A new bunting species in South China revealed by an integrative taxonomic investigation of the Emberiza godlewskii complex (Aves, Emberidae).

Species boundaries of birds across the Euro-Asian continent, especially the widely distributed passerines with multiple subspecies, are not completely resolved. The Rock Bunting complex, Emberiza cia and E. godlewskii, is subject to ongoing debate due to geographic variation in its morphology, and deep genetic splits. In this study, the phylogenetic relationships of the E. cia/godlewskii complex were evaluated based on multilocus coalescence methods combined with analyses of plumage color and morphological variation. Although the northern and southern populations of E. godlewski formed reciprocally monophyletic groups, the northern E. godlewskii clade is the sister group to E. cia, rendering E. godlewskii as currently defined paraphyletic. The significant differences in morphometry and plumage color reflectance are complementary and support the phenotypic validity of northern and southern E. godlewskii. Thus, we recommend the following taxonomic revisions: the northern and southern E. godlewskii subspecies should be recognized as different full species, such as E. godlewskii and E. yunnanensis, respectively. This resolves the issue that E. godlewskii, as currently defined, is paraphyletic. Our research provides direct evidence of cryptic species in old world buntings and highlights the underestimation of species diversity in birds in East Asia.

Rapamycin inhibits corneal inflammatory response and neovascularization in a mouse model of corneal alkali burn.

Alkali burn-induced corneal injury often causes inflammation and neovascularization and leads to compromised vision. We previously reported that rapamycin ameliorated corneal injury after alkali burns by methylation modification. In this study, we aimed to investigate the rapamycin-medicated mechanism against corneal inflammation and neovascularization. Our data showed that alkali burn could induce a range of different inflammatory response, including a stark upregulation of pro-inflammatory factor expression and an increase in the infiltration of myeloperoxidase- and F4/80-positive cells from the corneal limbus to the central stroma. Rapamycin effectively downregulated the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), and Caspase-1, and suppressed the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages. Inflammation-related angiogenesis mediated by matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and rapamycin restrained this process by inhibiting the TNF-α upregulation in burned corneas of mice. Rapamycin also restrained corneal alkali burn-induced inflammation by regulating HIF-1α/VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and the serum cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The findings of this study indicated rapamycin may reduce inflammation-associated infiltration of inflammatory cells, shape the expression of cytokines, and balance the regulation of MMP-2 and HIF-1α-mediated inflammation and angiogenesis by suppressing mTOR activation in corneal wound healing induced by an alkali injury. It offered novel insights relevant for a potent drug for treating corneal alkali burn.

CB2R activation ameliorates late adolescent chronic alcohol exposure-induced anxiety-like behaviors during withdrawal by preventing morphological changes and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in prefrontal cortex microglia in mice.

BACKGROUND: Chronic alcohol exposure (CAE) during late adolescence increases the risk of anxiety development. Alcohol-induced prefrontal cortex (PFC) microglial activation, characterized by morphological changes and increased associations with neurons, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of anxiety. Alcohol exposure increases NLRP3 inflammasome expression, increasing cytokine secretion by activated microglia. Cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), an essential receptor of the endocannabinoid system, regulates microglial activation and neuroinflammatory reactions. We aimed to investigate the role of CB2R activation in ameliorating late adolescent CAE-induced anxiety-like behaviors and microglial activation in C57BL/6J mice. METHODS: Six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were acclimated for 7 days and then were administered alcohol by gavage (4 g/kg, 25 % w/v) for 28 days. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with the specific CB2R agonist AM1241 1 h before alcohol treatment. Anxiety-like behaviors during withdrawal were assessed by open field test and elevated plus maze test 24 h after the last alcohol administration. Microglial activation, microglia-neuron interactions, and CB2R and NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecule expression in the PFC were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical, qPCR, and Western blotting assays. Microglial morphology was evaluated by Sholl analysis and the cell body-to-total cell size index. Additionally, N9 microglia were activated by LPS in vitro, and the effects of AM1241 on NLRP3 and N9 microglial activation were investigated. RESULTS: After CAE, mice exhibited severe anxiety-like behaviors during withdrawal. CAE induced obvious microglia-neuron associations, and increased expression of microglial activation markers, CB2R, and NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in the PFC. Microglia also showed marked filament retraction and reduction and cell body enlargement after CAE. AM1241 treatment ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors in CAE model mice, and it prevented microglial morphological changes, reduced microglial activation marker expression, and suppressed the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion induced by CAE. AM1241 suppressed the LPS-induced increase in NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules, IL-1ß release, and M1 phenotype markers (iNOS and CD86) in N9 cell, which was reversed by CB2R antagonist treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CAE caused anxiety-like behaviors in late adolescent mice at least partly by inducing microglial activation and increasing microglia-neuron associations in the PFC. CB2R activation ameliorated these effects by preventing morphological changes and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in PFC microglia.

