Alginate oligosaccharide assimilation by gut microorganisms and the potential role in gut inflammation alleviation.

Dietary fiber metabolism by gut microorganisms plays important roles in host physiology and health. Alginate, the major dietary fiber of daily diet seaweeds, is drawing more attention because of multiple biological activities. To advance the understanding of alginate assimilation mechanism in the gut, we show the presence of unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (uAOS)-specific alginate utilization loci (AUL) in human gut microbiome. As a representative example, a working model of the AUL from the gut microorganism Bacteroides clarus was reconstructed from biochemistry and transcriptome data. The fermentation of resulting monosaccharides through Entner-Doudoroff pathway tunes the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids and amino acids. Furthermore, we show that uAOS feeding protects the mice against dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis probably by remodeling gut microbiota and metabolome. IMPORTANCE: Alginate has been included in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diet for centuries. Recently discovered biological activities suggested that alginate-derived alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) might be an active ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, but how these AOS are metabolized in the gut and how it affects health need more information. The study on the working mechanism of alginate utilization loci (AUL) by the gut microorganism uncovers the role of unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (uAOS) assimilation in tuning short-chain fatty acids and amino acids metabolism and demonstrates that uAOS metabolism by gut microorganisms results in a variation of cell metabolites, which potentially contributes to the physiology and health of gut.

Picosecond laser-driven coded-source radiography with high resolution and contrast.

The X-ray sources for Compton radiography of ICF experiments are generated by using intense picosecond lasers to irradiate wire targets. The wire diameter must be designed thin enough, for example ∼ 10 µm in many published works, to comply a high spatial resolution. This results in a low laser-target interception, which limits the photon yield. We investigated a technique of coded-source radiography based on laser-driven annular sources via Monte Carlo and PIC simulations. The annular X-ray source is formed by laser irradiating tube target in which the effect of electron recirculation plays an important role. We proved that this technique has an increased spatial resolution and contrast than that using the Gaussian source produced by wire targets. Therefore, the diameter of the backlighter target can be significantly increased to uplift laser-target interception without compromising on spatial resolution. This contributes towards a reconciliation between the spatial resolution and photon yield for Compton radiography. The results predict the possibility of improving source photon yield by several times in future experiments.

Dynamic flyer in barrel imaging via high intensity short-pulse laser.

The thin flyer is a small-scale flying object, which is well known as the core functional element of the initiator. Understanding how flyers perform has been a long-standing issue in detonator science. However, it remains a significant challenge to explore how the flyer is formed and functions in the barrel of the initiator via tabletop devices. In this study, we present dynamic and unprecedented images of flyer in barrel via high intensity short-pulse laser. Advanced radiography, coupled with a high-intensity picosecond laser X-ray source, has enabled the provision of state-of-the-art radiographs in a single-shot experiment for observing micron-scale flyer formation in a hollow cylinder in nanoseconds. The flyer was clearly visible in the barrel and was accelerated and restricted differently from that without the barrel. This first implementation of a tabletop X-ray source provided a new approach for capturing dynamic photographs of small-scale flying objects, which were previously reported to be accessible only via an X-ray phase-contrast imaging system at the advanced photon source. These efforts have led to a significant improvement of radiographic capability and a greater understanding of the mechanisms of "burst" of exploding foil initiators for this application.

Survival outcomes and treatment experience of 124 patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare malignancy of the central nervous system with high invasiveness. There is little consensus on the treatment of PCNSL. This study retrospectively studied data from PCNSL patients in a single center to summarize treatment experience and explore prognostic factors. METHODS: Survival curves were drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors were analyzed using Cox's hazards model. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, cerebrospinal fluid lactic acid dehydrogenase (CSF LDH; p = 0.005 and p = 0.002), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; p = 0.014 and p = 0.038), and completion of four cycles of induction therapy (p < 0.001and p < 0.001) were significant and independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), respectively. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this study, we propose that PCNSL patients should receive early induction therapy with sufficient cycles. Subsequent consolidation therapy can prevent relapses and improve survival. In patients with PCNSL, the independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS were CSF LDH level, NLR, and full cycles of induction therapy.

