Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.

Objective: To explore the relationship between nuclear factor-kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1) and LIM-homeobox gene 2 (LHX2) polymorphisms and esophageal cancer susceptibility, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods: A total of 100 patients with primary esophageal cancer diagnosed at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 2019 to 2023 were selected as the case group, and 100 healthy individuals undergoing physical examination during the same period of time were selected as the control group. Demographic information, disease history and lifestyle data were collected through questionnaire surveys. The single nucleotide polymorphisms at the rs28362491 and rs4648068 loci of NFKB1 gene as well as rs10760310 and rs10121751 loci of LHX2 gene were detected using multiplex high-temperature ligase detection reaction technology. The relationship between these loci and esophageal cancer susceptibility were analyzed using a multivariable conditional logistic regression, linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis. The impact of the interaction between the above-mentioned loci and environmental factors on esophageal cancer susceptibility using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method. Results: The case group comprised 73 males and 27 females, with a mean age of (64.02±8.90) years. The control group included 73 males and 27 females, with a mean age of (64.54±9.43) years. The genotype distributions of rs28362491, rs4648068, rs10760310 and rs10121751, loci in both groups conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (all P>0.05). Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis showed that rs10760310 and rs10121751 loci of LHX2 gene were associated with the esophageal cancer susceptibility (both P<0.05). The overdominant model of rs10760310 loci of LHX2 gene had the lowest Akaike information criterion value (OR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.10-0.47). GAA haplotypes at rs4648068, rs10760310 and rs10121751 loci were associated with a lower risk of esophageal cancer susceptibility (OR=0.26, 95%CI: 0.13-0.50). GMDR analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between rs10760310 loci and smoking on esophageal cancer susceptibility (P<0.05, cross-validation consistency coefficient: 10/10). Conclusion The rs10760310 and rs10121751 loci polymorphisms of LHX2 gene may be associated with esophageal cancer susceptibility, and there is an interaction between rs10760310 loci and smoking on the esophageal cancer susceptibility.

Adult ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Pneumonia ; Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology* ; Hospitalization

Objective:To improve the efficiency and success rate of human adenovirus 3 (HAdV-3) whole genome sequencing, a high-throughput sequencing method for the whole genome of HAdV-3 based on multiplex PCR was established.Methods:Multiplex PCR primers suitable for the whole genome amplification of HAdV-3 were designed. The whole genome sequence of HAdV-3 was amplified by multiplex PCR, and the specificity of the amplification product was preliminarily verified by agarose gel electrophoresis. High-throughput sequencing of the multiplex PCR products was performed using Illumina second-generation sequencing. After obtaining the sequence, software such as CLC and IGV were used to analyze the effective data amount, average sequencing depth, and whole genome coverage obtained by high-throughput sequencing, then the sequencing quality was evaluated. Based on the whole genome sequencing result, a phylogenetic tree was constructed to confirm the virus type and analyze homology of the sequences, and then the accuracy of this method was evaluated.Results:A total of 70 (35 pairs) multiplex PCR amplification primers for the whole genome of HAdV-3 were designed, with amplicon size of approximately 1 200 bp. And the expected whole genome coverage could reach 99.8% (with a total genome length of approximately 35 240 bp). Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the size of the multiplex PCR products was consistent with expectations, and the amplification specificity was high. The high-throughput sequencing result showed that the whole genome sequences obtained by this method were complete and intact, and the genome coverage was consistent with expectations. Sequence quality analysis showed that the high-throughput sequencing method based on multiplex PCR could obtain more effective data and greater sequencing depth, resulting in more uniform whole genome coverage. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the evolutionary typing result of viral DNA sequenced after multiplex PCR amplification were consistent with those of viral DNA sequenced directly and had high homology, indicating that the multiplex PCR method had high amplification fidelity and the results obtained in combination with high-throughput sequencing were accurate.Conclusions:A high-throughput sequencing method for the whole genome of HAdV-3 based on multiplex PCR was established in this study successfully. This method could improve the efficiency and success rate of HAdV-3 whole genome sequencing, aiming to provide better technical support and reference for HAdV-3 pathogen surveillance and epidemic source-tracing based on whole genome sequencing.

Intense utilization and mining of fossil fuels for energy production have resulted in environmental pollution and climate change. Compared to fossil fuels, microalgae is considered as a promising candidate for biodiesel production due to its fast growth rate, high lipid content and no occupying arable land. However, monocultural microalgae bear high cost of harvesting, and are prone to contamination, making them incompetent compared with traditional renewable energy sources. Co-culture system induces self-flocculation, which may reduce the cost of microalgae harvesting and the possibility of contamination. In addition, the productivity of lipid and high-value by-products are higher in co-culture system. Therefore, co-culture system represents an economic, energy saving, and efficient technology. This review aims to highlight the advances in the co-culture system, including the mechanisms of interactions between microalgae and other microorganisms, the factors affecting the lipid production of co-culture, and the potential applications of co-culture system. Finally, the prospects and challenges to algal co-culture systems were also discussed.
Biofuels ; Biomass ; Coculture Techniques ; Flocculation ; Microalgae