Proteome-wide analysis of the hippocampus in adolescent male mice with learning and memory impairment caused by chronic ethanol exposure.

Alcohol consumption may cause various impairments in the brain. The hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to alcohol exposure, which may cause learning and memory deficits. Recently, proteomics analysis has become a popular approach to explore the pathogenesis of various diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate protein expression alteration in the hippocampus and to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced learning and memory impairments. Mouse models of chronic ethanol intoxication were established by intragastrical administration for 28 consecutive days, and hippocampal neuronal damage was assessed by Nissl staining. Recognition memory was evaluated by Novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests, and hippocampus tissues were collected for label-free quantitative proteomics and analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Our study showed that chronic ethanol exposure prompted marked changes in protein expression in the hippocampus. We identified 32 differentially expressed proteins, of which 21 were upregulated and 11 downregulated. Gene Ontology analysis suggested that the identified differentially proteins were mainly involved in cytoskeleton and signal transduction mechanisms. Further verification using Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the hippocampal CTSL (cathepsin L), and PVALB (Parvalbumin) showed strongest expression changes, the latter being specifically expressed in GABAergic interneurons. These two proteins might serve as candidate protein biomarkers, providing new prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of ethanol-induced learning and memory disorders.

Progesterone alters the activation and typing of the microglia in the optic nerve crush model.

Microglia have a protective effect on the central nervous system (CNS), but their over-proliferation can cause secondary injury to the retina following optic nerve crush (ONC). Progesterone as a steroid gonadal hormone has been used in some experimental animal models for its neuroprotective effect. However, there is limited attention on the interactions between progesterone and microglia in retinal diseases. This study investigated the proliferation, morphology changes, and cell types of microglia at 3 days and 7 days after ONC. We found that progesterone treatment in unilateral optic nerve injury mice significantly reduced densities and morphological change of microglia at 7 days in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), especially in the retinal central. Inhibition of the microglia proliferation and transformation of ramified microglia into ameboid macrophages also appeared in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Moreover, progesterone also regulated the TNF signal pathway, which was similar to the specific elimination of the M1 phenotype. M1 marks such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), inducible NOS(iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Fc receptor (CD16 and CD32) significantly downregulated by progesterone treatment whether at 3 days or 7 days after ONC. On the other hand, progesterone continuously increased the expression of the M2 marks, including interleukin-4 (IL-4), arginase 1 (Arg1), and mannose receptor (CD206) since the third day, while the expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF-ß) only increased at 7 days. In general, this study elucidated the mechanism that progesterone prevented further damage on the retina by inhibiting proliferation, activation, and changing the type of microglia.

Rapamycin ameliorates corneal injury after alkali burn through methylation modification in mouse TSC1 and mTOR genes.