Signal amplification in molecular sensing by imprinted polymers.

In the field of sensing, the development of sensors with high sensitivity, accuracy, selectivity, sustainability, simplicity, and low cost remains a key focus. Over the past decades, optical and electrochemical sensors based on molecular imprinting techniques have garnered significant attention due to the above advantages. Molecular imprinting technology utilizes molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to mimic the specific recognition capabilities of enzymes or antibodies for target molecules. Recently, MIP-based sensors rooting in signal amplification techniques have been employed to enhance molecular detection level and the quantitative ability for environmental pollutants, biomolecules, therapeutic compounds, bacteria, and viruses. The signal amplification techniques involved in MIP-based sensors mainly cover nucleic acid chain amplification, enzyme-catalyzed cascade, introduction of high-performance nanomaterials, and rapid chemical reactions. The amplified analytical signals are centered around electrochemical, fluorescence, colorimetric, and surface-enhanced Raman techniques, which can effectively realize the determination of some low-abundance targets in biological samples. This review highlights the recent advancements of electrochemical/optical sensors based on molecular imprinting integrated with various signal amplification strategies and their dedication to the study of trace biomolecules. Finally, future research directions on developing multidimensional output signals of MIP-based sensors and introducing multiple signal amplification strategies are proposed.

Discharge Under Sedated Status can Decrease Postoperative Emergence Agitation in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Emergence agitation (EA) is a frequent complication during emergence. The researchers aimed to investigate whether discharged pediatric patients from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to wards under sedated status could reduce the incidence of EA. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study. METHODS: This study was conducted in 4 to 6 year old patients who had undergone strabismus surgeries. There were 100 patients randomly assigned to a sedated group who were discharged from PACU to the ward under a sedated state and regained consciousness accompanied with their parents (Group P, n = 50) and the control group who were fully awake when discharged (Group C, n = 50). The primary outcome was the incidence of EA. The secondary outcomes included rescue measure, discharge time, hemodynamic parameters at the point of discharge, 1 and 2 hours after extubation, and the parental satisfaction score. FINDINGS: The incidence of EA in Group P was significantly reduced compared to Group C (P = .023). The number of patients who needed rescue measures was higher in Group C than in Group P (P = .041). The PACU discharge time in Group P was significantly shorter than in Group C (P < .001). The heart rate of the pediatric patients in Group P was significantly lower than in Group C at the point of discharge from PACU to the ward (P = .003), while the oxygen saturation (SpO2) and the mean arterial blood pressure were comparable between the two groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients discharged to their parents under sedated status could reduce the incidence of EA undergoing strabismus surgery.

Combining single-cell RNA sequencing data and transcriptomic data to unravel potential mechanisms and signature genes of the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to lung adenocarcinoma and predict therapeutic agents.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a significantly higher prevalence of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) than normal subjects, although the underlying association is unclear. The raw data involved were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were used to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and modular signature genes (MSGs). Genes intersecting DEGs and MSGs were considered hub genes for IPF and LUAD. Machine learning algorithms were applied to capture epithelial cell-derived signature genes (EDSGs) shared. External cohort data were exploited to validate the robustness of EDSGs. Immunohistochemical staining and K-M plots were used to denote the prognostic value of EDSGs in LUAD. Based on EDSGs, we constructed a TF-gene-miRNA regulatory network. Molecular docking can validate the strength of action between candidate drugs and EDSGs. Epithelial cells, 650 DEGs, and 1773 MSGs were shared by IPF and LUAD. As for 379 hub genes, we performed pathway and functional enrichment analysis. By analyzing sc-RNA seq data, we identified 1234 marker genes of IPF epithelial cell-derived and 1481 of LUAD. And these genes shared 8 items with 379 hub genes. Through the machine learning algorithms, we further fished TRIM2, S100A14, CYP4B1, LMO7, and SFN. The ROC curves emphasized the significance of EDSGs in predicting the onset of LUAD and IPF. The TF-gene-miRNA network revealed regulatory relationships behind EDSGs. Finally, we predicted appropriate therapeutic agents. Our study preliminarily identified potential mechanisms between IPF and LUAD, which will inform subsequent studies.

