Polyunsaturated fatty acids drive neutrophil extracellular trap formation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Non-resolving inflammation, triggered by sustained accumulation of lipids, is an important driving force of NASH. Thus, unveiling metabolic immune regulation could help better understand the pathology and intervention of NASH. In this study, we found the recruitment of neutrophils is an early inflammatory event in NASH mice, following the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NET is an initiating factor which exacerbates inflammatory responses in macrophages. Inhibition of NETs using DNase I significantly alleviated inflammation in NASH mice. We further carried out a metabolomic study to identify possible metabolic triggers of NETs, and linoleic acid (LA) metabolic pathway was the most altered pathway. We re-analyzed published clinical data and validated that LA metabolism was highly correlated with NASH. Consistently, both LA and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) were active in triggering NETs formation by oxidative burst. Furthermore, we identified silybin, a hepatoprotective agent, as a potent NETosis inhibitor, which effectively blocked NETs formation both in vitro and in vivo. Together, this study not only provide new insights into metabolism-immune causal link in NASH progression, but also demonstrate silybin as an important inhibitor of NETs and its therapeutical potential in treating NETosis-related diseases.

[Analysis of the vaccination status of enterovirus type 71 inactivated vaccine in China from 2017 to 2021]

Objective: To understand the vaccination status of enterovirus type 71 (EV71) inactivated vaccines in China from 2017 to 2021 and provide evidence for making policy on immunization strategy against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Methods: Using the reported dose number of EV71 vaccination and birth cohort population data collected by the China immunizaiton program information system to estimate the cumulative coverage of EV71 vaccine by the end of 2021 among the birth cohorts since 2012 at national, provincial, and prefecture levels, and analyze the correlation between the vaccination coverage and the potential influencing factors. Results: As of 2021, the estimated cumulative vaccination coverage of the EV71 vaccine was 24.96% in birth cohorts since 2012. The cumulative vaccination coverage was between 3.09% and 56.59% in different provinces, between 0 and 88.17% in different prefectures. There was a statistically significant correlation between vaccination coverage in different regions and the region's previous HFMD prevalence and disposable income per capita. Conclusions: Since 2017, the EV71 vaccines have been widely used nationwide, but the coverage of EV71 vaccination varies greatly among regions. Vaccination coverage is higher in relatively developed regions, and the intensity of previous epidemic of HFMD may have a certain impact on the acceptance of the vaccine and the pattern of immunization service. The impact of EV71 vaccination on the epidemic of HFMD requires further studies.

[Revision rate of periprosthetic joint infection post total hip or knee arthroplasty of 34 hospitals in China between 2015 and 2017: a multi-center survey]

Objective: To investigate the rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) revision surgeries and clinical information of hip-/knee- PJI cases nationwide from 2015 to 2017 in China. Methods: An epidemiological investigation. A self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling were used to survey 41 regional joint replacement centers nationwide from November 2018 to December 2019 in China. The PJI was diagnosed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Association criteria. Data of PJI patients were obtained by searching the inpatient database of each hospital. Questionnaire entries were extracted from the clinical records by specialist. Then the differences in rate of PJI revision surgery between hip- and knee- PJI revision cases were calculated and compared. Results: Total of 36 hospitals (87.8%) nationwide reported data on 99 791 hip and knee arthroplasties performed from 2015 to 2017, with 946 revisions due to PJI (0.96%). The overall hip-PJI revision rate was 0.99% (481/48 574), and it was 0.97% (135/13 963), 0.97% (153/15 730) and 1.07% (193/17 881) in of 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. The overall knee-PJI revision rate was 0.91% (465/51 271), and it was 0.90% (131/14 650), 0.88% (155/17 693) and 0.94% (179/18 982) in 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. Heilongjiang (2.2%, 40/1 805), Fujian (2.2%, 45/2 017), Jiangsu (2.1%, 85/3 899), Gansu (2.1%, 29/1 377), Chongqing (1.8%, 64/3 523) reported relatively high revision rates. Conclusions: The overall PJI revision rate in 34 hospitals nationwide from 2015 to 2017 is 0.96%. The hip-PJI revision rate is slightly higher than that in the knee-PJI. There are differences in revision rates among hospitals in different regions.