Alkali burn to the cornea is one of the most intractable injuries to the eye due to the opacity resulting from neovascularization (NV) and fibrosis. Numerous studies have focused on studying the effect of drugs on alkali-induced corneal injury in mouse, but fewer on the involvement of alkali-induced DNA methylation and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the mechanism of alkali-induced corneal injury. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the involvement of DNA methyltransferase 3 B-madiated DNA methylation and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling modulation in the mechanism of alkali-induced corneal injury in a mouse model. To this end, we used bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, to study the effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, which inhibit methyltransferase and PI3K respectively, on DNA methylation and expression of downstream effectors of PI3K related to corneal NV, including TSC1 and mTOR genes. The results showed that, after an intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin (2 mg/kg/day) for seven days, the alkali-induced opacity and NV were remarkably decreased mainly by suppressing the infiltration of immune cells into injured corneas, angiogenesis, VEGF expression and myofibroblasts differentiation; as well as by promoting corneal cell proliferation and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. More significantly, these findings showed that epigenetic regulatory mechanisms by DNA methylation played a key role in corneal NV, including in corneal alkali burn-induced methylation modification and rapamycin-induced DNA demethylation which involved the regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway at the protein level. The precise findings of morphological improvement and regulatory mechanisms are helpful to guide the use of rapamycin in the treatment of corneal angiogenesis induced by alkaline-burn.

Protective effect of rapamycin in models of retinal degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex retinal disease with no viable treatment strategy. The causative mechanistic pathway for this disease is not yet clear. Therefore, it is highly warranted to screen effective drugs to treat AMD. Rapamycin are known to inhibit inflammation and has been widely used in the clinic as an immunosuppressant. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of rapamycin on the AMD retinal degeneration model. The AMD models were established by injection of 35 mg/kg sodium iodate (NaIO3) into the tail vein. Then the treated mice intraperitoneally received rapamycin (2 mg/kg) once a day. The histomorphological analysis showed that rapamycin could inhibit retinal structure damage and apoptosis. Experiments revealed that rapamycin significantly attenuated inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Our experimental results demonstrated that rapamycin has protected the retinal against degeneration induced by NaIO3. The therapeutic effect was more significant after 7 days of treatment. Therefore, our study potentially provides a powerful experimental support for the treatment of AMD.

Circular RNA expression alteration identifies a novel circulating biomarker in serum exosomal for detection of alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence (AD) is one of the most common and detrimental neuropsychological disorders. Recently, more and more studies have focused on circular RNA as markers for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the circular RNA expression alteration in serum exosomal and to identify a novel circulating biomarker for the detection of AD. We first isolated exosomes from serum and then investigated the circRNA expression alterations by high throughput whole transcriptome sequencing. The data were then analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Moreover, we verified the circRNA-seq by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we analyzed the correlations between the levels of hsa_circ_0004771 and both Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS). The diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0004771 in AD patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC). In this study, 254 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, with 149 upregulated and 105 downregulated. GO analysis showed that these differentially expressed circRNAs from exosomes might be associated with the regulation of neuron projection and axon regeneration. KEGG analysis revealed that T cell receptor signaling and antigen processing and presentation pathway had a regulating effect on upstream levels. We found that hsa_circ_0004771 was related to the severity of AD. The AUC for the diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0004771 in AD patients was 0.874. These findings indicated that circRNA in serum exosomes provide novel targets for further research on molecular mechanisms of AD. Among these, hsa_circ_0004771 may be a sensitive biomarker that was related to the severity of AD.

Deep south-north genetic divergence in Godlewski's bunting (Emberiza godlewskii) related to uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and habitat preferences.

