Alterations in gut microbiota are related to metabolite profiles in spinal cord injury

Studies have shown that gut microbiota metabolites can enter the central nervous system via the blood-spinal cord barrier and cause neuroinflammation, thus constituting secondary injury after spinal cord injury. To investigate the correlation between gut microbiota and metabolites and the possible mechanism underlying the effects of gut microbiota on secondary injury after spinal cord injury, in this study, we established mouse models of T8-T10 traumatic spinal cord injury. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolomics to reveal the changes in gut microbiota and metabolites in fecal samples from the mouse model. Results showed a severe gut microbiota disturbance after spinal cord injury, which included marked increases in pro-inflammatory bacteria, such as Shigella, Bacteroides, Rikenella, Staphylococcus, and Mucispirillum and decreases in anti-inflammatory bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, and Sutterella. Meanwhile, we identified 27 metabolites that decreased and 320 metabolites that increased in the injured spinal cord. Combined with pathway enrichment analysis, five markedly differential amino acids (L-leucine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-isoleucine and L-valine) were screened out, which play a pivotal role in activating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses following spinal cord injury. Integrated correlation analysis indicated that the alteration of gut microbiota was related to the differences in amino acids, which suggests that disturbances in gut microbiota might participate in the secondary injury through the accumulation of partial metabolites that activate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Findings from this study provide a new theoretical basis for improving the secondary injury after spinal cord injury through fecal microbial transplantation.

Potential shared therapeutic and hepatotoxic mechanisms of Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides treating three kinds of autoimmune skin diseases by regulating IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides (TWP) are extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., which has the significant effects of anti-inflammation and immunosuppression and has been widely used to treat autoimmune diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.

AIM OF STUDY

In Chinese clinical dermatology, TWP was generally used for the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases including psoriasis (PSO), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and pemphigus (PEM). However, the potential hepatotoxicity (HPT) induced by TWP was also existing with the long-term use of TWP. This study aims to explore the potential shared therapeutic mechanism of TWP treating PSO, SLE, PEM and the possible hepatotoxic mechanism induced by TWP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets and pathways in this study. The main bioactive compounds in TWP was screened according to TCMSP, PubChem, ChEMBL databases and Lipinski's Rule of Five. The potential targets of these chemical constituents were obtained from PharmMapper, SEA and SIB databases. The related targets of PSO, SLE, PEM and HPT were collected from GeneCards, DrugBank, DisGeNET and CTD databases. The target network construction was performed through STRING database and Cytoscape. GO enrichment, KEGG enrichment and molecular docking were then performed, respectively. In particular, imiquimod (IMQ)-induced PSO model was selected as the representative for the experimental verification of effects and shared therapeutic mechanisms of TWP.

RESULTS

41 targets were considered as the potential shared targets of TWP treating PSO, SLE and PEM. KEGG enrichment indicated that IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation were significant in the potential shared therapeutic mechanism of TWP. The animal experimental verification demonstrated that TWP could notably ameliorate skin lesions (P˂0.001), decrease inflammatory response (P˂0.05, P˂0.01, P˂0.001) and inhibit the differentiation of Th1/Th17 cells (P˂0.05, P˂0.01) compared to PSO model group. The molecular docking and qPCR validation then showed that TWP could effectively act on MAPK14, IL-2, IL-6 and suppress Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 signaling pathway. The possible hepatotoxic mechanism of TWP indicated that there were 145 hepatotoxic targets and it was also associated with IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation, especially for the key role of ALB, CASP3 and HSP90AA1. Meanwhile, the potential correlations between efficacy and hepatotoxicity of TWP showed that 28 targets were shared by therapeutic and hepatotoxic mechanisms such as IL-6, IL-2, MAPK14, MMP9, ALB, CASP3 and HSP90AA1. These significant relevant targets were also involved in IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

There were shared disease targets in PSO, SLE and PEM, and TWP could treat them by potential shared therapeutic mechanisms of suppressing IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation. The possible hepatotoxicity induced by TWP was also significantly associated with the regulation of IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation. Meanwhile, the potential correlations between efficacy and hepatotoxicity of TWP also mainly focused on IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation, which provided a potential direction for the study of the mechanism of "You Gu Wu Yun" theory of TWP treating autoimmune skin diseases in the future.