[Study of incubation period of infection with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant BA.5.1.3]

Objective: To study the incubation period of the infection with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant BA.5.1.3. Methods: Based on the epidemiological survey data of 315 COVID-19 cases and the characteristics of interval censored data structure, log-normal distribution and Gamma distribution were used to estimate the incubation. Bayes estimation was performed for the parameters of each distribution function using discrete time Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Results: The mean age of the 315 COVID-19 cases was (42.01±16.54) years, and men accounted for 30.16%. A total of 156 cases with mean age of (41.65±16.32) years reported the times when symptoms occurred. The log-normal distribution and Gamma distribution indicated that the M (Q₁, Q₃) of the incubation period from exposure to symptom onset was 2.53 (1.86, 3.44) days and 2.64 (1.91, 3.52) days, respectively, and the M (Q₁, Q₃) of the incubation period from exposure to the first positive nucleic acid detection was 2.45 (1.76, 3.40) days and 2.57 (1.81, 3.52) days, respectively. Conclusions: The incubation period by Bayes estimation based on log-normal distribution and Gamma distribution, respectively, was similar to each other, and the best distribution of incubation period was Gamma distribution, the difference between the incubation period from exposure to the first positive nucleic acid detection and the incubation period from exposure to symptom onset was small. The median of incubation period of infection caused by Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 was shorter than those of previous Omicron variants.

Observation of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{bJ}(1P) and Search for X_{b}→ωϒ(1S) at sqrt[s] near 10.75 GeV

We study the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{bJ}(1P) (J=0, 1, or 2) using samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=10.701, 10.745, and 10.805 GeV, corresponding to 1.6, 9.8, and 4.7  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity, respectively. These data were collected with the Belle II detector during special operations of the SuperKEKB collider above the ϒ(4S) resonance. We report the first observation of ωχ_{bJ}(1P) signals at sqrt[s]=10.745  GeV. By combining Belle II data with Belle results at sqrt[s]=10.867  GeV, we find energy dependencies of the Born cross sections for e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{b1,b2}(1P) to be consistent with the shape of the ϒ(10753) state. These data indicate that the internal structures of the ϒ(10753) and ϒ(10860) states may differ. Including data at sqrt[s]=10.653  GeV, we also search for the bottomonium equivalent of the X(3872) state decaying into ωϒ(1S). No significant signal is observed for masses between 10.45 and 10.65  GeV/c^{2}.

[Short-term exposure to gossypol causes reversible reproductive toxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To study the toxic effects of short-term exposure to gossypol on the testis and kidney in mice and whether these effects are reversible.

METHODS

Twenty 7 to 8-week-old male mice were randomized into blank control group, solvent control group, gossypol treatment group and drug withdrawal group. In the former 3 groups, the mice were subjected to daily intragastric administration of 0.3 mL of purified water, 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution, and 30 mg/mL gossypol solution for 14 days, respectively; In the drug withdrawal group, the mice were treated with gossypol solution in the same manner for 14 days followed by treatment with purified water for another 14 days. After the last administration, the mice were euthanized and tissue samples were collected. The testicular tissue was weighed and observed microscopically with HE and PAS staining; the kidney tissue was stained with HE and examined for mitochondrial ATPase activity.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the control group, the mice with gossypol exposure showed reduced testicular seminiferous epithelial cells with rounded seminiferous tubules, enlarged space between the seminiferous tubules, interstitium atrophy of the testis, and incomplete differentiation of the spermatogonia. The gossypol-treated mice also presented with complete, non-elongated spermatids, a large number of cells in the state of round spermatids, and negativity for acrosome PAS reaction; diffuse renal mesangial cell hyperplasia, increased mesangial matrix, and adhesion of the mesangium to the wall of the renal capsule were observed, with significantly shrinkage or even absence of the lumens of the renal capsules and reduced kidney mitochondrial ATPase activity. Compared with the gossypol-treated mice, the mice in the drug withdrawal group showed obvious recovery of morphologies of the testis and the kidney, acrosome PAS reaction and mitochondrial ATPase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Shortterm treatment with gossypol can cause reproductive toxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice, but these toxic effects can be reversed after drug withdrawal.