BACKGROUND: Geological events and climatic changes played important roles in shaping population differentiation and distribution within species. In China, populations in many species have contracted and expanded responding to environmental changes with the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and glacial cycles during Pleistocene. In this study, we analysed the population structure of Godlewski's Bunting, Emberiza godlewskii, to determine the effects of major historical events, geographic barriers and past climatic changes on phylogenetic divergence and historical demographic dynamics of this species. RESULTS: A phylogeny based on concatenated mitochondrial and nuclear DNA datasets show two (northern and southern) clades approximately diverged 3.26 million years ago (Ma). The West Qinling Mountains serve as a dividing line between the two lineages. Both lineages experienced a recent demographic expansion during interglacial periods (marine isotope stages (MISs) 2-6). Bayesian skyline plots and the results of ecological niche modelling suggested a more intensive expansion of the northern lineage during the late Pleistocene, whereas the southern lineage was comparatively mild in population growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide insights into the distribution patterns of avian taxa and the possible mechanisms for a south and north divergence model in China. The deep divergence may have been shaped by the uplift of the QTP. Habitat preferences might have facilitated the lineage divergence for E. godlewskii. Moreover, the West Qinling Mountains act as a dividing line between the two lineages, indicating a novel phylogeographic pattern of organisms in China. The difference in population expansion mode between two lineages resulted from different effects caused by the climate of the LGM and the subsequent habitat changes accompanying the arrival of a colder climate in northern and southern regions of China.

Comparison of Dosage of Glucocorticoid in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with moderate risk or above was recommended to receive immunosuppressive therapy. We attempted to evaluate the optimal dose of glucocorticoid when combined with evidence-proven effective immunosuppressants by network meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until January 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in IMN limited to supportive care, glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), and rituximab were screened. RESULTS: Twenty-eight RCTs of 1,830 patients were included. Therapeutic regimens were divided as follows: moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids plus CNIs (HMSCn), moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids plus cyclophosphamide (HMSCt), moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids plus chlorambucil (HMSCh), zero- to low-dose glucocorticoids plus CNIs (LNSCn), zero- to low-dose glucocorticoids plus cyclophosphamide (LNSCt), rituximab alone (R), glucocorticoids alone (SE), and supportive care alone (SP). Compared with SP, HMSCh (risk ratio [RR]: 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1, 3.18), HMSCn (RR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.25, 5.11), HMSCt (RR: 2.15, 95%CI: 1.29, 3.64), LNSCn (RR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.25, 3.95), and R (RR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1, 4.39) had a higher probability of total remission rate, while HMSCn represented the highest probability depending on the surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) ranking values. Regarding infection, no significant difference was found between different doses of glucocorticoids plus the same immunosuppressant. HMSCn and HMSCt showed superiority in reducing 24-hour urine total protein compared with HMSCh, LNSCn, SE, and SP, while HMSCn seemed to be the most effective regimen through the ranking of SUCRA value. CONCLUSION: Moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids showed superiority in proteinuria remission when combined with CNIs in IMN, with no increasing risk of infection.

High-throughput sequencing yields a complete mitochondrial genome of Emberiza godlewskii (aves, emberidae).

Emberiza godlewskii (Taczanowski, 1874) is a passerine bird of eastern Asia which belongs to the genus Emberiza in the bunting family Emberizidae. Obtaining the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of E. godlewskii is helpful to understand the species delimitation for further study of E. cia/godlewskii complex. The circular genome (16,839 bp in length) contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 control region. The base composition shows that purine percentage (52.87%) is slightly higher than pyrimidine (47.13%). The phylogenetic analysis based on the published data of the mitochondrial genome showed that E. godlewskii is closely related to E. cioides. This new mitochondrial genome data will provide more essential molecular data for further study related to E. cia/godlewskii complex.

RoseAP: an analytical platform for gene function of Rosa rugosa.

Rosa rugosa, a perennial shrub belonging to family Rosaceae, is a well-known ornamental plant. Its petals contain an abundance of essential oils and anthocyanins with enormous economic and health benefits when used as edible or cosmetic ingredients. The whole genome of R. rugosa was sequenced in 2021, which provided opportunities and challenges for gene regulation. However, many gene functions remain unknown. Therefore, an analytical platform named RoseAP (http://www.gzybioinformatics.cn/RoseAP/index.php) for the functional analysis of R. rugosa genes was constructed. It improved the gene annotation rate by integrating and analyzing genomic and transcriptomic datasets. First, 38,815 genes, covering 97.76% of the coding genes, were annotated functionally and structurally using a variety of algorithms and rules. Second, a total of 33 transcriptome samples were integrated, including 23 samples from our lab and 10 samples from the SRA database. A co-expression network containing approximately 29,657 positive or negative gene pairs, covering 74.7% of the coding genes, was constructed based on PCC and MR algorithms. Network analysis revealed that the DFR function was closely related to anthocyanin metabolism. It demonstrated the reliability of the network. Several SAUR genes of R. rugosa shared similar expression patterns. RoseAP was used to determine the sequence, structure, functional annotation, expression profile, regulatory network, and functional modules at the transcriptional and protein levels by inputting gene IDs. In addition, auxiliary analytical tools, including BLAST, gene set enrichment, orthologue conversion, gene sequence extraction, gene expression value extraction, and JBrowse, were utilized. Regular updates to RoseAP are expected to facilitate mining of gene function and promote genetic improvement in R. rugosa.