Diagnosing Orthotopic Lung Tumor Using a NTR-Activatable Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe by Tracheal Inhalation.

Nitroreductase (NTR) is an enzyme that is upregulated under tumor-depleted oxygen conditions. The majority of studies have been conducted on NTR, but many existing fluorescent imaging tools for monitoring NTR inevitably suffer from weak targeting, low sensitivity, and simple tumor models. Research on diagnosing lung tumors has been very popular in recent years, but targeting assays in orthotopic lung tumors is still of great research value, as such models better mimic the reality of cancer in the organism. Here, we developed a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe IR-ABS that jointly targets NTR and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). IR-ABS has excellent sensitivity and selectivity and shows exceptional NTR response in spectroscopic tests. The measurements ensured that this probe has good biosafety in both cells and mice. A better NTR response was found in hypoxic tumor cells at the cellular level, distinguishing tumor cells from normal cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that IR-ABS achieves a hypoxic response at the zebrafish level and enables rapid and accurate tumor margin distinguishment in different mouse tumor models. More importantly, we successfully applied IR-ABS for NTR detection in orthotopic lung tumor models, further combined with tracheal inhalation drug delivery to improve targeting. To the best of our knowledge, we present for the first time a near-infrared imaging method for targeting lung cancerous tumor in situ via tracheal inhalation drug delivery, in contrast to the reported literature. This NIR fluorescence diagnostic strategy for targeting orthotopic lung cancer holds exciting potential for clinical aid in cancer diagnosis.

Effects of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Electrolyte Drinks on Preoperative Hypokalemia Incidence in Patients Scheduled for Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection: A Three-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: In our previous study, hypokalemia incidence was high in patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal resection. This trial was conducted to verify the effects of preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium in these patients. DESIGN: A three-arm randomized controlled design was used. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to control, placebo, and treatment groups. In the control group, patients fasted from midnight. In the placebo group, patients fasted from midnight and received carbohydrate drinks 2 to 3 hours before surgery. In the treatment group, patients fasted from midnight and received carbohydrate drinks containing potassium supplementation 2 to 3 hours before surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of preoperative hypokalemia. Other outcomes included postoperative gastrointestinal function, including the time to postoperative first flatus (FFL) and first feces (FFE), and other complications. FINDINGS: The final analysis included 122 participants. The incidence of preoperative hypokalemia in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control and placebo groups (50% vs 88.1% vs 77.5%, P < .001). The severity of hypokalemia in the control and placebo groups was greater than that in the treatment group. No regurgitation or aspiration occurred in the three groups. No significant differences were observed among the three groups regarding time to FFL and FFE. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium significantly reduced the incidence of preoperative hypokalemia and improved preoperative thirst and hunger, but did not reduce the postoperative time to FFL and FFE or length of hospital stay. However, as part of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol, preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium should be considered, as early as first admittance to hospital.

Peroxiredoxin 6 mediates the protective function of curcumin pretreatment in acute lung injury induced by serum from patients undergoing one-lung ventilation in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has attracted much attention due to its wide range of therapeutic effects. In this study, we used serum collected from patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV) to establish an in vitro acute lung injury (ALI) model to explore the potential protective mechanism of curcumin on ALI. Our study provides a new reference for the prevention and treatment of ALI induced by OLV. METHODS: A549 cells were treated with 20% serum from patients undergoing OLV to establish an in vitro ALI model. Curcumin, at a dose of 40 µg/ml, was administered two hours prior to this model. The levels of inflammation and oxidative stress markers were observed by Western blot, qRT-PCR, ELISA and reactive oxygen species assay. Additionally, the expression of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) and proteins involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway was evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty percent of serum collected from patients undergoing OLV downregulated the expression of Prdx6, leading to the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which was associated with the subsequent overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Pretreatment with curcumin restored Prdx6 downregulation and inhibited NF-κB pathway activation by suppressing the nuclear translocation of P65, eventually reducing inflammation and oxidative stress damage in A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Prdx6 mediated the protective function of curcumin by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB pathway in ALI in vitro.

