The relationship between thyroid hormones and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the changes in thyroid hormones in the serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their correlation with insulin resistance. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: 84 patients having insulin resistance and 76 patients without insulin resistance were included. 90 women without history of PCOS were selected as a healthy control group. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at Shijiazhuang Fourth Hospital. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from each group on days 3-5 of their menstrual cycle, and their triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: We investigated the changes of serum thyroid hormones in patients with PCOS and their correlation with insulin resistance. We found that serum levels of T3 and T4 were significantly decreased, while TSH levels were significantly increased in PCOS patients compared with healthy controls. Moreover, we found that patients with insulin resistance had significantly lower levels of serum T3 and T4 and higher levels of TSH compared to those PCOS participants without insulin resistance. LIMITATIONS: This study was a retrospective and single-center study, which had selection bias, information bias, and confounding variables may affect the accuracy and reliability of the conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance negative correlates with their serum T3, T4, and positive correlates with their TSH levels. Our results develop a combined test model with the serum T3, T4 and TSH levels for the clinical diagnosis of insulin resistance in PCOS women.

Reparative dentin formation as a possible factor influencing the penetrability of dentin in human teeth with apical periodontitis: an ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: There is still a lack of knowledge regarding the permeability and configuration of infected root dentin. The aim of this ex vivo study was to compare the dentin penetrability of healthy teeth and necrotic teeth with apical periodontitis by evaluating the penetration of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and to analyze the histopathological features of root dentin. METHODS: Forty-eight molars were collected and divided into two groups. The clinical diagnosis for one group was pulp necrosis with apical periodontitis and the pulp and periapex were normal in the other group. Forty-eight straight roots were divided into two groups: infected and healthy. First, all root canals were stained with 2% methylene blue to visualize penetration after standard root canal instrumentation and irrigation. Transverse sections were obtained, and the dye penetration parameters were measured. The cross sections were processed to 20-30 µm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for observation of the histopathological changes in the root dentin. RESULTS: The maximum penetration depth, median penetration depth and penetration percentage of NaOCl solutions, in infected root canals were significantly lower than those in healthy root canals. The histopathological analysis showed that the frequency of reparative dentin formation in infected root canals was significantly greater than that in healthy root canals. CONCLUSIONS: The dentin penetrability of teeth with necrotic teeth and apical periodontitis was more superficial during root canal irrigation than that of healthy teeth. The histopathological changes in infected radicular dentin, namely the formation of reparative dentin, might be associated with the lower permeability of dentin tubules in human teeth with apical periodontitis.

Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol.

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihy- droxystilbene), a natural phytoalexin polyphenol, exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This phytoalexin is well-absorbed and rapidly and extensively metabolized in the body. Inflammation is an adaptive response, which could be triggered by various danger signals, such as invasion by microorganisms or tissue injury. In this review, the anti-inflammatory activity and the mechanism of resveratrol modulates the inflammatory response are examined. Multiple experimental studies that illustrate regulatory mechanisms and the immunomodulatory function of resveratrol both in vivo and in vitro. The data acquired from those studies are discussed.

[Systematic review and Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy and safety of Ginkgo Leaf Tablets in treatment of acute cerebral infarction].

