Effects of grain intervention on hypothalamic function and the metabolome of blood and milk in dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the health and productivity of dairy cows, yet studies on its functionality and its impact on peripheral circulation in these animals are relatively scarce, particularly regarding dietary interventions. Therefore, our study undertook a comprehensive analysis, incorporating both metabolomics and transcriptomics, to explore the effects of a grain-based diet on the functionality of the hypothalamus, as well as on blood and milk in dairy cows. RESULTS: The hypothalamic metabolome analysis revealed a significant reduction in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level as a prominent response to the grain-based diet introduction. Furthermore, the hypothalamic transcriptome profiling showed a notable upregulation in amino acid metabolism due to the grain-based diet. Conversely, the grain-based diet led to the downregulation of genes involved in the metabolic pathway from lecithin to PGE2, including phospholipase A2 (PLA2G4E, PLA2G2A, and PLA2G12B), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES). Additionally, the plasma metabolome analysis indicated a substantial decrease in the level of PGE2, along with a decline in adrenal steroid hormones (tetrahydrocortisol and pregnenolone) following the grain-based diet introduction. Analysis of the milk metabolome showed that the grain-based diet significantly increased uric acid level while notably decreasing PGE2 level. Importantly, PGE2 was identified as a critical metabolic marker in the hypothalamus, blood, and milk in response to grain intervention. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation among metabolic alterations in the hypothalamus, blood, and milk following the grain-based diet. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a potential link between hypothalamic changes and alterations in peripheral circulation resulting from the introduction of a grain-based diet.

Green and Efficient Extraction of Phenolic Components from Plants with Supramolecular Solvents: Experimental and Theoretical Studies.

The supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) has garnered significant attention as an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solvent for the effective extraction and separation of bioactive compounds from natural resources. However, research on the use of a SUPRAS for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plants, which are highly valued in food products due to their exceptional antioxidant properties, remains scarce. The present study developed a green, ultra-sound-assisted SUPRAS method for the simultaneous determination of three phenolic acids in Prunella vulgaris using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental parameters were meticulously optimized. The efficiency and antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds obtained using different extraction methods were also compared. Under optimal conditions, the extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS, prepared with octanoic acid reverse micelles dispersed in ethanol-water, significantly exceeded that of conventional organic solvents. Moreover, the SUPRAS method demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images revealed the spherical droplet structure of the SUPRAS, characterized by a well-defined circular fluorescence position, which coincided with the position of the phenolic acids. The phenolic acids were encapsulated within the SUPRAS droplets, indicating their efficient extraction capacity. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations combined with CLSM supported the proposed method's mechanism and theoretically demonstrated the superior extraction performance of the SUPRAS. In contrast to conventional methods, the higher extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS can be attributed to the larger solvent contact surface area, the formation of more types of hydrogen bonds between the extractants and the supramolecular solvents, and stronger, more stable interaction forces. The results of the theoretical studies corroborate the experimental outcomes.

[Analysis of differential metabolites of spikes of Prunella vulgaris at different stages based on UPLC-MS/MS].

Prunella vulgaris, aptly named for its withering at the summer solstice, displays significant variation in quality arising from differing harvest time. However, research on the chemical composition changes of its spikes at various stages is limited, and the specific metabolites remain unclear. In order to elucidate the metabolites and metabolic pathways of the spikes of P. vulgaris, the current study deployed ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) and targeted metabolomics to characterize the compound variability in the spikes of P. vulgaris across different periods. Multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to identify the differences in metabolites, and relevant metabolic pathways were analyzed. A total of 602 metabolites were identified by metabolomics, of which organic acids and their derivatives were the most abundant, followed by flavonoids. Multiple differential metabolites, including p-hydroxybenzoic acids and gallic acids were identified based on variable importance in projection(VIP)>1 and P<0.05. The results of enrichment analysis suggested that isoflavonoids biosynthesis, aminobenzoate degradation, benzoate degradation, anthocyanins biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, microbial metabolism in different environments, secondary plant metabolite biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and phenylpropanoid synthesis were the main metabolic pathways. These results intend to elucidate the dynamic changes of differential metabolites of P. vulgaris and provide a theoretical basis for further study of the harvesting mechanism of spikes of P. vulgaris.