Preparation and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Testosterone Film Forming Gel for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is one of the most common sexual complaints in women. Currently, there is an unmet need for a drug treatment for this disorder. The purpose of this study was to develop a testosterone (TS) film forming gel used for women to treat HSDD by measuring the tackiness, peel adhesion force, tensile strength, and elasticity of the formulation. Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (Transcutol P), an efficient penetration enhancer, was added to the optimized formulation and the transdermal permeation characteristics in vitro were studied using Franz-diffusion cells. The quantitative determination of TS was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After 24 h, Transcutol P at 3% had the largest cumulative amount of drug and enhancement ratio of TS of 75.14 µg/cm2 and 2.82, respectively. After the screening of film forming polymers and penetration enhancers, the optimal formulation was as follows: glycerol (1%, w/w); 12.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) aqueous solution (0.5%, w/w); 2.5% Carbomer ethanol solution (0.5%, w/w); Transcutol P ethanol solution (3%, w/w) containing 0.5% TS; and 8% Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution (30%, w/w). The optimized film forming gel had good uniformity and the release of TS in vitro was close to 100% within 24 h. In vivo studies showed the formulations had optimal area under blood drug concentration curve values in the order of 3% Transcutol P > 1% Transcutol P > 5% Transcutol P > control preparation. The formulation with 3% Transcutol P provided the highest permeation effect both in vitro and in vivo. The safety of this formulation was further evaluated with a skin irritation test. It could effectively improve the rabbit skin irritation observed with a marketed transdermal patch Androderm®. The present study provides a promising approach for the development of a novel TS film forming gel for the treatment of HSDD in women.

Stabilizing mast cells improves acute lung injury after orthotopic liver transplantation via promotion of apoptosis in polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Postoperative pulmonary complications including acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome have contributed to mortality and morbidity of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with unclear mechanisms. Mast cells (MCs) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are the main inflammatory cells and participants in the process of ALI. The present study was designed to investigate the role of MCs and PMNs and their potential relation to ALI following OLT. Rat orthotopic autologous liver transplantation (OALT) model was designed to determine lung injury at different time points after liver reperfusion. We also evaluated the function of MCs and the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and tryptase on ALI and PMN apoptosis in rats subjected to OALT. Histological scores and inflammatory factor levels as well as PMN apoptosis were measured. Rats suffered from ALI after OALT, which was demonstrated by a collapse of the pulmonary architecture, pulmonary edema, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in alveolar and interstitial spaces, as well as increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines. ALI maximized at 8 h after OALT. However, PMN apoptosis lagged behind the pulmonary injury and maximized at 16 h after OALT, when the acute inflammation resolution initiated. MC stabilization, and tryptase and TNF-α inhibitors could significantly decrease the lung pathophysiologic scores accompanied by an increase in PMN apoptosis. ALI after OALT was associated with MC activation and PMN apoptosis. ALI progression might be affected by delayed PMN apoptosis, which was related to MC activation. Induction of PMN apoptosis might alleviate ALI after OALT.

Photocatalytic Oxidation of SO2 by TiO2: Aerosol Formation and the Key Role of Gaseous Reactive Oxygen Species.