Colchicine increases intestinal toxic load by disturbing fecal metabolome homeostasis in mice.

Colchicine (COL) has been used to treat gout for over a millennium, but its medicinal use has been controversial due to its potent toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most prominent external manifestations of COL gastrointestinal toxicity, but the cause of these adverse events remains obscure. In this study, the mice were exposed to COL (2.5 mg/kg b.w./day) for one week to study the mechanism of COL-induced diarrhea from the perspective of intestinal metabolism. The results showed that COL exposure disturbed intestinal metabolic homeostasis, resulting in a significant accumulation of 116 metabolites and, conversely, significant depletion of 64 metabolites, with the number of differential metabolites being one-eighth of the total metabolites (180/1445). Also, it was found that cAMP, Adenosine 5'-monophosphate, GDP, Inositol, and Cortisol are core metabolites that play crucial roles in COL-induced metabolic disorders. These metabolites could be used as biomarkers to differentiate control and COL-treated groups, implying that these metabolites may be closely related to COL-induced diarrhea. Furthermore, changes in the metabolic pathways (Purine metabolism, biosynthesis and metabolism of aromatic amino acids, and Bile secretion) involved in these five core metabolites increased the toxic load in the gut, which was the culprit leading to intestinal metabolic disorders. In addition, the abnormal bile secretion caused by COL exposure may play an important role in COL-induced diarrhea. In conclusion, our study opens new avenues for understanding the mechanisms of COL-induced gastrointestinal adverse reactions and broadens the scientific horizon on the interactions between COL and host metabolism.

Cdk5 Promotes Mitochondrial Fission via Drp1 Phosphorylation at S616 in Chronic Ethanol Exposure-Induced Cognitive Impairment.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alterations in brain structure and function, even causing irreversible learning and memory disorders. The hippocampus is one of the most sensitive areas to alcohol neurotoxicity in the brain. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to alcohol neurotoxicity. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we found that chronic exposure to ethanol caused abnormal mitochondrial fission/fusion and morphology by activating the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and upregulating Drp1 receptors, such as fission protein 1 (Fis1), mitochondrial dynamics protein of 49 kDa (Mid49), and mitochondrial fission factor (Mff), combined with decreasing optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) and mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) levels. In addition, mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (mdivi-1) abrogated ethanol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and improved hippocampal synapses and cognitive function in ethanol-exposed mice. Chronic ethanol exposure also resulted in cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) overactivation, as shown by the increase in the levels of Cdk5 and its activator P25 in the hippocampus. Furthermore, a Cdk5/P25 inhibitor (roscovitine) or Cdk5 knockdown using small interfering RNA (LVi-Cdk5) exerted neuroprotection by inhibiting abnormal mitochondrial fission through Drp1 phosphorylation at Ser616 and mitochondrial translocation after chronic ethanol exposure. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that inhibition of aberrant Cdk5 activation attenuates hippocampal neuron injury and cognitive deficits induced by chronic exposure to ethanol through Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial dysfunction. Interfering with this pathway might serve as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in the brain.

