NMR-based metabolomics approach on optimization of malolactic fermentation of sea buckthorn juice with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

This work investigated the impact of malolactic fermentation on the metabolomic profile of sea buckthorn juice to optimize the fermentation process for flavor modification. Six strains of L. plantarum were used with varied pH of the juice, cell acclimation, and fermentation time. ¹H-NOESY spectra were acquired from fresh and fermented juices with a total of 46 metabolites identified. Less sugars and quinic acid were metabolized at pH 2.7 while oxidation of ascorbic acid was reduced at pH 3.5. l-Malic acid, essential amino acids, and nucleosides were consumed early during fermentation while sugars in general were consumed later in the fermentation. If deacidification is the main target of fermentation, strains that produce less acids and ferment less sugars, shorter fermentation time, and lower starter pH should be used. Higher starter pH and longer fermentation time promote formation of antimicrobial compounds and potentially increase antioxidant stability.

Inhibition of microRNA-346 inhibits myocardial inflammation and apoptosis after myocardial infarction via targeting NFIB

OBJECTIVE

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a sudden cardiovascular event that endangers human life. MicroRNA is considered to be an important participant in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction (MI). This article aim was to study the function and mechanisms of microRNA-346 (miR-346) on myocardium after MI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To study the role of miR-346 in MI, we established H2O2-induced H9c2 cell injury model and rat MI model. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect miR-346 expression. Western blot was utilized to measure the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, TNF-α, IL-6 and NFIB. Apoptosis of H9c2 cells was detected by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay was utilized to measure the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant. Assessment of left ventricular function in rats was performed using echocardiography.

RESULTS

MiR-346 was significantly upregulated in H2O2-treated H9c2 cells and ischemic myocardium. In the H9c2 cell injury model, the expressions of Bax, TNF-α, and IL-6 were greatly increased while Bcl-2 expression was decreased, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells and apoptosis rate were also significantly increased. At the same time, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cell supernatant were markedly increased. However, after miR-346 expression was suppressed, these results were reversed. The expression of Bcl-2 increased, while the expression of Bax, TNF-α, and IL-6 decreased. The contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cell supernatant also decreased significantly. Both the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the apoptosis rate were markedly reduced. After injecting antagomir-346 into the myocardium of rats to silence miR-346, the cardiac function of MI rats was remarkably improved, and the LDH content in the serum of rats also decreased significantly. Using computational predictions tools, Western blotting and Luciferase activity assay, we found that nuclear factor I/B (NFIB) was targeted by miR-346.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of miR-346 was increased in H9c2 cells and ischemic myocardium of MI rats. Silencing miR-346 can significantly inhibit the inflammatory response and the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes by targeting NFIB.

[Analysis of incidence characteristics of occupational chronic benzene poisoning under two diagnostic criteria]

Objective: To analyze the incidence characteristics of occupational chronic benzene poisoning under two diagnostic criteria. Methods: In March 2020, 126 patients who were divided into the old criteria group (74 cases) and the new criteria group (52 cases) were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were diagnosed with occupational chronic benzene poisoning, and were diagnosed in our hospital during the period of January 2009 to December 2019. The gender composition, age of onset, years of benzene exposure, industry distribution, work type, benzene concentration in working environment and diagnostic grade of the two groups of patients were analyzed and compared. The follow-up of 22 benzene poisoning observation subjects under the old criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in gender composition, age of onset, years of benzene exposure, industry distribution and work type between the old criteria group and the new criteria group (P>0.05) . In the old criteria group and the new criteria group, 41.9% (31/74) and 17.3% (9/52) of the patients' workplace benzene concentration exceeded the maximum allowable concentration, respectively. The composition of different benzene concentration in the workplace between the two groups showed statistically significant (P<0.05) . In the old criteria group, the proportion of mild poisoning (79.7%, 59/74) was the majority, while in the new criteria group, the proportion of moderate and severe poisoning (51.9%, 27/52) were the majority, and there was statistically significance in the composition ratio of diagnostic grade between the two groups (P<0.05) . Under the old criteria, after folow-up of 22 cases of benzene poisoning observation subjects, we observed that 8 cases (36.4%) progressed to the level of chronic benzene poisoning. Conclusion: The revision of diagnostic criteria for benzene poisoning may affect the composition of diagnosis classification. Based on the rights and interests of workers, formulating more complete diagnostic criteria and system policies will be more conducive to the development of occupational benzene poisoning prevention and control.

