%) in the reactor.
The combined nitritation–anammox process has recently been studied extensively from an engineering perspective. However, the importance of microbial communities of this process was generally underestimated. In this study, a lab-scale nitritation–anammox sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was established and the microbial community structure was further characterized, in order to provide the comprehensive insight into the key microbial groups in one-stage nitritation–anammox system. In general, a total nitrogen removal rate of 0.18gNg−1VSSd−1 was obtained after 180days when the nitrogen loading rate was 0.5kgNm−3d−1 (hydraulic retention time of 1d). Flexible flocs and compact granules were both found in the system, and this morphological differences were basically caused by the different microbial compositions, that is, flocs mainly consisted of filamentous bacteria and granules dominated by anammox bacteria. Results from high-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes were selected and established a stable foothold in the community over the startup period, probably driven by the availability of substrate in the influent. Apart from nitrifiers of the Proteobacteria and anammox bacteria of the Planctomycetes, members of Chloroflexi constitute a large portion (>25%), which indicate that heterotrophs (Chloroflexi) survived by soluble microbial products (SMP) of autotrophs should not be neglected in the autotrophic system. This study could be useful for better understanding of one-stage nitritation–anammox system, especially for the interaction between autotrophs and heterotrophs in the system.
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Bile acids (BAs) have surpassed their traditional roles as lipid solubilizers and regulators of BA homeostasis to emerge as important signalling molecules. Recent research has ...revealed a connection between microbial dysbiosis and metabolism disruption of BAs, which in turn impacts ageing-related diseases. The human BAs pool is primarily composed of primary BAs and their conjugates, with a smaller proportion consisting of secondary BAs. These different BAs exert complex effects on health and ageing-related diseases through several key nuclear receptors, such as farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects are still debated. Therefore, the modulation of signalling pathways by regulating synthesis and composition of BAs represents an interesting and novel direction for potential therapies of ageing-related diseases. This review provides an overview of synthesis and transportion of BAs in the healthy body, emphasizing its dependence on microbial community metabolic capacity. Additionally, the review also explores how ageing and ageing-related diseases affect metabolism and composition of BAs. Understanding BA metabolism network and the impact of their nuclear receptors, such as farnesoid X receptor and G protein-coupled receptor 5 agonists, paves the way for developing therapeutic agents for targeting BA metabolism in various ageing-related diseases, such as metabolic disorder, hepatic injury, cardiovascular disease, renal damage and neurodegenerative disease.
The history of assigning ranks to fungi, as well as the relative importance of using divergence time estimates is reviewed. The paper pays tribute to the major mycological players, and especially to ...David Hawksworth on his 70th birthday and his contribution to fungal ranking in
Systema Ascomycetum
from 1982 to 1998. Following the conclusion of the latter series, the ranking continued with the
Outlines of Ascomycota
in 2007 and 2010 and more recently with specific classes in ‘Towards an outline of Sordariomycetes’ and ‘Families of Dothideomycetes’. Earlier classifications based on phenotype were certainly more subjective; however, remarkably many of these old arrangements have stood the test of time. More recently, phylogenetic analyses have provided evidence towards a natural classification, resulting in significant changes in many lineages. The classification arrangements however, are still subjective and dependent on the taxa analysed, resulting in different taxonomic interpretations and schemes, particularly when it comes to ranking. Thus, what have been considered as genera by some, have been introduced as families by others. More recently, estimation of divergence times using molecular clock methods have been used as objective evidence for higher ranking of taxa. A divergence period (i.e. 200–300 MYA) can be used as a criterion to infer when a group of related taxa evolved and what rank they should be given. We compiled data on divergence times for various higher ranking taxa in the Kingdom Fungi. The kingdom evolved 1000–1600 MYA (Stenian–Calymmian), while the presently accepted phyla evolved between 358 and 541 MYA (Devonian–Cambrian). Divergence times for subphyla are generally between 358 and 485 MYA (Devonian–Ordovician), those of classes 145–358 MYA (Jurassic–Carboniferous), subclasses 66–358 MYA (Cretaceous–Carboniferous), orders 23–252 MYA (Paleogene–Triassic), families 2.8–145 MYA (Neogene–Cretaceous), and genera 2.8–66 MYA (Neogene–Paleogene). Thus, there are wide discrepancies in the times different taxa diverged. We provide an overview over Ascomycota, showing how application of temporal banding could affect the recognition of higher taxa at certain rank levels. We then use Sordariomycetes as an example where we use divergence times to provide additional evidence to stabilize ranking of taxa below class level. We propose a series of evolutionary periods that could be used as a guide to determine the various higher ranks of fungi: phyla >550 MYA, subphyla 400–550 MYA; classes 300–400 MYA; subclasses 250–300 MYA, orders 150–250 MYA, and families 50–150 MYA. It is proposed that classification schemes and ranking of taxa should, where possible, incorporate a polyphasic approach including phylogeny, phenotype, and estimate of divergence times.
