Understanding the role of ursodeoxycholic acid and gut microbiome in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: current evidence and perspectives.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, resulting in a huge medical burden worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome and bile acids play pivotal roles during the development of NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD exhibit unique signatures of the intestinal microbiome marked by the priority of Gram-negative bacteria, decreased ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B), and increased Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae. The intestinal microbiota is involved in the metabolism of bile acids. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a key determinant in maintaining the dynamic communication between the host and gut microbiota. It generally shows surprising therapeutic potential in NAFLD with several mechanisms, such as improving cellular autophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial functions. This action is based on its direct or indirect effect, targeting the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and various other nuclear receptors. This review aims to discuss the current studies on the involvement of the microbiome-UDCA interface in NAFLD therapy and provide prospective insights into future preventative and therapeutic approaches for NAFLD.

Efficacy of probiotic supplementation and impact on fecal microbiota in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Context: Research regarding the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with probiotics has not yielded consistent results. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics supplementation in patients with IBD. DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of probiotics in patients with IBD were searched in PubMed, the Google Scholar database, Web of Science, and CrossRef for the period July 2003 to June 2023. DATA EXTRACTION: The RCTs were extracted, independently by 2 authors, according to the PICOS criteria. DATA ANALYSIS: Seven studies, including a total of 795 patients, met the study criteria. Five end points were selected to evaluate the efficacy. Of these, 3 indicators showed a statistically significant difference in efficacy: C-reactive protein (odds ratio [OR]: -2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.16, -1.73, P < .01), the number of fecal Bifidobacterium (OR: 3.37, 95% CI: 3.28, 3.47, P < .01), and Lactobacillus(OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.91, 2.09, P < .01). The other 2 indicators (disease activity for Crohn's disease and for ulcerative colitis) showed no statistically significant difference, while the OR reflected a positive correlation. CONCLUSION: Probiotics supplementation may have a positive effect on IBD by reducing clinical symptoms, reducing the serological inflammatory markers, and increasing favorable gut flora in patients with IBD. Additional RCTs are needed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of probiotics in IBD.

Effects of icariside II ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by activating Akt/NOS/NF-κB signaling.

Icariside II is a flavonoid extracted from Epimedium that has antioxidant, anti­inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects icariside II on diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Icariside II treatment improved body weight, heart/body weight ratio and fasting blood glucose in diabetic model rats. Icariside II was demonstrated to reduce the expression levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum, and to lower cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis levels in diabetic rats. Icariside II treatment induced phosphoinositide 3­kinase and phosphorylated­Akt expression, and suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor (NF)­κB protein expression in diabetic rat. Results from the present study suggested that treatment with icariside II improved diabetic cardiomyopathy in streptozotocin­induced diabetic rats by activating the Akt/NOS/NF­κB pathway.

Neuroprotective effect of tanshinone IIA weakens spastic cerebral palsy through inflammation, p38MAPK and VEGF in neonatal rats.

As one of main active ingredients of salvia miltiorrhizae, which is a traditional Chinese medicine, tanshinone IIA is the basis of its pharmacological activities. In the present study, the effect of tanshinone IIA on weakening spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) in neonatal rats was investigated. Radial arm water maze and holding tests were used to measure the alterations of spastic cerebral palsy, inflammation was measured using an ELISA kit, and western blot analysis was used to analyze the protein expression of p­p38 mitogen­activated protein kinase (MAPK) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The central mechanisms involved in the mediation or modulation of inflammation, p­p38 MAPK and VEGF were also investigated. Treatment with tanshinone IIA effectively inhibited spastic cerebral palsy, and the activities of interleukin (IL)­1ß, IL­6, tumor necrosis factor­α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, cyclooxygenase­2 and prostaglandin E2 in a neonatal rat model of SCP. Tanshinone IIA effectively suppressed the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS), phosphorylated (p­) nuclear factor (NF)­κB, p­p38MAPK and VEGF, and activated the phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF­κB and the protein expression of neuronal NOS in the SCP rat model. These results suggested that the neuroprotective effect of tanshinone IIA weakened SCP through inflammation, p38MAPK and VEGF in the neonatal rats.

