Construction and comparison of short-term prognosis prediction model based on machine learning in acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: To construct and compared the short-term prognosis prediction models of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by machine learning (ML). Methods: Retrospectively study. The group W (mRS≤3) was clustered, and combined with group P (mRS>3) to form the post-clustering dataset for modeling. The "glmnet", "rpart", "xgboost", "randomForest", "neuralnet" packages were used to construct ML models. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predict value (PPV), negative predict value (NPV) among the models were compared. Four external clinical datasets were used for external clinical validation. The optimal prediction model was determined by variable screening ability, model visualization, and external clinical validation performance. Results: The post-clustering dataset contains 139 patients (group W) and 122 patients (group P). The neutrophil multiplied by D-dimer (NDM) has predictive value in all ML prediction models in this study. In the decision tree model, NDMQ occupies the first tree node, When NDM≤5.62 and the age<74.5, the probability of poor prognosis of AIS is less than 20 %. When NDM>5.62 and accompanied by pneumonia, the incidence of poor prognosis of AIS is about 90 %. In the Random Forest (RF) model, NDMQ had the highest Gini index. The variable combination screened by the RF model had the best performance in the neural network, and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the external validation were 0.800, 0.774, 0.833, 0.857, and 0.741, respectively. The RF model had the best performance in the external clinical validation datasets, with accuracies of 0.646, 0.697, 0.695, and 0.713, respectively. Conclusions: NDM shows predictive value for AIS short-term prognosis in all ML models in this study. The optimal model in screening characteristic variables and the performance of in external clinical datasets was RF model. In the analysis of medical data with small sample size and outcome as categorical variables, RF could be used as the main algorithm to build a model.

Pure tone audiometry is a new method for evaluating congenital malformation of the middle and outer ear (CMMOE).

Background: The preoperative evaluation of Congenital Malformation of the Middle and Outer Ear (CMMOE) is very important. Jahrsdoerfer score commonly used at present, based on CT scanning images of the temporal bone, is often unable to accurately evaluate deformity and hearing level.Aims/Objectives: To investigate and promote a straightforward and easily accessible assessment method, pure tone audiometry, for the evaluation of CMMOE.Material and Methods: A total of 223 cases (244 ears) CMMOE with hearing data were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 180 cases (197 ears) underwent exploratory tympanoplasty with clear conditions: ossicle numbers in 136 cases (147 ears) and morphology in 128 cases (138 ears) and vestibular window development in 137 cases (146 ears), and CT scans of temporal bone in 113 cases (120 ears). 1). The correlation was analyzed between ossicle numbers, ossicle morphology, Jahrsdoerfer score groups and their corresponding Average Air-Conduction Threshold of pure tone (AACT) at 0.5-4 KHz. 2) The AACT difference is compared among the above groups respectively and between the developed and undeveloped groups of vestibular window at 0.5-4 KHz and each frequency of 0.125-8 KHz. Spearman method was used for correlation analysis (calculating coefficient r and p values). For the data followed a normal distribution, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were employed, otherwise, Kruskal Wallis multiple local rank coincidence test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used. p <0 .05 was considered statistically significant.Results: 1) The correlation coefficients between the groups of ossicle number scores, ossicle morphology scores, Jahrsdoerfer scores and their corresponding AACT are r = -0.187 (p <0 .05), r = -0.073 (p >0 .05) and r = -0.079 (p > 0.05), respectively. 2) Comparison of AACT difference based on ossicle number or morphological scores and Jahrsdoerfer scores with p > 0.05 among all groups, respectively. The AACT difference between the developed and undeveloped vestibular window groups is 5.5 (63.5/69.0) dB HL(p < .05) at 0.5-4KHz, out of 0.125-8 KHz frequency 1, 2, 4 KHz were 5.7 (65.0/70.7) dB HL, 8.4 (60.7/69.1) dB HL and 2 (61.5/63.5) dB HL, respectively, all p < 0.05, the other frequencies with all p > 0.05.Conclusions and Significance: 1) Ossicle number was correlated with AACT, but not for ossicle morphology and Jahrsdoerfer scores. 2) There was no significant difference in AACT corresponding to ossicle number or morphology scores and Jahrsdoerfer scores groups, but the patients with undeveloped vestibular window had poorer hearing than those with developed ones. Therefore, the AACT can evaluate the development of ossicle and vestibular window, and more directly reflect the hearing level than Jahrsdoerfer score. Pure tone audiometry is simple, widely used, and easily accessible, which making it a new assessment method of CMMOE.

