The Preventive Effects of Probiotic Prevotella histicola on the Bone Loss of Mice with Ovariectomy-Mediated Osteoporosis

It has been demonstrated that the disturbance of gut microbiota (GM) is closely related to the reduction of bone mass and incidence of osteoporosis (OP). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the supplementation of Prevotella histicola (Ph) can prevent the bone loss in mice with ovariectomy (OVX)-mediated OP, and further explore relevant mechanisms. Regular (once a day for 8 consecutive weeks) and quantitative (200 µL/d) perfusion of Ph (the bacteria that orally gavaged) was conducted starting from 1 week after the construction of mice models. Bone mass and bone microstructure were detected by Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). Expressions of intestinal permeability, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and osteogenic and osteoclastic activities of mice were analyzed by histological staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). 16S rRNA high throughput sequencing technique was applied to analyze the alterations of composition, abundance, and diversity of collected feces. Regular and quantitative perfusion of Ph mitigated the bone loss in mice with OVX-mediated OP. Compared with OVX + PBS group, perfusion of Ph repressed osteoclastogenesis and promoted osteogenesis, reduced release of pro-inflammatory cytokine cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), and reversed expressions of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1) and Occludin). Besides, the perfusion of Ph improved the composition, abundance, and diversity of GM. Collectively, this study revealed that regular and quantitative perfusion of Ph can improve the bone loss in mice with OVX-mediated OP by repairing intestinal mucosal barrier damage, optimizing intestinal permeability, inhibiting release of pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines, and improving disturbance of GM.

Linking the relation between gut microbiota and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease, characterized by the low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue. Glucocorticoid (GC) clinically acts as one of the anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and therapeutic drugs, whereas the long-term use of GC may cause rapid bone resorption, followed by prolonged and profound suppression of bone formation, resulting in the GC-induced OP (GIOP). GIOP ranks the first among secondary OP and is a pivotal risk for fracture, as well as high disability rate and mortality, at both societal and personal levels, vital costs. Gut microbiota (GM), known as the "second gene pool" of human body, is highly correlated with maintaining the bone mass and bone quality, and the relation between GM and bone metabolism has gradually become a research hotspot. Herein, combined with recent studies and based on the cross-linking relationship between GM and OP, this review is aimed to discuss the potential mechanisms of GM and its metabolites on the OP, as well as the moderating effects of GC on GM, thereby providing an emerging thought for prevention and treatment of GIOP.

[Treatment of chronic refractory wound with autologous platelet-rich plasma in a hemophilia A patient after knee joint surgery]

On December 22, 2017, a 35-year-old male hemophilia A patient with a secondary chronic refractory wound after left knee joint surgery was transferred from the Department of Hematology of Maoming People's Hospital to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery in the same hospital. The physical examination revealed that the patient's left knee joint was swollen, with a full-thickness skin defect wound of 4 cm×4 cm on the lateral side of the joint and a large number of dark red blood clots at the bottom of the wound. The wound bleeding was controlled by intravenous infusion of plasma, cryoprecipitate, and human coagulation factor Ⅷ. After con- ventional debridement and dressing changes until the wound infection was controlled and necrotic tissue was removed, a subcutaneous cavity wound of 2 cm×2 cm in area and 3 cm in depth remained in the left knee joint and was difficult to heal. Nineteen days after transfer, the patient received autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, and 32 days after PRP treatment, the wound in left knee joint was healed with epithelialization. This case suggests that autologous PRP therapy would be a good option for hemophilia complicated chronic refractory wounds when they could not be repaired by surgery.