Deep Underground Laboratory Measurement of ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O in the Gamow Windows of the s and i Processes

The ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O reaction is the main neutron source for the slow-neutron-capture process in asymptotic giant branch stars and for the intermediate process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections and vast cosmic-ray-induced background. We performed the first consistent direct measurement in the range of E_{c.m.}=0.24 to 1.9 MeV using the accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory and Sichuan University. Our measurement covers almost the entire intermediate process Gamow window in which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from 60% down to 15%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing datasets, and provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the slow-neutron-capture and intermediate processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for the near-threshold state.

Mechanically robust bamboo node and its hierarchically fibrous structural design

Although short bamboo nodes function in mechanical support and fluid exchange for bamboo survival, their structures are not fully understood compared to unidirectional fibrous internodes. Here, we identify the spatial heterostructure of the bamboo node via multiscale imaging strategies and investigate its mechanical properties by multimodal mechanical tests. We find three kinds of hierarchical fiber reinforcement schemes that originate from the bamboo node, including spatially tightened interlocking, triaxial interconnected scaffolding and isotropic intertwining. These reinforcement schemes, built on porous vascular bundles, microfibers and more-refined twist-aligned nanofibers, govern the structural stability of the bamboo via hierarchical toughening. In addition, the spatial liquid transport associated with these multiscale fibers within the bamboo node is experimentally verified, which gives perceptible evidence for life-indispensable multidirectional fluid exchange. The functional integration of mechanical reinforcement and liquid transport reflects the fact that the bamboo node has opted for elaborate structural optimization rather than ingredient richness. This study will advance our understanding of biological materials and provide insight into the design of fiber-reinforced structures and biomass utilization.

Ultrasound and laser-promoted dual-gas nano-generator for combined photothermal and immune tumor therapy

The combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and immune tumor therapy has emerged as a promising avenue for cancer treatment. However, the insufficient immune response caused by inefficient immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers and thermal resistance, immunosuppression, and immune escape resulting from the hypoxic microenvironment of solid tumors severely limit its efficacy. Herein, we report an ultrasound and laser-promoted dual-gas nano-generator (calcium carbonate-polydopamine-manganese oxide nanoparticles, CPM NPs) for enhanced photothermal/immune tumor therapy through reprogramming tumor hypoxic microenvironment. In this system, CPM NPs undergo reactive decomposition in a moderately acidic tumor, resulting in the generation of calcium, manganese ions, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and oxygen (O₂). Calcium and manganese ions act as adjuvants that trigger an immune response. The cancer cell membrane rupture caused by sudden burst of bubbles (CO₂ and O₂) under ultrasound stimulation and the photothermal properties of PDA also contributed to the ICD effect. The generation of O₂ alleviates tumor hypoxia and thus reduces hypoxia-induced heat resistance and immunosuppressive effects, thereby improving the therapeutic efficacy of combination PTT and immune therapy. The present study provides a novel approach for the fabrication of a safe and effective tumor treatment platform for future clinical applications.

Pre-diagnosis fiber : carbohydrate intake ratio and mortality of ovarian cancer: results from a prospective cohort study

Background: The association between the ratio of fiber to carbohydrate (F : C-R) and cancer mortality is not currently well-known. We prospectively evaluated for the first time the aforementioned topic among ovarian cancer (OC) patients. Methods: A total of 703 newly diagnosed OC patients aged 18-79 years were included. Pre-diagnosis diet intake details were collected with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Deaths were ascertained until March 31, 2021, based on medical records and the cancer registry. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between pre-diagnostic fiber, carbohydrate, and F : C-R intake and OC mortality. Restricted cubic splines were used to analyze the potential nonlinear relationship between F : C-R and OC mortality. Results: During the follow-up period (median: 37.2 months; interquartile: 24.7-50.2 months), we observed 130 (18.49%) OC patients died. The pre-diagnosis higher fiber intake (comparing the highest with the lowest tertile of intake: HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35-0.92; HR per 1 SD increment: 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64-0.96; P trend < 0.05) and higher F : C-R intake (comparing the highest with the lowest tertile of intake: HR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31-0.85; HR per 1-SD increment: 0.73; 95% CI = 0.59-0.91; P trend < 0.05) were significantly associated with lower mortality for OC patients, but no evidence of the association between pre-diagnosis carbohydrate intake and OC mortality was observed. We found no evidence of a nonlinear relationship between F : C-R and OC mortality. Significant inverse associations were also observed for subgroup analyses stratified by age at diagnosis, menopausal status, residual lesions, histological type, FIGO stage, and body mass index, although not all associations showed statistical significance. Conclusion: Pre-diagnosis high fiber intake and high F : C-R diet intake were associated with a decreased risk of OC mortality.