Dynamic changes in and time sequence of ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis in rat corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To systematically examine the dynamic changes and time sequence in corneal epithelial cell apoptosis after excessive ultraviolet B irradiation. METHODS: Ultraviolet B (144 mJ/cm2) was used to irradiate rat corneal epithelial cells for 2 h. Cell morphology was observed on differential interference contrast microscopy, and the numbers of the different kinds of apoptotic cells were counted using the ImageJ software. Cell viability was measured with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5- diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide method. Cell apoptotic rate and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using flow cytometric analyses. The expression levels of 3 apoptotic genes were measured with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction at different time points within 0-24 h after irradiation. RESULTS: After 144-mJ/cm2 ultraviolet B irradiation for 2 h, the expression levels of caspase-8 and Bax were highest at 0 h; furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased at 0 h and remained constant for 6 h in a subsequent culture. At 6 h, caspase-3 was activated. The decrease in cell viability and increase in apoptotic rate peaked at 6 h. The caspase-3 expression level decreased within 12-24 h, which led to a decline in apoptotic rate and change in apoptotic stage. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal epithelial cells exhibited rapid apoptosis after ultraviolet B irradiation, which was associated with both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

Plasma Retinol Binding Protein 4 as a Biomarker for Detecting Progressive Stroke and Prediction of Early Prognosis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Aim and Purpose: Progressive Stroke (PS) lacks effective treatment measures and leads to serious disability or death. Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) could be closely associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to explore plasma RBP4 as a biomarker for detecting the progression in patients with AIS. METHODS: Participants of this retrospective study were 234 patients with AIS within the 48 h onset of disease. The primary endpoint was to ascertain if there was PS through the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS); the early prognosis was confirmed through the modified Rankin scale score (mRS) at discharge or 14 days after the onset of stroke, and the significance of demographic characteristics and clinical data was determined. RESULTS: In this study, 43 of 234 patients demonstrated PS. The level of plasma RBP4 in patients with progressive stroke was significantly lower (29 mg/L, 22.60-40.38 mg/L) than that without progression (38.70 mg/L, 27.28-46.40 mg/L, P = 0.003). In patients with lower plasma RBP4, the proportion of patients with progression (χ2 = 9.63, P = 0.008) and with mRS scores ≥2 (χ2 = 6.73, P = 0.035) was significantly higher. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a lower RBP4 level on admission was an independent risk factor for progressive stroke during hospitalization with an OR value of 2.70 (P = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.12-6.52). CONCLUSION: A low plasma RBP4 level on admission could be an independent risk factor of PS during hospitalization.

Acute oral colchicine caused gastric mucosal injury and disturbance of associated microbiota in mice.

Colchicine (COL), an ancient and well-known drug, has been used in clinical practice for centuries. On the other hand, COL has also attracted extensive concerns for its potent toxic effects, especially gastrointestinal adverse reactions (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) before clinical symptoms relief. In this study, we used a rodent model to study the effects of COL on gastric mucosa and associated microbiota. The mice were exposed to various concentrations of COL (0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 mg kg-1 body weight per day) for 7 days, and the results showed that COL treatment caused severe gastric mucosal damage, accompanied by a significant decrease in gastric mucosal proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that COL significantly perturbed the gastric microbiota composition and reduced the gastric microbiota diversity in mice. Also, we identified bacterial biomarkers associated with diarrhea, including phylum Firmicutes, class Bacilli, order Lactobacillales, family Lactobacillaceae, genu Lactobacillus, and genu Blautia, suggesting that COL-triggered adverse reactions are closely related to gastric microbial perturbations. Our findings open new paths for understanding the mechanism of COL-related adverse gastrointestinal reactions, broadening the scientific view on the interaction between drugs and host gastrointestinal microbiota.