[Association between metabolically healthy obesity and incident risk of stroke in adult aged over 40 from rural Henan province]

Objective: To investigate the association between metabolically healthy obesity and the incident risk of stroke in people aged ≥40 years from rural areas of Henan Province. Methods: During 2007 to 2008, 20 194 residents aged ≥18 years were selected for baseline examination by random cluster sampling and 17 265 participants were followed up during 2013 to 2014. According to the aim of current study, a total of 11 864 eligible subjects were included in this post-hoc analysis. Depending on body mass index and metabolic status, subjects were divided into four groups: metabolically healthy normal weight, metabolically healthy obesity, metabolically abnormal normal weight and metabolically abnormal obesity. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between metabolically healthy obesity and the risk of stroke. Results: The median (Q₁, Q₃) age of study participants was 54(46, 61) years, and 4 526 participants were men. During the mean follow-up of 6 years, the cumulative incidence of stroke was 7.16%. The incidence of stroke in metabolically healthy normal weight, metabolically healthy obesity, metabolically abnormal normal weight, and metabolically abnormal obesity were 3.73%, 4.61%, 8.99% and 9.38%, respectively (χ²=117.458, P<0.001). After adjusting possible confounding factors, compared with metabolically healthy normal weight, the risk of stroke was significantly increased in the metabolically healthy obesity group, metabolically abnormal normal weight group and metabolically abnormal obesity group with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.52(1.10-2.12), 2.11(1.61-2.77) and 2.78(2.18-3.55), respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the risk of stroke was significantly higher in metabolically healthy obesity people aged 40-59 years compared with metabolically healthy normal weight group (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.36-3.30). Conclusion: Metabolically healthy obesity, metabolically abnormal normal weight and metabolically abnormal obesity are positively associated with the risk of stroke.

[Clinical and imaging features of middle ear hairy polyps]

Objective: To collect the clinical cases of middle ear hairy polyp, and to summarize the imaging features. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of four cases middle ear hairy polyp confirmed by surgical and pathologic between January 2007 and January 2020 at the Affiliated Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. There were three females, one male, with two left ears and two right ears, aged from 1 to 59 years. The CT and MRI imaging of the patients, and the corresponding clinical manifestations were analyzed. Results: Hairy polyps originated from tympanum in one case, originated from Eustachian tube in two cases, exhibiting recurrent otorrhea without evident inducement. The other case, hairy polyps originated from the Eustachian tube pharyngeal orifice and protruded into the nasopharyngeal cavity, with pharynx discomfort and aural fullness, endoscope showed offwhite polypoid mass with a little hair. All the four cases presented polypoid soft tissue masses on CT and MRI imaging, containing soft tissue wall and a large amount of adipose tissue, with soft tissue in the center of the mass which liked the core, and enhanced. MRI showed stratified arrangement of fat and soft tissue in the wall of the mass. Four cases all had surgical treatment, postoperative pathology examination presented that hair follicles, mature sebaceous glands and other skin appendages were found under squamous epithelium. A large amount of adipose tissue, part of muscle tissue, cartilage tissue, and some fibro-collagenous tissue were proliferated in the mass, accompanied by collagen degeneration. Conclusion: The middle ear hairy polyps has imaging characteristics, the polypoid soft tissue mass usually looks smooth and contains a large amount of adipose tissue, with a soft tissue in the center, and can be suggestively diagnosed by CT and MRI.

Programmed cell death in stem cell-based therapy: Mechanisms and clinical applications

Stem cell-based therapy raises hopes for a better approach to promoting tissue repair and functional recovery. However, transplanted stem cells show a high death percentage, creating challenges to successful transplantation and prognosis. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms underlying stem cell death, such as apoptotic cascade activation, excessive autophagy, inflammatory response, reactive oxygen species, excitotoxicity, and ischemia/hypoxia. Targeting the molecular pathways involved may be an efficient strategy to enhance stem cell viability and maximize transplantation success. Notably, a more complex network of cell death receives more attention than one crucial pathway in determining stem cell fate, highlighting the challenges in exploring mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on programmed cell death in transplanted stem cells. We also discuss some promising strategies and challenges in promoting survival for further study.