[Progress in the development of treprostinil for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension]

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive pulmonary vascular disease, which can cause right heart failure and even death in severe cases. Treprostinil is a stable prostacyclin analogue and a powerful drug for dilating pulmonary vessels. It can be administered in different ways, with a long half-life, good stability and is suited for diverse types of PAH. It is approved for the treatment of Group 1 PAH, but some studies show that treprostinil is effective in patients with Group 3 or Group 4 PAH. Therefore, this article will review the progress of evidence-based medicine evidence of traprostanil in the treatment of type 1, 3 and 4 pulmonary hypertension.

Estrogen-dependent depressor response of melatonin via baroreflex afferent function and intensification of PKC-mediated Nav1.9 activation

Recent studies suggest that melatonin (Mel) plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) via the aortic baroreflex pathway. In this study, we investigated the interaction between the baroreflex afferent pathway and Mel-mediated BP regulation in rats under physiological and hypertensive conditions. Mel (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/mL) was microinjected into the nodose ganglia (NG) of rats. We showed that Mel-induced reduction of mean arterial pressure in female rats was significantly greater than that in male and in ovariectomized rats under physiological condition. Consistently, the expression of Mel receptors (MTNRs) in the NG of female rats was significantly higher than that of males. In L-NAME-induced hypertensive and spontaneously hypertensive rat models, MTNRs were upregulated in males but downregulated in female models. Interestingly, Mel-induced BP reduction was found in male hypertensive models. In whole-cell recording from identified baroreceptor neurons (BRNs) in female rats, we found that Mel (0.1 μM) significantly increased the excitability of a female-specific subpopulation of Ah-type BRNs by increasing the Nav1.9 current density via a PKC-mediated pathway. Similar results were observed in baroreceptive neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius, showing the facilitation of spontaneous and evoked excitatory post-synaptic currents in Ah-type neurons. Collectively, this study reveals the estrogen-dependent effect of Mel/MTNRs under physiological and hypertensive conditions is mainly mediated by Ah-type BRNs, which may provide new theoretical basis and strategies for the gender-specific anti-hypertensive treatment in clinical practice.

The association of healthy eating index with periodontitis in NHANES 2013-2014

Background

Periodontal disease is very common worldwide and is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation that can destroy adjacent alveolar bone and lead to a loss of periodontal ligaments. Although previous studies have found that a daily diet can influence the development of periodontal disease (e.g., a diet low in carbohydrates and rich in vitamins C and D and fiber can have a protective effect). Periodontal disease may present as gingivitis or periodontitis. However, studies on the role of healthy eating index in periodontitis are lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between healthy eating index and periodontitis.

Methods

We analyzed data collected from participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey conducted in 2-year cycles from 2013 to 2014. As part of our analysis, we developed multivariate logistic regression models to examine the independent association between the healthy eating index and periodontitis. We evaluated the significance of association using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

Individuals with a lower total healthy eating index had a higher prevalence of periodontitis. Adjusted multivariate regression models showed that a higher healthy diet index was associated with a lower prevalence of periodontitis (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55-0.86, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of the study showed that dietary structure was associated with the prevalence of periodontitis. Patients with a higher healthy eating index had a lower prevalence of periodontitis. These findings will need to be confirmed by longitudinal, prospective studies in the future.

Dodder-transmitted mobile systemic signals activate a salt-stress response characterized by a transcriptome change in Citrus sinensis

Citrus is an essential horticultural fruit whose yield and quality are affected by salinity all over the world. The recognition and adaptive regulation of citrus against salt stress are important areas for cultivar improvement, but the vascular system signal transduction mechanism of the plant response to salt stress remains elusive. In this study, we constructed a dodder (Cuscuta spp.) linked Hamlin sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) plant community in which deliver a vascular signal through the dodder in response to salt stress. RNA-seq technology was used to analyze the gene expression profile of citrus leaves after salt treatment. The results showed that a vascular signal was transmitted to a dodder-linked host plant, triggering a transcriptional response to salt stress. However, the phenotypic and transudative ability of the dodder changed after 24 h. The salt treatment group (Group S) and the dodder-linked group (Group D) respectively contained 1,472 and 557 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). 454 of which were common to both groups. The results of our analysis revealed that the gene expression categories in Group D represented a highly consistent trend compared to the group S plants, indicating that the dodder-bridged vascular signals activated the stress-response of citrus leaves for transcriptomic reconfiguration. The KEGG pathway database and an analysis of key drivers revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, starch and sucrose metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, circadian rhythm, and MAPK signaling pathways were significantly enriched as the critical genes during salt stress. A systemic signal in the dodder-bridged host significantly regulated abiotic stress-related secondary metabolic pathways, including those for phenylpropanoids, lignin, and lignans. The physiological indexes of photosynthetic intensity, respiration, and attractiveness among communities supported the transcriptional changes. Thus, our results indicate that salt stress-induced vascular system signals can be transmitted through the vascular system of a dodder linking citrus plants, revealing the genetic regulation and physiological changes of citrus leaves responding to plant stress signal transmission.