One 24 years old female patient who suffered extremely severe burn in the third trimester of pregnancy was admitted to the Department of Burns and Skin Repair Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University on 9th May, 2015. Intrauterine distress occurred after injury and stillbirth was confirmed within 12 hours. In cooperation with the obstetrician, the labor was induced on post injury day (PID) 5. Septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome occurred on PID 8. Through treatments including anti-infection, ventilator-assisted ventilation, cardiotonic diuresis, and escharectomy and skin grafting, the patient was finally cured. This case indicates that it is crucial to grasp the right time and choose a reasonable induction of labor to deal with stillbirth. The scheme of transvaginal induction of labor after shock is a worthy question to explore. The main characteristics of this patient include the extreme paroxysmal changes in breath, circulation, and urine volume within 24 hours after induced labor, which should be monitored dynamically for effective and timely adjustment of respiratory circulation support. This may be another key point for the rescue of this type of patient. To seize the opportunities to perform escharectomy, cover the wound with xenogenic skin graft, and perform skin grafting in time for wound repair remain the top priority.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of acellular dermis matrix combined with cervical strap muscle (ADM-CSM) as a composite tissue flap for repairing the laryngeal defect after partial laryngectomy.Methods:The medical records of 33 patients with laryngeal cancer who were diagnosed and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients consisted of 32 males and 1 female with age range from 39 to 76 years. Laryngeal defects were repaired with ADM-CSM in 14 patients (2 for supraglottic laryngeal cancer, 12 for glottic laryngeal cancer) and with CSM fascial flaps in 19 patients (3 for supraglottic laryngeal cancer, 16 for glottic laryngeal cancer). Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the 3-year overall survival and local control rate. The functions of voice and swallowing after operation were evaluated by voice handicap index-30 (VHI-30) and MD Anderson dysphagia inventory. Univariate logistic regression analysis, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the variables between the two groups. Results:The incidence of laryngeal stenosis was 2/14 in ADM-CSM group and 4/19 in CSM group. In the ADM-CSM group, 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 92.9% and 85.7%, respectively. In the CSM group, 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 78.9% and 84.2%, respectively. The time of operation(3 h vs. 4 h, Z=193.5, P<0.05), time of retaining the feeding tube(14 d vs. 17 d, Z=206.0, P<0.05), and length of stay(18.5 d vs. 22.1 d, t=-2.62, P<0.05) in the ADM-CSM group were significantly less than those in the CSM group. The quality of voice in the CSM group was better than that in the ADM-CSM group (66.85±27.65 vs.45.80±23.19, t=2.19, P<0.05), while swallowing function in the ADM-CSM group was better than that in the ACSM group (80.00[60.00, 80.00] vs.60.00[40.00, 80.00], Z=48.0, P<0.05). Conclusion:ADM-CSM is user-friendly control and safe composite tissue flap for repairing the laryngeal defect after partial laryngectomy, with less scar hyperplasia and higher satisfaction of swallowing function after operation.

To study the biological characteristics and mutations of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus isolated from one case of pneumonia of unknown etiology (PUE),which would provide references for clinical treatment and disease control,the throat swab specimen from the PUE case was isolated in the Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells,and then the antigenicity,pathogenicity and drug resistance of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus were analyzed after sequencing.As a result,one influenza virus strain was isolated from the specimen and named as A/FujianGulou/SWL64/2016(H1N1).The similarities of nucleotide sequences and amino acids sequences compared with the vaccine strain A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) were 96.9％-98.9％ and 96.7％-99.5％,respectively.Eighteen amino acids had mutated in the HA and 4 mutations,K163Q,S185T,S203T and D222N,were involved in 3 different epitopes,which indicated that the antigenic drift had occurred in the influenza virus.The D222N mutation associated with receptor binding site made the virus infect lower respiratory tract more easily.The virus was still amantadine-resistance and oseltamivir-sensitive.In conclusion,the influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus in this study have occurred antigenic drift and has the molecular characterization of causing severe pneumonia,so further surveillance should be performed to prevent and control the influenza epidemic.