[Effects of different types of music on intraocular pressure and the underlying mechanism]

Objective: To explore the effect of listening to different types of music on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants were students from Sun Yat-sen University from October 2017 to May 2018. The study consisted of two parts. In part 1, three types of music, including relaxing, positive and negative music, were used to find out which kind of music could reduce IOP. IOP was measured before and after listening to music. A self-report questionnaire was used to evaluate emotional responses to each type of music. In part 2, the diurnal curve of IOP at 6 time points of 7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 and 17:30 was measured to determine when the individual's IOP peaked. On the second day, the subject listened to the music that could reduce IOP for 15 minutes at his/her IOP peak time. IOP, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured, and morphology of the chamber angle was captured by swept-source optical coherence tomography before and after listening to music. Image J software was used to measure the diameter and cross-sectional area of Schlemm's canal (SC). Paired t-test was used to compare BP, HR and SC measurements prior to and post-music intervention. Results: In part 1, fifteen subjects, including 7 males and 8 females, were enrolled, with an average age of (23±1) years. Relaxation music could significantly lower IOP [(11.62±2.51) vs. (12.65±2.49) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) , t=-2.39, P=0.032]. Positive music had no effect on IOP [(12.45±2.77) vs. (12.65±2.46) mmHg, P=0.566] and negative music increased IOP [(12.13±1.60) vs. (10.86±2.78) mmHg, t=2.45, P=0.029]. Relaxation music could also arouse relaxation emotions in 14 out of 15 subjects. In part 2, 55 subjects, including 20 males and 35 females, were enrolled, with an average age of (26±10) years. The diurnal curve of IOP at 6 time points of every participant was measured. At each individual's peak time point, listening to relaxation music could decrease IOP [(12.66±4.32) vs. (13.99±4.47) mmHg, t=-5.72, P<0.01]. HR before and after listening to relaxation music was (79.57±10.43) and (75.57±9.62) beats/min, respectively (t=-3.68, P=0.001). Systolic BP was (118.11±13.92) and (110.82±12.67) mmHg, respectively (t=-5.10, P<0.01). Diastolic BP significantly declined from (70.07±9.96) to (66.14±8.48) mmHg (t=-3.65, P=0.001). Average SC area significantly increased after listening to relaxation music [(255.96±93.36) vs. (230.07±92.20) pixels, t=2.88, P=0.006]. Average SC diameter was (8.62±1.89) and (9.41±2.37) pixels, respectively before and after listening to relaxation music (t=3.39, P=0.001). Conclusion: Relaxation music reduces IOP in healthy subjects probably by dilating the SC.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 25-31).

Preparation of minor ginsenosides C-Mc, C-Y, F2, and C-K from American ginseng PPD-ginsenoside using special ginsenosidase type-I from Aspergillus niger g.848

Background

Minor ginsenosides, those having low content in ginseng, have higher pharmacological activities. To obtain minor ginsenosides, the biotransformation of American ginseng protopanaxadiol (PPD)-ginsenoside was studied using special ginsenosidase type-I from Aspergillus niger g.848.

Methods

DEAE (diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used in enzyme purification, thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used in enzyme hydrolysis and kinetics; crude enzyme was used in minor ginsenoside preparation from PPD-ginsenoside; the products were separated with silica-gel-column, and recognized by HPLC and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance).

Results

The enzyme molecular weight was 75 kDa; the enzyme firstly hydrolyzed the C-20 position 20-O-β-D-Glc of ginsenoside Rb1, then the C-3 position 3-O-β-D-Glc with the pathway Rb1→Rd→F2→C-K. However, the enzyme firstly hydrolyzed C-3 position 3-O-β-D-Glc of ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc, finally hydrolyzed 20-O-L-Ara with the pathway Rb2→C-O→C-Y→C-K, and Rc→C-Mc1→C-Mc→C-K. According to enzyme kinetics, K_m and V_max of Michaelis–Menten equation, the enzyme reaction velocities on ginsenosides were Rb1 > Rb2 > Rc > Rd. However, the pure enzyme yield was only 3.1%, so crude enzyme was used for minor ginsenoside preparation. When the crude enzyme was reacted in 3% American ginseng PPD-ginsenoside (containing Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd) at 45°C and pH 5.0 for 18 h, the main products were minor ginsenosides C-Mc, C-Y, F2, and C-K; average molar yields were 43.7% for C-Mc from Rc, 42.4% for C-Y from Rb2, and 69.5% for F2 and C-K from Rb1 and Rd.

Conclusion

Four monomer minor ginsenosides were successfully produced (at low-cost) from the PPD-ginsenosides using crude enzyme.

Characterization and ontogenetic expression analysis of the myosin light chains from the fast white muscle of mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi

Three full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) clones were isolated encoding the skeletal myosin light chain 1 (MLC1; 1237 bp), myosin light chain 2 (MLC2; 1206 bp) and myosin light chain 3 (MLC3; 1079 bp) from the fast white muscle cDNA library of mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi. The sequence analysis indicated that MLC1 and MLC3 were not produced from differentially spliced messenger RNAs (mRNA) as reported in birds and rodents but were encoded by different genes. The MLC2 encodes 170 amino acids, which include four EF-hand (helix-loop-helix) structures. The primary structures of the Ca(2+)-binding domain were well conserved among the MLC2s of seven other fish species. The ontogenetic expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that the three light-chain mRNAs were first detected in the gastrula stage, and their expression increased from the tail bud stage to the larval stage. All three MLC mRNAs showed longitudinal expression variation in the fast white muscle of S. chuatsi, especially MLC1 which was highly expressed at the posterior area. Taken together, the study provides a better understanding about the MLC gene structure and their expression pattern in muscle development of S. chuatsi.

Hybrid pulse anodization for the fabrication of porous anodic alumina films from commercial purity (99%) aluminum at room temperature

Most porous anodic alumina (PAA) or anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films are fabricated using the potentiostatic method from high-purity (99.999%) aluminum films at a low temperature of approximately 0-10 degrees C to avoid dissolution effects at room temperature (RT). In this study, we have demonstrated the fabrication of PAA film from commercial purity (99%) aluminum at RT using a hybrid pulse technique which combines pulse reverse and pulse voltages for the two-step anodization. The reaction mechanism is investigated by the real-time monitoring of current. A possible mechanism of hybrid pulse anodization is proposed for the formation of pronounced nanoporous film at RT. The structure and morphology of the anodic films were greatly influenced by the duration of anodization and the type of voltage. The best result was obtained by first applying pulse reverse voltage and then pulse voltage. The first pulse reverse anodization step was used to form new small cells and pre-texture concave aluminum as a self-assembled mask while the second pulse anodization step was for the resulting PAA film. The diameter of the nanopores in the arrays could reach 30-60 nm.

Polymorphism identification within 50 equine gene-specific sequence tagged sites

The continued discovery of polymorphisms in the equine genome will be important for future studies using genomic screens and fine mapping for the identification of disease genes. Segments of 50 equine genes were examined for variability in 10 different horse breeds using a pool-and-sequence method. We identified 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 9380 bp of sequenced exon, and 25 SNPs, six microsatellites, and one insertion/deletion in 16961 bp of sequenced intron. Of all genes studied 52% contained at least one polymorphism, and polymorphisms were found at an overall rate of 1/613 bp. Several of the putative SNPs were tested and verified by restriction enzyme analysis using natural restriction sites or ones created by primer mutagenesis. The lowest allele frequency for a SNP detected in pooled samples was 10%. Three of the SNPs verified in the diverse horse pool were further tested in six breed-specific horse pools and were found to be reasonably variable within breeds. The pool-and-sequence method allows identification of polymorphisms in horse populations and will be a valuable tool for future disease gene and comparative mapping in horses.

[Effect of acupuncture on immunomodulation in patients with malignant tumors]

In order to investigate the role of acupuncture in the regulation of cellular immune function, the changes of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2 R) and beta-endorphine (beta-EP) in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant tumors before and after acupuncture were observed with double blind method. Forty patients were divided randomly into two groups, 20 for each. One group treated with acupuncture and the other one for control. Results showed that acupuncture has the effect of enhancing the cellular immunity of patient with malignant tumor. Acupuncture treatment could increase the percentage of T lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD4+ and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (P < 0.01) and the level of beta-EP, as well as decrease the level of SIL-2 R (P < 0.01). The correlation analysis of the three criteria showed there was a positive correlation between beta-EP and T lymphocyte subsets and a negative correlation between beta-EP and SIL-2 R, there was also a negative correlation between T lymphocyte subsets and SIL-2 R. Based on these results, a discussion on the acupuncture immunomodulation network was conducted in this article in order to explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture on immunomodulation.

[Effect of acupuncture on interleukin-2 level and NK cell immunoactivity of peripheral blood of malignant tumor patients]

This paper deals with the observation of acupuncture therapy affecting interleukin-2(IL-2 level and natural killer (NK) cell immunoactivity in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant tumors. In this clinical-laboratory test research, randomized double blind method was used. The patients were divided into an acupuncture treated group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 20). The former group was treated using points, ST36,LI11,RN6 and locations of symptomatic points bilaterally. They received one treatment of 30 minutes daily for 10 days. The results showed that the IL-2 level and NK cell activity were lower than normal in patients with malignant tumor, but there was an increase in the acupuncture group after 10 days of treatment. Significance was found to be remarkable (P < 0.01). The difference between the two groups was also significant (P < 0.01). This increase might be related to the mechanism of acupuncture that adjusting the body's immune function. Thus, acupuncture therapy could enhance the cellular immune function of patients with malignant tumors and providing a beneficial effect in anti-cancer treatment.

Synthesis and biological activity of several amino nucleoside-platinum(II) complexes

Several platinum(II) complexes of 3',5'-diamino-3',5'-dideoxythymidine (compound 1), 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine (compound 2), and 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine (compound 3) and the respective 2'-deoxyuridine amino nucleoside complexes, 4-6, have been synthesized. Whereas compounds 1, 2, and 4-6 had no inhibitory effect on the replication of murine L1210 cells in cell culture, compound 3 [(3'-AdThd)2PtCl2] inhibited these cells with an ED50 of 0.8 microM. Incubation of L1210 cells with 10-20 microM compound 3 for 2 h produced less than 18% inhibition of RNA, DNA, or protein synthesis, which is of questionable significance. However a 16-h incubation resulted in an increased uptake of labeled thymidine into DNA (77%), labeled uridine into RNA (17%), and labeled amino acids into protein (100%). These unexpected results indicate that inhibition of macromolecules may not be involved in the inhibition of the replication of L1210 cells. The increased incorporation of labeled metabolites into macromolecules may be related to the increase in cell volume after a 2-h incubation of L1210 cells with compound 3 plus a marked increase after 2 h in the proportion of cells in their S phase. Compound 3 appears to delay the progression of cells through their cell cycle. A marked inhibitory effect on the transport of methionine or aminoisobutyric acid into L1210 cells was found with compound 3, which was slightly greater than that produced with cisplatin. Compound 3 had a dose-dependent effect on the survival of mice bearing the L1210 ascites neoplasm, with a T/C X 100 of 175 at a dose of 320 mg/kg. Investigation of the kinetics of decomposition in aqueous systems demonstrated that the primary UV-absorbing decomposition product is 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine and that only a limited amount of the compound is formed (less than 8%). Although 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine could account for a part of the inhibition of the replication of L1210 cells in culture, it cannot account for the inhibition of amino acid transport by compound 3, the platinum complex of 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine. Compound 3 has been shown to limit part of the amino acid uptake into L1210 cells in a similar manner to cisplatin.