De novo transcriptome revealed genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, transport, and regulation in a mutant of Acer pseudosieboldianum

BACKGROUND

Acer pseudosieboldianum is a kind of excellent color-leafed plants, and well known for its red leaves in autumn. At the same time, A. pseudosieboldianum is one of the native tree species in the northeast of China, and it plays an important role in improving the lack of color-leafed plants in the north. In previous study, we found a mutant of the A. pseudosieboldianum that leaves intersect red and green in spring and summer. However, it is unclear which genes cause the color change of mutant leaves.

RESULTS

In order to study the molecular mechanism of leaf color formation, we analyzed the leaves of the mutant group and the control group from A. pseudosieboldianum by RNA deep sequencing in this study. Using an Illumina sequencing platform, we obtained approximately 276,071,634 clean reads. After the sequences were filtered and assembled, the transcriptome data generated a total of 70,014 transcripts and 54,776 unigenes, of which 34,486 (62.96%) were successfully annotated in seven public databases. There were 8,609 significant DEGs identified between the control and mutant groups, including 4,897 upregulated and 3,712 downregulated genes. We identified 13 genes of DEGs for leaf color synthesis that was involved in the flavonoid pathway, 26 genes that encoded transcription factors, and eight genes associated with flavonoid transport.

CONCLUSION

Our results provided comprehensive gene expression information about A. pseudosieboldianum transcriptome, and directed the further study of accumulation of anthocyanin in A. pseudosieboldianum, aiming to provide insights into leaf coloring of it through transcriptome sequencing and analysis.

Development of a diagnostic assay by three-tube multiplex real-time PCR for simultaneous detection of nine microorganisms causing acute respiratory infections

Acute respiratory infections are widespread in vulnerable populations of all ages and are characterized by a variety of symptoms. The underlying infection can be caused by a multitude of microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria. Early detection of respiratory infections through rapid pathogen screening is vital in averting infectious respiratory disease epidemics. This study utilized a multiplex real-time PCR system to develop a three-tube reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay, enabling simultaneously detect nine respiratory pathogens, including: influenza A and B, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This technique utilizes a one-step assay, with specifically designed TaqMan primer-probe sets combined in the same tube. This assay provided rapid and simplified detection of the nine prevalent pathogens, as well as increased sensitivity and reduced cross-contamination. This assay was evaluated using 25 related viral/bacterial strains as positive references, the other 25 irrelevant strains as negative controls, and clinical specimens from 179 patients. All positive strains were detected with no amplification of the non-target microorganism mixtures and the assay's detection limits ranged between 250-500 copies/ml (1.25-2.5 copies/reaction). A total of 167 (93.3%) samples tested positive for at least one of the pathogens identified; 109 of these samples were from patients confirmed to have RSV infections. The diagnostic accuracy of our assay was further confirmed by matching results from classical direct immunofluorescence assay and nucleotide sequencing. These data demonstrate the innovative multiplex real-time PCR assay as a promising alternative to the current approaches used for early screening of acute respiratory infections.

Umbilical cord blood: A promising source for allogeneic CAR-T cells

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is an effective treatment for relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL). However, autologous CAR-T cells derived from patients with B-ALL often show poor amplification ability, exhaustion, and anergy. To overcome these limitations, allogeneic CAR-T cells may be used as effective substitutes; however, which source would be the best substitute is unclear. In this study, we compared the immunophenotype and antitumor efficacy of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells derived from healthy donor cord blood (CB), healthy donor peripheral blood (PB), and PB of B-ALL patients [PB (patient)] in vitro and NOD-Prkdcem26cd52Il2rgem26Cd22/Nju (NCG)-immunodeficient mice, respectively. The results revealed that CAR-T cells derived from healthy donor CB and PB showed a higher proportion of naive T cells and longer tumor suppression in tumor-bearing mice than those of PB (patient). PB (patient) CAR-T cells had a higher proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and released high levels of interluekin-10 (IL-10), which also suggest a poor prognosis. Thus, CAR-T cells derived from healthy donors have better antitumor efficacy than CAR-T cells derived from PB (patient), and CB may be a good source of allogeneic CAR-T cells.

