Antibiotic feeding changes the bacterial community of Chilo suppressalis and thereby affects its pesticide tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the widespread use of chemical pesticides to control agricultural pests, pesticide tolerance has become a serious problem. In recent years, it has been found that symbiotic bacteria are related to pesticides tolerance. To investigate the potential role of microorganisms in the pesticide tolerance of Chilo suppressalis, this study was conducted. RESULTS: The insect was fed with tetracycline and cefixime as the treatment group (TET and CFM, respectively), and did not add antibiotics in the control groups (CK). The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that antibiotics reduced the diversity of C. suppressalis symbiotic microorganisms but did not affect their growth and development. In bioassays of the three C. suppressalis groups (TET, CFM, and CK), a 72 h LC50 fitting curve was calculated to determine whether long-term antibiotic feeding leads to a decrease in pesticide resistance. The CK group of C. suppressalis was used to determine the direct effect of antibiotics on pesticide tolerance using a mixture of antibiotics and pesticides. Indirect evidence suggests that antibiotics themselves did not affect the pesticide tolerance of C. suppressalis. The results confirmed that feeding C. suppressalis cefixime led to a decrease in the expression of potential tolerance genes to chlorantraniliprole. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the impact of antibiotic induced changes in symbiotic microorganisms on the pesticide tolerance of C. suppressalis, laying the foundation for studying the interaction between C. suppressalis and microorganisms, and also providing new ideas for the prevention and control of C. suppressalis and the creation of new pesticides.

The landscape of angiogenesis and inflammatory factors in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization before and after anti-VEGF injection.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the levels of angiogenesis and inflammatory cytokines in individuals with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and the changes in these factors following intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. METHODS: Aqueous humor samples were gathered from eyes with mCNV, those with single macular bleeding (SMB) without mCNV in highly myopic eyes, and those with age-related cataracts. Using a multiplex bead immunoassay, we analyzed 28 angiogenesis and inflammatory factors in the aqueous humor. Furthermore, clinical data were documented for correlation analysis. RESULTS: In this study, the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and fibroblast growth factors 1 (FGF-1) were significantly elevated in mCNV compared to SMB eyes (p < 0.05). Their odds ratios for mCNV occurrence were 1.05, 3.45, and 2.64, respectively. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and VEGF-C were notably higher in mCNV than in cataract patients (p < 0.05), and VEGF-C correlated to the degree of myopic atrophic maculopathy (p = 0.024). Axial length exhibited a negative correlation with VEGF-A and positive correlations with VEGF-C, HGF, and MCP-1 (p < 0.01). Following anti-VEGF treatment, a reduction in VEGF-A, endothelin-1, and FGF-2 was noted in mCNV patients (p < 0.05), but MCP-1 levels increased. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the predominant role of angiogenesis and inflammation factors in mCNV pathogenesis. VEGF-C's correlation with axial length and atrophy suggests its involvement in the process of myopic atrophic maculopathy.

VISION AND METAMORPHOPSIA OUTCOMES OF MACULAR BUCKLING FOR FOVEOSCHISIS-ASSOCIATED MACULAR DETACHMENT IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES.

PURPOSE: To assess the functional outcomes in visual acuity, metamorphopsia, and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) and to evaluate prognostic factors after macular buckling (MB) surgery in eyes with high myopia and foveoschisis (FS)-associated macular detachment (MD). METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients with FS-associated MD who underwent MB surgery were enrolled. Measured outcomes comprised best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), metamorphopsia, VR-QOL, axial length (AL), macular reattachment, and resolution of foveoschisis. In addition, factors affecting final BCVA and metamorphopsia were analyzed. RESULTS: At 12 months postoperatively, 36 eyes (92.31%) achieved macular reattachment, 37 eyes (94.87%) achieved complete resolution of foveoschisis, and metamorphopsia diminished in 31 eyes (79.49%). LogMAR BCVAs at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 postoperatively were 0.62 ± 0.35 (20/83), 0.65 ± 0.3 (20/89), 0.59 ± 0.31 (20/77), 0.54 ± 0.31 (20/69), and 0.46 ± 0.27 (20/57) (P < 0.001), respectively. Metamorphopsia scores by M-CHARTS were 1.36° ± 0.51°, 1.04° ± 0.51°, 0.74° ± 0.47°, 0.59° ± 0.47°, and 0.13° ± 0.29° (P < 0.001). All Visual Function Questionnaire-25 subscales demonstrated significant improvement postoperatively, with the exception of "general health" (P = 0.08) and "driving" (P = 0.111). Preoperative BCVA was an independent risk factor for postoperative BCVA at month 12 (r = 0.638, P < 0.001), and the preoperative M-score was an independent risk factor for postoperative M-score at month 12 (r = 0.187, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: MB surgery significantly improved BCVA, metamorphopsia, and VR-QOL in patients with FS-associated MD. Preoperative BCVA and metamorphopsia score were prognostic factors for postoperative BCVA and metamorphopsia score at month 12.