New strategies and methods for reconstruction of the outer ear canal (OEC).

Background: The incidence of re-stenosis or re-atresia after reconstruction of the Outer Ear Canal (OEC) in patients with Congenital Malformation of the Middle and Outer Ear (CMMOE) is very high (up to 48%), and it has been a difficult problem for otologists not being able to solve.Aims/Objectives: To explore new strategies and methods to improve re-stenosis or re-atresia after reconstruction of the OEC in patients with CMMOE.Material and Methods: According to the characteristics of reconstructed OEC (r-OEC) re-stenosis or re-atresia summarized by us, a number of new prevention strategies and methods have been proposed and related patent products have been designed, including the improvement of covering epithelium types and skin grafting methods (7 types), simulated drum ring function to prevent the formation of negative pressure in the cavity, and strengthen postoperative support to reduce skin shrinkage and bone hyperplasia. The postoperative effects of different ages and preoperative OEC malformations are statistically analyzed.Results: The incidence of re-stenosis/re-atresia is 14.3% (5/35) in the thin sectional skin of the temporal scalp overlap splicing skin grafting, which was significantly better than 45.5% (15/33) in the whole piece mosaic splicing and barrel skin grafting from the inner thin sectional thigh skin and overlay splicing other methods, including the inner thigh thin sectional skin, chest medium thick skin and subcutaneous pedicle + chest medium thick skin (p<0.05). The patent artificial drum ring and the model stent of the OEC have obvious effects. The mean operation age of postoperative atresia, stenosis, and good groups are 9.3, 13.1, and 12.5 years old, respectively. The proportion of preoperative atresia is 91.3%, 85.7%, and 57.7%, respectively. The total incidence of re-atresia and re-stenosis of r-OEC for two groups of atresia and stenosis of OEC before surgery is 40.5% (49/121) and 13.3% (8/60), respectively.Conclusions and Significance: The best result is found in overlapping the splicing thin sectional skin of the temporal scalp, combined with artificial drum ring implantation, effective support of postoperative model stent of OEC and post-pubertal surgery selection are new and effective strategies and methods to prevent re-stenosis or re-atresia of r-OEC. Atresia or stenosis of the OEC before the operation is the influence factor of the postoperative effect.

[Effects of mouth opening breathing for different reasons on maxillofacial development in children].

Objective:To explore the effects of mouth opening breathing for different reasons on children's maxillofacial development. Methods:One hundred and fifty-one children were selected as the research objects of this experiment. They were divided into 49 cases of adenoid hypertrophy group（group A）, 52 cases of tonsillar hypertrophy group（group B） and 50 cases of adenoid with tonsillar hypertrophy group（Group C）. Healthy children in the same period were selected as the control group, a total of 45 cases. The reflex nasopharyngeal measurement parameters, facial development indexes and cephalometric parameters of group A, group B, group C and control group were analyzed, and the incidence of Angle ClassⅡand Angle Class Ⅲ in group A, group B and group C were studied. Results:Compared with the control group, the reflex nasopharyngeal measurement parameters in group A, group B and group C was significantly different（P<0.05）, and the cephalometric parameters changed with variation in groups（P<0.05）. The incidence of Angle Class Ⅱ facial pattern in group A and group C was higher, but the incidence of Angle Class Ⅲ facial pattern in group B and group C was higher（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Adenoid hypertrophy leads to mandibular retraction; tonsil hypertrophy leads to anterior mandibular arch; adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy are easy to lead to clockwise rotation of the mandible. In clinical practice, to avoid children's uncoordinated maxillofacial development, we should correct the maxillofacial situation of children as soon as possible.

Endotoxin induced acute kidney injury modulates expression of AQP1, P53 and P21 in rat kidney, heart, lung and small intestine.