Effects of a combination of fibrolytic and amylolytic enzymes on ruminal enzyme activities, bacterial diversity, blood profile and milk production in dairy cows

We hypothesised that adding a combination of fibrolytic and amylolytic enzymes to the diet of early-lactation dairy cows would improve rumen enzyme activity and bacterial diversity, promote energy metabolism, and benefit milk production in cows. Twenty multiparous early-lactation (90 ± 5 d) Holstein cows with similar body conditions were randomly allocated to control (CON, n = 10) and experimental (EXP, n = 10) groups in a completely randomised single-factor design. The CON was fed only a basal total mixed ration diet, and the diet of the EXP was supplemented with a combination of fibrolytic and amylolytic enzymes at 70 g/cow/d (cellulase 3 500 CU/g, xylanase 2 000 XU/g, β-glucanase 17 500 GU/g, and amylase 37 000 AU/g). The experiment lasted 28 days, with 21 days for adaptation and 7 days for sampling. Enzyme addition increased the activity levels of α-amylase and xylanase, and the ammonia-N concentration (P < 0.05) tended to increase the activity of β-glucanase (P = 0.08) in rumen fluid. However, there was no significant difference in the rumen bacterial richness and diversity, phylum (richness > 0.1%) or genus (richness > 1%) composition between the CON and EXP groups (P > 0.05). A tendency of difference was found between CON and EXP (R = 0.22, P = 0.098) in principal component analysis. Ten genera showed different abundances across the CON and EXP groups (linear discriminant analysis effect size, linear discriminant analysis > 2). EXP increased the ratio of albumin to globulin and the concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05) and tended to increase triglycerides (P = 0.09) in blood. Milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield increased with enzyme supplementation (P < 0.05). The production levels of milk fat and lactose increased, but the percentage of solids, not fat and protein, decreased in EXP (P < 0.05). Although the DM intake was not affected, the feed efficiency tended to increase (P = 0.07) in EXP. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with a mixture of fibrolytic and amylolytic enzymes on multiparous early-lactation dairy cows increased α-amylase and xylanase activity levels in rumen fluid, enhanced milk performance and tended to improve the feed efficiency in cows.

Correlation Between the RNA Methylation Genes and Immune Infiltration and Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pan-Cancer Analysis

Background

RNA methylation is one of the most common RNA modifications and is dynamic and reversible. The enzymes and downstream effectors associated with RNA methylation modifications can be targeted to regulate RNA methylation levels. This mechanism can affect RNA processing, metabolism, cell proliferation and migration, and regulation of physiological or pathological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of RNA methylation-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Baseline RNA methylation data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The expression pattern, predictive value, mutational profile, and interaction network of RNA methylation genes in pancancer were examined. Then, the association between the expression of RNA methylation genes and immune infiltration was investigated. In addition, a risk score model for HCC was developed and analyzed.

Results

Cancer cells had a higher expression of RNA methylation genes than normal cells in some cancer cells, and a higher expression of RNA methylation genes could negatively affect patient prognosis. Enrichment analysis revealed that RNA methylation genes are involved in the mRNA surveillance pathway and RNA degradation and transport. A 4-gene (ALYREF, NSUN4, TRMT6, YTHDF1) prognostic signature was established to predict HCC prognosis based on RNA methylation-related genes. Finally, the role of prognostic models in HCC was validated.

Conclusion

RNA methylation genes can be an indicator of oncogenicity in relation to HCC prognosis and are associated with immune infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. This finding could provide clinicians with the opportunity to explore new strategic approaches.

Dynamics of the intestinal bacterial community in black soldier fly larval guts and its influence on insect growth and development

Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a prominent insect for the bioconversion of various organic wastes. As a saprotrophic insect, the BSF inhabits microbe-rich environments. However, the influences of the intestinal microorganisms on BSF growth and development are not very clear. In this study, the dynamics of the intestinal bacterial community of BSF larvae (BSFL) were analyzed using pyrosequencing. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the most prevalent bacterial phyla in the intestines of all larval instars. The dynamic changes in bacterial community compositions among different larval instars were striking at the genus level. Klebsiella, Clostridium, Providencia, and Dysgonomonas were the relatively most abundant bacteria in the 1st- to 4th-instar BSFL, respectively. Dysgonomonas and Providencia also dominated the 5th- and 6th-instar larvae, at ratios of 31.1% and 47.2%, respectively. In total, 148 bacterial strains affiliated with 20 genera were isolated on different media under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Among them, 6 bacteria, BSF1-BSF6, were selected for further study. The inoculation of the 6 isolates independently into germ-free BSFL feeding on an artificial diet showed that all the bacteria, except BSF4, significantly promoted BSF growth and development compared with the germ-free control. Citrobacter, Dysgonomonas, Klebsiella, Ochrobactrum, and Providencia promoted BSF development significantly by increasing the weight gains of larvae and pupae, as well as increasing the prepupae and eclosion rates. In addition, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Providencia shortened the BSF life cycle significantly. The results illustrate the promotive effects of intestinal bacteria on BSF growth and development.

