Effects of Guizhi and Erxian Decoction on menopausal hot flashes: insights from the gut microbiome and metabolic profiles

AIMS

To examine the influence of GED on the gut microbiota and metabolites using a bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. We tried to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of GED in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

16S rRNA sequencing, metabonomics, molecular biological analysis, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were conducted to elucidate the mechanisms by which GED regulates the gut microbiota. GED significantly reduced OVX-induced hot flashes and improved disturbances in the gut microbiota metabolites. Moreover, FMT validated that the gut microbiota can trigger hot flashes, while GED can alleviate hot flash symptoms by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Specifically, GED upregulated the abundance of Blautia, thereby increasing l(+)-ornithine levels for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Additionally, GED affected endothelial nitric oxide synthase and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels in the hypothalamic preoptic area by changing the gut microbiota composition.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study illuminated the underlying mechanisms by which GED attenuated the hot flashes through modulation of the gut microbiota and explored the regulatory role of the gut microbiota on HSP70 expression in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus, thereby establishing a foundation for further exploration of the role of the gut-brain axis in hot flashes.

Exosome-delivered miR-410-3p reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion of trophoblasts in spontaneous abortion

Current studies have indicated that insufficient trophoblast epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion are crucial for spontaneous abortion (SA) occurrence and development. Exosomal miRNAs play significant roles in embryonic development and cellular communication. Hereon, we explored the roles of serum exosomes derived from SA patients on trophoblast EMT, migration and invasion. Exosomes were isolated from normal control (NC) patients with abortion for unplanned pregnancy and SA patients, then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blotting. Exosomal miRNA profiles were identified by miRNA sequencing. The effects of serum exosomes on trophoblast migration and invasion were detected by scratch wound healing and transwell assays, and other potential mechanisms were revealed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, animal experiments were used to explore the effects of exosomal miR-410-3p on embryo absorption in mice. The serum exosomes from SA patients inhibited trophoblast EMT and reduced their migration and invasion ability in vitro. The miRNA sequencing showed that miR-410-3p was upregulated in SA serum exosomes. The functional experiments showed that SA serum exosomes restrained trophoblast EMT, migration and invasion by releasing miR-410-3p. Mechanistically, SA serum exosomal miR-410-3p inhibited trophoblast cell EMT, migration and invasion by targeting TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) at the post-transcriptional level. Besides, SA serum exosomal miR-410-3p inhibited the p38 MAPK signalling pathway by targeting TRAF6 in trophoblasts. Moreover, milk exosomes loaded with miR-410-3p mimic reached the maternal-fetal interface and aggravated embryo absorption in female mice. Clinically, miR-410-3p and TRAF6 expression were abnormal and negatively correlated in the placental villi of SA patients. Our findings indicated that exosome-derived miR-410-3p plays an important role between SA serum and trophoblasts in intercellular communication, suggesting a novel mechanism by which serum exosomal miRNA regulates trophoblasts in SA patients.

The relationship between menopausal syndrome and gut microbes

Background

Gut microbes were closely related to women’s health. Previous studies reported that the gut microbes of premenopausal women were different from those of postmenopausal women. However, little was known about the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and menopausal syndrome (MPS). The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between MPS and gut microbes.

Methods

Patients with MPS (P group, n = 77) and healthy women (H group, n = 24) at menopause were recruited in this study. The stool specimen and clinical parameters (demographic data, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), et al) of participants’ were collected. We evaluated the differences in gut microbes by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We used LEfSe to identify gut microbes with varying abundances in different groups. The Spearman correlation coefficients of clinical parameters and gut microbes were calculated. PICRUSt was used to predict the potential KEGG Ortholog functional profiles of microbial communities.

Results

The abundance of 14 species differed substantially between the MPS and menopausal healthy women (LDA significance threshold > 2.0) according to LEfSe analysis. Using Spearman’s correlation analysis, it was discovered that E2 had a positive correlation with Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis, Acinetobacter guillouiae (p < 0.05, these three species were enriched in menopausal healthy women), while FSH and LH had a negative correlation with them (p < 0.05). KEGG level3 metabolic pathways relevant to cardiovascular disease and carbohydrate metabolism were enriched in the MPS (p < 0.05), according to functional prediction by PICRUST and analyzed by Dunn test.