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Ginkgo Leaf Tablets(GLT) in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction(ACI). Seven databases both at home and abroad were systematically retrieved from their establishment to March 2020. The data of the included studies were extracted after review and screening. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool, and then the included studies were put into Meta-analysis by RevMan 5.3 to evaluate the total cli-nical efficiency, neurological function score, blood lipids and incidence of adverse reactions in treatment of ACI by GLT. Finally, the GRADE system was adopted to evaluate the evidence quality of each outcome indicator and form recommendations. Ten studies involving 886 participants were included, all of which were of low quality. Meta-analysis results showed that,(1)in terms of the total clinical efficiency, GLT+Western medicine was superior to Western medicine alone(RR_(NDS)=1.20, 95%CI[1.06, 1.36], P=0.005; RR_(NIHSS)=1.35, 95%CI[1.09, 1.69], P=0.007), and there was no statistical difference between GLT+Xuesaitong Injection+Wes-tern medicine and Xuesaitong Injection+Western medicine(RR=1.16, 95%CI[1.00, 1.35], P=0.05).(2)In terms of improving neurological function score, GLT+Western medicine was superior to Western medicine alone(MD_(NIHSS[moderate(severe)])=-1.55, 95%CI[-2.22,-0.88], P<0.000 01; MD_(NIHSS(severe))=-7.51, 95%CI[-8.00,-7.02], P<0.000 01; MD_(NDS)=-1.36, 95%CI[-2.39,-0.33], P=0.01), and GLT+Danshen Injection+Western medicine was superior to Danshen Injection+Western medicine(MD_(NDS)=-3.09, 95%CI[-3.84,-2.34], P<0.000 01).(3)In terms of regulating blood lipids, GLT+Western medicine was superior to Wes-tern medicine alone(MD_(TC)=-1.40, 95%CI[-2.13,-0.66], P=0.000 2; MD_(TG)=-1.29, 95%CI[-1.86,-0.73], P<0.000 01; MD_(LDL-C)=-1.48, 95%CI[-2.91,-0.04], P=0.04; MD_(HDL-C)=0.07, 95%CI[0.02, 0.12], P=0.009).(4)In terms of incidence of adverse reactions, there was no statistical difference between GLT+Western medicine and Western medicine alone(RR=0.63, 95%CI[0.30, 1.32], P=0.22). The results of the evaluation showed that the evidence level of each outcome indicator was low, and the recommendation was at weak level. In conclusion, GLT+Western medicine could improve the total clinical efficiency, neurological function score, and blood lipid status, with a low incidence of adverse reactions. However, due to the small amount of included stu-dies, low study quality and low level of evidence, it is expected to carry out clinical studies with standardized design and large sample size in the future to further investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of GLT in the treatment of ACI.

Nanomediator-Effector Cascade Systems for Amplified Protein Kinase Activity Imaging and Phosphorylation-Induced Drug Release In Vivo.

Protein kinases constitute a rich pool of biomarkers and therapeutic targets of tremendous diseases including cancer. However, sensing kinase activity in vivo while implementing treatments according to kinase hyperactivation remains challenging. Herein, we present a nanomediator-effector cascade system that can in situ magnify the subtle events of kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation via DNA amplification machinery to achieve kinase activity imaging and kinase-responsive drug release in vivo. In this cascade, the phosphorylation-mediated disassembly of DNA/peptide complex on the nanomediators initiated the detachment of fluorescent hairpin DNAs from the nanoeffectors via hybridization chain reaction (HCR), leading to fluorescence recovery and therapeutic cargo release. We demonstrated that this nanosystem simultaneously enabled trace protein kinase A (PKA) activity imaging and on-demand drug delivery for inhibition of tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, affording a kinase-specific sense-and-treat paradigm for cancer theranostics.

