Identification of pasteurized mare milk and powder adulteration with bovine milk using quantitative proteomics and metabolomics approaches.

Adulteration in dairy products presents food safety challenges, driven by economic factors. Processing may change specific biomarkers, thus affecting their effectiveness in detection. In this study, proteomics and metabolomics approaches were to investigate the detection of bovine milk (BM) constituents adulteration in pasteurized mare milk (PMM) and mare milk powder (MMP). Several bovine proteins and metabolites were identified, with their abundances in PMM and MMP increasing upon addition of BM. Proteins like osteopontin (OPN) and serotransferrin (TF) detected adulteration down to 1 % in PMM, whereas these proteins in MMP were utilized to identify 10 % adulteration. Biotin and N6-Me-adenosine were effective in detecting adulteration in PMM as low as 10 % and 1 % respectively, while in MMP, their detection limits extend down to 0.1 %. These findings offer insights for authenticating mare milk products and underscore the influence of processing methods on biomarker levels, stressing the need to consider these effects in milk product authentication.

Correlation analysis of vaginal flora and immune function Th1/Th2 imbalance in women with high-risk HPV infections in the female reproductive tract.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between vaginal flora and immune function Type 1 helper T cells/Type 2 helper T cells imbalance in females having HPV infections at high risk within the female reproductive tract. We selected 150 female patients who visited our hospital for reproductive tract inflammation between March 2019 and March 2021. They were divided into high-risk HPV-positive and high-risk HPV-negative groups according to the results of the HPV tests. Vaginal flora composition, density, diversity, and Th1/Th2 immune cell cytokine expression were assessed, and their correlations were analyzed. Compared to the HPV-negative group at high risk, the HPV-positive group at high risk exhibited significantly higher rates of Lactobacillius abnormalities, Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma urealyticum positivity(P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences in the rates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, bacterial vaginosis, mould, and trichomonad positivity were observed in both groups (P>0.05). The high-risk HPV-positive group displayed significantly higher rates of abnormal vaginal flora density and diversity compared to the HPV-negative group at high risk (P < 0.05). Compared to the HPV-negative group at high risk, the HPV-positive group at high risk exhibited significantly lower expression levels of Th1, Th1/Th2, IFN-γ, and IL-2 and higher expression levels of Th2, IL-4, and IL-10(P<0.05). Among patients having HPV infections at high risk, those with abnormal vaginal flora had lower expression levels of Th1, Th1/Th2, IFN-γ, and IL-2 and higher expression levels of Th2, IL-4, and IL-10 compared to those with normal vaginal flora, all of which were statistically significant(P<0.05). Vaginal flora dysbiosis was correlated with Th1/Th2 imbalance (P<0.05). Women with high-risk HPV infections in the female reproductive tract exhibit abnormal vaginal flora and immune function Th1/Th2 imbalance, characterized by a shift from Th1 to Th2. Moreover, there is a close correlation between vaginal flora dysbiosis and immune function Th1/Th2 imbalance.

Identification of mare milk adulteration with cow milk by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry based on proteomics and metabolomics approaches.

Mare milk(MM)production is lower than that of cow milk (CM), making it a premium product. Unfortunately, sellers adulterate MM with cheap CM to unscrupulously gain more profits. This study aimed to analyze MM adulteration with CM using proteomics and metabolomics. Using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, the relative abundances of certain proteins of caseins and secretoglobin family 1D member were found to be higher with a higher CM admixture percentage. In addition, several metabolites, such as orotic and 4-aminonicotinic acids, increased in the mare-cow milk mixture with an increased CM percentage. Accordingly, these proteins and metabolites distinguished MM adulterated with CM at levels as low as 1 %.These findings can serve as the basis for clarifying the differences at the proteome and metabolome in milk from minor dairy animals and ensure milk authenticity.

Effect of Particle Velocity on Microcutting Process of Fe-C Alloy by Molecular Dynamics.

In order to study the material removal mechanism of Fe-C alloy surfaces in the particle microcutting process, the molecular dynamics method was used to study the material deformation and removal rules during the particle microcutting process. By analyzing and discussing the particle cutting force, atomic energy, atomic displacement, lattice structure, and dislocation in the particle microcutting process under different cutting velocities, the material removal mechanism is revealed. The results show that the atomic binding energy of Fe-C alloy increases with an increase in particle cutting velocity. The cutting force of particles and atomic potential energy of the workpiece increase obviously. The accumulated strain energy and dislocation energy in the lattice increase, the lattice deformation becomes more severe, and the material is prone to plastic deformation. The atoms form atomic groups at the front of the particle and are then remove from the surface of Fe-C alloy in the form of chips.

