The microbiome compositional and functional differences between rectal mucosa and feces.

In recent years, most studies on the gut microbiome have primarily focused on feces samples, leaving the microbial communities in the intestinal mucosa relatively unexplored. To address this gap, our study employed shotgun metagenomics to analyze the microbial compositions in normal rectal mucosa and matched feces from 20 patients with colonic polyps. Our findings revealed a pronounced distinction of the microbial communities between these two sample sets. Compared with feces, the mucosal microbiome contains fewer genera, with Burkholderia being the most discriminating genus between feces and mucosa, highlighting its significant influence on the mucosa. Furthermore, based on the microbial classification and KEGG Orthology (KO) annotation results, we explored the association between rectal mucosal microbiota and factors such as age, gender, BMI, and polyp risk level. Notably, we identified novel biomarkers for these phenotypes, such as Clostridium ramosum and Enterobacter cloacae in age. The mucosal microbiota showed an enrichment of KO pathways related to sugar transport and short chain fatty acid metabolism. Our comprehensive approach not only bridges the knowledge gap regarding the microbial community in the rectal mucosa but also underscores the complexity and specificity of microbial interactions within the human gut, particularly in the Chinese population. IMPORTANCE: This study presents a system-level map of the differences between feces and rectal mucosal microbial communities in samples with colorectal cancer risk. It reveals the unique microecological characteristics of rectal mucosa and its potential influence on health. Additionally, it provides novel insights into the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and paves the way for the development of new prevention and treatment strategies.

Diapause-like Drug-Tolerant Persister State: The Key to Nirvana Rebirth.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Various drugs have been developed to eliminate it but to no avail because a tumor can go into dormancy to avoid therapy. In the past few decades, tumor dormancy has become a popular topic in cancer therapy. Recently, there has been an important breakthrough in the study of tumor dormancy. That is, cancer cells can enter a reversible drug-tolerant persister (DTP) state to avoid therapy, but no exact mechanism has been found. The study of the link between the DTP state and diapause seems to provide an opportunity for a correct understanding of the mechanism of the DTP state. Completely treating cancer and avoiding dormancy by targeting the expression of key genes in diapause are possible. This review delves into the characteristics of the DTP state and its connection with embryonic diapause, and possible treatment strategies are summarized. The authors believe that this review will promote the development of cancer therapy.

The role of vitamin D through SphK1/S1P in the regulation of MS progression.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is biologically active lipid, leading to neuroinflammation and macrophage invasion in central nervous system, plays an important role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) model in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats. Vitamin D is observed to be a key factor in regulating cell S1P levels. We detected vitamin D can alleviate the symptoms of EAE rats, but the exact mechanism is unclear. In PC12 cells, vitamin D can reverse S1P-induced cell death, but the signaling pathway unclear. This study was aimed to investigate S1P regulation mechanism or signaling pathway mediated by vitamin D in EAE and PC12 model. In our experiments, S1P and Sphingosine kinase type 1 (SphK1) mRNA and protein expression in EAE rats group, control group, vitamin D feeding group were detected by HPLC, ELISA, RT-PCR and western blot. PC12 cell death was detected by Propidium (PI) staining. VDR plasmid overexpression and RNA interference, immunofluorescence, real-time cell analysis, protein immunoblotting was used to detect SphK1 transcriptional regulation, cell-substrate attachment quality, the signaling pathway of cell apoptosis and inflammation related gene expression (Bax/Bcl-2, Casepase-3, Il-6, TGF-ß, TNF-α). Our study showed vitamin D can reverse the elevation of S1P level in EAE rats, reduce the severity and shorten the course of EAE. 1,25-(OH) 2D3 coupled with vitamin D receptor (VDR) inhibited SphK1 transcription. 1,25-(OH)2D3 significantly reduced PC12 cell death rate induced by S1P, in addition improved the cell substrate attachment quality. 1,25-(OH) 2D3 can block S1P-induced p-ERK activation and PI3K /Akt signaling pathway reduced Il-6, TGF-ß, TNF-α cytokine release and Bax/Bcl-2, Casepase-3 apoptosis protein expression. On the other hand, immunofluorescence staining showed 1,25-(OH) 2D3 can increase the expression of neuronal perinuclear protein MAP2 in PC12 cells probably protect nerve cells further. In summary, the ameliorative effect of vitamin D was derived from its ability to reduce S1P levels, provides an idea for vitamin D as a combination therapy for disease.

Acute Myocardial Infarction among Young Adult Men in a Region with Warm Climate: Clinical Characteristics and Seasonal Distribution.