This study was designed to explore whether aquaporin 1(AQP1), P53 and P21 can be used as diagnostic biomarkers of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and potential indicators of sepsis-induced multiple organ injury. Bioinformatics results demonstrated that AQP1, P53, P21 was dramatically elevated 6h after Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-AKI in rat renal tissue. The expression of AQP1, P53, P21, NGAL and KIM-1 in kidney were increased significantly at first and then decreased gradually in LPS-induced AKI rats. Histopathological sections showed swelling of tubular epithelial cells and destruction of basic structures as well as infiltration of numerous inflammatory cells in LPS-induced AKI. Moreover, the expressions of AQP1, P53 and P21 in heart were significantly increased in LPS treatment rats, while the AQP1 expressions in lung and small intestine were significantly decreased. The level of NGAL mRNA in heart, lung and small intestine was firstly increased and then decreased during LPS treatment rats, but the expression of KIM-1 mRNA was not affected. Therefore, our results suggest that AQP1, P53 and P21 is remarkably upregulated in LPS-induced AKI, which may be considered as a potential novel diagnostic biomarker of Septic AKI. NGAL may serve as a biomarker of sepsis-induced multiple organ damage during the process of LPS-induced AKI.

Aquaporin 1 Facilitates Ferroptosis, M1 Polarization, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Autophagy Damage on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Macrophage Through Down-Regulation of P53 Signaling Pathway.

This study was designed to investigate the role of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in ferroptosis, macrophage polarization, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired autophagy of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and explored the underlying mechanisms. Si-AQP1-mediated AQP1 silencing RAW264.7 cells was constructed. Si-P53-mediated P53 silencing or pcDNA-P53 overexpression RAW264.7 cells was constructed. Assays of ATP, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1) staining were performed to evaluate mitochondrial biological function. Assays of flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining, western blot (WB), RT-qPCR, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) were performed to detect cell ferroptosis, macrophage polarization, and impaired autophagy. The involvement of the P53 pathway was revealed by WB. The results showed that LPS (30 µg/mL) could induce ferroptosis, M1 polarization, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy damage in RAW264.7 cells. Meanwhile, the expression of AQP1 was increased and the expression of P53 was decreased. In addition, Pifithrin-α (PIF; 15 µM), a P53 inhibitor, significantly aggravated ferroptosis, M1 polarization, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy damage as well as up-regulation of AQP1 protein expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, this phenomenon was markedly alleviated by Kevetrin hydrochloride (70 µM), a P53 agonist. Mechanistically, silencing AQP1 significantly alleviated ferroptosis, M1 polarization, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy damage by up-regulating the expression of P53 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Indeed, inhibition of P53 expression by PIF treatment dramatically reversed this effect on the basis of LPS+si-AQP1. Therefore, we concluded for the first time that AQP1 can promote ferroptosis, M1 polarization, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy impairment by inhibiting the expression of P53 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and AQP1 or P53 may be considered as a crucial determiner that can regulate the biological behavior of RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS.

Antioxidant and in vitro cosmeceutical activities of chestnut inner shell fermented by Monascus kaoliang.

Chestnut inner shell (CIS) was fermented at 30 °C for 12 day using Monascus kaoliang, either in solid or submerged state, and alcohol extracts (70% ethanol) of the fermented CIS were examined for their antioxidant (total phenol content and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity) and in vitro cosmeceutical activities (tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities). Both activities were significantly increased by the M. kaoliang-fermentation, more apparently by submerged fermentation (SMF) than by solid-state fermentation (SSF). The cosmeceutical activity reached its maximum value on the 3rd day of fermentation. The residual amounts of phenolic acids and catechins in the CIS extracts were increased by the fermentation, up to 395.0 and 344.3 µg/g, respectively. More phenolic acids were produced by SMF than SSF, whereas more catechins were produced by SSF than SMF. Therefore, SMF using M. kaoliang was an efficient process for the utilization of CIS as a source of cosmeceuticals.

Analysis of the effectiveness of hearing solutions for congenital malformation of the middle and outer ear (CMMOE).

