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Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Thorium Nitride Complex from Dinitrogen Reduction
Optimizing nitrogen removal with an immobilized biological filler system: realizing stage-independent operational process
Due to the operation mode of traditional activated sludge systems, it is difficult for various functional bacteria to exert their respective advantages. In this study, immobilized fillers for hydrolytic acidification, nitrification, and denitrification were developed to allow independent operation at each stage, enhancing nitrogen removal performance of overall process. The results showed that ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen levels in the effluent stabilized at 0.75–0.83 and 1.5–2 mg/L, respectively, when the total hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the system was 6.4 h and the nitrification unit HRT was 3 h. These values represented significant improvements compared with the traditional activated sludge process. Unit performance tests revealed that reducing the hydrolytic-acidification time to 0 min increased nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen levels in the effluent of unit A2 to 6.11 ± 0.2 mg/L and 3.67 ± 0.1 mg/L, respectively. This demonstrates that an active hydrolysis - acidification stage is the prerequisite for A2 to fully utilize raw organic matter in the water for remove nitrogen. When raw organic matter in the water bypassed the A2 unit and entered the O1 unit directly, ammonia oxidation rate (AOR) significantly decreased (from 0.32–0.33 to 0.22–0.23 kg/m3 ⋅ d), with further reduction at a low temperature (down to 0.11–0.12 kg/m3 ⋅ d). At this time, the AOR, unaffected by organic matter, decreased only slightly. This indicates that directing organic matter into the nitrification stage is essential for maintaining stability and resisting low temperatures. This process has certain guiding significance for improving nitrogen removal efficiency in municipal wastewater processes.
Leveraging Immunogenic Cell Death to Enhance the Immune Response against Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumors
Correction: Understanding the interactions of genotype with environment and management (G×E×M) to enhance maize productivity in Conservation Agriculture systems of Malawi
Ancient reef-building corals had a little help from microbial friends
Cambered Bipyridyl Ligand with Extended Aryl System Enables Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide and Bicarbonate by Mn(bpy)(CO)<sub>3</sub>Br-type Catalyst Immobilized on Carbon Nanotubes
Menopausal symptom burden as a predictor of mid- to late-life cognitive function and mild behavioral impairment symptoms: A CAN-PROTECT study
Background Recent evidence suggests the experience of menopausal symptoms (i.e., perimenopausal symptoms) may be associated with cognitive and behavioural changes. We investigated these two relationships in a sample of postmenopausal females. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting Participant data was collected from the Canadian Platform for Research Online to Investigate Health, Quality of Life, Cognition, Behaviour, Function, and Caregiving in Aging (CAN-PROTECT) study. Participants 896 postmenopausal female participants. Methods Menopausal symptom burden was operationalized by summing the total number of recalled perimenopausal symptoms experienced. Cognitive function was measured using the Everyday Cognition (ECog-II) Scale, with higher scores reflecting greater severity. Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI) was measured using the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI-C), with higher scores reflecting greater severity. A negative-binomial regression model examined the relationship between menopausal symptom burden and cognitive function, while a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model examined the relationship between menopausal symptom burden and MBI symptoms. Models adjusted for age, years of education, age of menopausal onset, type of menopause, and hormone therapy (HT). Age of menopausal onset and use of HT in the two associations were investigated with moderation analyses. Results Greater menopausal symptom burden was associated with higher ECog-II total scores (b [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 5.37 [2.85, 7.97]) and higher MBI-C total scores (b [95% CI] = 6.09 [2.50, 9.80]). Use of HT did not significantly associate with ECog-II total scores (b [95% CI] = -10.98 [-25.33, 6.35]), however, HT was significantly associated with lower MBI-C total scores (b [95% CI] = -26.90 [-43.35, -5.67]). Conclusions Menopausal symptom burden is associated with poorer cognitive function and more MBI symptoms in mid- to late life. HT may help mitigate symptoms of MBI. These findings suggest that the experience of menopause may indicate susceptibility to cognitive and behavioural changes, both markers of dementia.