Objective: To explore the influence of different inner dressings in negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on escharectomy wound of full-thickness burn rabbits. Methods: Eighteen Japanese white rabbits were inflicted with full-thickness burn on unilateral back. They were divided into polymer dressing group (PD), biological dressing group (BD), and silver biological dressing group (SBD), according to the random number table, with 6 rabbits in each group. On 3 days post burn, the wounds were performed with escharectomy, and then wounds of rabbits in group PD were covered with polyurethane foam. Wounds of rabbits in group BD were covered with porcine acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and wounds of rabbits in group SBD were covered with silver porcine ADM. Then continuous NPWT was performed on rabbits of the three groups for 7 days. Immediately after surgery and on post surgery day (PSD) 7, general observation of wound was conducted and tissue around the wound was harvested for determination of dry to wet weight ratio. The content of bacteria was counted and the content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 in wound was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fibroblasts in wound were counted after Masson staining and number of microvessels was counted after CD31 antibody immunohistochemical staining. Data were processed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, LSD-t test, paired samples t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) Immediately after surgery, there was no granulation tissue in basal wound of rabbits in the three groups, with rich blood supply and obvious edema. On PSD 7, much granulation tissue was found in basal wound of rabbits in the three groups, with no or mild edema and no obvious redness and swelling in wound edge. (2) There were no significant differences in dry to wet weight ratios of tissue around the wound among and within the three groups immediately after surgery and on PSD 7 (with F values respectively 0.70 and 0.09, t values from 0.17 to 0.52, P values above 0.05). (3) Immediately after surgery, the content of bacteria in wounds of rabbits in groups PD, BD, and SBD was respectively (603.0±146.0) ×10^4, (573.0±63.0) ×10^4, and (590.0±100.0)×10⁴ colony-forming unit (CFU)/g, with no significant difference among them (F=0.13, P>0.05). On PSD 7, the content of bacteria in wounds of rabbits in groups PD, BD, and SBD were respectively (5.4±0.8) ×10^4, (4.6±0.9) ×10^4, and (3.5±0.9)×10⁴ CFU/g. Among them, the content of bacteria in wounds of rabbits in group SBD was lower than that in groups PD and BD, respectively (with t values respectively 3.78 and 2.29, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The content of bacteria in wounds of rabbits in the three groups on PSD 7 was decreased compared with that immediately after surgery (with t values from 10.05 to 21.81, P values below 0.01). (4) There was no significant difference in content of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in wounds of rabbits in the three groups immediately after surgery and on PSD 7 (with F values from 0.10 to 1.89, P values above 0.05). The content of TNF-α in wounds of rabbits in the three groups on PSD 7 was significantly higher than that immediately after surgery (with t values from 2.93 to 5.01, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (5) There was no significant difference in amount of fibroblasts in wounds of rabbits in the three groups immediately after surgery and on PSD 7 (with F values respectively 0.01 and 0.81, P values above 0.05). The amount of fibroblasts in wounds of rabbits in the three groups on PSD 7 was larger than that immediately after surgery (with t values from 4.78 to 11.58, P values below 0.01). (6) There was no significant difference in number of microvessels in wounds of rabbits in the three groups immediately after surgery and on PSD 7 (with F values respectively 2.42 and 2.49, P values above 0.05). The number of microvessels in wounds of rabbits in the three groups on PSD 7 was larger than that immediately after surgery (with t values from 7.17 to 11.14, P values below 0.01). Conclusions SBD is better at inhibiting the growth of bacteria. PD, BD, and SBD have almost the same effects on reducing tissue edema and inflammatory reaction, and on promoting the accumulation of collagen fibers and tissue vascularization.

Objective To investigate whether apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype specifically modulates cognition function and cerebral blood flow in patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) by using pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) MR imaging.Methods Eighty-three aMCI subjects and 130 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited through heath screening in community from 2012 to 2014 in our hospital.They all underwent neuropsychological battery assessments,genetic screening and MR imaging.The aMCI subjects included 8 APOE ε2ε3 carriers,46 APOE ε3ε3 carriers and 29 APOE ε3ε4 carriers;however,in HCs,there were 35 APOE ε2ε3 carriers,46 APOE ε3ε3 carriers and 49 APOE ε3ε4/ε4ε4 carriers.Neuropsychological scale was performed in all subjects.ASL data were preprocessed by the ASLtbx toolbox.A voxel-wise two-way ANOVA was performed to examine the main effects of'disease'(MCI) and ‘genotype’ (APOE),and the disease-by-genotype interactions on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) maps.Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between neuropsychological scale scores and rCBF values in brain areas showing significant diagnosis-by-genotype interactions.Results (1) As compared with HCs,the aMCI subjects exhibited significantly higher rCBF values primarily in the left superior and middle frontal gyrus (P＜0.05).APOE ε3ε4/ε4ε4 carriers showed significantly higher rCBF values in the right anterior and posterior cingulate cortex,right ventromedial prefrontal cortex/anterior cingutate than those of A POE ε2ε3 carriers and ε3ε3 carriers,respectively (P＜0.05).Significant disease-by-genotype interactions on rCBF were observed in the left superior frontal gyrus,right ventromedial prefrontal cortex/anterior cingutate and bilateral superior temporal gyrus;as compared with A POE ε2ε3 and A POE ε3ε3 carriers,APOE ε3ε4 carriers had significantly higher rCBF values in the above areas in the aMCI group (P＜0.05).(2) The rCBF values in the right anterior cingulate/medial prefomtal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus of APOE ε3ε4 carriers in aMCI group were negatively correlated with the similarity test scores (r=-0.453,P=0.014;r=-0.497,P=0.006).Conclusions The APOE genotype has disease-specific effects on cerebral perfusion;APOE genotype can specifically regulate cerebral blood perfusion in aMCI subjects.The carriers ofAPOE ε3ε4 genotype in aMCI subjects may maintain their overall cognitive function by increasing lateral ventricle-temporal lobe cerebral blood perfusion.