A robust transformer-based pipeline of 3D cell alignment, denoise and instance segmentation on electron microscopy sequence images.

Germline cells are critical for transmitting genetic information to subsequent generations in biological organisms. While their differentiation from somatic cells during embryonic development is well-documented in most animals, the regulatory mechanisms initiating plant germline cells are not well understood. To thoroughly investigate the complex morphological transformations of their ultrastructure over developmental time, nanoscale 3D reconstruction of entire plant tissues is necessary, achievable exclusively through electron microscopy imaging. This paper presents a full-process framework designed for reconstructing large-volume plant tissue from serial electron microscopy images. The framework ensures end-to-end direct output of reconstruction results, including topological networks and morphological analysis. The proposed 3D cell alignment, denoise, and instance segmentation pipeline (3DCADS) leverages deep learning to provide a cell instance segmentation workflow for electron microscopy image series, ensuring accurate and robust 3D cell reconstructions with high computational efficiency. The pipeline involves five stages: the registration of electron microscopy serial images; image enhancement and denoising; semantic segmentation using a Transformer-based neural network; instance segmentation through a supervoxel-based clustering algorithm; and an automated analysis and statistical assessment of the reconstruction results, with the mapping of topological connections. The 3DCADS model's precision was validated on a plant tissue ground-truth dataset, outperforming traditional baseline models and deep learning baselines in overall accuracy. The framework was applied to the reconstruction of early meiosis stages in the anthers of Arabidopsis thaliana, resulting in a topological connectivity network and analysis of morphological parameters and characteristics of cell distribution. The experiment underscores the 3DCADS model's potential for biological tissue identification and its significance in quantitative analysis of plant cell development, crucial for examining samples across different genetic phenotypes and mutations in plant development. Additionally, the paper discusses the regulatory mechanisms of Arabidopsis thaliana's germline cells and the development of stamen cells before meiosis, offering new insights into the transition from somatic to germline cell fate in plants.

Plant-Derived Caffeic Acid and Its Derivatives: An Overview of Their NMR Data and Biosynthetic Pathways.

In recent years, caffeic acid and its derivatives have received increasing attention due to their obvious physiological activities and wide distribution in nature. In this paper, to clarify the status of research on plant-derived caffeic acid and its derivatives, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data and possible biosynthetic pathways of these compounds were collected from scientific databases (SciFinder, PubMed and China Knowledge). According to different types of substituents, 17 caffeic acid and its derivatives can be divided into the following classes: caffeoyl ester derivatives, caffeyltartaric acid, caffeic acid amide derivatives, caffeoyl shikimic acid, caffeoyl quinic acid, caffeoyl danshens and caffeoyl glycoside. Generalization of their 13C-NMR and 1H-NMR data revealed that acylation with caffeic acid to form esters involves acylation shifts, which increase the chemical shift values of the corresponding carbons and decrease the chemical shift values of the corresponding carbons of caffeoyl. Once the hydroxyl group is ester, the hydrogen signal connected to the same carbon shifts to the low field (1.1~1.6). The biosynthetic pathways were summarized, and it was found that caffeic acid and its derivatives are first synthesized in plants through the shikimic acid pathway, in which phenylalanine is deaminated to cinnamic acid and then transformed into caffeic acid and its derivatives. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference for further research on the rapid structural identification and biofabrication of caffeic acid and its derivatives.