[Exploration on teaching reform of cancer epidemiology course]

This study aims to explore optimized teaching mode of cancer epidemiology for undergraduates, and provide scientific ideas and basis for improving teaching quality. Non-randomized concurrent control study was used. Undergraduates, enrolled in 2018, from the department of preventive medicine in A and B medical universities were selected as research objects. Traditional teaching mode was used for cancer epidemiology course in A medical university, and innovative teaching mode named "one core, four dimensions" was adopted in B medical university. After the course, questionnaire method was used to investigate self-cognition of students, teaching satisfaction and class preparation time of teachers in B Medical University. The post-class test method was used to compare the students' grades of cancer epidemiology in the two universities. The results indicated that among the 58 students of B medical university, 94.83% (55/58) students were familiar with common types of epidemiological studies and 86.21% (50/58) mastered the evaluation indicators of screening research. Among the nine teaching faculties from B medical university, seven reported that the new teaching plan helped students to learn frontier knowledge of cancer epidemiology, and eight reported the new teaching model was conducive to the interaction between teachers and students. The text score of students in B medical university was 50.34±4.90, significantly higher than that in A medical university (46.21±4.91, t=5.20, P<0.001). The optimized teaching mode of cancer epidemiology is highly praised by students and teachers, which has the potential to improve students' grasp of cancer epidemiology, the ability to combine theory with practice, and the teaching effect of cancer epidemiology.

Ropivacaine has the potential to relieve PM2.5‑induced acute lung injury

Ropivacaine is a commonly used local anesthetic in the clinic due to its low toxicity to the cardiovascular system or central nervous system, good tolerance and high clearance rate. The present study intended to investigate the effect of ropivacaine on PM2.5-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and reveal the underlying mechanism. After ropivacaine exposure, cell viability, oxidative stress and inflammation in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 and DCFH-DA staining, corresponding commercial kits and ELISA, respectively. The effects of ropivacaine on the expression of MMP9 and MMP12 and the proteins related to NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling were then determined by western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analyses. In addition, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) agonist monosodium urate (MSU) was used to treat BEAS-2B cells followed by ropivacaine treatment and the effects on the above-mentioned cellular behaviors were determined again. The results indicated that the viability of BEAS-2B cells was decreased after PM2.5 induction, accompanied by aggravated oxidative stress and inflammation. However, ropivacaine alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells in a dose-dependent manner. Ropivacaine was also indicated to decrease the expression levels of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling-related proteins in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells. Furthermore, cell viability was decreased, while oxidative stress and inflammatory response were aggravated, in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells treated with MSU. In summary, the present results implied that ropivacaine exerted protective effects on PM2.5-induced ALI, and this effect may be related to NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling.

[Effects and mechanism of negative pressure microenvironment on the neogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells]