BACKGROUND: There are no reports about comprehensive comparative analysis of the effects after various hearing surgery solutions for congenital malformation of the middle and outer ear (CMMOE). AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the improvement of Average Air-Conduction Threshold (AACT) of pure tone after various hearing surgery solutions for CMMOE and provide a reference for the selection of accurate hearing solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 159 cases (170 ears) with CMMOE submitted to various ear surgery solutions, including: (1) Three situations of outer ear canal (OEC): ① atresia 85 ears, ② stenosis 28 ears, and ③ normal 57 ears. (2) Three commonly used hearing solutions: eardrum repair 53 ears, Porp 44 ears and Piston 32 ears implantation. (3) Three OEC situations with different hearing solutions: type I. Reconstruction of OEC (r-OEC), type II. r-OEC and/or different tympanoplasty, including ① eardrum repair, ② release of ossicular chain, ③ Porp implantation, and ④ Torp implantation, type III. Piston implantation with fenestration of the inner ear. Compare AACT of postoperative short term (0.5 years) or long term (0.5-10 years) and preoperative in the speech frequency range of 0.5-4 kHz to assess efficacy. If the sample number ≥10, and not subject to normal distribution, the Kruskal-Wallis multi-sample rank sum test is used for the comparison of multiple groups and Wilcoxon's rank sum test for two groups, with P < 0.05 being statistically significant. If the sample size <10, the standard of clinical efficacy is one frequency improvement value ≥15 dB HL, or 10 dB HL ≤2 frequency improvements <15 dB HL at 0.125-8 KHz. RESULTS: Intra-group comparison of AACT: (1) three situations of OEC: atresia, stenosis and normal all had P < 0.05 postoperatively in short term, while in long term only the normal group had P < 0.05. (2) Three commonly used hearing solutions: eardrum repair, Porp and Piston implantation all had P < 0.05 in short and long terms, except for eardrum repair P >0 .05 in long term. (3) Three OEC situations with different hearing solutions: 1) Atresia of OEC: Porp and Piston implantation, r-OEC and release of ossicular chain were effective in short term and were not effective in long term, and the eardrum repair was not effective in both short and long term. 2) Stenosis of OEC: eardrum repair, Porp and Piston implantation were effective in short and long term. r-OEC P >0 .05 for short and long term, Torp implantation was not effective in long term, 3) Normal of OEC: Porp, Torp and Piston implantation were all P < 0.05 in short and long term except for Torp >0.05 in long term, and release of ossicular chain is both short and long term clinically effective. The AACT values of postoperative in long term for three groups of atresia, stenosis, normal of OEC are over 58.7 dB HL (except Porp implantation 52.5 dB HL), 51.3 dB HL (except Porp implantation 42.5 dB HL), and 37.5 dB HL (except Torp implantation are 32.6 dB HL), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Intra-group comparison of AACT. (1) Three groups of the atresia, stenosis and normal of OEC are all effective in short term, while in long term only the normal group is effective. (2) The three most commonly used surgical solutions of eardrum repair, Porp and Piston implantation are effective in short and long terms, except for long term eardrum repair. (3) Three OEC situations with different hearing solutions: some of surgical solutions were effective in short term or long term for CMMOE, but based on the AACT values of postoperative in long term for three OEC situations, it is better to choose a hearing device for atresia of OEC, comprehensive review of surgical or hearing device for stenosis of OEC. Surgery can be considered for normal OEC.

Neutrophil count multiplied by D-dimer combined with pneumonia may better predict short-term outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of neutrophil, D-dimer and diseases associated with stroke for short-term outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: By collecting the subitems of laboratory data especially routine blood and coagulation test in AIS patients, and recording their clinical status, the correlation, regression and predictive value of each subitem with the short-term outcomes of AIS were analyzed. The predict model was constructed. RESULTS: The neutrophil count multiplied by D-dimer (NDM) had the best predictive value among the subitems, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve reached 0.804. When clinical information was not considered, the Youden index of NDM was calculated to be 0.48, corresponding to an NDM value of 7.78, a diagnostic sensitivity of 0.79, specificity of 0.69, negative predictive value of 96%. NDM were divided into 5 quintiles, the five grade of NDM (quintile) were < = 1.82, 1.83-2.41, 2.42-3.27, 3.28-4.49, 4.95+, respectively. The multivariate regression analysis was conducted between NDM (quintile), Babinski+, pneumonia, cardiac disease and poor outcomes of AIS. Compared with the first grade of NDM (quintile), the second grade of NDM (quintile) was not significant, but the third grade of NDM (quintile) showed 7.061 times, the fourth grade of NDM (quintile) showed 11.776 times, the fifth grade of NDM (quintile) showed 23.394 times in short-term poor outcomes occurrence. Babinski sign + showed 1.512 times, pneumonia showed 2.995 times, cardiac disease showed 1.936 times in short-term poor outcomes occurrence compared with those negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: NDM combined with pneumonia may better predict short-term outcomes in patients with AIS. Early prevention, regular examination and timely intervention should be emphasized for patients, which may reduce the risk of short-term poor outcomes.