Photocatalytic materials are proved to effectively eliminate gaseous pollutants and are widely used in the environment. However, as one of the rare experiments focusing on their influence on secondary aerosol formation generated in the gas phase (SAg), our study demonstrated the high-yield SAg formation in the photocatalysis process. In this study, the photodegradation of SO2 by TiO2 under various relative humidity (RH) conditions was deeply explored with multiple methods. Unexpectedly, H2SO4 aerosols (SAg-H2SO4) in yields of 10.10-32.64% were observed under the studied RH conditions for the first time. Gaseous •OH and H2O2 generated from the oxidation of H2O and reduction of O2 by TiO2 were directly detected in the photocatalysis process, and they were identified as the determining factor for SAg-H2SO4 formation. The formation of SAg-H2SO4 was also influenced by RH, the heterogeneous reaction of SO2, and the uptake of H2SO4. The role of the released gaseous •OH and H2O2 on atmospheric chemistry was proved to be unignorable by adopting the obtained parameters into the real environment. These findings provided direct experimental evidence of secondary pollution in the photocatalysis process and are of great significance to the field of atmospheric environment and photocatalytic materials.

Antibiofilm efficacy of the gold compound auranofin on dual species biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida sp.

AIMS: Staphylococcus aureus (a bacterial pathogen) and Candida sp. (opportunistic fungi) are two clinically relevant biofilm-forming microbes responsible for a majority of community- and nosocomial-acquired infections. Dual species biofilm formation between S. aureus and Candida sp. extremely enhances the antimicrobial resistance of the micro-organisms and is difficult to treat with antibiotic therapy. Hence, it is crucial to explore new antimicrobial agents. Auranofin (AF) is a mixed ligand gold compound and has recently been repurposed as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. However, the effects of AF against dual species biofilm have remained largely untested. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, by constructing biofilms on microplates and urinary catheter surfaces, AF showed strong planktonic cells and biofilm inhibitory effects against mono- and dual culture models of S. aureus and Candida albicans but only exhibited moderate antibiofilm effects on Candida parapsilosis. Auranofin could be synergistic with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin B against S. aureus + C. albicans/C. parapsilosis dual biofilms. Auranofin also showed effective antimicrobial effects on vancomycin-resistant strains. However, the antimicrobial effects of AF were decreased in the presence of heat-inactivated foetal bovine serum. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, AF could effectively inhibit S. aureus and C. albicans mono- and dual biofilm formation in vitro. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Coexistence between Staphylococcus aureus and Candida sp. in dual biofilms leads to increased resistance to some conventionally used antimicrobials, indicating a need for alternative treatments. This study demonstrates the potential for the Au-containing compound AF in the treatment of dual biofilm infections and encourages further investigation of this treatment for clinical use.

Role of Anesthesia Nurses in the Treatment and Management of Patients With COVID-19.

As the backbone for the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nurses have been playing key roles in cabin hospitals, isolation wards, and intensive care units for critical cases. Anesthesia nurses have their own professional specialties, such as airway management, the use and maintenance of life support equipment, including ventilators, and the use of high-flow oxygen equipment. With rich experience in emergency responses and nursing, anesthesia nurses, along with emergency nurses and critical care nurses, play important roles during the treatment of patients with COVID-19. In our hospital, 27 of 34 anesthesia nurses participated in the front-line fight against COVID-19 and did an excellent job. Anesthesia care by nurses is relatively new in China, and the role of anesthesia nurses during a disaster response has not been fully appreciated. Given their specialty, anesthesia nurses have played important roles in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. We hope that authorities will consider including anesthesia nurses in national disaster response medical rescue teams.

[Effect and mechanism of total flavonoids of Lichi Semen on CCl_4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, and prediction of Q-marker].