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanism of negative pressure microenvironment on the neogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: The experimental research methods were adopted. The third to the fifth passage of HUVECs in the logarithmic growth stage were used for the subsequent experiments. Three batches of cells were taken, with each batch of cells being divided into normal control group and negative pressure treatment alone group (both routinely cultured for 24 h), and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-AAG) alone group and 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group (both cultured with 17-AAG for 24 h). In addition, the intermittent negative pressure suction, with the negative pressure value of -5.33 kPa (suction for 30 s, pause for 10 s) was continuously applied for 8 h on cells in the two negative pressure treatment groups using an automatic three-dimensional cell gradient negative pressure loading device designed and developed by ourselves. After the treatment of the first batch of cells, the cell proliferation level was detected by cell counting kit 8 method at 0 (immediately), 24, 48, and 72 h of culture, with the number of samples being 6. After the treatment of the second batch of cells, the scratch experiment was performed. At 12 h after scratching, the cell migration was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope and the cell migration rate was calculated, with the number of samples being 3. After the treatment of the third batch of cells, the tubule formation experiment was conducted. After 6 h of culture, the tubulogenesis was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope and the total tubule length and the number of branch nodes of cells were calculated, with the number of samples being 3. The cells were taken and divided into normal control group, negative pressure treatment alone group, and 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group. The cells were treated the same as in the previous corresponding group. After the treatment, Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), caveolin 1, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and eNOS phosphorylation site 1177 in the cells, and the eNOS phosphorylation site 1177/eNOS ratio was calculated, with the number of samples being 3; co-immunoprecipitation (co-precipitating HSP90 and caveolin 1, caveolin 1 and eNOS) and Western blotting were used to detect the protein expressions of caveolin 1 and eNOS in the cells, with the number of samples being 3; the protein co-localization of HSP90 and caveolin 1 and that of caveolin 1 and eNOS in the cells was assessed by immunofluorescence double staining. The molecular docking prediction of caveolin 1 and eNOS was processed by HADDOCK 2.4 protein-protein docking program. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference method. Results: Compared with that in normal control group, the cell proliferation level in 17-AAG alone group was significantly decreased at culture hour of 24, 48, and 72 after the treatment (P<0.01), while the cell proliferation level in negative pressure treatment alone group was significantly increased at culture hour of 24, 48, and 72 after the treatment (P<0.01). Compared with that in 17-AAG alone group, the cell proliferation level in 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly increased at culture hour of 48 and 72 after the treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with that in negative pressure treatment alone group, the cell proliferation level in 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly decreased at culture hour of 24, 48, and 72 after the treatment (P<0.01). At 12 h after scratching, compared with (39.9±2.7)% in normal control group, the cell migration rate in 17-AAG alone group was significantly decreased ((10.7±2.7)%, P<0.01), while the cell migration rate in negative pressure treatment alone group was significantly increased ((61.9±2.4)%, P<0.01). Compared with those in 17-AAG alone group, the cell migration rate in 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly increased ((37.7±3.7)%, P<0.01). Compared with that in negative pressure treatment alone group, the cell migration rate in 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). At culture hour of 6 after the treatment, compared with those in normal control group, the total length of the tube formed by the cells in 17-AAG alone group was significantly shortened (P<0.05) and the number of branch nodes was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the total length of the tube formed by the cells in negative pressure treatment alone group was significantly prolonged (P<0.01) and the number of branch nodes was dramatically increased (P<0.01). Compared with that in 17-AAG alone group, the number of branch nodes of the tube formed by the cells was significantly increased in 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with those in negative pressure treatment alone group, the total length of the tube formed by the cells in 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly shortened (P<0.01) and the number of branch nodes was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Western blotting detection showed that after treatment, the overall comparison of eNOS and caveolin 1 protein expressions among the three groups of cells showed no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The expression of HSP90 protein and the eNOS phosphorylation site 1177/eNOS ratio in the cells of negative pressure treatment alone group were significantly increased (P<0.01) compared with those in normal control group. Compared with those in negative pressure treatment alone group, the HSP90 protein expression and the eNOS phosphorylation site 1177/eNOS ratio in the cells of 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting detection after the treatment showed that compared with those in normal control group, the expression of caveolin 1 protein in the cells of negative pressure treatment alone group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of eNOS was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with those in negative pressure treatment alone group, the expression of caveolin 1 protein in the cells of 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of eNOS was significantly increased (P<0.01). After the treatment, compared with those in normal control group, the co-localization of HSP90 and caveolin 1 protein in the cells of negative pressure treatment alone group was significantly increased, while the co-localization of caveolin 1 and eNOS protein was significantly decreased. Compared with those in negative pressure treatment alone group, the co-localization of HSP90 and caveolin 1 protein in the cells of 17-AAG+negative pressure treatment group was significantly decreased, while the co-localization of caveolin 1 and eNOS protein was significantly increased. Molecular docking prediction suggested that caveolin 1 interacted strongly with eNOS and inhibited the 1177 site phosphorylation of eNOS. Conclusions: The negative pressure microenvironment may inhibit the binding of caveolin 1 to eNOS by promoting the binding of HSP90 to caveolin 1 in HUVECs, so as to relieve the inhibition of 1177 site phosphorylation of eNOS by caveolin 1, thereby promoting the proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis of HUVECs, and ultimately promoting the neogenesis of HUVECs.