MicroRNA-181b attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in pulpitis via the PLAU/AKT/NF-κB axis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of microRNA (miRNA)-181b in the inflammatory response in pulpitis. METHODS: Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunofluorescence techniques were used to determine the miRNA-181b and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU) expression levels in inflamed human dental pulp tissues (HDPTs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). The targets of miRNA-181b were identified and confirmed using a bioinformatics analysis, RNA sequencing, and dual-luciferase gene reporter assays. The effect of miRNA-181b or PLAU on proinflammatory cytokine expression in hDPCs was examined using qRT-PCR and western blotting. RNA sequencing was conducted to examine the signaling pathways implicated in miRNA-181b-mediated pulpitis. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to determine the miRNA-181b /PLAU/AKT/NF-κB signaling axis in pulpitis. A rat pulpitis model was created to observe the histopathological changes in the dental pulp tissue after the topical application of miRNA-181b agomir. RESULTS: A significant decrease in miRNA-181b and an increase in PLAU were observed in HDPTs compared to the healthy controls, and these two factors showed a negative correlation. MiRNA-181b directly targeted PLAU. The miRNA-181b inhibitor resulted in a significant upregulation of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, whereas the knockdown of PLAU reversed this proinflammatory effect. Conversely, PLAU overexpression prevented the anti-inflammatory effects of the miRNA-181b mimics. Mechanistically, miRNA-181b inhibited the AKT/NF-κB pathway by targeting PLAU. In vivo application of the miRNA-181b agomir to inflamed pulp tissue alleviated inflammation. CONCLUSION: MiRNA-181b targets PLAU, negatively regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Pantothenic Acid Alleviates Fat Deposition and Inflammation by Suppressing the JNK/P38 MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Excessive fat deposition leads to obesity and cardiovascular diseases with abnormal metabolism. Pantothenic acid (PA) is a major B vitamin required for energy metabolism. However, the effect of PA on lipid metabolism and obesity has not been explored. We investigated the effects and molecular mechanism of PA on fat accumulation as well as the influence of adipogenic marker genes in both adult male mice and primary adipocytes. First, we demonstrated that PA attenuates weight gain in mice fed high-fat diet (HFD). Besides, PA supplementation substantially improved glucose tolerance and lipid metabolic disorder in obese mice. Furthermore, PA significantly inhibited white adipose tissue (WAT) deposition as well as fat droplets visualized by magnification in both chow and HFD group. More importantly, PA obviously suppressed the mRNA levels of CD36, IL-6, and TNF-α to alleviate inflammation and reduced the levels of PPARγ, aP2, and C/EBPα genes that are related to lipid metabolism in inguinal white adipose tissue (ing-WAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (ei-WAT). In vitro, PA supplementation showed a lower lipid droplet aggregation as well as reduced expression levels of adipogentic genes. Finally, we identified that PA inhibits the phosphorylation levels of p38 and JNK in murine primary adipocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrated for the first time that PA attenuates lipid metabolic disorder as well as fat deposition by JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Heart failure with Sarcopenia: A Bibliometric review from 1995 to 2022.

This study aimed to dynamically track the priorities and potential research hotspots in the field of heart failure with sarcopenia. Using CiteSpace, we analyzed the literature on heart failure with sarcopenia from the Web of Science database from 1995 to 2022. The analysis encompassed 507 records, revealing an overall upward trend in annual publication volume. Europe and the United States emerged as the primary regions for publishing, particularly driven by contributions from developed countries such as the United States, Germany, and Italy. Productive institutions included the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, University Medical Center Gottingen, the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Noteworthy academic groups have formed around these institutions; von Haehling S, Anker Stefan D, Springer J, and Doehner W frequently collaborated. The core journals that frequently published articles in this area included Circulation, European Heart Journal, and The Journals of Gerontology Series A-Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. Based on the keyword analysis, we identified three key research areas. First, the diagnosis and definition of sarcopenia emerged as significant themes. Second, researchers have focused on exploring the mechanisms underlying heart failure with sarcopenia, including inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. Finally, treatment strategies, such as physical activity and nutritional support, constitute another critical research theme. Furthermore, potential research hotspots within this field include clinical randomized controlled trials, investigations into inflammatory mechanisms, cardiac rehabilitation, studies on physical activity, androgen receptor modulators, and investigations into clinical outcomes such as cognitive impairment.

Efficacy of oats in dyslipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years, oats' effect on lowering serum cholesterol has been recognized. However, no systematic reviews summarized the effect of daily consumption of oat-based products on serum lipids in patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: We searched eight databases and two clinical trial registries from inception to July 31, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of oat-based products (≥4 weeks) on lipid levels or cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidemia. Two authors independently screened articles, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies with Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2.0. We used STATA 17.0 to conduct meta-analysis and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: We finally included 17 eligible trials with 1731 subjects. The oat intervention varied from oat ß-glucan-based products to oat bran-based products and wholegrain oat. Overall, the risk of bias of included trials was high or some concerns were noted because of the inadequate randomization, allocation concealment, and inappropriate data analysis method. Compared to the placebo or usual diet, one study indicated that oat-based products have no significant difference in major cardiovascular events. Pooled estimates showed that oat-based products may result in a large reduction in LDL-C (WMD, -0.24 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.15) (moderate certainty) and TC (WMD, -0.32 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.17) (moderate certainty). Compared to other diets (mainly other cereals), oat-based products probably reduce the level of LDL-C (WMD, -0.17 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.25, -0.08) (moderate certainty) and TC (WMD, -0.21 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.12) (moderate certainty). Both groups showed that oat-based products had little effect on HDL-C and TG (moderate certainty). Oat-related adverse events were mostly gastrointestinal such as diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence being the most prevalent. Conclusions: Oat-based products may reduce TC and LDL-C, but have little effect on TG, HDL-C, and major cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidemia.