Newly established LC-MS/MS method for measurement of plasma BH4 as a predictive biomarker for kidney injury in diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical research on BH4 is limited because of the difficulties on its measurement. In this study, we used our own established LC-MS/MS method to examine the plasma BH4 levels in diabetes to determine whether it could be used as a biomarker for the prediction of kidney injury in those patients. METHODS: Hospitalized diabetes patients in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from Jan to Aug 2021 were recruited. To assess the association between plasma BH4 with ACR or eGFR in diabetes, a total of 142 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were enrolled. They were divided into three groups by albuminuria levels: normoalbuminuria (n = 68), microalbuminuria (n = 48), and macroalbuminuria (n = 26) according to ACR; or into two groups by eGFR: eGFR≥90 or eGFR<90 ml/min for correlation and logistic regression analysis. Plasma BH4 level was measured by LC-MS/MS along with other biochemical indices. RESULTS: Plasma BH4 concentrations were decreased as ACR progressed. BH4 (r = -0.55, P < 0.001) and 2h C-Peptide (CP-2h) (r = -0.248, P = 0.003) levels were negatively correlated with ACR. Moreover, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed BH4 concentrations (B = -0.468, P < 0.001) and CP-2h (B = -0.257, P = 0.028) were independently associated with ACR progression. ROC curve showed that BH4 level has a predictive value on ACR (95%CI 0.686-0.841, sensitivity 69.1%, specificity 73%). Moreover, in diabetes patients with eGFR≥90 ml/min, plasma BH4 level (P = 0.008) is higher than those in diabetes with eGFR<90 ml/min and BH4 was remained independently associated with eGFR after multivariable logistic regression analysis (B = -0.193, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Our established LC-MS/MS method could be used on human plasma BH4 measurements and our data suggested that BH4 level can be used as a biomarker for kidney injury in diabetes indicated by its association with ACR progression and early renal function decline.

Effect of Yiqi Buxue Decoction on Hemodynamic Changes of the Uterine Artery and Fetal Umbilical Artery and Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Yiqi Buxue decoction on hemodynamic changes of the uterine artery and fetal umbilical artery and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). METHODS: 120 pregnant patients with PAH treated in our hospital (January 2019-January 2020) were chosen as the research objects, and randomly split into group A (n = 60) and group B (n = 60). Both groups received routine treatment, and group B was treated with sildenafil citrate, while group A was treated with Yiqi Buxue decoction combined with sildenafil citrate. Both groups received 6 weeks of treatment to analyze the hemodynamic changes of the uterine artery and fetal umbilical artery and compare the cardiopulmonary function indexes and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: The hemodynamic indexes of the uterine artery and fetal umbilical artery, cardiopulmonary function indexes, and pregnancy outcomes in group A after treatment were notably better compared with group B (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Yiqi Buxue decoction can stabilize the hemodynamics of pregnant patients with PAH, improve their cardiopulmonary function, alleviate hypotension, and thus, reduce the possibility of adverse pregnancy outcomes, which should be popularized in practice.

Social Isolation and Anxiety Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown in China.

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures have had a profound impact on the emotions, anxiety, and mental health of affected communities. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge about the possible generational and geographical differences in the effects on the mental health of individuals. This study examines the impact of COVID-19 related quarantine on symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) among parents and children (N = 4503). It also compares the outcomes of residents from the initial COVID-19 epicenter of Wuhan to those in surrounding areas. Subgroup analyses were conducted by child and parent samples, and by Wuhan city and other cities in the Hubei province. Propensity score radius matching and ordinary least squares regressions were used to examine the relationship between quarantine and GAD symptoms. Results showed that quarantine had more psychological impact on parents than children, regardless of geographic location. Parents that experienced quarantine in Wuhan city, reported a significantly higher level of symptoms of GAD than those that did not. Parents from other cities showed no such difference. For both children and parents, interpersonal communication about COVID-19 and social media exposure to pandemic-related information were linked to GAD symptoms. Targeted policies and interventions are needed to address the psychological impacts of COVID-19 lockdown.