Effects of typical sludge treatment on microplastics in China-Characteristics, abundance and micro-morphological evidence

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that are enriched in sludge. They enter soil through sludge soil amendment, landfill, and discard, which will cause inescapable environmental pollution risks. Sludge treatment technology commonly used in China include anaerobic digestion (AD), thermal drying (TD), thermal hydrolysis (TH) and aerobic composting (AC). In this study, characteristics of MPs in sewage sludge from four representative large cities in China (Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Guilin) were analyzed. Effects of four representative sludge treatment technology on sludge MPs were also studied. In addition, the amount of MPs input to soil from sludge in China was estimated. The abundance range of sludge MPs of representative cities in China was 1448-11,125 n∙kg^-1 DW. Previous studies indicate that this abundance range is low among other domestic cities and is close to that of European countries. MPs were predominantly fiber-shaped, accounting for 46.66%; 56.5% MPs were white and transparent, and 62.5% were polypropylene and polyethylene. The abundance of MPs in the sludge increased after TH, indicating that MPs broke into smaller particles. However, the other three treatment methods had no significant influence on the abundance of MPs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the micro-morphology of sludge MPs surface were rougher after AD, and MPs cracked following TD and TH. Furthermore, broken edges were more blurred after TH, and surfaces of MPs were damaged and eroded after AC. The input quantities of MPs in sludge to soil was deduced to be 10¹³ particles per year. These results are important for controlling the potential risk of sludge MPs in China.

[Clinical characteristics and CBS gene analysis of 13 cases with classic homocystinuria]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and CBS gene variants of 13 patients with classic homocystinuria, and the strategies of individual treatment and prevention were explored. Methods: The general information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, cranial images, CBS gene variants, diagnosis and therapeutic strategies of 13 patients with classic homocystinuria admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University and Peking University First Hospital from November 2013 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 13 patients diagnosed at the age of 10 days to 14 years, 6 were male and 7 were female. There were 3 patients detected by newborn screening and received treatment at the asymptomatic stage. There were 10 patients clinically diagnosed at the age of 5 to 14 years. Their symptoms appeared at age of 1 to 6 years. The major clinical manifestations were marfanoid features, lens dislocation and (or) myopia, developmental delay, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed asymmetric infarcts in 4 patients and hypomyelination in 1 case. Increased blood methionine, plasma total homocysteine and urinary total homocysteine with normal urinary methylmalonic acid were found in 13 patients. The biochemical features were consistent with classic homocystinuria. Totally 18 variants were identified in CBS gene of 13 patients, 10 variants were novel and 8 were reported. only 1 patient was partially responsive to vitamin B₆ treatment, while 12 cases were non-responsive. They were mainly treated with low methionine diet and betaine supplement. Three vitamin B₆ non-responsive cases received liver transplantation at age of 3, 8 and 8 years, respectively. Their blood methionine and total homocysteine returned to normal within a week after liver transplantation. One patient died. Prenatal diagnosis was performed for a fetus when the mother was pregnant again. Two pathogenic CBS gene variants were identified from the amniocytes as same as the proband. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of classic homocystinuria are complex and variable. Blood amino acid analysis, serum or urine total homocysteine assay and gene analysis are critical for its diagnosis. There were 10 novel CBS gene varients were identified expanding the CBS gene varient spectrum. Liver transplantation is an effective treatment. Prenatal diagnosis is important to prevent classic homocysteinuria.

[Early outcomes of excimer laser atherectomy for below-the-knee lesions in patients with diabetic foot]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) in the treatment of diabetic foot with below-the-knee(BTK) lesions. Methods: The clinical data of 11 patients with diabetic foot with BTK lesions who underwent ELA at Department of Vascular Surgery,Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University and Department of Vascular and Wound Treatment Center,Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from September 2019 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 10 males and 1 female,aged 70.5 years(range:41 to 83 years).There were 20 lesions in 12 limbs,including 19 chronic total occlusion.All of the limbs were classified as Rutherford class 5 and suffered ulceration.The surgical efficacy,complications and ankle brachial index(ABI) after operation were record. Results: All patients underwent the operation successfully,the technical success rate was 12/12.No distal embolization,flow-limiting dissection,perforation or bailout stenting was occurred.The follow-up period was 8.2 months(range:3 to 13 months).The ABI increased from 0.58(range:0.24 to 1.57) before operation to 0.88(range:0.68 to 1.05) after operation.At 3 months after the operation,1 limb (1/12) underwent endovascular operation again due to restenosis,ulcers were healed in 5 limbs(5/12),and no amputation (limb/toe),death or loss of follow-up patients.Six months after the operation,2 patients were lost to follow-up and 2 died,ulcers were healed in 6 limbs(6/8),1 limb (1/8) underwent toe amputation due to prolonged healing of ulcers of toe. Conclusion: ELA is feasible and effective in the treatment of DF with BTK lesions,providing a new option of debulking atherectomy in such a group of patients.