Rufomycins or Ilamycins: Naming Clarifications and Definitive Structural Assignments.

Rufomycin and ilamycin are synonymous for the same class of cyclopeptides, currently encompassing 33 structurally characterized isolates and 9 semisynthetic derivatives. Elucidation of new structures prioritized the consolidation of the names and established the structures of four diastereoisomeric rufomycins with a 2-piperidinone, named rufomycins 4-7, including full 1H/13C NMR assignments. The characteristic HSQC cross-peak for the CH-5, the hemiaminal carbon in amino acid #5, allows assignment of the stereocenters C-4 and C-5 within this ring. Semisynthetic derivatives (rufomycinSS 1, 2, and 3) were prepared from a rufomycins 4 and 6 mixture to validate the structural assignments. Based on the X-ray crystal structures of rufomycins 2 and 4, considering the NMR differences of rufomycins 7 vs 4-6 compared to rufomycinSS 1 vs 2 and 3, and taking into account that two major conformers, A and B, occur in both rufomycinSS 2 and 3, structural modeling was pursued. Collectively, this paper discusses the NMR spectroscopic differences of the stereoisomers and their possible 3D conformers and correlates these with the anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity. In addition, a look at the history prioritizes names and numbering schemes for this group of antibiotics and leads to consolidated nomenclature for all currently known members, natural and semisynthetic derivatives, and serves to accommodate future discoveries.

[Ortner's syndrome caused by intramural aortic hematoma: a case report].

The clinical manifestations were hoarseness, and no sore throat, fever, dyspnea and dysphagia were found. The patient was in good health and had no history of cardiovascular disease, throat disease, diabetes, asthma, tumor, etc. The left vocal cord paralysis was seen by electronic laryngoscope, and aortic intramural hematoma was found by chest CT examination. In addition, we combined MIMICS digital 3D reconstruction technology to further clarify the lesion. After a series of physical examinations and related examinations, the patient was finally diagnosed as Ortner's syndrome caused by a rare cause of aortic intramural hematoma.

D-dimer daily continuous tendency predicts the short-term prognosis for COVID-19 independently: A retrospective study from Northeast China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study whether D-dimer daily continuous tendency could predict the short-term prognosis of COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODES: According to the short-term prognosis, 81 COVID-19 patients were divided into two groups, one of worse prognosis (Group W) and the other of better prognosis (Group B). The slope of D-dimer linear regression during hospitalization (SLOPE) was calculated as an indicator of D-dimer daily continuous tendency. The SLOPE difference between Group W and Group B was compared. The difference between the discharge results and the 3-month follow-up results was also compared. COX regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between SLOPE and short-term prognosis of COVID-19. RESULTS: There were 16 patients in Group W and 65 patients in Group B. Group W had more critical proportion (p < 0.0001), indicating that the symptoms of its patients were more severe during hospitalization. ARDS, the most visible cause of worse prognosis, accounted for up to 68.75%, and many symptoms merged and resulted in worse prognosis. The D-dimer levels of Group W not only were significantly higher (p < 0.0001), but also showed an increasing trend. In addition, the D-dimer levels at discharge were significantly higher than those at follow-up (p = 0.0261), and the mean difference was as high as 0.7474. SLOPE significantly correlated with the short-term prognosis of COVID-19 independently (RR: 1.687, 95% CI: 1.345-2.116, P < 0.0001). The worst prognosis occurred most likely during the first month after COVID-19 diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our study found that D-dimer daily continuous tendency independently correlates with worse prognosis and can be used as an independent predictor of the short-term prognosis for COVID-19.