Conclusion

There was gut microbiota dysbiosis in MPS, which is reflected in the deficiency of the abundance of Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis and Acinetobacter guillouiae related to the level of sex hormones. In MPS individuals, species with altered abundances and unique functional pathways were found.

[Risk factors and chemoprophylaxis of ulcerative colitis-colorectal cancer]

Ulcerative colitis-colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) is one of the most serious complications in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), with worse prognosis and higher mortality than sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). Since most UC-CRC developed through the "inflammation-dysplasia-carcinoma" approach, early detection of dysplasia through identification of high-risk groups reasonable monitoring and active prevention are extremely important. However, there is no consensus on the risk factors of UC carcinogenesis and the drugs that can be used for chemoprevention currently. This article combined with relevant literature at home and abroad, reviewed the current risk factors and chemopreventive drugs for UC carcinogenesis, in order to provide reference for early prevention, early detection and early diagnosis of UC-CRC.

Ferroptosis in AS progression: role of miRNA

We review the relationship between miRNAs associated with ferroptosis and the evolution of AS. Even though, more evidence is asked to determine the role of miRNAs associated with ferroptosis in the AS, this review will help us understand the role of miRNAs in ferroptosis and AS and may provide new insights for probing new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of AS for the time to come. This is a narrative essay. Using PubMed as the main source, a literature search strategy was randomly implemented to index Scopus articles. No specific terminology is used. Studies have shown that ferroptosis plays a crucial role in the development of AS, and a large amount of ferroptosis in cells can lead to the progression of AS. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) have been proved to be taken part in the biological course of ferroptosis and thus the process of AS is affected. The exact regulatory mechanism behind this appearance remains unclear. In order to clarify this, a growing number of studies have concentrated the regulatory role of miRNAs in the process of generation and development of ferroptosis, as well as the function of ferroptosis in the progression of AS. MiRNAs play a significant role in the process of ferroptosis and are incredibly significant in the occurrence, development, clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation of AS.

Immune-and Metabolism-Associated Molecular Classification of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OV) is a complex gynecological disease, and its molecular characteristics are not clear. In this study, the molecular characteristics of OV subtypes based on metabolic genes were explored through the comprehensive analysis of genomic data. A set of transcriptome data of 2752 known metabolic genes was used as a seed for performing non negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering. Three subtypes of OV (C1, C2 and C3) were found in analysis. The proportion of various immune cells in C1 was higher than that in C2 and C3 subtypes. The expression level of immune checkpoint genes TNFRSF9 in C1 was higher than that of other subtypes. The activation scores of cell cycle, RTK-RAS, Wnt and angiogenesis pathway and ESTIMATE immune scores in C1 group were higher than those in C2 and C3 groups. In the validation set, grade was significantly correlated with OV subtype C1. Functional analysis showed that the extracellular matrix related items in C1 subtype were significantly different from other subtypes. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that C2 subtype was more sensitive to immunotherapy. Survival analysis of differential genes showed that the expression of PXDN and CXCL11 was significantly correlated with survival. The results of tissue microarray immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of PXDN was significantly correlated with tumor size and pathological grade. Based on the genomics of metabolic genes, a new OV typing method was developed, which improved our understanding of the molecular characteristics of human OV.

[Effects of psychological suggestion combined with rational food restriction therapy on blood glucose and lipid metabolism and mental resilience in patients with diabetes]

Objective: To analyze the effect of psychological suggestion combined with rational food restriction therapy on blood glucose, lipid metabolism and mental resilience in patients with diabetes. Methods: Patients with diabetes admitted to the Third Hospital of Nanchang from January 2020 to August 2020 were divided into the control group and the intervention group with randomized controlled and single blind methods. The control group was treated with routine dietary guidance and health education, and the intervention group was treated with psychological suggestion combined with rational diet therapy on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 3 months. Blood glucose, lipid metabolism, mental resilience and quality of life were compared between the two groups at baseline and after 3-month intervention. Differences between groups and within groups were analyzed by t test and χ² test. Results: 100 patients in the control group and 81 patients in the intervention group completed 3-month intervention. After 3-month intervention, the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride in both groups were lower than those before intervention. The levels of these indicators in intervention group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). However, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the scores of tenacity, self-reliance, optimism, role function, emotional function, social function, physical function and cognitive function in both groups were higher than those before intervention. These indicators in intervention group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Psychological suggestion combined with rational food restriction therapy could effectively improve the glucose and lipid metabolism, mental resilience, and quality of life among patients with diabetes.