Daily briefing: PubMed blackout stokes fears about database’s future
Closed-Loop Recyclable Solid-State Polymer Electrolytes Enabled by Reversible Lithium Salt Catalysis
Mis-splicing drives loss of function of p53E224D point mutation
Background The tumor suppressor p53 (Trp53), also known as p53, is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer. Canonical p53 DNA damage response pathways are well characterized and classically thought to underlie the tumor suppressive effect of p53. Challenging this dogma, mouse models have revealed that p53-driven apoptosis and cell cycle arrest are dispensable for tumor suppression. Here, we investigated the inverse context of a p53 mutation predicted to drive the expression of canonical targets but is detected in human cancer. Methods We established a novel mouse model with a single base pair mutation (GAG>GAT, p53E221D) in the DNA-Binding domain that has wild-type function in screening assays, but is paradoxically found in human cancer in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Using mouse p53E221D and the analogous human p53E224D mutants, we evaluated expression, transcriptional activation, and tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo. Results Expression of human p53E224D from cDNA translated to a fully functional p53 protein. However, p53E221D/E221D RNA transcribed from the endogenous locus is mis-spliced resulting in nonsense-mediated decay. Moreover, fibroblasts derived from p53E221D/E221D mice do not express a detectable protein product. Mice homozygous for p53E221D exhibited increased tumor penetrance and decreased life expectancy compared to p53WT/WT animals. Conclusions Mouse p53E221D and human p53E224D mutations lead to splice variation and a biologically relevant p53 loss of function in vitro and in vivo.
Profiling Proteins Involved in Peroxynitrite Homeostasis Using ROS/RNS Conditional Proteomics
Self-blaming as a barrier to lung cancer screening and smoking cessation programs in Italy. A qualitative study
Background Lung cancer screening (LCS) combined with smoking cessation programs is a critical strategy for reducing lung cancer mortality. Understanding the perspectives of cigarette users and former ones on these interventions is essential for enhancing their acceptability and effectiveness. This study aimed to explore, in Italy, the perceptions and experiences of individuals eligible for LCS within the context of a smoking cessation program. Methods and findings This multicenter qualitative study was conducted in two Italian regions as part of a larger project the Italian League against Cancer promoted. Using purposive sampling, we included (a) cigarette users and former ones who participated in an Italian trial, ITALUNG study, and (b) cigarette users who had been offered individual or group smoking cessation interventions and were theoretically eligible for screening in the following years (aged 50–70, ≥15 pack-years). Data were collected through open-ended semi-structured interviews and focus group meetings and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The data analysis yielded six themes covering participants’ views on the interactions between the two types of interventions (screening and smoking cessation program). Across their data, we generated the following themes: (i) depreciation and fatalism toward the risk of smoking, (ii) self-blaming and ethicality, (iii) ambivalent impact of the screening on smoking, (iv) LCS-related information and concerns, (v) teachable and motivating moments, and (vi) non-stigmatizing communication and testimony by professionals. Conclusions Our study underscores the importance of avoiding stigma and respecting the dignity of cigarette users in implementing LCS and smoking cessation programs. Clear communication and supportive interactions with healthcare providers are crucial for enhancing the acceptability and effectiveness of these interventions. Future research should focus on quantifying these findings and exploring additional factors influencing the acceptability and effectiveness of combined LCS and smoking cessation programs.
Chemoproteomics-Enabled <i>De Novo</i> Proteolysis Targeting Chimera Discovery Platform Identifies a Metallothionein Degrader to Probe Its Role in Cancer
Gene expression and soluble protein level of PD-1 and its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) in endometrial cancer
Checkpoint programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligands (PD-Ls) are negative immunoregulatory molecules that assist tumour cells in evading the immune system. The interaction of PD-1 and PD-Ls inhibits T cells and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) while increasing the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). This leads to the evasion of the immune response by tumour cells. The roles of PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 in endometrial cancer (EC) have not been fully elucidated. This study investigates the mRNA gene expression and soluble protein levels of these molecules in EC compared to controls, with detailed analysis of clinical profiles. The results showed that EC had significantly higher mRNA gene expression and soluble protein levels of PD-L1 and PD-L2, but not PD-1. Specifically, PD-1 mRNA gene expression was significantly higher in cases with less than 50% myometrial invasion. Additionally, the soluble protein level of PD-1 was substantially higher in patients under the age of 60. Higher gene expression of PD-L1 was observed only in advanced stages of EC. However, the soluble PD-L1 protein level was significantly elevated in type II EC, advanced stage, higher grade, lympho-vascular space invasion (LVSI), and in cases with myometrial invasion of 50% or more. PD-L2 mRNA gene expression and soluble protein levels significantly differed across all clinical profiles except for LVSI. These findings suggest that PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 may serve as potential predictive biomarkers, which could be beneficial for the management of endometrial cancer patients through immunotherapy.