The aim of this cross sectional study was to investigate the influence of the seasons on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among young adult among young adults aged <45 years compared to old adults aged ≥45 years. The seasonal distribution of AMI hospital admissions among young adult men in eastern Taiwan was assessed. Data were extracted from 1413 male AMI patients from January 1994 to December 2015, including onset date, the average temperature (Tave) on the date of AMI hospitalization (AMI-Tave), and conventional risk factors, notably smoking, diabetes, hypertension, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and body mass index (BMI). The 1413 cases were divided into two groups: the young group (n = 138, <45 y/o) and the older group (n = 1275, ≥45 y/o). The differences between groups were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between the seasons and the AMI hospitalization among the young group. The young group showed significantly higher percentage of smokers, BMI, total cholesterol levels, and triglycerides levels but lower percentage of diabetes and hypertension than the older group (p < 0.05). AMI hospitalization in winter was significantly greater compared to the other seasons among the young group (p < 0.05). Winter hospitalization was significantly associated with the young group relative to the older group (adjusted OR 1.750; 95% CI 1.151 to 2.259), while winter AMI-Tave in the young group was similar to that in the older group. Young adult men diagnosed with AMI are more likely than older adult men to be smokers, obese, and show an onset dependent on winter but not low-temperature in a region with a warm climate.

Acute Myocardial Infarction Hospitalizations between Cold and Hot Seasons in an Island across Tropical and Subtropical Climate Zones-A Population-Based Study.

We investigated the effects of cold and hot seasons on hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at the junction of tropical and subtropical climate zones. The hospitalization data of 6897 AMI patients from January 1997 to December 2011 were obtained from the database of the National Health Insurance, including date of admission, gender, age, and comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia. A comparison of AMI prevalence between seasons and the association of season-related AMI occurrences with individual variables were assessed. AMI hospitalizations in the cold season (cold-season-AMIs) were significantly greater than those in the hot season (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.10-1.21). In the subtropical region, cold-season-AMIs were strongly and significantly associated with the ≥65 years group (OR1.28; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.48). In the tropical region, cold-season-AMIs, in association with dyslipidemia relative to non-dyslipidemia, were significantly strong in the non-DM group (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.09) but weak in the DM group (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.99). The cold season shows increased risks for AMI, markedly among the ≥65 years cohort in the subtropical region, and among the patients diagnosed with either DM or dyslipidemia but not both in the tropical region. Age and comorbidity of metabolic dysfunction influence the season-related incidences of AMI in different climatic regions.

Gastric Residual Volume after Split-Dose Bowel Preparation versus Conventional Single-Dose Regimen before Anesthetic Colonoscopy.

The aim of this study was to compare gastric residual volume (GRV) in patients given a split-dose versus a conventional single-dose of polyethylene glycol (PEG) preparation before undergoing anesthetic colonoscopy. Methods. In a prospective observational study, we assessed GRV in outpatients undergoing same-day anesthetic gastroscopy and colonoscopy between October 8 and December 30 of 2016. Outpatients were assigned to the split-dose (1 L PEG in the prior evening and 1 L PEG 2-4 h before endoscopy) or single-dose (ingestion of 2 L PEG ≥ 6 h before endoscopy) regimen randomly. Bowel cleansing quality was assessed with the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Results. The median GRV in the split-dose group (17 ml, with a range of 0-50 ml; N = 65) was significantly lower than that in the single-dose group (22 ml, with a range of 0-62 ml; N = 64; p = 0.005), with a better bowel cleansing quality (BBPS score 8.05 ± 0.82 versus 7.64 ± 1.21; p = 0.028). GRV was not associated with diabetes or the use of medications. Conclusions. GRV after a split-dose preparation and fasting for 2-4 hours is not larger than that after a conventional single-dose preparation and fasting for 6-8 hours. The data indicates that the split-dose bowel preparation might not increase the risk of aspiration.

High water content in primitive continental flood basalts.

As the main constituent of large igneous provinces, the generation of continental flood basalts (CFB) that are characterized by huge eruption volume (>10(5) km(3)) within short time span (<1-3 Ma) is in principle caused by an abnormally high temperature, extended decompression, a certain amount of mafic source rocks (e.g., pyroxenite), or an elevated H2O content in the mantle source. These four factors are not mutually exclusive. There are growing evidences for high temperature, decompression and mafic source rocks, albeit with hot debate. However, there is currently no convincing evidence of high water content in the source of CFB. We retrieved the initial H2O content of the primitive CFB in the early Permian Tarim large igneous province (NW China), using the H2O content of ten early-formed clinopyroxene (cpx) crystals that recorded the composition of the primitive Tarim basaltic melts and the partition coefficient of H2O between cpx and basaltic melt. The arc-like H2O content (4.82 ± 1.00 wt.%) provides the first clear evidence that H2O plays an important role in the generation of CFB.

Establishment and application of enzyme immunoassay for saliva cortisol in Taiwanese context.