In Celebration of the 65th Birthday of Professor Andy Hor

Metals are involved in various research fields of chemistry where they play key roles, as illustrated for example in transition-metal homogeneous catalysis, materials for energy storage and conversion, luminescent materials, and coordination-driven self-assembly. This special collection of Chemistry - An Asian Journal features significant contributions that chemists around the world make in this area. Working together with Professors Pierre Braunstein, Chi-Ming Che, Guo-Xin Jin, Fuwei Li and Yun Zong, Chemistry - An Asian Journal assembled 56 excellent contributions in this special collection to celebrate the 65^th birthday of Prof. Andy Hor (A*STAR, Singapore).

Self-Assembly of Surface-Functionalized Ag1.8 Mn8 O16 Nanorods with Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets as an Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries

Bifunctional electrocatalysts play a key role in the performance of rechargeable metal-air batteries. Herein, we report a hybrid catalyst, Ag_1.8 Mn₈ O₁₆ /rGO, self-assembled by Ag_1.8 Mn₈ O₁₆ nanorods and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets through electrostatic attraction. The hybrid catalyst exhibits a better oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity than commercial Pt/C in alkaline medium. When employed as an air-cathode catalyst in Zn-air cells, the hybrids enabled higher and more stable output voltage and better durability of the cells, benefitting from the improved electrode conductivity, larger surface area, and synergetic coupling as a result of its high structural integrity.

P–568 Homozygous Pathogenic Variants in ACTL9 Cause Fertilization Failure and Male Infertility in Human and Mouse

Study question

What are the other male factors that cause total fertilization failure (TFF) excepting for variants in PLCZ1?

Summary answer

Homozygous variants in ACTL9 (actin like 9) cause abnormal localization of PLCζ in a loosened perinuclear theca (PT) structure and leads to TFF.

What is known already

In previous studies, investigators have reported that the female factors in TFF after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) include pathogenic variants in WEE2, TLE6, and TUBB8, whereas for male factors, pathogenic variants in PLCZ1 were reported to be the primary cause of TFF, which account for approximately 30% of couples with male factors in TFF excluding globozoospermia. Most recently, it was reported that pathogenic variants in ACTL7A led to reduced expression and abnormal localization of PLCζ, thereby identifying this genetic variant as a potential cause of TFF.

Study design, size, duration

Fifty-four infertile couples with TFF or poor fertilization (fertilization rate of &lt; 20%) at the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya during January 2014 to June 2020 were recruited into this study.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Male factors were identified in (MOAT). WES analysis was used to analyze the genetic factors of individuals with male factors. Sperm morphological study was conducted by H&E staining and TEM. Immunostaining of PLCζ was used to analyze the status of sperm-borne activation factor. A knock-in mouse model was generated by CRISPER-Cas9 technology. Sperm from homozygous Actl9 variant mice were analyzed by TEM and ICSI. ICSI with AOA was performed in couples with ACTL9 variants.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 54 couples with TFF or poor fertilization were screened, with 21 couples determined to have a male infertility factor by MOAT. Whole-exome sequencing of these 21 male individuals identified three homozygous pathogenic variants in ACTL9 in three individuals. ACTL9 variations led to abnormal ultrastructure of the PT, with PLCζ absent in the head and present in the neck of the mutant sperm, which contributed to failed normal calcium oscillations in oocytes and subsequent TFF. The key roles of ACTL9 in the PT structure and TFF after ICSI were further confirmed in Actl9-mutated mouse model. Furthermore, assisted oocyte activation by calcium ionophore exposure successfully overcame TFF and achieved live births in a couple with an ACTL9 variant.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The mechanism of how ACTL9 regulate PLCζ remains unknown.

Wider implications of the findings: It provided a genetic marker and a therapeutic option for individuals who have undergone ICSI without successful fertilization.