Measurement of the Λ_{c}^{+} Lifetime

An absolute measurement of the Λ_{c}^{+} lifetime is reported using Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+} decays in events reconstructed from data collected by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy electron-positron collider. The total integrated luminosity of the data sample, which was collected at center-of-mass energies at or near the ϒ(4S) resonance, is 207.2  fb^{-1}. The result, τ(Λ_{c}^{+})=203.20±0.89±0.77  fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, is the most precise measurement to date and is consistent with previous determinations.

[One-stage revision using intra-articular vancomycin infusion effectively treats chronic prosthetic joint infection caused by Enterococcal]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of one-stage revision combined with intra-articular infusion of vancomycin in the treatment of chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Enterococcal. Methods: From May 2013 to June 2020,the clinical data of 9 patients (2 males and 7 females) with chronic Enterococcal PJI treated with one-stage revision using intra-articular infusion of vancomycin at Department of Orthopaedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed,including 8 hips and 1 knee.A total of 9 patients with age of (63.9±11.7)years (range:43 to 76 years) were included, and the body mass index was (23.6±4.3)kg/m² (range:18 to 30 kg/m²).There were 6 cases with antibiotic history and 5 cases with sinus tract.The joint fluid,infected tissue around the prosthesis and ultrasonic shock fluid of the prosthesis were collected during operation for microbial culture identification and drug sensitivity test.After thorough debridement of the infected site and removal of the infected prosthesis,a new prosthesis was implanted,then the drainage tube in the operation area was placed.After surgery,vancomycin(1.0 g,q12 h) was combined with intra-articular vancomycin(0.5 g,qd) in monomicrobial PJI,and vancomycin(1.0 g,q12 h) was combined with intra-articular vancomycin (0.5 g,qd) and imipenem/meropenem (0.5 g,qd),and the interval between the two drugs was 12 hours in polymicrobial PJI.Hip and knee functions were evaluated by Harris Hip Score or Knee Society Score(KSS),respectively.The comparison of hip function scores before and after operation was performed by paired t-test. Results: All patients were followed up for (60±39)months(range:24 to 110 months).Two cases were infected with Enterococcus faecium and 7 cases were infected with Enterococcus faecalis.There were 7 cases of monomicrobial infection and 2 cases of polymicrobial infection.Erythromycin(5/9),tetracycline(4/9),ciprofloxacin and β-lactam antibiotics(3/9) were the top three antibiotics in Enterococci resistance rate.The sensitive antibiotics for Enterococcal were vancomycin,linezolid and tigecycline.The average duration of intravenous antibiotics was (14±1)days (range:13 to 17 days),and the average duration of antibiotics in articular cavity was (15±2)days(range:11 to 20 days).Mean duration of oral antibiotic use after discharge was (2±1)months(range:1 to 3 months).One case of polymicrobial PJI treatment failed,with a failure rate of 1/9.At last follow-up,the Harris score of patients with hip PJI increased from (43±6)points to (84±6)points(t=-11.899, P<0.01). KSS score of knee function was improved from 33 point pre-operatively to 85 point post-operatively;overall function score was improved from 35 point pre-operatively to 80 point post-operatively.During the treatment,no formation of sinus tract of the hip joint caused by a catheter,skin necrosis at the knee puncture site or leakage of joint fluid;no complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occurred. Conclusions: One-stage revision combined with intra-articular infusion of vancomycin can achieve acceptable infection control rate and joint function in patients with chronic Enterococcus PJI.However,the treatment of polymicrobial PJI still needs to be further verified.

Microbiome-scale analysis of aerosol facemask contamination during nebulization therapy in hospital

BACKGROUND

Microbial contamination of aerosol facemasks could be a source of nosocomial infections during nebulization therapy in hospital, prompting efforts to identify these contaminants. Identification of micro-organisms in medical devices has traditionally relied on culture-dependent methods, which are incapable of detecting the majority of these microbial contaminants. This challenge could be overcome with culture-independent sequencing-based techniques that are suited for the profiling of complex microbiomes.

AIM

To characterize the microbial contaminants in aerosol facemasks used for nebulization therapy, and identify factors influencing the composition of these microbial contaminants with the acquisition and analysis of comprehensive microbiome-scale profiles using culture-independent high-throughput sequencing.