Nanoparticulate bioceramic putty suppresses osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone loss in mice via inhibition of TRAF6-mediated signalling pathways: A laboratory investigation.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effects of iRoot BP Plus on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and inflammation-mediated bone resorption in vivo and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODOLOGY: CCK-8 was performed to test cell viability in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 cells and BMDMs in response to iRoot BP Plus. The effect of iRoot BP Plus on osteoclastogenesis was determined using TRAP staining and phalloidin staining, respectively. Pit formation assay was conducted to measure osteoclast resorptive capacity. Western blot and qPCR were performed to examine osteoclast-related proteins and gene expression, respectively. Western blot was also used to investigate the signalling pathways involved. For in vivo experiments, an LPS-induced mouse calvarial bone resorption model was established to analyse the effect of iRoot BP Plus on bone resorption (n = 6 per group). At 7 days, mouse calvaria were collected and prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: We identified that iRoot BP Plus extracts significantly attenuated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, reduced sealing zone formation, restrained osteolytic capacity and decreased osteoclast-specific gene expression (p < .01). Mechanistically, iRoot BP Plus extracts reduced TRAF6 via proteasomal degradation, then suppressed the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), blocked the nuclear translocation of c-Fos and diminished nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and NFATc1 accumulation. Consistent with the in vitro results, iRoot BP Plus extracts attenuated osteoclast activity thus protecting against inflammatory bone resorption in vivo (p < .05), which was accompanied by a suppression of TRAF6, c-Fos, NFATc1 and cathepsin K expression. CONCLUSION: These findings provide valuable insights into the signalling mechanisms underlying nanoparticulate bioceramic putty-mediated bone homeostasis.

The preparation of a boronate affinity-based controlled oriented imprinting coating on a silica nanoparticle surface for the separation and purification of shikimic acid in herbal medicine.

Shikimic acid (SA) is one of the most effective drugs against the A (H1N1) virus and has high medicinal value. Additionally, it has the ability to generate non-toxic herbicides and antimicrobial medications. The extraction from plants has proven to be the main route of production of SA with economic benefits and environmental efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to perform purification of SA from these herbal medicines before quantifying it. In this study, researchers employed a boronate affinity-based controlled oriented surface imprinting technique to produce molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as highly effective solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents for the isolation and purification of SA. 3-Fluoro-4-formylphenylboronic acid functionalized silica nanoparticles were used as supporting materials for immobilizing SA. Poly(2-anilinoethanol) with a higher hydrophilic domain can be used as an effective imprinting coating. The prepared SA-imprinted silica nanoparticles exhibited several significant results, such as good specificity, high binding capacity (39.06 ± 2.24 mg g-1), moderate binding constant (6.61 × 10-4 M-1), fast kinetics (8 min) and low binding pH (pH 5.0) toward SA. The replication of SA-imprinted silica nanoparticles was deemed satisfactory. The SA-imprinted silica nanoparticles could be still reused after seven adsorption-desorption cycles, which indicated high chemical stability. In addition, the recoveries of the proposed method for SA at three spiked level analysis in star aniseed and meadow cranesbill were 96.2% to 109.0% and 91.6% to 103.5%, respectively. The SA-imprinted silica nanoparticles that have been prepared are capable of identifying the target SA in real herbal medicines. Our approach makes sample pre-preparation simple, fast, selective and efficient.

Synergistic stabilization of high internal phase Pickering emulsions by peanut isolate proteins and cellulose nanocrystals for ß-carotene encapsulation.