•Frequency-specific brain activities within the sensorimotor network (SMN), visual network (VN), and default mode network (DMN) that were associated with the varying degrees of symptom severity in ...DCM patients.•Frequency-specific brain activity within the SMN correlated with functional recovery in DCM patients.•A spatial correlation between the brain-wide expression of genes involved in neuronal migration and the brain functional activity pattern was discovered and associated with symptom severity in DCM patients.
Neuroimaging techniques provide insights into the brain abnormalities secondary to degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and their association with neurological deficits. However, the neural correlates underlying the discrepancy between symptom severity and the degree of spinal cord compression, as well as the transcriptional correlates of these cortical abnormalities, remain unknown in DCM patients.
In this cross-sectional study, which collected resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) images and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, enrolled 104 participants (54 patients and 50 healthy controls). The frequency-dependent amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was obtained for all participants. We investigated the ALFF differences between mild-symptom DCM patients and severe-symptom DCM patients while carefully matching the degree of compression between these two groups via both univariate comparison and searchlight classification for three frequency bands (e.g., Slow-4, Slow-5, and Full-band). Additionally, we identified genes associated with symptom severity in DCM patients by linking the spatial patterns of gene expression of Allen Human Brain Atlas and brain functional differences between mild symptom and severe symptom groups.
(1) We found that the frequency-specific brain activities within the sensorimotor network (SMN), visual network (VN), and default mode network (DMN) were associated with the varying degrees of functional impairment in DCM patients; (2) the frequency-specific brain activity within the SMN correlated with the functional recovery in patients with DCM; (3) a spatial correlation between the brain-wide expression of genes involved in neuronal migration and the brain functional activities associated with symptom severity was identified in DCM patients.
In conclusion, our study bridges gaps between genes, cell classes, biological processes, and brain functional correlates of DCM. While our findings are correlational in nature, they suggest that the neural activities of sensorimotor cortices in DCM are associated with the severity of symptoms and might be associated with neuronal migration within the brain.
Objectives
To evaluate whether Superb Micro‐Vascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tochigi, Japan) is superior to power Doppler flow imaging (PDFI) in depicting thyroid nodular ...vascularity and to primarily explore the diagnostic performance of vascularity on SMI integrated with grayscale sonographic features for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules.
Methods
Ninety‐two resident patients with 113 nodules for surgery were included in the study. Thirty‐four nodules were benign, and 79 nodules were malignant. Vascularity was classified as none, peripheral, mixed, and intranodular. Grayscale features, including calcifications, echogenicity, margins, shape, and internal components, were evaluated. The distribution of vascular patterns was compared between PDFI and SMI to determine the superior technique for diagnosing malignancy. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the accuracy of SMI combined with grayscale sonography for thyroid malignancy.
Results
The 92 patients had a male‐to‐female ratio of 12:11 and a median age of 42 years (range, 20–75 years). Intranodular vascularity on SMI had 91.2% specificity and 75.9% sensitivity, which were superior to PDFI, at 82.3% and 41.8%, respectively (P < .01). We attribute this finding to the fact that peripheral vessels of many nodules on PDFI were actually intense small penetrating vessels around the lesion on SMI. A taller‐than‐wide shape, microcalcifications, and SMI intranodular vascularity were independent risk factors for thyroid malignancy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the logistic regression model was 0.92, which was higher than that for a single suspicious sonographic feature (P < .05).
Conclusions
Intranodular vascularity on SMI is useful for determining thyroid carcinoma. Furthermore, a combination of SMI and grayscale features performs better than any single sonographic feature alone.
Objective
To test whether preoperative pain sensitivity is associated with the postoperative axial pain (PAP) in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and to explore its underlying brain mechanism.
...Methods
Clinical data and resting-state fMRI data of 62 DCM patients along with 60 age/gender matched healthy participants were collected and analysed. Voxel-wise amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed and compared between DCM patients and healthy controls. Correlation analyses were performed to reveal the association between the clinical metrics and brain alterations. Clinical data and ALFF were also compared between DCM patients with PAP and without PAP.
Results
(1) Relative to healthy participants, DCM patients exhibited significantly lower preoperative pain threshold which is associated with the PAP intensity; (2) Relative to patients without PAP, PAP patients exhibited increased ALFF in mid-cingulate cortex (MCC) and lower preoperative pain threshold; (3) Further, multivariate pattern analysis revealed that MCC ALFF provide additional value for PAP vs. non-PAP classification.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our findings suggest that preoperative pain hypersensitivity may be associated with postoperative axial pain in degenerative cervical myelopathy patients. This finding may inspire new therapeutic ideas for patients with preoperative axial pain.
Key points
DCM patients exhibited pain hypersensitivity preoperatively compared to healthy participants.
The pain hypersensitivity is associated with postoperative axial pain intensity in DCM.