[Fat1 inhibits cell proliferation via ERK signaling pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To clarify the mechanism of Fat1 on the proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: KYSE450 cells were transfected with Plko.1-puro-GFP-shRNA-Fat1 plasmid and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to verify the efficiency of Fat1 knockdown. The effects of Fat1 and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitor U0126 on the proliferation of ESCC cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Colony formation assay was used to detect the colony formation ability. Cell cycle was detected by live cell imaging. Western blot was used to observe the level of target protein. Mouse xenograft assay was applied to detect the effect of Fat1 knockdown on KYSE450 cell tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of related proteins in tumor sections. Results: The efficiency of Fat1 knockdown was (77.1±6.9)% in Fat1 sh1 group and (77.7±7.1)% in Fat1sh2 group. Compared with the control group, the cell proliferation and the expression of p-ERK1/2 were significantly increased in Fat1 sh1 and Fat1sh2 group (P<0.05). After U0126 treatment, the effect of Fat1 knockdown on the proliferation of KYSE450 cells disappeared, and the expression of p-ERK1/2 in KYSE450 cells decreased to a level similar to that in the control group. The number of cell clones in the control group was (72±8), lower than (155±28) and (193±9) in the Fat1sh1 and Fat1sh2 groups, respectively (P<0.05). In KYSE450 cell, division time was shortened from 1 622±32 min in control group to 1 408±29 min in Fat1 sh1 group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the tumor volume of Fat1 knockdown group increased significantly. The tumor weight of control group and Fat1 knockdown group were (0.224±0.028) g and (1.532±0.196) g, respectively, at 4 weeks after inoculation, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Fat1 inhibits cell proliferation via ERK signaling in ESCC.

Effect of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 regulation of miR-106b expression on proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential function of a candidate circular ribonucleic acid (circRNA) [human serum albumin (hsa)_circ_RNA0023397] in esophageal cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 in three esophageal cancer cell lines (KYSE-150, ECA109, and TE-1), which was compared with that in normal human esophageal epithelial cell line (HET-1A). The expression plasmid of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 was constructed, and the effect of overexpression of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 on cell proliferation was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay. The effect of overexpression of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 on cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Further bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter gene analysis were carried out to explore the role of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 as a sponge of micro RNAs (miRNAs).

RESULTS

Compared with that in normal human esophageal epithelial cell line HET-1A, the expression of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 was down-regulated in three esophageal cancer cell lines in vitro. Overexpression of hsa_circ_RNA0023397 overtly inhibited KYSE-150 cell proliferation and promoted its apoptosis. Bioinformatics prediction and Luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that hsa_circ_RNA0023397 could bind to miR-160b. MiR-106b participated in hsa_circ_RNA0023397-mediated inhibition of proliferation of esophageal cancer KYSE-150 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Hsa_circ_RNA0023397 is down-regulated in esophageal cancer cells and can act as miR-106b to affect the biological function of esophageal cancer cells.

Initial clinical experience of patient-specific QA of treatment delivery in online adaptive radiotherapy using a 1.5 T MR-Linac

Purpose. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a commercial 1.5 T MR-Linac by analyzing its patient-specific quality assurance (QA) data collected during one full year of clinical operation.Methods and Materials. The patient-specific QA system consisted of offline delivery QA (DQA) and online calculation-based QA. Offline DQA was based on ArcCHECK-MR combined with an ionization chamber. Online QA was performed using RadCalc that calculated and compared the point dose calculation with the treatment planning system (TPS). A total of 24 patients with 189 treatment fractions were enrolled in this study. Gamma analysis was performed and the threshold that encompassed 95% of QA results (T95) was reported. The plan complexity metric was calculated for each plan and compared with the dose measurements to determine whether any correlation existed.Results. All point dose measurements were within 5% deviation. The mean gamma passing rates of the group data were found to be 96.8 ± 4.0% and 99.6 ± 0.7% with criteria of 2%/2mm and 3%/3mm, respectively. T95 of 87.4% and 98.2% was reported for the overall group with the two passing criteria, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between adaptive treatments with adapt-to-position (ATP) and adapt-to-shape (ATS), whilst the category of pelvis data showed a better passing rate than other sites. Online QA gave a mean deviation of 0.2 ± 2.2%. The plan complexity metric was positively correlated with the mean dose difference whilst the complexity of the ATS cohort had larger variations than the ATP cohort.Conclusions. A patient-specific QA system based on ArcCHECK-MR, solid phantom and ionization chamber has been well established and implemented for validation of treatment delivery of a 1.5 T MR-Linac. Our QA data obtained over one year confirms that good agreement between TPS calculation and treatment delivery was achieved.

