Lumping kinetics of ABE fermentation wastewater treatment by oleaginous yeast Trichosporon cutaneum

Lumping kinetics models were built for the biological treatment of acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation wastewater by oleaginous yeast Trichosporon cutaneum with different fermentation temperatures. Compared with high temperature (33°C, 306?K) and low temperature (23°C, 296?K), medium temperature (28°C, 301?K) was beneficial for the cell growth and chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation during the early stage of fermentation but the final yeast biomass and COD removal were influenced little. By lumping method, the materials in the bioconversion network were divided into five lumps (COD, lipid, polysaccharide, other intracellular products, other extracellular products), and the nine rate constants (k₁–k₉) for the models can well explain the bioconversion laws. The Gibbs free energy (G) for this bioconversion was positive, showing that it cannot happen spontaneous, but the existence of yeast can after the chemical equilibrium and make the bioconversion to be possible. Overall, the possibility of using lumping kinetics for elucidating the laws of materials conversion in the biological treatment of ABE fermentation wastewater by T. cutaneum has been initially proved and this method has great potential for further application.     

Phylogenetic relationships and divergence dates of softshell turtles (Testudines: Trionychidae) inferred from complete mitochondrial genomes

The softshell turtles (Trionychidae) are one of the most widely distributed reptile groups in the world, and fossils have been found on all continents except Antarctica. The phylogenetic relationships among members of this group have been previously studied; however, disagreements regarding its taxonomy, its phylogeography and divergence times are still poorly understood as well. Here, we present a comprehensive mitogenomic study of softshell turtles. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of 10 softshell turtles, in addition to the GenBank sequence of Dogania subplana, Lissemys punctata, Trionyx triunguis, which cover all extant genera within Trionychidae except for Cyclanorbis and Cycloderma. These data were combined with other mitogenomes of turtles for phylogenetic analyses. Divergence time calibration and ancestral reconstruction were calculated using BEAST and RASP software, respectively. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that Trionychidae is the sister taxon of Carettochelyidae, and support the monophyly of Trionychinae and Cyclanorbinae, which is consistent with morphological data and molecular analysis. Our phylogenetic analyses have established a sister taxon relationship between the Asian Rafetus and the Asian Palea + Pelodiscus + Dogania + Nilssonia + Amyda, whereas a previous study grouped the Asian Rafetus with the American Apalone. The results of divergence time estimates and area ancestral reconstruction show that extant Trionychidae originated in Asia at around 108 million years ago (MA), and radiations mainly occurred during two warm periods, namely Late Cretaceous–Early Eocene and Oligocene. By combining the estimated divergence time and the reconstructed ancestral area of softshell turtles, we determined that the dispersal of softshell turtles out of Asia may have taken three routes. Furthermore, the times of dispersal seem to be in agreement with the time of the India–Asia collision and opening of the Bering Strait, which provide evidence for the accuracy of our estimation of divergence time. Overall, the mitogenomes of this group were used to explore the origin and dispersal route of Trionychidae and have provided new insights on the evolution of this group.     

Silencing of SlPL,which encodes a pectate lyase in tomato,confers enhanced fruit firmness,prolonged shelf‐life and reduced susceptibility to grey mould

Pectate lyase genes have been documented as excellent candidates for improvement of fruit firmness. However, implementation of pectate lyase in regulating fruit postharvest deterioration has not been fully explored. In this report, 22 individual pectate lyase genes in tomato were identified, and one pectate lyase gene SlPL (Solyc03g111690) showed dominant expression during fruit maturation. RNA interference of SlPL resulted in enhanced fruit firmness and changes in pericarp cells. More importantly, the SlPL‐RNAi fruit demonstrated greater antirotting and pathogen‐resisting ability. Compared to wild‐type, SlPL‐RNAi fruit had higher levels of cellulose and hemicellulose, whereas the level of water‐soluble pectin was lower. Consistent with this, the activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were higher in SlPL‐RNAi fruit, and the malondialdehyde concentration was lower. RNA‐Seq results showed large amounts of differentially expressed genes involved in hormone signalling, cell wall modification, oxidative stress and pathogen resistance. Collectively, these data demonstrate that pectate lyase plays an important role in both fruit softening and pathogen resistance. This may advance knowledge of postharvest fruit preservation in tomato and other fleshy fruit.     

Predictive power of splenic thickness for post-hepatectomy liver failure in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background

The purpose of this case series is to investigate the relationship between splenic thickness (ST) and postoperative outcomes after hepatic resection in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

The clinical data of 320 patients with HBV-associated HCC who had undergone liver resection were retrospectively analyzed. The value of ST in predicting postoperative outcomes was evaluated.

Results

A total of 320 patients were enrolled in the study. An increase in ST was significantly associated with an increase in portal vein diameter (PVD), indocyanine green retention rate 15 min (ICG R15), and total bilirubin (TBIL); however, it was negatively correlated with platelet count (PLT). Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) occurred in 35 (10.9%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ST was an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality after hepatectomy. Meanwhile, ST was associated with an almost sixfold increased risk for developing perioperative complications (OR 5.678; 95% CI 2.873 to 11.224; P?<?0.001) and almost 13-fold increased risk for mortality after hepatectomy (OR 13.007; 95% CI 1.238 to 136.627; P?=?0.033).The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of ST for predicting the incidence of PHLF was 0.754 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.667 to 0.841; P?<?0.001), with a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 82.5%, which were significantly greater than those of the ICG R15 level (AUC 0.670; 95% CI 0.560 to 0.779; P?<?0.001). The critical value of ST was 43.5 mm.