Application efficacy of bundled nursing management in care of elderly patients with pressure ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the efficacy of bundled nursing management in nursing of elderly patients with pressure ulcers. METHODS: 148 hospitalized elderly patients with pressure ulcers in our hospital were taken as the study subjects. The study subjects were randomly assigned to the observation group (n=74) and the control group (n=74) using the random number table method. The control group adopted the routine nursing model, while the observation group adopted the bundled nursing. A comparison of the two groups included the cure rate of pressure ulcers, anxiety (using self-rating anxiety scale), depression (using self-rating depression scale), quality of living (using MOS SF-36 scale), sleep quality and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The cure rate of pressure ulcers in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.01). The SAS and SDS scores in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.001). The scores of physical function, general health, social function, emotional role, and mental health in the observation group were greater than those in the control group (all P<0.01). The sleep quality scores in the observation group were less than those in the control group (all P<0.001). The nursing satisfaction in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of bundled nursing management in the nursing of elderly patients with pressure ulcers is effective, which can promote the cure rate of pressure ulcers, improve the depression or anxiety, quality of living and sleep of patients, and enhance patient satisfaction. It deserves clinical promotion and use.

Schisandrin B synergizes docetaxel-induced restriction of growth and invasion of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a prevalent tumor in women. Here we investigated the synergic effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B), an active compound extracted from the Chinese herb Schisandra Chinensis, in docetaxel (DTX)-induced restriction of growth and invasion of cervical cancer. METHODS: Caski cells were treated with Sch B and DTX for 24 hours. In vitro effects were investigated with Cell counting kit-8, western blotting, colony-forming, Transwell, Annexin V-FITC enabled flow cytometry. Then, in vivo experiments were engaged with Sch B (20 mg/kg) and DTX (10 mg/kg) for 30 days, and IHC were applied to validate the effects in vivo. RESULTS: Both Sch B and DTX reduced cell viability, inhibited colony formatting, induced apoptosis, and limited cell invasion. Co-administration of Sch B and DTX more significantly enhanced these changes. The relative levels of HPV infection and tumor progression related proteins p-AKT/AKT, NF-kappaB, Cyclin D1, CDK-4, MMP-9, Notch1, ß-catenin and p-p38/p38 were markedly inactivated. The effects of Sch B in cervical cancer were further confirmed in Caski cell-xenograft BALB/c nude mice. Co-administration of Sch B enhanced the anti-tumor effects of DTX in vivo, inhibited tumor formation, increased apoptotic cells, and reduced Ki67 and N-cadherin expression. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, Sch B enhanced the anti-tumor effects of DTX in vitro and in vivo via growth, invasion, and apoptosis regulating. The results supported therapies of co-administering Sch B and DTX to be developed in cervical cancer.

miR-4429 sensitized cervical cancer cells to irradiation by targeting RAD51.

Cervical cancer (CC) is a prevalent malignancy in women, with the feature of metastasis and easy recurrence is responsible for a large proportion of global cancer deaths. Radiotherapy is one of the common treatment tools for CC patients with unresectable tumors. However, radio-resistance in patients could be a major reason for recurrence. Therefore, it is of significance to tunnel the molecular mechanism of radio-resistance in CC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly reported in the regulation of cancer progression and cellular response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. miR-4429 is a newly discovered miRNA acting as a tumor-suppressor gene in multiple cancers, but its function in CC has never been explored yet. The current study tried to explore the role of miR-4429 in cell radio-sensitivity in CC. First, we validated the downregulation of miR-4429 in CC cells. Importantly, the association of miR-4429 with radio-resistance was validated by identifying the downregulation of miR-4429 in radio-resistant CC cells. Gain- and loss-of-function assays validated that miR-4429 sensitized CC cells to irradiation. Through bioinformatics tools, RAD51 recombinase (RAD51) was identified to be a target for miR-4429. RAD51 is known to be a crucial regulator for DNA damage repair and has been reported to influence cell radio-resistance in cancers, including in CC. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the interaction between miR-4429 and RAD51. Finally, rescue assays indicated that miR-4429 promoted CC cell radio-sensitivity through RAD51. Consequently, our study showed that miR-4429 sensitized CC cells to irradiation by targeting RAD51, providing a potential therapeutic target for CC patients.