MCC ALFF could be used to predict occurrence of PAP in DCM.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is more and more widely used in patients for various indications recent years. It is still intricate for clinicians to decide a suitable empiric ...antimicrobial dosing for patients receiving CRRT. Inappropriate doses of antimicrobial agents may lead to treatment failure or drug resistance of pathogens. CRRT factors, patient individual conditions and drug pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics are the main elements effecting the antimicrobial dosing adjustment. With the development of CRRT techniques, some antimicrobial dosing recommendations in earlier studies were no longer appropriate for clinical use now. Here, we reviewed the literatures involving in new progresses of antimicrobial dosages, and complied the updated empirical dosing strategies based on CRRT modalities and effluent flow rates. The following antimicrobial agents were included for review: flucloxacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime/avibactam, cefepime, ceftolozane/tazobactam, sulbactam, meropenem, imipenem, panipenem, biapenem, ertapenem, doripenem, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin, azithromycin, tigecycline, polymyxin B, colistin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, daptomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconzole, caspofungin, micafungin, amphotericin B, acyclovir, ganciclovir, oseltamivir, and peramivir.
Existing studies reported that some circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. However, few studies explored the biomarker potential of circRNAs for pulmonary ...fibrosis based on population data. Therefore, we aimed to identify peripheral blood circRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosing silicosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In brief, an RNA-seq screening based on 4 silicosis cases and 4 controls was initially performed. Differentially expressed circRNAs were combined with the human serum circRNA dataset to identify overlapping serum-detectable circRNAs, followed by validation using the GEO dataset (3 IPF cases and 3 controls) and subsequent qRT-PCR, including 84 additional individuals. Following the above steps, 243 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified during the screening stage, with fold changes ≥ 1.5 and P < 0.05. Of note, the human serum circRNA dataset encompassed 28 of 243 circRNAs. GEO (GSE102660) validation revealed two highly expressed circRNAs (P < 0.05) in the IPF case group. Furthermore, at the enlarged sample validation stage, hsa_circ_0058493 was highly expressed in both silicosis and IPF cases (silicosis: P = 1.16 × 10−6; IPF: P = 7.46 × 10−5). Additionally, hsa_circ_0058493 expression was significantly increased in MRC-5 cells upon TGF-β1 treatment, while hsa_circ_0058493 knockdown inhibited the expression of fibrotic molecules by affecting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. These shreds of evidence indicated that hsa_circ_0058493 might serve as a novel biomarker for diagnosing silicosis and IPF.
Frozen shoulder (FS) is a chronic pain condition and has been shown to be associated with pain sensitization. However, the underyling brain mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to explore brain ...alterations and their association with pain sensitization in patients with FS.
A total of 54 FS patients and 52 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Here, we applied both structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate brain abnormalities in FS patients. Voxel-wise comparisons were performed to reveal the differences in the gray matter volume (GMV) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) between FS patients and HCs. Furthermore, the region of interest (ROI) to whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) was calculated and compared between groups. Finally, Pearson's correlation coefficients were computed to reveal the association between clinical data and brain alterations.
Four main findings were observed: (1) FS patients exhibited decreased thalamus GMV, which correlated with pain intensity and pain threshold; (2) relative to HCs, FS patients exhibited a higher level of ALFF within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the thalamus; (3) FS patients exhibited a significant increase in Tha-S1 FC compared to HCs; and (4) the effect of thalamus GMV on pain intensity was mediated by pain threshold in FS patients.
The dysfunctional thalamus might induce pain hypersensitivity, which further aggravates the pain in FS patients.
•We discussed the startup way of thermophilic TA treatment system.•Stepwise temperature increase cannot ensure successful thermophilic TA cultivation.•Stepwise increase mode led to significant shift ...of the predominant bacteria family.•Syntrophorhabdaceae accounted for the efficient TA degradation in mesophilic system.•Hydrogenotrophic Methanobacteriaceae was predominant at all three temperatures.
Thermophilic digestion usually has higher specific gas output and faster reaction rate, the temperature fluctuations of purified terephthalate (PTA) manufacturing wastewater from 45°C to 90°C makes PTA wastewater very suitable and favorable for thermophilic treatment. However, the startup way of thermophilic digester is very critical as unsuitable startup ways may lead to inefficiency of the system. In this study, the experimental temperatures were set at 37°C, 43°C and 52°C respectively by step increase strategy in order to culture thermophilic microbial organisms involved in anaerobic TA degradation. The performance and microbial community profiles of PTA wastewater treatment system were investigated under different operational temperatures using 454-pyrosequencing approach. During the step temperature increase process, 37°C was proved to be the most favorable operational temperature with a highest COD removal of 96.10(±1.58)%, but with undergoing 43°C, COD removal decreased to 90.42(±2.65)%, and 52°C seemed to be the worst as it achieved only 70.08(±5.46)% COD reduction. Step-wise temperature increase is tested not very appropriate to culture thermophilic microorganism for TA degradation as prospective. Furthermore, during startup stage, the predominant bacteria family shifted from Syntrophorhabdaceae (belonging to δ-proteobacteria) at 37°C to Comamonadaceae (belonging to β-proteobacteria) at 43°C and OPB95 (belonging to OP8) at 52°C. For archaeal community, hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanobacteriaceae was predominant at all three temperatures, and it was proved to be most abundant at 37°C compared with the other two temperatures.
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