Conclusions

ST, which is an easy, inexpensive, and routinely available perioperative marker, showed a favorable predictive value for postoperative outcomes in HBV-associated HCC patients.

     

Synthesis and application of thiol‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for studying interactions of epirubicin hydrochloride with bovine serum albumin by fluorescence spectrometry

A novel method was developed for studying the interaction between epirubicin hydrochloride (EPI) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by fluorescence spectrometry. Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) synthesized and functionalized with thiol group were employed for the immobilization and separation of target BSA in reaction solutions. The concentrations of the non‐immobilized BSA and unbound EPI were obtained separately by fluorescence spectrometry. The binding constants (K _a ) and number of binding sites (n ) of EPI with BSA were calculated. In this study, the K _a value was 5.05 × 10⁵ L mol^?1, suggesting a strong binding of EPI to BSA, and the n value was 1.15. The effects of common metal ions on K _a of EPI with BSA were also investigated, and the results showed there was clearly bindings between the metal ions and BSA. The precise binding sites of EPI on BSA were determined as being in site I from the competitive displacement experiments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Physicochemical Investigation of 17β-Estradiol Crystalline Prepared by <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Situ</Emphasis> pH-Dependent Solubility Technique with Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Micro-particles of 17β-estradiol (ED) were prepared with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by in situ pH-dependent solubility technique. Products were characterized using multiple instruments, and molecular interactions between ED and PVP were explored. Powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis revealed crystalline ED in the micro-particles is hemihydrated. PVP was also present in the micro-particles. Laser particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy revealed thin slice morphology, which might have resulted from the influence of PVP. Moreover, the results of contact angle, specific surface area, and dynamic vapor sorption showed that the surface properties of products were improved. These physicochemical properties of the micro-particles resulted in an obvious improvement in dissolution rate. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance revealed hydrogen bonding between ED and PVP. A method was established for the preparation of micro-particles through the addition of PVP during the reaction process.     

Toxicity of A Novel Neonicotinoid Insecticide Paichongding to Earthworm Eisenia fetida

Traditional neonicotinoid insecticides are used worldwide. Paichongding (IPP), as a novel neonicotinoid pesticide, has been widely used in China. However, the ecotoxicity of IPP to non-target invertebrates in soil ecosystem has not been reported yet. In this study, acute toxicity of IPP to earthworm Eisenia fetida, as well as the antioxidant response after IPP exposure, was evaluated. In the filter paper contact test, the LC₅₀ at 24 hr and 48 hr for IPP were 14.98 μg/cm² and 7.59 μg/cm², respectively. In artificial soil test, the LC₅₀ (lethal concentration) at 14 days and 28 days for IPP were 541.07 mg/kg and 238.51 mg/kg, respectively. The LC₅₀ of IPP is much higher than that of traditional neonicotinoid insecticides. However, earthworm body weight assessment demonstrated that the growth of earthworm was inhibited by extended exposure to IPP at sublethal doses. The activities of antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in earthworms were significantly induced after IPP exposure. Malondialdehyde, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, was also increased after IPP exposure. Although the results indicated that IPP had potentially adverse effect on earthworms, its toxicity was much lower than traditional neonicotinoids.     

球囊菌胁迫中华蜜蜂幼虫肠道过程中病原的转录组学研究

【目的】本研究利用RNA-seq技术对球囊菌胁迫的中华蜜蜂(中蜂)幼虫肠道进行深度测序,经趋势分析得到差异表达基因(DEGs)的显著表达模式,进而对胁迫过程中的球囊菌进行转录组学分析。【方法】利用Illumina HiSeq 2500平台对球囊菌胁迫的中蜂幼虫肠道进行深度测序,并利用相关软件进行了深入分析。最后,通过RT-qPCR对RNA-seq数据进行了验证。【结果】本研究共得到球囊菌的41133932条高质量clean reads。22865个DEGs共聚类为8个基因表达模式,其中,16769个DEGs聚类为2个显著上调趋势与2个显著下调趋势。GO富集分析结果显示,显著上调与显著下调趋势中的DEGs分别富集于40与37个GO term,基因富集数最多的为细胞进程(2486 unigenes)。KEGG代谢通路(pathway)富集分析结果显示,显著上调与显著下调趋势中的DEGs分别富集于119和112个pathway,基因富集数最多的分别是氨基酸生物合成(127 unigenes)与核糖体(98 unigenes)。进一步分析表明球囊菌在胁迫中蜂幼虫肠道的过程中通过提高物质合成促进其增殖,而宿主通过抑制球囊菌的蛋白合成抵御病原入侵。富集在MAPK信号通路的11个DEGs的表达水平随着胁迫时间的延长而逐渐下降,推测中蜂幼虫通过抑制该通路而阻遏球囊菌增殖。【结论】本研究不仅为揭示白垩病过程中的球囊菌-中蜂幼虫互作提供了重要信息,也为阐明不同抗性蜂种的球囊菌抗性差异奠定了基础。     

Polarization-Controlled Tunable Multi-focal Plasmonic Lens

A polarization-controlled tunable plasmonic lens which can generate different multi-focal combinations with exciting sources of left and right circular polarizations is proposed in this paper. Both position and intensity of each focal point can be adjusted by modulating the structure of the plasmonic lens. It is believed that the polarization-controlled tunable plasmonic multi-focal lens can be potentially used for optical switches and multi-channel couplers in future logic photonic and plasmonic systems.