D-dimer levels are increased in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). However, D-dimer levels are also increased in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine the incidence and clinical features of patients preliminarily diagnosed with CAP and with increased D-dimer levels, and who finally were diagnosed with PE. Patients diagnosed with CAP and hospitalized in the Respiratory Department of the Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University between May 2011 and May 2013 were enrolled. D-dimer levels were measured routinely after admission. For patients with increased D-dimer levels, those suspected with PE underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). A total of 2387 patients with CAP was included: 724 (30.3 %) had increased D-dimer levels (median of 0.91 mg/L). CTPA was performed for 139 of the 724 patients (median D-dimer levels of 1.99 mg/L). Among the 139 patients, 80 were diagnosed with PE, and 59 without PE; D-dimer levels were 2.83 and 1.41 mg/L, respectively (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower limb varicosity, chest pain, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, fever, and increased levels of troponin I were independent risk factors for PE. Presentation of PE and CAP are similar. Nevertheless, these results indicated that for hospitalized patients with CAP and elevated D-dimer levels, PE should be considered for those >60 years; with CHD, COPD, or lower limb varicosity; with chest pain, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, increased troponin I, or low fever.

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway exports folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria and archaea. Two parallel Tat pathways (TatAdCd and TatAyCy systems) with distinct substrate specificities have previously been discovered in Bacillus subtilis. In this study, to secrete methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH) into the growth medium, the twin-arginine signal peptide of B. subtilis YwbN was used to target MPH to the Tat pathway of B. subtilis. Western blot analysis and MPH assays demonstrated that active MPH was secreted into the culture supernatant of wild-type cells. No MPH secretion occurred in a total-tat2 mutant, indicating that the observed export in wild-type cells was mediated exclusively by the Tat pathway. Export was fully blocked in a tatAyCy mutant. In contrast, the tatAdCd mutant was still capable of secreting MPH. These results indicated that the MPH secretion directed by the YwbN signal peptide was specifically mediated by the TatAyCy system. The N-terminal sequence of secreted MPH was determined as AAPQVR, demonstrating that the YwbN signal peptide had been processed correctly. This is the first report of functional secretion of a heterologous protein via the B. subtilis TatAyCy system. This study highlights the potential of the TatAyCy system to be used for secretion of other heterologous proteins in B. subtilis.

This study examined the effects of a combined surgery of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and modified jejunoileal bypass (JIB) on the body weight, food intake, and the plasma levels of active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and total ghrelin of rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups in terms of different surgical protocol: SG-JIB (n=12), SG (n=12), JIB (n=12) and sham surgery groups (n=10). In SG-JIB group, rats was subjected to sleeve gastrectomy and end to side anastomosis of part of the jejunum (25 cm from the ligament of Treitz) to the ileum 25 cm proximal to the cecum. The body weight and food intake were evaluated during 10 consecutive weeks postoperatively. The levels of active GLP-1 and total ghrelin in the plasma of the rats were measured by ELISA assay. The results showed that the SG-JIB treated rats relative to SG- or JIB-treated ones produced a sustained reduction in food intake and weight gain. The level of active GLP-1 was elevated and total ghrelin level decreased in SG-JIB-treated rats as compared with SG- or JIB-treated ones. It was concluded that SG-JIB could efficiently reduce the body weight and food intake, alter obesity-related hormone levels of the rats, indicating that SG-JIB may be potentially used for the treatment of obesity.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have inevitably entered and accumulated in terrestrial ecosystems. Recently, the report on MPs/NPs taken-up by crop plants has raised particular concerns. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction of MPs/NPs and crop plant are still vague and elusive. To address this scientific gap, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed co-expression network analyses in hydroponically grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with ambient polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) concentration (0-10 mg/L). PSNPs could significantly shape the gene expression pattern in wheat with a tissue-specific mode. Four regulatory modules associated with the plant performance and nutrient capture were identified using WGCNA analysis. In addition, carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, MAPK signaling pathway-plant, plant hormone signal transduction, and plant-pathogen interaction were the most enriched KEGG pathways for all DEGs and target module eigengenes. These results confirm that NPs-induced genetic changes are the dominating driven forces for the observed plant growth or defense responses, shedding new light on the molecular mechanism and environmental implication behind the interaction of NPs and crop plants.

Background: The CdSe nanorod as a one-dimensional nanostructure has an excellent performance in photoelectric conversion, biological labeling and environmental protection. Thus, it is crucial to investigate its potential adverse health effects at an early stage. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were exposed to 15 mg/kg CdSe and 200 mg/kg procyanidine (OPC) for 30, 60 and 90 days. Lung tissues were collected on days 30, 60 and 90. Oxidation damages, histopathological analysis, transmission electron microscopy and hydroxyproline level were measured. Results: The lung tissue would be the main target organ after CdSe nanorods entering into biological bodies. Pulmonary instillation of CdSe nanorods could decrease vitality of T-SOD and T-AOC in lung tissues of a rat, increase MDA and hydroxyproline levels and lipid peroxidation products, induce mitochondrial cristae broken and vacuolization, cause inflammatory responses, and finally induce pulmonary fibrosis. The oral administration of procyanidinere could significantly increase the content of antioxidant enzymes, scavenge free radicals, reduce the lipid peroxidation and have protective effects on CdSe nanorods-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions: CdSe nanorods could induce an extensive inflammatory response, elevate ROS, induce pulmonary fibrosis and reveal time accumulation appearance. OPC has a protective effect on lung injury induced by CdSe nanorods, which might be related to anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.