Saliva steroid assay is an upcoming area of research, with much potential for growth and progress. Expensive, varying results with commercial kits and the disadvantages of radioimmunoassay have forced researchers to develop their own system of enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A modification from our established EIA system was used to develop a saliva cortisol (F) assay system. The system sensitivity (>90pg/mL) was checked by various experiments, including comparison of data with a commercial kit obtained from Salimetrics. The assay system was employed to investigate the saliva F level in a young Taiwanese population, and compared with the total and free serum levels of F.

Discovery of ultrahigh-T spinel-garnet granulite with pure CO2 fluid inclusions from the Altay orogenic belt, NW China.

We first report discovery of the spinel-garnet-orthopyroxene granulite with pure CO2 fluid inclusions from the Fuyun region of the late Paleozoic Altay orogenic belt in Central Asia, NW China. The rock is characterized by an assemblage of garnet, orthopyroxene, spinel, cordierite, biotite, plagioclase and quartz. Symplectites of orthopyroxene and spinel, and orthopyroxene and cordierite indicate decompression under UHT conditions. Mineral chemistry shows that the orthopyroxenes have high XMg and Al2O3 contents (up to 9.23 wt%). Biotites are enriched in TiO2 and XMg and are stable under granulite facies conditions. The garnet and quartz from the rock carry monophase fluid inclusions which show peak melting temperatures of around -56.7 degrees C, indicating a pure CO2 species being presented during the ultrahigh-T metamorphism in the Altay orogenic belt. The inclusions homogenize into a liquid phase at temperatures around 15.3-23.8 degrees C translating into CO2 densities of the order of 0.86-0.88 g/cm3. Based on preliminary mineral paragenesis, reaction textures and petrogenetic grid considerations, we infer that the rock was subjected to UHT conditions. The CO2-rich fluids were trapped during exhumation along a clockwise P-T path following isothermal decompression under UHT conditions.

Neogene coupling between Kuqa Basin and Southern Tien Shan Orogen, Northwestern China.

Based on the sedimentary and subsiding features of Kuqa foreland basin, this paper presents the following characteristics of Neogene coupling relationship between Kuqa Basin and Southern Tien Shan Orogen, Northwestern China: (1) The Southern Tien Shan Orogen underwent Neogene uplifting of 4 km in height and the Kuqa Basin underwent Neogene subsidence of 4-6 km in depth accordingly beginning in 25 Ma; (2) The Southern Tien Shan Orogen moved continuously toward the Kuqa Basin, with largest structural shortening rate of greater than 53.7%, and the north boundary of the Kuqa Basin retreated continuously southward accordingly since the Miocene; (3) There are two subsidence centers with high subsiding rates and large subsiding extent, located in the eastern and western Kuqa Basin respectively, with the subsiding maximizing in the deposition period of Kuqa Formation.

Hydrocarbon charging histories of the Ordovician reservoir in the Tahe oil field, Tarim Basin, China.

The Ordovician reservoir of the Tahe oil field went through many tectonic reconstructions, and was characterized by multiple hydrocarbon chargings. The aim of this study was to unravel the complex charging histories. Systematic analysis of fluid inclusions was employed to complete the investigation. Fluorescence observation of oil inclusions under UV light, and microthermometry of both oil and aqueous inclusions in 105 core samples taken from the Ordovician reservoir indicated that the Ordovician reservoir underwent four oil chargings and a gas charging. The hydrocarbon chargings occurred at the late Hercynian, the Indo-Sinian and Yanshan, the early Himalaya, the middle Himalaya, and the late Himalaya, respectively. The critical hydrocarbon charging time was at the late Hercynian.

Petrology, geochemistry and geodynamics of basic granulite from the Altay area, North Xinjiang, China.

The basic granulite of the Altay orogenic belt occurs as tectonic lens in the Devonian medium- to lower-grade metamorphic beds through fault contact. The Altay granulite (AG) is an amphibole plagioclase two-pyroxene granulite and is mainly composed of two pyroxenes, plagioclase, amphibole and biotite. Its melano-minerals are rich in Mg/(Mg+Fe2+), and its amphibole and biotite are rich in TiO2. The AG is rich in Mg/(Mg+Fe2+), Al2O3 and depletion of U, Th and Rb contents. The AG has moderate SigmaREE and LREE-enriched with weak positive Eu anomaly. The AG shows island-arc pattern with negative Nb, P and Ti anomalies, reflecting that formation of the AG may be associated with subduction. Geochemical and mineral composition data reflect that the protolith of the AG is calc-alkaline basalt and formed by granulite facies metamorphism having peak P-T conditions of 750 degrees C-780 degrees C and 0.6-0.7 Gpa. The AG formation underwent two stages was suggested. In the early stage of oceanic crustal subduction, calc-alkaline basalt with island-arc environment underwent granulite facies metamorphism to form the AG in deep crust, and in the late stage, the AG was thrust into the upper crust.