METHODS

Used aerosol facemasks collected from hospitalized patients were analysed with culture-independent 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing to acquire microbiome-scale comprehensive profiles of the microbial contaminants. Microbiome-based analysis was performed to identify potential sources of microbial contamination in facemasks.

FINDINGS

Culture-independent high-throughput sequencing was demonstrated for the capacity to acquire microbiome-scale profiles of microbial contaminants on aerosol facemasks. Microbial source identification enabled by the microbiome-scale profiles linked microbial contamination on aerosol facemasks to the human skin and oral microbiota. Antibiotic treatment with levofloxacin was found to reduce contamination of the facemasks by oral microbiota.

CONCLUSION

Sequencing-based microbiome-scale analysis is capable of providing comprehensive characterization of microbial contamination in aerosol facemasks. Insight gained from microbiome-scale analysis facilitates the development of effective strategies for the prevention and mitigation of the risk of nosocomial infections arising from exposure to microbial contamination of aerosol facemasks, such as targeted elimination of potential sources of contamination.

Identification and expression pattern analysis of PtCarA and PtCarB genes in Populus trichocarpa under different nitrogen treatments

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) catalyses the synthesis of ammonia carbamoyl phosphate (CP), which plays a key role in the biosynthesis of arginine and pyrimidine nucleotides. There are two subunits of the CPS enzyme in Populus trichocarpa, CarA (small subunit) and CarB (large subunit). Only when they coexist can CPS catalyse synthesis of CP. However, it is not clear how CPS responds to nitrogen (N) to affect arginine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis. In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to analyse the expression patterns of genes encoding CarA and CarB, and qRT-PCR and RNA-seq were used to investigate their molecular responses under different N concentrations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phylogenetic trees of CarA and CarB had similar topologies. qRT-PCR showed that the PtCarA and PtCarB genes were regulated by N, while their N-regulated patterns differed in different tissues. The expression patterns of PtCarA and PtCarB show a significant positive correlation according to qRT-PCR and RNA-seq. The analysis of promoter cis-acting elements showed that the promoter regions of PtCarA1, PtCarA2 and PtCarB contained some identical cis-acting elements. According to analysis of the phylogenetic tree, expression patterns and promoter elements, we speculate that there might be coevolution among PtCarA1, PtCarA2 and PtCarB. This study provides valuable information for further understanding the function of CPS in poplar, especially for N response, and provides new ideas for studying the evolution of gene families related to heteromultimers.

[Analysis for dropout of DTaP routine immunization in China in 2019]

Objective: To analyze the dropout of adsorbed diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis combined vaccine (DTaP) routine immunization in China in 2019. Methods: DTaP vaccination data in all counties in China were collected through National Immunization Program Information Management System in 2019. Cumulative dropout rate and vaccination rate of DTaP in different provinces were calculated. According to the P₂₅, P₅₀ and P₇₅ values of DTaP dropout rate for all counties by province, counties in each province were divided into four groups (Q₁-Q₄). The DTaP average dropout rate of four groups and absolute difference (difference in DTaP average dropout rate between Q₄ and Q₁) were calculated. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between absolute difference and provincial DTaP dropout rate, DTaP₁ and DTaP₃ vaccination rate. Results: DTaP₁ vaccination rate ranged from 92.98% to 99.94% by province, with a median of 99.55%. Provincial DTaP dropout rate ranged from 0.36% to 28.66%, with a median of 3.54%. The provincial DTaP dropout rate was more than 10% in Gansu and Guizhou, about 28.66% and 17.19%. Absolute difference ranged from 4.02% to 39.22%, with a median of 10.16%. Provinces with the largest absolute difference were Gansu, Qinghai, Liaoning and Guizhou, about 39.22%, 34.48%, 23.31% and 21.33%, respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that the absolute difference was positively correlated with provincial DTaP dropout rate, with a correlation coefficient of 0.492 (P=0.004). It was negatively correlated with DTaP₁ and DTaP₃ vaccination rate. Correlation coefficients were -0.542 (P=0.001) and -0.562 (P=0.001), respectively. Conclusions: There are significant county-level differences in DTap dropout rate in most provinces, with relatively high difference in western provinces.