Features of continuous glycemic profile and glycemic variability in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

AIMS: To investigate glycemic variability (GV) in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) patients by monitoring continuous blood glucose profile. METHODS: OSAS group (n=86) and normal control group (n=40) were included. Continuous blood glucose was monitored. The relationship of GV, insulin resistance index (IRI) and the respiratory disturbance index (AHI) were analyzed. RESULTS: The daily average blood glucose level was significantly higher in the OSAS patients than in the control group (6.31±0.61vs. 4.94±0.78; P<0.01). The postprandial glycemic peaks in the OSAS patients were significantly higher and prolonged. The indicators of GV were all significantly higher in the OSAS patients, including blood glucose fluctuation coefficient (BGFC, 1.93±0.71vs. 1.21±0.38, P<0.05), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE, 4.18±0.65vs. 2.18±0.48; P<0.05) and night mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (NMAGE, 2.00±0.53vs. 1.11±0.43; P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that among the OSAS patients, the severity of OSAS (AHI) was positively correlated with the IRI (r=0.310); and the GV indicators (MAGE and NMAGE) were positively correlated with IRI and AHI (r=0.318 and 0.349, respectively) (P<0.01 or 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous glycemic spectrum and GV provide comprehensive glycemic profiles and may reveal important aspects of glucose metabolism abnormality beyond regular examinations, and are therefore of particular significance for glycemic management in OSAS patients.

[The treatment effect of immunoglobulin in AIDS with Guillain-Barre syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the treatment effect of immunoglobulin in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). METHODS: The clinical data of AIDS with GBS, diagnosed by clinical and laboratory methods, were retrospectively analyzed, and literature retrieval analyzed. RESULTS: After treatment by immunoglobulin and antiviral. The patient's peripheral nerve injury recovered, and the number of HIV decreased. CONCLUSION: Immunoglobulin has a therapeutic effect for HIV infection related GBS, and beneficial to antiviral treatment.

[Clinical analysis in viral encephalitis patients accompanying generalized tonic clonic seizure].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the value of clinical features, CSF, imaging and EEG in diagnosing viral encephalitis accompanying generalized tonic clonic seizure (GTCS). METHODS: The clinical, imaging and EEG characteristic of 30 patients with viral encephalitis accompanying GTCS were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 30 cases with viral encephalitis, 21 cases GTCS attacked (70%) within 14 days, 9 cases had GTCS (30%) in 15-28 days. 27 cases CSF were abnormal with the pressure, cell number, protein. The incidence of positive pathogenicity was 12/16; 19 cases MRI had abnormal signal. All the patients had abnormal EEG during the disease. CONCLUSION: The clinical features, CSF, imaging and EEG were all important in diagnosing and estimate of viral encephalitis accompanying GTCS.

Natural resistance of rose petals to microbial attack.

Petals of red, yellow and white roses (Rosa damascene Mill.) of the family Rosaceae were extracted with (1:1) methylene chloride/methanol and tested for their antimicrobial activities against four species of Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus), five species of Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens) and five species of fungi (Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Fusarium oxysporum). All of the crude extracts showed a wide range of antimicrobial activities according to the tested organism and rose's type. Micrococcus luteus was found to be the most susceptible bacteria to all crude extracts. Red and yellow petal extracts showed much higher antibacterial activity than the white petals extract. Bacillus subtilis was found to be the least susceptible to all extracts. The fungus, Penicillium notatum was found to be the most susceptible with white petal extract being the most effective. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Fusarium oxysporum were the least susceptible to all extracts. White roses extract showed much higher antifungal activities against Penicillium notatum than red or yellow roses, therefore, it was subjected to several bioassay guided chromatographic fractionations and purification to isolate the active chemical(s) responsible for the antifungal activity. Chemical structure of the isolated antifungal compounds were identified by spectroscopy techniques and found to be a γ-sitosterol and (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid. Antibacterial activity of the various types of rose extracts were due to complex mixtures of organic compounds which are still under chemical investigation and will be published later.