Trial registration number

not applioable

Targeted Sequencing Analysis of Predominant Histological Subtypes in Resected Stage I Invasive Lung Adenocarcinoma

Objective: Lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) is classified into five main histological subtypes with distinct clinicopathologic characteristics: lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA), acinar-predominant adenocarcinoma (APA), papillary-predominant adenocarcinoma (PPA), micropapillary-predominant adenocarcinoma (MPA) and solid-predominant adenocarcinoma (SPA). However, the mutational profiles of predominant histological subtypes have not been well defined. In this study, we aimed to reveal the genomic landscape of 5 main histological subtypes. Patients and Methods: We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a cohort of 86 stage I invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) patients, using a customized panel including 168 cancer-associated genes. Results: Our analysis identified a total of 302 genomic alterations. Five subtypes showed different mutation profiles with LPA, APA, PPA, MPA and SPA had an average mutation rate of 1.95 (range: 0-5), 2.56 (range: 1-6), 3.5 (range: 1-7), 3.75 (range: 1-8) and 6.05 (range: 2-12), respectively (p=4.17e-06). Driver mutations occurred in 96.55% (83/86) of all patients. EGFR (73.3%), KRAS (9.3%), ALK (4.7%) and MET (4.7%) are the most commonly mutated lung cancer driver genes, TP53 is the top mutated tumor suppressor gene. SPA patients harbored more driver mutations and higher frequency of TP53 than LPA patients. Interestingly, LRP1B mutations, which has been reported to be associated with high tumor mutation burden and better response to immunotherapy, were only detected from 5 SPA patients (p=0.001). No patients from other four cohorts harbored LRP1B mutations. Conclusions: We revealed distinctive mutation landscape of the 5 major histological subtypes of LADC, evident by distinctive average mutation rate with SPA and LPA having the highest and lowest average mutation rate, respectively. SPA patients showed higher mutation rate of LRP1B and higher rates for PD-L1 positivity, indicating that SPA patients may have better response to immunotherapy.

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Ultra-Low Carbon Bainite Steel with Different Niobium Content

Four types of ultra-low carbon bainite (ULCB) steels were obtained using unified production methods to investigate solely the effect of niobium content on the performance of ULCB steels. Tensile testing, low-temperature impact toughness testing, corrosion weight-loss method, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the corresponding organizational observations were realized. The results indicate that the microstructure of the four steels comprise granular bainite and quite a few martensite/austenite (M/A) elements. The niobium content affects bainite morphology and the size, quantity, and distribution of M/A elements. The elongation, yield strength, and tensile strength of the four types of ULCB steels are above 20%, 500 MPa, and 650 MPa, respectively. The impact toughness of the four types of ULCB steels at -40 °C is lower than 10 J. Steel with Nb content of 0.0692% has better comprehensive property, and maximum charge transfer resistance in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution at the initial corrosion stage. The corrosion products on the surface of steel with higher niobium content are much smoother and denser than those steel with lower niobium content after 240 h of corrosion. The degree of corrosion decreases gradually with the increase of niobium content at the later stage of corrosion.

Porous calcium–manganese oxide/carbon nanotube microspheres as efficient oxygen reduction catalysts for rechargeable zinc–air batteries

CaMnO_3−δ/carbon nanotubes show excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity benefitting from their unique porous structure and synergistic coupling between CaMnO_3−δ and carbon nanotubes.

Targeted sequencing analysis of predominant histological subtypes in resected stage I invasive lung adenocarcinoma