This paper was to investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Lichi Semen(TFL) on carbon tetrachloride(CCl_4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats, analyze and predict its mechanism of action and potential quality markers(Q-marker). Firstly, male SD rats were taken and injected subcutaneously with a 40% CCl_4-vegetable oil solution twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks to establish a rat model of liver fibrosis. The rats with liver fibrosis were randomly divided into model group, silybin group(43.19 mg·kg~(-1)), Fuzheng Huayu Capsules group(462.75 mg·kg~(-1)), and TFL groups(100 mg·kg~(-1) and 25 mg·kg~(-1)), with normal rats as a blank group, 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the rats in the other groups were subcutaneously injected with 40% CCl_4-vegetable oil solution of a maintenance dose, once a week. The rats in various treatment groups received corresponding doses of drugs, while the rats in the blank group and model group received the same volume of normal saline once a day for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and the liver tissues were collected. The levels of total bilirubin(TBiL), direct bilirubin(DBiL), indirect bilirubin(IBiL), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in serum were detected by using an automatic biochemical detector. Masson staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat liver. Then, the chemical compositions of TFL were collected, and the action targets of these chemical compositions were predicted through SWISS database and reverse molecular docking server(DRAR-CPI). After screening of disease targets of liver fibrosis by Gene Cards database, the protein-protein interaction was analyzed with use of STRING database, and GO(gene ontology) analysis and KEGG(Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) enrich analysis were also carried out. Moreover, an iTRAQ proteomics technology was used to determine protein expression in liver tissues of rats in TFL, model and blank groups to verify the targets. Furthermore, Cytoscape software was used to establish and visualize the network of chemical components, targets and pathways, and predict the potential Q-marker of TFL. The results showed that the levels of TBiL, DBiL, IBiL, ALT, and AST in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank normal group(P<0.05), and the above levels in the treatment groups were lower than those in the model group, but with no significant differences. Masson staining showed that the liver damage and the degree of fibrosis were severe in the model group, and were relieved to different degrees in the treatment groups. Then, 74 chemical components were screened, which could act on 865 targets such as EGFR and SRC, participating in the regulation of cancer pathways, PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway and other signaling pathways closely related to liver fibrosis. Pinocembrin, quercetin, epicatechin, procyanidin A2, naringenin, nobiletin, phlorizin and rutin showed the highest correlation with liver fibrosis-related targets and pathways. Proteomics results showed that a total of 18 proteins among the 45 proteins predicted by internet pharmacology were identified, among which 6 proteins were significantly expressed, including 5 up-regulated proteins and 1 down-regulated protein. The protein expression of ALB, PLG, HSP90 AA1, EGFR and MAP2 K1 was significantly returned to a normal state in the TFL treatment groups. In conclusion, TFL may demonstrate the anti-hepatic fibrosis and potential hepatoprotective effects by regulating the expression of ALB, PLG, HSP90 AA1, EGFR and MAP2 K1, which may be associated with the regulation of multiple signaling pathways related to liver fibrosis such as PI3 K-Akt pathway. Pinocembrin, quercetin, epicatechin, procyanidin A2, naringenin, nobiletin, phlorizin and rutin could be regarded as potential Q-markers of TFL for quality control.

Hymenobacter crusticola sp. nov., isolated from biological soil crust.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, light-pink, short rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strain was isolated from biological soil crust sampled in the Hopq Desert, Inner Mongolia, China, designated MIMBbqt21T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 55.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain MIMBbqt21T belonged to the genus Hymenobacter and had the highest sequence similarity to Hymenobacter cavernaeK1E01-27T (94.35 %). Cell growth could be observed at 4-29 °C (optimum, 24 °C), pH of 6.0-8.6 (optimum, 6.0) and in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The major fatty acids of strain MIMBbqt21T were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified glycolipid and four unidentified polar lipids. The sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. Based on the results of the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic studies, strain MIMBbqt21T could be distinguished from all known Hymenobacter species and represents a novel species, for which the name Hymenobactercrusticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MIMBbqt21T (=MCCC 1K01312T=KCTC 42804T).