Dietary Chito-oligosaccharide attenuates LPS-challenged intestinal inflammation via regulating mitochondrial apoptotic and MAPK signaling pathway.

To investigate the regulatory effects of Chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and MAPK signaling pathways. A total of 40 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups [including the control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, COS group, and COS*LPS group]. On the morning of d 14 and 21, piglets were injected with saline or LPS. At 2 h post-injection, whole blood samples were collected on d 14 and 21, and small intestine and liver samples were collected and analyzed on d 21. The results showed that COS inhibited the LPS-induced increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and hepatic TNF-α cytokines. COS significantly increased the serum total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) value on d 14, and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities in both serum and liver on d 21. Furthermore, it increased hepatic catalase (CAT) activity. COS also increased the LPS-induced decrease in serum IgG concentrations. Immunohistochemical analysis results showed that COS significantly increased the jejunal and ileal Caspase 3, and ileal CD4+ values challenged by LPS. Dietary COS decreased the LPS-induced jejunal and ileal BAX and CCL2 mRNA levels, markedly decreased ileal COX2 and SOD1 mRNA levels, while increasing ileal iNOS. Furthermore, COS significantly increased the LPS-induced jejunal and ileal p-P38 and MyD88, as well as jejunal P38, while it effectively suppressed jejunal JNK1, and jejunal and ileal JNK2, p-JNK1, and p-JNK2 protein expressions. These results demonstrated that COS could be beneficial by attenuating LPS-challenged intestinal inflammation via regulating mitochondrial apoptotic and MAPK signaling pathways.

Chinese herbal medicine Ginkgo biloba L. preparations for ischemic stroke: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Ginkgo biloba L. preparations (GBLPs) are a class of Chinese herbal medicine used in the adjuvant treatment of ischemic stroke (IS). Recently, several systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of GBLPs for IS have been published. OBJECTIVE: This overview aims to assess the quality of related SRs and MAs. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biological Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Chinese Science and Technology Journals databases were searched from their inception to December 31, 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: SRs and MAs of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the efficacy of GBLPs for patients with IS were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the methodological quality, risk of bias (ROB), reporting quality, and credibility of evidence of the included SRs and MAs using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS), the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA), and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), respectively. Additionally, descriptive analysis and data synthesis were conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-nine SRs/MAs involving 119 outcomes were included in this review. The overall methodological quality of all SRs/MAs was critically low based on AMSTAR 2, and 28 had a high ROB based on the ROBIS. According to the PRISMA statement, the reporting items of the included SRs/MAs are relatively complete. The results based on GRADE showed that of the 119 outcomes, 8 were rated as moderate quality, 24 as low quality, and 87 as very low quality. Based on the data synthesis, GBLPs used in conjunction with conventional treatment were superior to conventional treatment alone for decreasing neurological function scores. CONCLUSION: GBLPs can be considered a beneficial supplemental therapy for IS. However, because of the low quality of the existing evidence, high-quality RCTs and SRs/MAs are warranted to further evaluate the benefits of GBLPs for treating IS. Please cite this article as: Meng TT, You YP, Li M, Guo JB, Song XB, Ding JY, Xie XL, Li AQ, Li SJ, Yin XJ, Wang P, Wang Z, Wang BL, He QY. Chinese herbal medicine Ginkgo biloba L. preparations for ischemic stroke: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. J Integr Med. 2024;22(2): 163-179.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's fertility intentions and its policy implications for China and the rest of the world: a perspective essay.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its social, economic, and health implications have generally reduced women's fertility intentions in different countries. In this article, we aimed to review studies of the impact of COVID-19 infection on women's fertility intentions and interventions to provide a theoretical basis and practical benchmark for the development of effective intervention strategies in China, which lifted its zero COVID system in early December 2022.

ESG performance, investor attention, and company reputation: Threshold model analysis based on panel data from listed companies in China.

Amid heightened inter-company competition and the global drive towards ESG reforms, this study investigates whether enhancing the ESG performance of listed companies in China assists in elevating their reputation. It also examines the mediating role of investor attention in the relationship between ESG performance and company reputation, and further delves into whether there's a threshold effect of investor attention on the ESG-performance relationship. Utilizing sample data from Chinese listed companies spanning 2011 to 2021, and employing methods such as the panel two-way fixed-effects regression model, mediation effect testing, and threshold effect models, the study reveals that there is a significant positive relationship between ESG performance and the reputation of these companies. Moreover, a unique threshold effect is observed in the relationship between ESG performance and reputation. Innovatively, our research confirms the mediating role of investor attention in the relationship between ESG performance and company reputation, noting a more pronounced mediation effect in non-state-owned companies as opposed to state-owned ones. This study builds upon the existing literature on the relationship between CSR and company reputation, as well as between investor attention and reputation. By elucidating the mediating role of investor attention and its dual threshold effect, we provide a nuanced perspective on how ESG performance influences company reputation. Practically speaking, this research offers strategic recommendations for companies, investors, and regulators in the Chinese market on reputation management aligned with ESG principles. For instance, companies should prioritize their ESG performance, striving to maintain it above the market average, thus optimizing its effect on their reputation. Furthermore, companies should nurture their relationships with investors, aiming to elevate investor attention above the market mean. Policymakers should encourage companies to bolster their ESG performance, even contemplating more rewards and incentives for those with notable ESG achievements. Lastly, auditors should intensify their focus on non-financial information during audits, especially ensuring the accuracy and completeness of a company's ESG reports.

Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and outpatient visits for pulpitis in Hefei, China: a time series study.

Evidence suggests a possible association between ambient air pollutants and oral diseases. Nevertheless, information regarding the relationship between air pollutants and pulpitis is scarce and inconclusive. In view of this, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between short-term exposure to air pollution and outpatient visits for pulpitis. Daily data on outpatient visits for pulpitis, air pollutants, and meteorological data in Hefei, China, was collected from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. The association between exposure to air pollutants and pulpitis outpatient visits was evaluated using distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) and a generalized linear model (GLM). Furthermore, stratified analyses were performed by gender, age and season. A total of 93,324 records of outpatient visits for pulpitis were included in this study. The results showed that exposure to NO2, PM2.5, and CO were positively correlated with an increased risk of pulpitis outpatient visits. Each 10 µg/m3 increase in NO2 and PM2.5 concentration, at lag 0-2 day, was associated with a 2.4% (relative risk (RR) = 1.024, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.014-1.035) and 0.5% (RR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.000-1.010) increase in pulpitis outpatient visits, respectively. With a 1 mg/m3 increase in CO concentration, the risk of pulpitis outpatient visits increased by 9.1% (RR = 1.091, 95% CI: 1.031-1.154, lag 0-1 day). Intriguingly, exposure to O3 was associated with a decreased risk of pulpitis outpatient visits (RR = 0.990, 95% CI: 0.984-0.995, lag 0-5 day). Subgroup analysis revealed that in the warm season, exposure to PM2.5, O3, and CO was related with a significantly higher outpatient risk of pulpitis than in the cold season. Additionally, the influence of PM2.5 and CO exposure at age < 65 years was significantly stronger than at age ≥ 65 years. In conclusion, exposure to ambient NO2, PM2.5, and CO is associated with an increase in pulpitis outpatient visits in Hefei, China. Conversely, exposure to O3 reduces the risk of outpatient visits for pulpitis. Age and season are effect modifiers of these associations.

Xuanfei Baidu decoction in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Efficacy and potential mechanisms.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide and become a major global public health concern. Although novel investigational COVID-19 antiviral candidates such as the Pfizer agent PAXLOVID™, molnupiravir, baricitinib, remdesivir, and favipiravir are currently used to treat patients with COVID-19, there is still a critical need for the development of additional treatments, as the recommended therapeutic options are frequently ineffective against SARS-CoV-2. The efficacy and safety of vaccines remain uncertain, particularly with the emergence of several variants. All 10 versions of the National Health Commission's diagnosis and treatment guidelines for COVID-19 recommend using traditional Chinese medicine. Xuanfei Baidu Decoction (XFBD) is one of the "three Chinese medicines and three Chinese prescriptions" recommended for COVID-19. This review summarizes the clinical evidence and potential mechanisms of action of XFBD for COVID-19 treatment. With XFBD, patients with COVID-19 experience improved clinical symptoms, shorter hospital stay, prevention of the progression of their symptoms from mild to moderate and severe symptoms, and reduced mortality in critically ill patients. The mechanisms of action may be associated with its direct antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and antimicrobial properties. High-quality clinical and experimental studies are needed to further explore the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of XFBD in COVID-19 treatment.

Bacterial diversity of stingless bee honey in Yunnan, China: isolation and genome sequencing of a novel acid-resistant Lactobacillus pentosus (SYBC-MI) with probiotic and L. tryptophan producing potential via millet fermentation.

Stingless bee (Hymenoptera, Apidae, and Trigona) honey is a remarkable "miracle liquid" with a wide range of medical benefits for conditions including gastroenteritis, cataracts, and wound healing. Our study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize acid-resistant Lactobacillus spp. from sour honey distributed in Yunnan, China. To assess the safety of an entirely novel Lactobacillus pentosus strain, S4 (OM618128), based on probiotic property evaluation and whole-genome sequencing analysis. A 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing analysis showed that Lactobacillus was abundant at the genus level in sour honey. Seven Lactobacillus strains (viz. S1-7) were isolated from sour honey using a multiple-anaerobic culture enrichment method. One potential acid-resistant isolate, Lactobacillus sp. S4, was obtained after screening the seven Lactobacillus isolates, and it had the highest lactic acid production (17.62 g/L), followed by Lactobacillus sp. S3 (17.07 g/L). Phylogenetic and comparative analyses of conserved sequence regions have shown that all seven strains are phylogenetically located in the Lactobacillus pentosus sub-cluster. In L. pentosus SYBC-MI, there is a circular chromosome (3288615 bps) and 11,466 bps plasmids. GC content is 44.03%. The number of predicted genes is 3,129, with 16 rRNAs and 74 tRNAs present. During the fermentation of foxtail millet by seven Lactobacillus pentosus (S1-7) strains isolated from sour honey, a potential tryptophan accumulating isolate, Lactobacillus pentosus S4, was obtained, which could reach a maximum tryptophan content of 238.43 mgL-1 that is 1.80 times the initial tryptophan content in the fermentation broth. This strain has strong acid tolerance, salt tolerance, and fermentation acid production abilities. This strain degrades nitrite at a rate of over 99%, and it has high probiotic potential as well. This project has established a solid foundation for further exploring the excellent lactic acid bacteria in sour honey. It is also investigating the key taxa and their role in the environment. According to the results of our studies, these LAB isolates provide a lot of potential for use in the future, as a source of probiotics for human, animals, and starter cultures for food applications.

Herbal medicine formula Huazhuo Tiaozhi granule ameliorates dyslipidaemia via regulating histone lactylation and miR-155-5p biogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Huazhuo Tiaozhi granule (HTG) is a herbal medicine formula widely used in clinical practice for hypolipidaemic effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying dyslipidaemia treatment have not been well elucidated. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in the serum of patients with dyslipidaemia after HTG treatment, without disruption in the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr). The dyslipidaemia rat model was induced by a high-fat diet and treated with Xuezhikang (0.14 g/kg/d) or HTG (9.33 g crude herb/kg/day) by gavage for 8 weeks. Body weight and liver index were markedly decreased in dyslipidaemic rats after treatment with Xuezhikang or HTG. HTG administration markedly ameliorated hyperlipidaemia by decreasing the levels of TC and LDL-C in serum and hepatic lipid accumulation. In vitro, lipid accumulation in LO2 and HepG2 cells was alleviated by serum treatment with HTG. High lactylation was observed in 198 proteins, including lactylation of histone H2B (K6), H4 (K80). Deep sequencing of microRNAs showed that miR-155-5p was significantly downregulated. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that HTG is an effective and safe formula for treating dyslipidaemia, which promotes lactylation in hepatocytes, and the retardation of miR-155-5p biogenesis.

Efficacy of scalp stimulation for multidomain cognitive impairment in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia: A network meta-analysis and meta-regression of moderators.

BACKGROUND: Scalp stimulation has gained more traction for post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia (PSCID); the interaction between stimulation targets and parameters influences the response to the stimulation. However, the most efficacious treatment for improving different domains of cognitive impairment remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the efficacy of various scalp stimulation protocols used in PSCID treatment. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of scalp stimulation in patients with PSCID were searched in eight databases over the past 20 years. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) for global and subdomain cognitive scores were pooled in Bayesian NMA. Moderators were examined using meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 90 trials, with 6199 patients, were included. Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the unaffected dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was highly suggested for alleviating global severity (SMD = 1.11, 95% CI (0.64, 1.57)). High-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC was recommended for language use (1.85 (1.18, 2.52)), executive function (0.85 (0.36, 1.33)), orientation deficits (0.59 (0.07, 1.13)), and attention (0.85 (0.27, 1.43)). Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the affected DLPFC (2.03 (0.72, 3.34)) was recommended for treating memory impairment. Meta-regression analyses showed significant associations within attention, language and orientation. CONCLUSION: Overall, different cognitive domains have different optimal scalp stimulation prescriptions, and activating the affected key brain regions and inhibiting the unaffected area is still the most effective treatment.

Psychological stress responses of medical staff after workplace violence: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occurrence and dynamic trends of psychological stress responses of medical staff experiencing workplace violence at different time points. METHODS: A longitudinal study of 23 medical workers who experienced workplace violence was conducted. The perceived stress scale (PSS-4), posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) were used to measure the medical workers' psychological perception of pressure, posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, and depression at the time of exposure to violence, at 1 month, 2 months, and 4 months after exposure in the workplace, respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance was applied to analyze psychological stress response and temporal effect. Factors influencing psychological stress responses were analyzed. RESULTS: The scores of PSS-4, PCL-5, HADS-anxiety, and HADS-depression of medical staff exposed to violence began to increase at the time of exposure, peaked 1 month after exposure, and gradually decreased 2 months and 4 months after exposure (all P<0.05). The main influencing factors were being nurses, physical violence, working years ≤5, and being female. CONCLUSION: Effective interventions for medical staff should be made up to 1 month after exposure to workplace violence when the psychological stress responses are the highest.

Protective Effects and Potential Mechanisms of Dietary Resveratrol Supplementation on the Spleen of Broilers Under Heat Stress.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenolic compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of RSV supplementation on the inflammatory responses of broilers during heat stress. A total of 432 28-d-old white-feathered broilers (817 crossbred chicken) with an average weight of 549 ± 4 g were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups (Half male and half female, 6 replicates/group, 18 chickens/replicate), including normal temperature (NT) group (24 ± 2°C for 24 h/d, basal diet), NT+RSV group (24 ± 2°C for 24 h/d, basal diet + RSV), heat stress (HT) group (37 ± 2°C for 8 h/d, basal diet), and HT+RSV group (37 ± 2°C for 8 h/d, basal diet + RSV). Serum samples were collected on d 7 and 14 of heat stress, and thymus, spleen, jejunum, and bursa of Fabricius samples were collected and analyzed on d14. RSV treatment decreased the feed conversion ratio, partially reversed the negative alternations in body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake caused by heat stress. RSV treatment also decreased the elevated levels of corticosterone on d 14, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and triiodothyronine in serum on d 7 caused by heat stress, and significantly increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum on d 14. Dietary RSV also reduced heat stress-induced splenic pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations. TUNEL assay showed that RSV significantly reduced heat stress-induced the number of apoptotic cells. Remarkably, RSV down-regulated some splenic related genes for apoptosis genes, including BCL-2, Apaf-1, and MDM2 mRNA levels induced by heat stress. According to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, the differential genes between HT and HT + RSV groups were mainly associated with immune system process, hematopoietic or lymphoid organ development, and toll-like receptor signaling pathway. The relative mRNA expression of NF-κB, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and p38 MAPK were markedly decreased by the combination of RSV and heat stress. These findings showed that RSV might reduce the splenic inflammatory response in heat-stressed white-feather broilers by inhibiting heat stress-induced activation of NF-B, MAPK, and HSP70, as well as inhibiting the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.