e21067

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) is classified into 5 main histological subtypes with distinct clinicopathologic characteristics: lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA), acinar-predominant adenocarcinoma (APA), papillary-predominant adenocarcinoma (PPA), micropapillary component (MPC) and solid-predominant adenocarcinoma (SPA). However, the mutational profiles of predominant histological subtypes have not been well defined. In this study, we aimed to reveal the genomic landscape of the 5 main histological subtypes. Methods: Surgically resected tumor samples were obtained from 86 patients with pathological stage I invasive lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery between January 2015 and December 2018. No patient had received preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Capture-based targeted sequencing was performed in a cohort of 86 stage I invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) patients spanning 5 subtypes using a panel consisting of 168 lung cancer-related genes. Results: Our analysis identified a total of 302 genomic alterations. Five subtypes showed distinct mutation profiles with LPA, APA, PPA, MPC and SPA had an average mutation rate of 1.95 (range: 0–5), 2.56 (range: 1–6), 3.5 (range: 1–7), 3.75 (range: 1-8) and 6.05 (range: 2-12), respectively (p = 4.17e-06). In this cohort, 96.55% (83/86) of all patients had mutations in classic lung cancer drivers with EGFR (73.3%), KRAS (9.3%), ALK (4.7%) and MET (4.7%) being the most commonly mutated drivers. TP53 is the top mutated tumor suppressor gene. It has been reported that SPA and MPC have unfavorable prognosis comparing to the rest subtypes. Interestingly, LRP1B mutations, which has been reported to be associated with high tumor mutation burden and better response to immunotherapy, were only detected from 5 SPA patients (p = 0.001). No MPC patients from this cohort harbored LRP1B mutations. Conclusions: We revealed distinctive mutation landscape of the 5 major histological subtypes of LADC, evident by distinctive average mutation rate with SPA and PLA having the highest and lowest average mutation rate, respectively. Furthermore, we also showed that SPA patients harboring LRP1B mutations may benefit from immunotherapy.

Bifunctionally active nanosized spinel cobalt nickel sulfides for sustainable secondary zinc–air batteries: examining the effects of compositional tuning on OER and ORR activity

Nanosized cobalt nickel sulfides were prepared via a continuous hydrothermal method and evaluated as electrocatalysts, with the catalytic activity being linked to the cationic composition.

Facile synthesis of battery waste-derived graphene for transparent and conductive film application by an electrochemical exfoliation method

Low defect ratio graphene with promising conductivity and transparency can be obtained from the spent graphite in Zn–C battery waste.

Enhancing bifunctional catalytic activity of cobalt–nickel sulfide spinel nanocatalysts through transition metal doping and its application in secondary zinc–air batteries

Transition metal-doped cobalt–nickel sulfide spinel (Ni_1.29Co_1.49Mn_0.22S₄) nanocatalysts for secondary Zn–air batteries with an efficient and stable electrochemical performance.

Electrochemical energy storage devices for wearable technology: a rationale for materials selection and cell design

Compatible energy storage devices that are able to withstand various mechanical deformations, while delivering their intended functions, are required in wearable technologies. This imposes constraints on the structural designs, materials selection, and miniaturization of the cells. To date, extensive efforts have been dedicated towards developing electrochemical energy storage devices for wearables, with a focus on incorporation of shape-conformable materials into mechanically robust designs that can be worn on the human body. In this review, we highlight the quantified performances of reported wearable electrochemical energy storage devices, as well as their micro-sized counterparts under specific mechanical deformations, which can be used as the benchmark for future studies in this field. A general introduction to the wearable technology, the development of the selection and synthesis of active materials, cell design approaches and device fabrications are discussed. It is followed by challenges and outlook toward the practical use of electrochemical energy storage devices for wearable applications.

Reduced graphene oxide-supported cobalt oxide decorated N-doped graphitic carbon for efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis

A high-performance composite bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been synthesized via in situ growth of a hybrid precursor of graphene oxide (GO) and cobalt-based zeolite imidazolium framework (ZIF-67) under hydrothermal condition, followed by calcination at elevated temperature. The as-prepared composite bifunctional catalyst is confirmed to possess a structure of N-GC/Co@CoO/rGO, with core–shell nanoparticles of Co@CoO encapsulated in nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon (N-GC) thin layers which are then overall supported by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets. With N-GC furnishing high population of ORR active sites, CoO being active for OER which is further enhanced by a highly conductive metal core, rGO sheets enhancing the overall electronic conduction, as well as the multiple synergistic couplings in the composite materials, pronounced ORR and OER catalytic activities with superior stability have been achieved. The catalysts also showed excellent tolerance to the crossover effect to methanol, showing great potential in energy-related applications requiring efficient oxygen electrocatalysis.

An efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst with sandwich structure, i.e., highly nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon (N-GC/Co@CoO, carbonized from ZIF-67) on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), has been obtained through hydrothermal and carbonization treatment.