A Positive Feedback Loop Between Th17 Cells and Dendritic Cells in Patients with Endplate Inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Endplate inflammation remains a difficult disease to treat, in part due to its unclear pathology. Previous experiments showed that patients with idiopathic inflammation presented a systemic upregulation of Th17 cells. Here, we investigated how this change might affect the inflammatory environment in endplate inflammation. METHODS: Peripheral blood was obtained from patients and healthy controls, and Th17 cells were examined. RESULTS: Th17 cells significantly increased the differentiation of CD11c+ and DC-SIGN+ dendritic cells (DCs) from circulating monocytes in the absence of exogenous stimulation as well as in the presence of LPS stimulation. Th17 cells also increased CD80 and CD86 expression by DCs. Importantly, although Th17 cells from both healthy controls and patients with endplate inflammation could induce CD11c, DC-SIGN, CD80, and CD86 expression, Th17 cells from patients with endplate inflammation showed significantly more potent capacity. Both contact-dependent and IL-17-dependent mechanisms were employed by Th17 cells, since blocking cell-to-cell contact significantly inhibited Th17-mediated differentiation of CD11c+ DCs, and neutralization of IL-17 reduced the expression of CD80 and CD86. Strikingly, DCs following incubation with Th17 cells, but not the DCs derived directly from monocytes without Th17 cells, could significantly promote the expression of IL-17 from naive CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that Th17 cells from patients with endplate inflammation could potently induce the differentiation and activation of DCs that preferentially promoted IL-17 response in a positive feedback loop.

Patients with idiopathic endplate inflammation displayed aberrant Th17 responses resulting in proinflammatory monocyte activation.

Endplate inflammation remains a difficult task to diagnose and treat, partly due to the absence of in-depth understanding of the cellular and molecular factors driving this condition. In the current study, we investigated the circulating immune cells in patients with idiopathic endplate inflammation. Compared to healthy controls, the patients with endplate inflammation presented a significant upregulation of Th17 cells, characterized by higher frequencies of circulating IL-17+CD4+ T cells examined directly ex vivo and after PMA and ionomycin (PMA/I) stimulation. The frequency of Th17 cells in patients was not correlated with patient age, sex, or smoking status, but was significantly correlated with patient BMI. The total CD4+ T cells from patients with end plate inflammation also presented significantly higher levels of IL-17 secretion directly ex vivo and after PMA/I stimulation. The IL-17 secretion was primarily mediated by CCR4+CCR6+ CD4+ T cells, followed by CCR4-CCR6+ CD4+ T cells and was nearly absent in CCR4-CCR6- CD4+ T cells. Monocytes incubated with CCR4+CCR6+ CD4+ T cells presented significantly higher MHC class II expression, as well as higher CD80 and CD86 expression. The secretion of IL-6 and TNF was significantly higher in cell cultures containing CCR4+CCR6+ CD4+ T cells than in cell cultures containing CCR4-CCR6- CD4+ T cells. These effects were reduced when the IL-17A cytokine was neutralized. Together, we identified a systemic upregulation of Th17 responses that could contribute to proinflammatory monocyte activation in patients with endplate inflammation.

Minocycline protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by upregulating MCPIP1 to inhibit NF-κB activation.

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic and has been shown to play a protective role in cerebral and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we investigated whether monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein-1 (MCPIP1), a negative regulator of inflammation, was involved in the minocycline-induced cardioprotection in myocardial I/R in vivo and in vitro models. Myocardial ischemia was induced in rats by left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion for 1 h and followed by 48 h reperfusion. Minocycline was administered prior to ischemia (45 mg/kg, ip, BID, for 1 d) and over the course of reperfusion (22.5 mg/kg, ip, BID, for 2 d). Cardiac function and infarct sizes were assessed. Administration of minocycline significantly decreased the infarct size, alleviated myocardial cell damage, elevated left ventricle ejection fraction, and left ventricle fractional shortening following I/R injury along with significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in heart tissue. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R). Pretreatment with minocycline (1-50 µmol/L) dose-dependently increased the cell viability and inhibited OGD/R-induced expression of MCP-1 and IL-6. Furthermore, minocycline dose-dependently inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in H9c2 cells subjected to OGD/R. In both the in vivo and in vitro models, minocycline significantly increased MCPIP1 protein expression; knockdown of MCPIP1 with siRNA in H9c2 cells abolished all the protective effects of minocycline against OGD/R-induced injury. Our results demonstrate that minocycline alleviates myocardial I/R injury via upregulating MCPIP1, then subsequently inhibiting NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion.