Causal relationship between gut microbiota with subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization study.

Background: Numerous studies have revealed associations between gut microbiota and adipose tissue. However, the specific functional bacterial taxa and their causal relationships with adipose tissue production in different regions of the body remain unclear. Methods: We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) study using aggregated data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for gut microbiota and adipose tissue. We employed methods such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode to assess the causal relationships between gut microbiota and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) as well as visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger regression intercept analysis, and MR-PRESSO were used to test for heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and outliers of the instrumental variables, respectively. Reverse MR was employed to evaluate the reverse causal relationships between SAT, VAT, and gut microbiota with significant associations. Results: IVW results demonstrated that Betaproteobacteria were protective factors for SAT production (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.96, p = 0.005) and VAT production (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-0.99, p = 0.030). Various bacterial taxa including Ruminococcaceae UCG002 (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99, p = 0.017), Methanobacteria class (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-1.00, p = 0.029), and Burkholderiales (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83-0.98, p = 0.012) were associated only with decreased SAT production. Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, p = 0.005), Eubacterium hallii group (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15, p = 0.028), Peptococcaceae (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.17, p = 0.034), and Peptococcus (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10, p = 0.047) were risk factors for SAT production. Meanwhile, Eubacterium fissicatena group (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-0.99, p = 0.019), Turicibacter (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.99, p = 0.022), and Defluviitaleaceae UCG011 (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99, p = 0.024) were protective factors for VAT production. Furthermore, Bacteroidetes (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.17, p = 0.018), Eubacterium eligens group (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19, p = 0.037), Alloprevotella (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10, p = 0.038), and Phascolarctobacterium (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00-1.15, p = 0.042) were associated with VAT accumulation. Additionally, reverse MR revealed significant associations between SAT, VAT, and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group (IVW: OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.18-2.09, p = 0.002) as well as Betaproteobacteria (IVW: OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01-1.29, p = 0.029), both acting as risk factors. Sensitivity analyzes during bidirectional MR did not identify heterogeneity or pleiotropy. Conclusion: This study unveils complex causal relationships between gut microbiota and SAT/VAT, providing novel insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of gut microbiota in obesity and related metabolic disorders.

The enhance mechanism of DOM on tetracyclines degradation by electrochemical technology: A improvement of treatment processes.

Tetracyclines (TC) is a typical broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, and excessive use of TC can lead to a large accumulation of residual tetracycline in water. DOM is organic substances that can pass through the 0.45 µm filter. While dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the most significant substances in water, which has an important effect on water treatment. In this study, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) is applied to explore DOM to the effect of the electrochemical degradation. Three-dimension excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (3D-EEM) is used to identify the component variation of DOM after the electrochemical oxidation (EO). Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS) is used to confirm the degradation pathway of TC whether spontaneous or electrochemical oxidation. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) suggests the ROS production by DOM in the electrochemical oxidation under different conditions. Results show that DOM can promote the degradation of TC in the electrochemical oxidation. Tailwater DOM containssubstances can produce persistent free radicals, which can promote the degradation under light and dark conditions, natural source DOM can produce more free radicals under light. Therefore, TC wastewater should be added tailwater to promote the degradation of TC before the further water treatment. Otherwise, TC can be degraded to differentpathways (light, electricity, and degrade spontaneously). This study provides a significant idea for practical water treatment of tetracyclines, and promotes the practical application of electrochemical technology.

Removal and toxic forecast of microplastics treated by electrocoagulation: Influence of dissolved organic matter.

In recent years, the break of COVID-19 makes the large use of disposable products, which causes the removal of microplastics become an imperative problem. Electrocoagulation is one of the effective removal technologies, but there is hardly research concentrating on the effect of substrate in the actual water on the microplastics removal with electrocoagulation. As an important role of water bodies, dissolved organic matter (DOM) has a vital and inevitable effect on the efficiency of electrocoagulation. In this study, the effect of DOM in tailwater on microplastics during electrocoagulation is elucidated by comparing the electrocoagulation treatment results between simulated wastewater and tailwater, using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and zeta potential analyzer. Three kinds of microplastic particles (i.e. polypropylene, polyethylene, and polymethyl methacrylate) were added into each of the two kinds of wastewaters to form six electrocoagulation systems. Results show that DOM in tailwater promotes the production of flocs and free radicals during electrocoagulation process. Fe2+ and Fe3+ are adsorbed on the surface of DOM molecules and combined with •OH form flocs. Although DOM accelerates the production of free radicals and thus promotes the aging of microplastics, flocs with DOM as crystal nucleus can prevent toxic substances and small-sized microplastics from leaching into water again. Therefore, electrocoagulation is preferred to removal microplastics in water with high concentration of DOM. This study provides a significant reference for microplastics removal by electrocoagulation in actual water, and promote the practical application of electrocoagulation for microplastics removal in water treatment.

Identification of pyroptosis-related subtypes, development of a prognostic model, and characterization of tumour microenvironment infiltration in gastric cancer.

As a new programmed death mode, pyroptosis plays an indispensable role in gastric cancer (GC) and has strong immunotherapy potential, but the specific pathogenic mechanism and antitumor function remain unclear. We comprehensively analysed the overall changes of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) at the genomic and epigenetic levels in 886 GC patients. We identified two molecular subtypes by consensus unsupervised clustering analysis. Then, we calculated the risk score and constructed the risk model for predicting prognostic and selected nine PRGs related genes (IL18RAP, CTLA4, SLC2A3, IL1A, KRT7,PEG10, IGFBP2, GPA33, and DES) through LASSO and COX regression analyses in the training cohorts and were verified in the test cohorts. Consequently, a highly accurate nomogram for improving the clinical applicability of the risk score was constructed. Besides, we found that multi-layer PRGs alterations were correlated with patient clinicopathological features, prognosis, immune infiltration and TME characteristics. The low risk group mainly characterized by increased microsatellite hyperinstability, tumour mutational burden and immune infiltration. The group had lower stromal cell content, higher immune cell content and lower tumour purity. Moreover, risk score was positively correlated with T regulatory cells, M1 and M2 macrophages. In addition, the risk score was significantly associated with the cancer stem cell index and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. This study revealed the genomic, transcriptional and TME multiomics features of PRGs and deeply explored the potential role of pyroptosis in the TME, clinicopathological features and prognosis in GC. This study provides a new immune strategy and prediction model for clinical treatment and prognosis evaluation.

Advanced oxidation processes and selection of industrial water source: A new sight from natural organic matter.

Natural organic matter (NOM) refers to the dissolved organic matter in natural water that can pass through 0.45 µm filter membrane. As a pivotal role in the surface water body, it has a significant effect on the efficiency of AOPs. In this study, Excitation emission matrix - parallel factor (EEM-PARAFAC) analysis is used to elucidate the changes of NOM fluorescence peaks after electrochemical oxidation process, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-FTIR-COS) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) are utilized to clarify the molecular characteristics of NOM in surface water and the effects of electrochemical oxidation on NOM molecules. The results indicate that parts of NOM molecules are mineralized into simple compounds and precursors of refractory organic matters produced by some NOM molecules after AOPs. It is concluded that the precursors of these refractory organic matters may belong to terrestrial humus (C2). Therefore, for the purpose of avoiding more refractory organic pollutants produced by NOM which can reduce the performance of AOPs in the water treatment process, factories should choose water sources with less humus as industrial water supply, or degrade humus by physical or chemical methods before industrial water supply.

Prognostic Value of Drug Targets Predicted Using Deep Bioinformatic Analysis of m6A-Associated lncRNA-Based Pancreatic Cancer Model Characteristics and Its Tumour Microenvironment.

The role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-associated long-stranded non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in pancreatic cancer is unclear. Therefore, we analysed the characteristics and tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer and determined the value of m6A-related lncRNAs for prognosis and drug target prediction. An m6A-lncRNA co-expression network was constructed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database to screen m6A-related lncRNAs. Prognosis-related lncRNAs were screened using univariate Cox regression; patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups and randomised into training and test groups. In the training group, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for regression analysis and to construct a prognostic model, which was validated in the test group. Tumor mutational burden (TMB), immune evasion, and immune function of risk genes were analysed using R; drug sensitivity and potential drugs were examined using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database. We screened 129 m6A-related lncRNAs; 17 prognosis-related m6A-related lncRNAs were obtained using multivariate analysis and three m6A-related lncRNAs (AC092171.5, MEG9, and AC002091.1) were screened using LASSO regression. Survival rates were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the low-risk than in the high-risk group. Risk score was an independent predictor affecting survival (p < 0.001), with the highest risk score being obtained by calculating the c-index. The TMB significantly differed between the high- and low-risk groups (p < 0.05). In the high- and low-risk groups, mutations were detected in 61 of 70 samples and 49 of 71 samples, respectively, with KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 showing the highest mutation frequencies in both groups. A lower survival rate was observed in patients with a high versus low TMB. Immune function HLA, Cytolytic activity, and Inflammation-promoting, T cell co-inhibition, Check-point, and T cell co-stimulation significantly differed in different subgroups (p < 0.05). Immune evasion scores were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. Eight sensitive drugs were screened: ABT.888, ATRA, AP.24534, AG.014699, ABT.263, axitinib, A.443654, and A.770041. We screened m6A-related lncRNAs using bioinformatics, constructed a prognosis-related model, explored TMB and immune function differences in pancreatic cancer, and identified potential therapeutic agents, providing a foundation for further studies of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment.