[Systemic anti-inflammation is the key for the treat-to-target in severe immune-related skin disorders]

Immune-related skin disorders (inflammatory skin diseases and autoimmune diseases) are important diseases in dermatology. Systemic inflammation is the fundamental cause that makes these diseases difficult to control and easy to relapse. The treatment pattern of rheumatic immune diseases could be used as a reference to reach the treat-to-target (T2T) of severe immune/inflammatory skin disorders, thus to reduce systemic inflammatory damage, to effectively control symptoms in the long term, to improve the quality of life, and to help patients back to normal study/work/life status.

[Progress of researches on symbionts in the management of mosquito-borne infectious diseases]

Mosquitoes are the main vectors of many infectious diseases, including malaria and yellow fever, which seriously threaten human health across the world. In addition to the use of chemical insecticides, genetic control is a new attempt to currently available interventions used for mosquito vector control. In terms of ecological safety, however, symbiotic control as a novel approach has been proposed for mosquito control. Since there are multiple symbiotic microflora inhabiting in a variety of tissues of mosquitoes, including the digestive tract, they may affect the transmission of mosquito-borne infectious diseases through affecting the lifespan, reproductive competence, and vector competence of the host. In this review, the interactions between symbionts in mosquitoes were summarized, and the research progress of mosquito-associated symbionts in the management of mosquitoborne infectious diseases was reviewed.

[Spatiotemporal distribution and related factors of congenital syphilis in Guangdong province from 2005 to 2017: a spatial panel data analysis]

Objective: To explore the spatiotemporal distribution and macro-related factors of congenital syphilis in Guangdong province and provide suggestions and recommendations for prevention. Methods: Yearly reported cases of syphilis and some influencing factor data of Guangdong province were collected from 2005 to 2017. The spatiotemporal distribution of congenital syphilis was described. Meanwhile, the spatial panel data model was constructed to analyze the relationship between the incidence rates of congenital syphilis and related factors. Results: From 2005 to 2017, 13 361 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in Guangdong province. The number of congenital syphilis cases rose to its highest point during 2005-2011. A slow downward trend followed. The peaks of incidence were observed from August to December. The incidence of the non-Pearl River Delta region has experienced a process of rising first and then decreasing. The spatial panel data model results showed that congenital syphilis had significant positive spatial autocorrelation (P<0.001). The incidence of primary and secondary syphilis in women (β=0.822,P<0.001), gross domestic product per capita (β=3.511,P<0.001), net migrate rate (β=0.215,P=0.047) and maternal system management rate(β=0.017,P=0.021) were all positively correlated with the incidence rates of congenital syphilis. Registered population density (β=-1.167,P<0.001) and prenatal examination rate (β=-0.038,P=0.031) was negatively correlated with congenital syphilis. Conclusions: The incidence of congenital syphilis was spatially aggregated in Guangdong province from 2005 to 2017. The intensity of prevention might be strengthened in cities with developed economies and high net migration rates, which have high risks of congenital syphilis. Controlling the incidence of primary and secondary syphilis in women and increasing the prenatal examination rate for pregnant women appears effective prevention measures of congenital syphilis.

[Evaluating the effectiveness of HIV/syphilis joint self-testing in promoting syphilis testing among men who have sex with men]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of HIV/syphilis joint self-testing in promoting syphilis testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: In July 2019, the research participants were recruited through the Danlan website (https://www.danlan.org). Participants who met the selection criteria, and were randomly assigned into one of the three study groups (1∶1∶1) including HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and lottery incentive self-testing group and control group. Self-test reagents were mailed to HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and lottery incentive self-testing group, and the subjects in control group were encouraged to go to offline locations for testing. One month later, follow-up was conducted to evaluate the differences in the testing rates of syphilis among the three groups. Results: A total of 145 subjects were included in this study, including 48 in control group, 49 in HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and 48 in lottery incentive self-testing group. During the follow-up period, the self-testing rate of syphilis was 74.4% (32/43) in HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group, 70.0% (28/40) in lottery incentive self-testing group and 36.4% (16/44) in control group. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the proportions of syphilis testing in HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and lottery incentive self-testing group were 5.38 (95%CI: 2.06-14.04) times and 4.54 (95% CI: 1.75-11.74) times higher than that in control group during the follow-up period. Conclusions: HIV/syphilis joint self-testing and lottery-incentives-prompted self-testing significantly increased the testing rate of syphilis in MSM, respectively. HIV/syphilis joint self-testing is feasible for promotion.