Enhanced Production of Active Ecumicin Component with Higher Antituberculosis Activity by the Rare Actinomycete Nonomuraea sp. MJM5123 Using a Novel Promoter-Engineering Strategy.

Ecumicins are potent antituberculosis natural compounds produced by the rare actinomycete Nonomuraea sp. MJM5123. Here, we report an efficient genetic manipulation platform of this rare actinomycete. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing was achieved based on successful sporulation. Two genes in the ecumicin gene cluster were further investigated, ecuN and ecuE, which potentially encode a pretailoring cytochrome P450 hydroxylase and the core peptide synthase, respectively. Deletion of ecuN led to an enhanced ratio of the ecumicin compound EcuH16 relative to that of EcuH14, indicating that EcuN is indeed a P450 hydroxylase, and there is catalyzed hydroxylation at the C-3 position in unit12 phenylalanine to transform EcuH16 to the compound EcuH14. Furthermore, promoter engineering of ecuE by employing the strong promoter kasO*P was performed and optimized. We found that integrating the endogenous ribosome-binding site (RBS) of ecuE together with the RBS from kasO*P led to improved ecumicin production and resulted in a remarkably high EcuH16/EcuH14 ratio. Importantly, production of the more active component EcuH16 was considerably increased in the double RBSs engineered strain EPR1 compared to that in the wild-type strain, reaching 310 mg/L. At the same time, this production level was 2.3 times higher than that of the control strain EPA1 with only one RBS from kasO*P. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of genome editing and promoter engineering on the rare actinomycete Nonomuraea.

Aquaporin 1 alleviates acute kidney injury via PI3K-mediated macrophage M2 polarization.

BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an abnormal immune response. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aquaporin 1 (AQP1) prevents kidney tissue injury in LPS-induced AKI by mediating immune response. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Macrophages as immune cells with multiple phenotypes are important mediators in tissue homeostasis and host defense. We propose that macrophage polarization is implicated in AQP1-mediated immune response. METHODS: Herein we established sepsis-induced AKI model rats through intraperitoneal injection of LPS into Wistar rats to reveal immune mechanism of damage. We also used LPS-induced mouse RAW264.7 cells to elucidate the molecular mechanism of macropage polarization. RESULTS: Histopathology showed that renal tubular epithelial cells in the model group were swollen, inflammatory exudation was obvious and the inflammatory factors, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were increased. Western blotting showed PI3K was upregulated in the model group. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen increased after LPS injection. Renal AQP1 mRNA is downregulated and serum AQP1 protein increased first and then decreased in LPS-induced AKI rats. M2 macrophage markers (Arg-1, CD206) were increased in repair stage. In addition, treatment of murine macrophages (RAW264.7) with AQP1 siRNA resulted in decreased PI3K activation and M2 polarization, but increased IL-6 and TNF-α. Moreover, inhibiting PI3K with wortmannin imitated the results of AQP1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS: Macrophage M2 polarization is likely the cellular mechanism underlying the anti-AKI property of AQP1, and PI3K activation is involved in the AQP1-induced M2 phenotype switch.

Antimycobacterial Rufomycin Analogues from Streptomyces atratus Strain MJM3502.

This study represents a systematic chemical and biological study of the rufomycin (RUF) class of cyclic heptapeptides, which our anti-TB drug discovery efforts have identified as potentially promising anti-TB agents that newly target the caseinolytic protein C1, ClpC1. Eight new RUF analogues, rufomycins NBZ1-NBZ8 (1-8), as well as five known peptides (9-13) were isolated and characterized from the Streptomyces atratus strain MJM3502. Advanced Marfey's and X-ray crystallographic analysis led to the assignment of the absolute configuration of the RUFs. Several isolates exhibited potent activity against both pathogens M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M. abscessus, paired with favorable selectivity (selectivity index >60), which collectively underscores the promise of the rufomycins as potential anti-TB drug leads.