In this study, high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) were stabilized by the complexes of peanut protein isolate (PPI) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for encapsulation ß-carotene to retard its degradation during processing and storage. CNCs were prepared by H2SO4 hydrolysis (HCNCs), APS oxidation (ACNCs) and TEMPO oxidation (TCNCs), exhibiting needle-like or rod-like structures with nanoscale size and uniformly distributed around the spherical PPI particle, which enhanced the emulsifying capability of PPI. Results of optical micrographs and droplet size measurement showed that Pickering emulsions stabilized by PPI/ACNCs complexes exhibited the most excellent stability after 30 days of storage, which indicated that ACNCs had the most obvious effect to improve emulsifying capability of PPI. HIPPEs encapsulated ß-carotene (ßc-HIPPEs) were stabilized by PPI/ACNCs complexes and showed excellent inverted storage stability. Moreover, ßc-HIPPEs exhibited typical shear thinning behavior investigated by rheological properties analysis. During thermal treatment, ultraviolet radiation and oxidation, the retentions of ß-carotene encapsulated in HIPPEs were improved significantly. This research holds promise in expanding Pickering emulsions stabilized by proteins-polysaccharide particles to delivery systems for hydrophobic bioactive compounds.

Autotaxin: A Potential biomarker for primary biliary cholangitis.

Background: In some patients especially those AMA negative, the diagnosis may be a challenge requiring liver biopsy. This study determined whether autotaxin, a secreted lysophospholipase D encoded by the exonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 2 gene, can be used as a serum biomarker for primary biliary cholangitis. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 103 patients with PBC and 74 healthy controls. autotaxin levels were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and its predictive value for diagnosing primary biliary cholangitis was analysed. The relationship between autotaxin and the clinical data was also evaluated. Results: Autotaxin levels in patients with primary biliary cholangitis were significantly higher than those in healthy control (median: 60.7 ng/ml vs. 32.6 ng/ml, P < 0.001). The cut-off value of autotaxin in patients with primary biliary cholangitis was 38.5 ng/ml, and the positivity rate was 33.9 %, calculated twice. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 54.3 %, 93.1 %, 84.4 %, and 74.8 %, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.73. Autotaxin level positively correlated with immunoglobulin M level (r = -0.22, P < 0.05) and Ludwig's classification (r = 0.76, P < 0.01) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. The positivity rate of autotaxin (50.0 %) was higher than that of anti-sp100 (16.7 %) and anti-gp210 (11.1 %) antibodies in anti-mitochondrial antibody -negative patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Conclusions: Autotaxin may be an effective noninvasive biomarker used in diagnosis, prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis, particularly in anti-mitochondrial antibody -negative patients.

Risk factors and patterns for progression of fellow-eye myopic traction maculopathy: a 3-year retrospective cohort study.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of preretinal tractional structures (PTS) and posterior scleral structures (PSS) on myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) progression. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 185 fellow highly myopic eyes of 185 participants who underwent surgery for MTM. PTS included epiretinal membrane, incomplete posterior vitreous detachment and their combination. PSS included posterior staphyloma and dome-shaped macula (DSM). The MTM stage was graded according to the Myopic Traction Maculopathy Staging System. Optical coherence tomography was used to identify MTM progression, defined as an upgrade of MTM. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used to assess MTM progression over the 3-year follow-up period. Risk factors for progression were identified using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: MTM progression was observed in 48 (25.9%) eyes. Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates for eyes with PTS, staphyloma and DSM were 53.7%, 58.2% and 90.7%, respectively. Eyes with PTS and staphyloma exhibited lower 3-year PFS rates than those without PTS or staphyloma (P log-rank test =0.002 and <0.001), while eyes with DSM had a higher 3-year PFS rate than eyes without DSM (P log-rank test=0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PTS (HR, 3.23; p<0.001) and staphyloma (HR, 7.91; p<0.001) were associated with MTM progression, whereas DSM (HR, 0.23; p=0.046) was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: Both PTS and PSS play a critical role in the progression of MTM. Addressing these factors can aid in the management of MTM.

Age-related alterations in vortex veins on indocyanine green angiography.