ANLN, Regulated by SP2, Promotes Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Proliferation via PI3K/AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant expression of Anillin (ANLN) has been shown to function in the development of multiple cancers. However, its effects on colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remain unclear. We aimed to explore the role of ANLN in CRC development. METHODS: By real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we assessed the expression level of ANLN in CRC tissues and cell lines. The role of ANLN in CRC cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, EdU assays and cell cycle assays. A mouse tumorigenic model was established to evaluate the in vivo function of ANLN. RESULTS: We found that ANLN was overexpressed in CRC tissues and cell lines. Highly expressed ANLN correlated with tumor size, tumor number, and stage in patients with CRC. Silencing ANLN in CRC cell lines suppressed proliferation both in vitro and in vivo and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Downregulation of ANLN led to reduced phosphorylated levels of AKT and ERK. However, total AKT protein showed no change. SP2, a critical transcription factor, was implicated in the upregulation of ANLN. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that ANLN regulates CRC cell proliferation via the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways, indicating that ANLN may represent a novel and effective target for CRC treatment.

Sulfur-zinc modified kaolin/steel slag: A particle electrode that efficiently degrades norfloxacin in a neutral/alkaline environment.

In this work, sulfur and zinc were used to modify the steel slag/kaolin particle electrodes. Sulfur-zinc modified kaolin/steel slag particle electrodes (S-Zn-KSPEs) was successfully prepared. In a wide pH range (pH 3-10), S-Zn-KSPEs could efficiently degrade norfloxacin at low voltage (4 V) within 90 min. The removal rate of NOR by S-Zn-KSPEs was about 100% in acidic environment, more than 90% in neutral environment, and more than 80% in alkaline environment. And S-Zn-KSPEs could also efficiently degrade methylene blue, diuron, levofloxacin and other refractory pollutants under neutral conditions. S-Zn-KSPEs showed good stability and recyclability, and could maintain high catalytic activity after 8 cycles in a neutral or alkaline environment. The possible degradation mechanism and the degradation pathway of norfloxacin are proposed. In addition, S-Zn-KSPEs also showed a higher treatment effect in the treatment of actual surface water bodies. And S-Zn-KSPEs had a strong acid-base buffering capacity, which could avoid some pretreatment measures of wastewater in practical applications.

Effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on renal function in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical efficacy and mechanism of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in improving renal function in obese patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the anthropometric indices (waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass index (BMI)), renal function indices (serum creatinine, urea and urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR)), serum inflammatory indices (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α) and an adipose factor (leptin) in 50 patients with obesity (BMI ≥32.5 kg/m2 ) who underwent LSG in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019. RESULTS: Patients constituted 23 men and 27 women, with an average age of 32.5 ± 8.7 years and BMI of 43.99 ± 8.29 kg/m2 . Body weight and BMI 1 month post-operatively were significantly lower than preoperatively (P < 0.05), and the renal function indices serum creatinine, urea and UACR, improved significantly 3 months post-operatively (P < 0.05). C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α levels improved significantly 3 months post-operatively (P < 0.05), while leptin levels decreased significantly 1 month post-operatively (P < 0.05). Six months post-operatively, the remission rates for type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnoea syndrome and hypertension were 83.8%, 92.9% and 88.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LSG led to body weight loss and significantly improved serum creatinine, urea and UACR values in patients with obesity, which may be related to changes in adipocytokines and inflammatory factors, post-operatively. LSG is expected to become a new treatment to prevent or treat renal insufficiency caused by obesity.

Naringenin ameliorates insulin resistance by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress in hepatitis C virus-infected liver.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may lead to hepatic insulin resistance (IR), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been found to induce IR. In our previous study, naringenin (NGEN) had an insulin sensitization effect on the HCV core protein (HCVCP) infected mouse livers. In the present study, we examined the effects of NGEN on HCVCP infection-induced ER stress and investigated the insulin sensitization mechanism involved. We found that XBP1s was up-regulated in the livers of HCV-infected patients, in hepatocytes with HCV infection, and in HCVCP-infected mice. HCVCP induces ER stress in the mouse liver and hepatocytes by increasing XBP1s and downstream gene expression. Pre-treatment with NGEN inhibited the ER stress and downstream gene expression both in vivo and in vitro. Similar to the HCVCP infection results, NGEN also inhibited the ER stress in tunicamycin-treated Huh-7.5.1 cells. In addition, the role of IRE1α in HCVCP-induced IR was detected, and knockdown of IRE1α abolished HCVCP-stimulated IR. Overexpression induced IR but could be abolished by NGEN. NGEN also blocked the HCVCP-induced IRE1α expression levels that were up-regulated in vivo. Our data reveal that ER stress may be associated with HCV-induced IR, and NGEN treatment inhibited ER stress activity and increased insulin sensitivity by decreasing the expression of IRE1α.