Bacterial Isolation Microwell-Plug (µWELLplug) for Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Using Morphology Analysis.

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases with high morbidity rates is crucial because it can minimize the misuse and overuse of antibiotics and increase survival rates in dreadful conditions. The conventional antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) systems used to choose appropriate antibiotics require long wait times to obtain results and cannot prevent the misuse or overuse of antibiotics by clinicians who need to quickly treat patients and cannot wait to identify the underlying cause of their symptoms. Therefore, several rapid AST (rAST) methods have been developed to provide quick test results, but they are complicated to operate, require additional equipment or materials, and give less accurate results than the conventional AST methods. In this study, we propose an rAST method that can obtain precise outcomes from a simple process with a short running time using a bacterial isolation microwell-plug (µWELLplug) in a conventional 96-well plate. The specifically designed hydrogel component of the µWELLplug provides a simple process for cell isolation and the observation of bacterial growth and morphological changes induced by a variety of antibiotic concentrations. The µWELLplug is placed over each well of the 96-well plate, and then bacterial or eukaryotic cells are isolated in the microwells and treated with different antibiotic concentrations to observe their effects. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast, eukaryote), Streptomyces atratus (actinomycetes, prokaryote), Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were cultivated and tested using the µWELLplug. The minimum inhibitory concentration values from this system were obtained in 3-4 h and correlated well with those from the conventional AST methods whose running time is 18-24 h.

Industrial attributes of ß-glucanase produced by Bacillus sp. CSB55 and its potential application as bio-industrial catalyst.

The ß-glucanase produced from Bacillus sp. CSB55 not only depicts the potent industrial characteristics but also relates as bio-industrial catalyst supporting the spontaneous formation of the products, high hydrolytic efficiency, and feasibility of the enzymatic reaction. A homogeneous ß-glucanase (GluB55) was purified via various purification processes resulting in 11.69% yield and 14.24-fold purity. Biochemical characterization of the purified enzyme revealed the molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa, which was verified by zymography. The optimum activity of GluB55 was determined at pH 7.2 and 55 °C. GluB55 could highly hydrolyze carboxymethylcellulose and was stable over a wide range of pH, retaining more than 70% residual activity at pH 5.8-11.0 and carried 100% thermostability as high as 60 °C. In addition, it showed 68% residual activity at 70 °C. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GluB55 was Ala-Asn-Pro-Glu-Leu-Val-Asn-X-Gln-Ala-X-X-Ala-X-Gln-Gly. The enzyme activity was stimulated by Co2+ (158.6%), Zn2+ (211.1%), Mn2+ (264.4%), and Ba2+ (211.4%). Enzyme kinetics showed Km and Vmax values of 0.022 mg mL-1 and 994.56 ± 3.72 U mg-1, respectively. Q10 was calculated to be 1.12. ∆H, ∆G, and ∆S were low revealing that the formation of the transition phase and conversion to the product is very well organized. The lower the free energy change (∆G), the more feasible is the reaction.

Aquaporin-1 attenuates macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the role of AQP1 in the development of LPS-induced AKI and its potential regulatory mechanisms in the inflammatory responses of macrophages. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with LPS, and biochemical and histological renal damage was assessed. The levels of inflammatory mediators, macrophage markers and AQP1 in blood and kidney tissues were assessed by ELISA. RTPCR was used to assess changes in the relative levels of AQP1 mRNA induced by LPS. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assay the activation of the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways, respectively. The same detection methods were used in vitro to determine the regulatory mechanisms underlying AQP1 function. RESULTS: AQP1 mRNA levels were dramatically decreased in AKI rats following the increased expression of inflammatory factors. In vitro experiments demonstrated that silencing the AQP1 gene increased inflammatory mediator secretion, altered the classical activation of macrophages, greatly enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 and accelerated the translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, these results were blocked by doramapimod, a p38 inhibitor. Therefore, these effects were mediated by the increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that altered AQP1 expression may be associated with the development of inflammation in AKI. AQP1 plays a protective role in modulating acute renal injury and can attenuate macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by downregulating p38 MAPK activity in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The pharmacological targeting of AQP1-mediated p38 MAPK signalling may provide a novel treatment approach for AKI.