To determine age-related alterations in vortex veins in healthy subjects. A total of 228 healthy subjects (aged 4 to 86 years) were recruited and divided into four groups (G1, <21 years; G2, 21-40 years; G3, 41-60 years; and G4, 61-86 years). The clinical characteristics of the participants were recorded, and parameters including the number of vortex vein roots (NVVR), the central vortex vein diameter (CVVD), the mean root area of the vortex vein (MRAVV), and the weighted mean of the thickest branch diameter (WMTBD) were obtained by marking the vortex veins on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The NVVR in the age group over 60 years old was significantly lower than that in other age groups (P < 0.05). The CVVD, MRAVV, and WMTBD of all age groups increased with increasing age (P < 0.05). The NVVR was unevenly distributed among the quadrants (P < 0.001). The proportions of type four vortex veins (complete systems including ampulla) and anastomotic branches of the vortex veins were significantly increased in elderly participants over 50 years of age (P < 0.05). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly correlated with age, NVVR, CVVD and MRAVV (P < 0.05). This is the first study to reveal age-related alterations in vortex veins on ICGA in a healthy population. Aging may lead to partial vortex occlusion and residual vortex dilation. As age increases, anastomotic branches increasingly appear between the originally independent vortex veins. Translational relevance: Aging may lead to partial vortex occlusion and residual vortex dilation.

Effectiveness and safety of early lens extraction during par plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetes retinopathy with mild cataract: a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early lens extraction during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) compared to those of PPV with subsequent cataract surgery. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in three Chinese hospitals on patients with PDR, aged >45y, with mild cataracts. The participants were randomly assigned to the combined (PPV combined with simultaneously cataract surgery, i.e., phacovitrectomy) or subsequent (PPV with subsequent cataract surgery 6mo later) group and followed up for 12mo. The primary outcome was the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 6mo, and the secondary outcomes included complication rates and medical expenses. RESULTS: In total, 129 patients with PDR were recruited and equally randomized (66 and 63 in the combined and subsequent groups respectively). The change in BCVA in the combined group [mean, 36.90 letters; 95% confidence interval (CI), 30.35-43.45] was significantly better (adjusted difference, 16.43; 95%CI, 8.77-24.08; P<0.001) than in the subsequent group (mean, 22.40 letters; 95%CI, 15.55-29.24) 6mo after the PPV, with no significant difference between the two groups at 12mo. The overall surgical risk of two sequential surgeries was significantly higher than that of the combined surgery for neovascular glaucoma (17.65% vs 3.77%, P=0.005). No significant differences were found in the photocoagulation spots, surgical time, and economic expenses between two groups. In the subsequent group, the duration of work incapacity (22.54±9.11d) was significantly longer (P<0.001) than that of the combined group (12.44±6.48d). CONCLUSION: PDR patients aged over 45y with mild cataract can also benefit from early lens extraction during PPV with gratifying effectiveness, safety and convenience, compared to sequential surgeries.

TGF-ß Regulates m6A RNA Methylation after PM2.5 Exposure.

PM2.5 exposure leads to a variety of respiratory diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis, metastatic lung cancer, etc. Exposure to PM2.5 results in the alteration of epigenetic modification. M6A RNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Our previous study found that PM2.5 exposure up-regulated m6A RNA methylation and TGF-ß expression level in the lung, but the mechanisms and pathways of PM2.5 regulation of m6A RNA methylation are still unclear. Moreover, a previous study reported that the TGF-ß signal pathway could regulate m6A RNA methylation. Based on this evidence, we investigate the role of the TGF-ß signaling pathway in PM2.5-induced m6A RNA methylation with the A549 cell line. Our results showed that PM2.5 could induce upregulation of m6A RNA methylation, accompanied by increased expression of TGF-ß, Smad3, methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14). Furthermore, these alterations induced by PM2.5 exposure could be reversed by treatment with TGF-ß inhibitor. Therefore, we speculated that the TGF-ß signal pathway plays an indispensable role in regulating m6A RNA methylation after PM2.5 exposure. Our study demonstrates that PM2.5 exposure influences m6A RNA methylation by inducing the alteration of the TGF-ß signal pathway, which could be an essential mechanism for lung-related diseases induced by PM2.5 exposure.