Effects of supplementation of sea buckthorn press cake on mycelium growth and polysaccharides of Inonotus obliquus in submerged cultivation

AIMS

Investigation of the influence of cultivation time and sea buckthorn press cake (Hippophaë rhamnoides) dosage on mycelium yield of Inonotus obliquus in submerged cultivation and on the yield, monomer composition, and macromolecular properties of the exopolysaccharides (EPS) from culture media and intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) extracted from mycelia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Supplementation at 5 g l^-1 combined with cultivation time of 250 h granted highest yield increase in mycelia (by 122%). The supplementation reduced extraction yield and decreased the molecular weight of the main IPS population. The supplementation increased production and molecular weight of EPS. The relative content of arabinose and rhamnose in EPS positively correlated with dosage of the press cake. The press cake supplementation increased the content of galacturonic acid in IPS, but not in EPS.

CONCLUSION

Sea buckthorn press cake is a food industry fibrous side stream with high oil content. It increases the cultivation yield of Inonotus obliquus mycelium and influences the produced polysaccharides.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Mycelium is a resource of bioactive polysaccharides, attracting the interest of nutraceutical companies. Sea buckthorn press cake is a promising supplement for increasing mycelium production. The utilization of this agricultural side stream would therefore favour circular economy.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repair brachial plexus injury in rabbits through ERK pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on repairing brachial plexus injury in rabbits and their influence on expression of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With big-ear rabbits as the objects, the BMSCs were first isolated, and the cluster of differentiation (CD)45- and CD90+ BMSCs were sorted out via flow cytometry. BMSCs were transfected with red fluorescent protein (RFP), and the transfection effect was detected. Then, the big-ear rabbits were subjected to brachial plexus root avulsion injury (BPAI) to establish injury Model group and sham-operation group (Sham group). Later, the BMSCs were transfected with RFP to construct RFP-BMSCs. The RFP-BMSCs (5×106, Treat group) and normal saline (Model group) were intraperitoneally injected, and the recovery rate of wet weight of the upper limb muscle was measured by weighing. The injured nerve tissues were embedded for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and observation of pathological changes. The electrophysiological measurement of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) on the injured side was conducted for the rabbits to be sacrificed immediately using an electromyogram instrument, and the CMAP amplitude and latency were applied to evaluate the recovery of upper limb muscle. Finally, the location of RFP-BMSCs in the nerve tissues was traced by a fluorescence microscope, and the protein expression levels of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK) in the injured nerve tissues were determined by means of Western blotting.

RESULTS

Persistently expressed red fluorescence was observed in CD45- and CD90+ BMSCs sorted via flow cytometry under the fluorescence microscope, indicating that the RFP-BMSCs were constructed successfully. Compared with Sham group, Model group had a remarkably decreased recovery rate of wet muscle weight (p<0.05), while Treat group exhibited a notably increased recovery rate of wet muscle weight in comparison with Model group. The CMAP amplitude was reduced markedly (p<0.05), while the CMAP latency was prolonged significantly (p<0.05) in Model group compared with those in Sham group. Moreover, Treat group had distinctly higher CMAP amplitude and evidently shorter CMAP latency than Model group (p<0.05). It was discovered under the fluorescence microscope that RFP-BMSCs were visibly arranged on both sides of nerve fibers in Treat group. The expressions of p-MAPK and p-ERK were raised prominently in Model group in comparison with those in Sham group (p<0.05), and they were lowered apparently in Treat group compared with those in Model group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BMSCs can repair the impaired brachial plexus neurons and restore their physiological functions, and the protective effect of the BMSCs on the neurons is associated with the mediated MAPK/ERK pathway.

[Predictive value of platelet aggregation rate in hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants]

Objective: To explore the predictive value of platelet aggregation rate in patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. Methods: This prospective nested case-control study enrolled 72 preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks, who were admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Central Hospital from August 2017 to October 2019. The echocardiography was performed on the 4^th to 5^th day after birth, and the preterm infants who met the diagnostic criteria of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) were included into hsPDA group, and the control group was comprised of matched preterm infants with non-hsPDA according to the proportion of 1∶2. The basic characteristics of the preterm infants were recorded, and their complete blood counts and platelet aggregation function were examined. Clinical data were compared by student's t test and chi-square test between the two groups. The risk factors and their predictive values were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: There were 24 preterm infants (16 boys) in the hsPDA group, and 48 (30 boys) in the control group. The incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) grade II-IV in the hsPDA group was higher than that in the control group (67% (16/24) vs. 27% (13/48), χ²=10.422, P=0.001). The thrombocytocrit and adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation rate in the hsPDA group were lower than those in the control group (0.002 1±0.000 9 vs. 0.002 8±0.000 9, 0.21±0.10 vs. 0.32±0.07, t=-3.043 and -5.093, P=0.004 and <0.01, respectively); while the platelet volume in the hsPDA group was greater than that in the control group ((10.3±2.4) vs. (9.2±2.0) fl, t = 2.713, P = 0.033). The other platelet parameters (platelet count, platelet distribution width, and large platelet ratio) and platelet aggregation rate induced by other inducers (collagen, epinephrine and arachidonic acid) were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). The low platelet aggregation rate induced by adenosine diphosphate and low thrombocytocrit were independent risk factors for hsPDA in preterm infants (OR=4.525 and 3.994, 95%CI: 1.305-15.689 and 1.143-13.958, respectively). And the adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation rate had moderate predictive value for hsPDA in preterm infants, as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.809, and the cutoff value was 0.245 with 0.67 sensitivity and 0.86 specificity. Conclusions: Poor platelet aggregation function and low thrombocytocrit are independent risk factors for hsPDA in preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks. Low platelet aggregation rate induced by adenosine diphosphate has moderate predictive value for hsPDA patency.

Hypoxia-Induced LXRα Contributes to the Migration and Invasion of Gastric Cancer Cells

Gastric cancer is characterized by the presence of high invasion ability, hypoxia and chemoresistance. Previous studies reported that liver X receptor α (LXRα) was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer cells. However, hypoxia-mediated EMT and the role of LXRα in gastric cancer remained elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that LXRa mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated by hypoxia treatment and LXRα played an important role in HIF-1 dimer induced-EMT. The putative HIF-1α binding site was identified in the LXRa promoter. Expression of LXRα and HIF-1α was significantly up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues. More importantly, we noticed that the expression of LXRα and HIF-1α was significantly correlated. Taken together, these data suggested that LXRα is regulated by the activity and accumulation of HIF-1α and contributes to EMT of gastric cancer cells. This suggests that targeting LXRα might be a potential approach for improving survival of gastric cancer patients.

MiR-449 improves cardiac function by regulating HDAC1 and cTnI

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of microRNA-449 (miRNA-449) on cTnI and cardiac function and reveal the mechanism of Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1)-mediated histone deacetylation in cardiomyocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, we used biochemical analysis and Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay to confirm that HDAC1 and miR-449 having the binding site. Then, the effect of miR-449 inhibited HDAC1 on cTnI gene transcription was observed. In vivo, the effect of histone acetylation on cTnI expression and cardiac function in heart was observed in elderly mice with low expression of cTnI through miR-449 agomiR intervention.

RESULTS

This study revealed miR-449 can sponge with HDAC1. HDAC1-mediated histone deacetylation was involved in the regulation of cTnI gene expression by HDAC1-mediated acetylation of H3K4 and H3K9 in cTnI promoter regions. In addition, HDAC1-mediated histone deacetylation regulated the binding of the transcription factor GATA4 to the GATA element in the cTnI promoter region and improved cardiac function in elderly mice with low expression of cTnI CONCLUSIONS: MiR-449 can regulate the acetylation of the histones H3K4 and H3K9 of the GATA element in the cTnI promoter region, thereby recruiting the transcription factor GATA4 to the cTnI promoter region, upregulating the cTnI gene expression, and improving cardiac function in elderly mice with low expression of cTnI.