Sleep-promoting neurons remodel their response properties to calibrate sleep drive with environmental demands

Falling asleep at the wrong time can place an individual at risk of immediate physical harm. However, not sleeping degrades cognition and adaptive behavior. To understand how animals match sleep need with environmental demands, we used live-brain imaging to examine the physiological response properties of the dorsal fan-shaped body (dFB) following interventions that modify sleep (sleep deprivation, starvation, time-restricted feeding, memory consolidation) in Drosophila. We report that dFB neurons change their physiological response-properties to dopamine (DA) and allatostatin-A (AstA) in response to different types of waking. That is, dFB neurons are not simply passive components of a hard-wired circuit. Rather, the dFB neurons intrinsically regulate their response to the activity from upstream circuits. Finally, we show that the dFB appears to contain a memory trace of prior exposure to metabolic challenges induced by starvation or time-restricted feeding. Together, these data highlight that the sleep homeostat is plastic and suggests an underlying mechanism.

Biotransformation technology and high-value application of rapeseed meal: a review

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is an agro-industrial residue of increased functional biological value that contains high-quality proteins for animal feed. Due to the presence of antinutritional factors and immature development technology, RSM is currently used as a limited feed additive and in other relatively low-value applications. With increasing emphasis on green and sustainable industrial development and the added value of agro-industrial residues, considerable attention has been directed to the removal of antinutritional factors from RSM using high-efficiency, environment-friendly, and cost-effective biotechnology. Similarly, the high-value biotransformations of RSM have been the focus of research programmes to improve utilization rate. In this review, we introduce the sources, the nutrient and antinutrient content of RSM, and emphasize improvements on RSM feed quality using biological methods and its biotransformation applications.

Bile acid restrained T cell activation explains cholestasis aggravated hepatitis B virus infection

Cholestasis is a common complication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, characterized by increased intrahepatic and plasma bile acid levels. Cholestasis was found negatively associated with hepatitis outcome, however, the exact mechanism by which cholestasis impacts anti-viral immunity and impedes HBV clearance remains elusive. Here, we found that cholestatic mice are featured with dysfunctional T cells response, as indicated by decreased sub-population of CD25⁺ /CD69⁺ CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells, while CTLA-4⁺ CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ subsets were increased. Mechanistically, bile acids disrupt intracellular calcium homeostasis via inhibiting mitochondria calcium uptake and elevating cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration, leading to STIM1 and ORAI1 decoupling and impaired store-operated Ca²⁺ entry which is essential for NFAT signaling and T cells activation. Moreover, in a transgenic mouse model of HBV infection, we confirmed that cholestasis compromised both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells activation resulting in poor viral clearance. Collectively, our results suggest that bile acids play pivotal roles in anti-HBV infection via controlling T cells activation and metabolism and that targeting the regulation of bile acids may be a therapeutic strategy for host-virus defense.

Prenatal exposure to Hurricane Maria is associated with an altered infant nasal microbiome

Background:

Prenatal adverse exposures have been associated with increased risks of development of respiratory diseases in children. The infant nasal microbiome is an important mechanism and indicator.

Objective:

Our aim was to characterize and compare the nasal microbiome of infants who were in utero and exposed to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico during 2017 with that of infants who were conceived at least 5 months after the hurricane as controls.

Methods:

We recruited 63 vaginally born infants, 29 of whom were in the exposure group and 34 of whom were in the control group. Nasal swab samples were collected and analyzed by using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing at the community and taxon levels, respectively.

Results:

Infants in the exposure group were more likely to harbor a Staphylococcus-Streptococcus–dominant microbial community in their nose. The richness and diversity of the microbiome was significantly higher in the exposure group than in the control group. In the exposure group, the bacterial genera Rhodocista, Azospirillum, Massilia, Herbaspirillum, Aquabacterium, and Pseudomonas were enriched, whereas Corynebacterium and Ralstonia were depleted. Food insecurity due to Hurricane Maria was associated with an increase in Pseudomonas in the infant nasal microbiome.

Conclusion:

Infants who were exposed to Hurricane Maria during gestation had an altered nasal microbiome, with a higher prevalence of environmental bacteria. More research is needed to evaluate the long-term impacts of extreme weather events occurring in the prenatal stage on a child’s nasal microbiome and respiratory health.