Kidney damage causally affects the brain cortical structure: A Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in the brain cortical structures of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported; however, the cause has not been determined yet. Herein, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to reveal the causal effect of kidney damage on brain cortical structure. METHODS: Genome-wide association studies summary data of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 480,698 participants from the CKDGen Consortium were used to identify genetically predicted eGFR. Data from 567,460 individuals from the CKDGen Consortium were used to assess genetically determined CKD; 302,687 participants from the UK Biobank were used to evaluate genetically predicted albuminuria. Further, data from 51,665 patients from the ENIGMA Consortium were used to assess the relationship between genetic predisposition and reduced eGFR, CKD, and progressive albuminuria with alterations in cortical thickness (TH) or surficial area (SA) of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the SA and TH globally and in 34 functional regions. Inverse-variance weighted was used as the primary estimate whereas MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier, MR-Egger and weighted median were used to detect heterogeneity and pleiotropy. FINDINGS: At the global level, albuminuria decreased TH (ß = -0.07 mm, 95% CI: -0.12 mm to -0.02 mm, P = 0.004); at the functional level, albuminuria reduced TH of pars opercularis gyrus without global weighted (ß = -0.11 mm, 95% CI: -0.16 mm to -0.07 mm, P = 3.74×10-6). No pleiotropy was detected. INTERPRETATION: Kidney damage causally influences the cortex structure which suggests the existence of a kidney-brain axis. FUNDING: This study was supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2020A1515111119 and 2017B020227007), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFA0902803), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81825016, 81961128027, 81772719, 81772728), the Key Areas Research and Development Program of Guangdong (Grant No. 2018B010109006), Guangdong Special Support Program (2017TX04R246), Grant KLB09001 from the Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Gene Regulation and Target Therapy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, and Grants from the Guangdong Science and Technology Department (2020B1212060018).

Colchicine increases intestinal permeability, suppresses inflammatory responses, and alters gut microbiota in mice.

Although colchicine (COL) has been used to treat gout for more than a thousand years, it has been shrouded in a dark history for a long time due to its high toxicity, especially for the gastrointestinal tract. With the widespread clinical application of COL, COL's toxicity to the gastrointestinal tract has raised concerns. This study's objective was to address the exact intestinal toxicity of COL, with particular attention to the effects of COL on gut microbiota homeostasis. The mice were exposed to various dosages of COL (0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 mg kg-1 body weight per day) for a week, and the results showed that COL exposure caused serious intestinal injuries, reducing the relative expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α) and tight junction proteins (zo-1, claudin-1, and occludin) in the ileum and colon tissue. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of mice feces samples revealed that the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiome underwent a profound remodeling at the dosage of 2.5 mg kg-1 body weight per day, which may increase the toxic load in the gut. In addition, elevated levels of diamine oxidase (DAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in serum indicated that COL increased intestinal permeability, impairing intestinal barrier. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that COL's toxicity to the gut microbiome is compatible with intestinal injuries, inflammatory pathway inhibition, and increased intestinal permeability; our results also represent a novel insight to uncover the adverse reactions of COL in the gastrointestinal tract.

Efficacy of pharmacotherapeutics for patients comorbid with alcohol use disorders and depressive symptoms-A bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare and rank the efficacy of different pharmacotherapeutics for patients comorbid with alcohol use disorders and depressive symptoms. METHOD: Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed for three different outcome parameters: alcohol use disorders (AUD) remission rate, percent abstinent days, and scores of depression scales. The surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) was used for ranking the efficacy of interventions. Sensitivity analysis and direct pairwise analysis were conducted to validate the main results. RESULTS: A total of 68 RCTs consisting of 5890 patients were included. Disulfiram could significantly increase the AUD remission rates (OR 5.02, 1.97-12.95) and the percent abstinent days (MD 17.08, 3.48-30.93). Disulfiram was associated with the best efficacy in achieving remission (SUCRA 95.1%) and increasing abstinent days (SUCRA 87.6%). Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor was significantly more efficacious than controls (SMD -2.44, -3.53 to -1.36) and have the first rank (SUCRA 99.0%) in reducing the scores of depression scales. Antiepileptics have relatively higher ranks in efficacy for both AUD and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Disulfiram was associated with the best efficacy in achieving abstinence for comorbidity patients. Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor was demonstrated to be associated with the best efficacy in reducing scores of depression scales. Antiepileptics might be beneficial to both alcohol-related and depressive symptoms.