[Minimal residual disease with wt1 gene expression blocked by wt1 antisense oligonucleotides in vitro].

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of wt1 gene and the changes of gene expression in minimal residual disease (MRD) models (K562, HL-60 cell lines) and acute leukemia (AL) patients through inhibiting the expression of wt1 gene by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). The bone marrow (BM) of 56 AL patients with complete remission (CR) was collected, then the BM samples with positive expression of wt1 gene were screened by RT-PCR. The cells of MRD model and screened wt1 gene positive samples were cultured and treated by ASO, then the changes of wt1 gene expression were detected. The results indicated that the sensitivity of wt1 gene was 10(-3)-10(-4), and the positive rate of BM wt1 gene expression in 56 AL patients with CR was 16%. After BM of 9 AL CR patients with MRD and MRD model (K562, HL-60 cells) expressing wt1 gene were treated by ASO, it was found that the wt1 expression in ASO group was blocked, while wt1 gene could be still detected in both sense oligonucleotides (SO) and control groups. It is concluded that ASO can obstruct the expression of wt1 gene on the residual leukemia cells in vitro.

[Detecting the occult HBV infection: a laboratory study].

OBJECTIVE: To see the HBV DNA detection instance in the HBsAg negative people and to study the serological method detection strategy for detecting hepatitis B virus large surface protein (HBLP) to filtrate the occult HBV infection. METHODS: The HBsAg negative serum samples were divided into HBsAb negative and positive two species according to the hepatitis B virus markers (HBVM) in daily work excepting the special HBVM modes. Total 2000 stochastic serum samples with 1000 HBsAb negative results and 1000 HBsAb positive results were collected from the copy tubes to detect HBVM with national ELISA reagent kits and put them -20 degrees C frostily. Mixed samples (8 x 30 microl) were analyzed with fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) and filtrated the individual positive samples. The filtrated samples were doubly tested again with American MONOLISA HBsAg ULTRA reagents. RESULTS: No HBV DNA positive results were found out from the 1000 HBsAb positive samples and 19 cases HBV DNA positive results were found out from the 1000 HBsAb negative samples. On these 19 samples, the HBsAg results from the American MONOLISA HBsAg ULTRA reagents were all positive and the HBLP results were all positive, too. The 19 HBV DNA quantitative results were divided into 2 cases more than 500 copies/ml, 3 cases between 400-500 copies/ ml, 3 cases between 300-400 copies/ml, 7 cases between 200-300 copies/ml and 4 cases between 100-200 copies/ml. CONCLUSION: The leaked samples tested HBsAg with national reagents are mostly from the HBsAb negative people. HBLP results may be positive on these samples and detecting HBLP marker is propitious to filtrate the occult HBV infection. This study provided a kind of serological reference for actively searching for the detecting strategy in occult HBV infection field.

Chemical, microbial and physical evaluation of commercial bottled waters in greater Houston area of Texas.

Due to the increased demand and consumption of bottled water in the United States, there has been a growing concern about the quality of this product. Retail outlets sell local as well as imported bottled water to consumers. Three bottles for each of 35 different brands of bottled water were randomly collected from local grocery stores in the greater Houston area. Out of the 35 different brands, 16 were designated as spring water, 11 were purified and/or fortified tap water, 5 were carbonated water and 3 were distilled water. Chemical, microbial and physical properties of all samples were evaluated including pH, conductivity, bacteria counts, anion concentration, trace metal concentration, heavy metal and volatile organics concentration were determined in all samples. Inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used for elemental analysis, gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GCECD) as well as gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) were used for analysis of volatile organics, ion chromatography (IC) and selective ion electrodes were used for the analysis of anions. Bacterial identification was performed using the Biolog software (Biolog, Inc., Hayward, Ca, USA). The results obtained were compared with guidelines of drinking water recommended by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard. The majority of the analyzed chemicals were below their respective drinking water standards for maximum admissible concentrations (MAC). Volatile organic chemicals were found to be below detection limits. Four of the 35 brands of the bottled water samples analyzed were found to be contaminated with bacteria.