Effect and mechanism of Prunella vulgaris L. extract on alleviating lipopolysaccharide-induced acute mastitis in protecting the blood-milk barrier and reducing inflammation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: According to ancient literature, Prunella vulgaris L. (P vulgaris) alleviates mastitis and has been used in China for many years; however, there are no relevant reports that confirm this or the mechanism of its efficacy. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the anti-acute mastitis effect and potential mechanism of P vulgaris extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, the active ingredients and targets of P vulgaris against mastitis were predicted using network pharmacology. Next, the relevant active ingredients were enriched using macroporous resins and verified using UV and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Lastly, a mouse model of acute mastitis was established by injecting lipopolysaccharides into the mammary gland and administering P vulgaris extract by oral gavage. The pathological changes in mammary tissue were observed by HE staining. Serum and tissue inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA method. MPO activity in mammary tissue was measured using colorimetry and MPO expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-3, and occludin) in mammary tissue was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. iNOS and COX-2 in mammary tissue were detected by Western blot. MAPK pathway and NF-κB pathway related proteins were also detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Network pharmacology predicted that phenolic acids and flavonoids in P vulgaris had anti-mastitis effects. The contents of total flavonoids and total phenolic acids in P vulgaris extract were 64.5% and 29.4%, respectively. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS confirmed that P vulgaris extract contained phenolic acids and flavonoids. The results of animal experiments showed that P vulgaris extract reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and interstitial congestion of mammary tissue. It also reduced the levels of serum and tissue inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, and inhibited the activation of MPO. Furthermore, it downregulated the expression of MAPK and NF-κB pathway-related proteins. The expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-3 in mammary gland tissues were upregulated. CONCLUSIONS: P vulgaris extract can maintain the integrity of mammary connective tissue and reduce its inflammatory response to prevent acute mastitis. Its mechanism probably involves regulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Triple Stentriever "Bouquet" Deployment with Zoom 88 Large-Bore Aspiration and Walrus Balloon-Guide Catheter for the Definitive Thrombectomy of a Carotid Free-Floating Thrombus.

Formation of a carotid free-floating thrombus (CFFT) is a rare and life-threatening condition without an optimal management plan. A 78-year-old woman with a history of prior right internal carotid artery (ICA) mechanical thrombectomy and antiplatelet noncompliance presented with transient ischemic attacks secondary to a recurrent CFFT in the right ICA. Given her symptoms and recurrent CFFT, endovascular mechanical thrombectomy was performed. A balloon guide-catheter (BGC) and a Zoom 88 distal access catheter were brought into the right distal common carotid artery and proximal ICA bulb, respectively. Three 0.021-inch microcatheters, each loaded with a unique stentriever, were navigated beyond the thrombus into the upper cervical ICA and deployed in a bouquet fashion. The BGC was inflated to achieve flow arrest, and the Zoom 88 aspiration catheter was tracked over the three bouquet stentrievers to ingest the thrombus. Follow-up angiography demonstrated recanalization of the proximal cervical ICA without evidence of residual thrombus. Twenty-four-hour postoperative computed tomography imaging did not reveal any evidence of new infarction. The patient was discharged home with an intact neurological examination, compliant on aspirin and apixaban. We demonstrate a novel technique utilizing a large-bore catheter with a triple stentriever "bouquet" to thrombectomize a CFFT.

Use of a large-bore 088 intracranial access support catheter for delivery of large intracranial devices: case series with the TracStar LDP in 125 cases.

BACKGROUND: The delivery of neuroendovascular devices requires a robust proximal access platform. This demand has previously been met with a 6Fr long sheath (8Fr guide) that is placed in the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) or vertebral artery segments. We share our experience with the first 0.088 inch 8Fr guide catheter designed for direct intracranial access. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained IRB-approved institutional database of the senior authors to identify all cases where the TracStar Large Distal Platform (LDP) was positioned within the intracranial vasculature, defined as within or distal to the petrous ICA, vertebral artery (V3) segments, or transverse sinus. Technical success was defined as safe placement of the TracStar LDP within or distal to the described distal vessel segments with subsequent complication-free device implantation. RESULTS: Over the 41-month study period from January 2020 to June 2023, 125 consecutive cases were identified in whom the TracStar LDP was navigated into the intracranial vasculature for triaxial delivery of large devices, 0.027 inch microcatheter and greater, for aneurysm treatment (n=108, 86%), intracranial angioplasty/stenting (n=15, 12%), and venous sinus stenting (n=2, 1.6%). All cases used a direct select catheter technique for initial guide placement (no exchange). Posterior circulation treatments occurred in 14.4% (n=18) of cases. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. No vessel dissections occurred in any cases. CONCLUSION: The TracStar LDP is an 0.088 inch 8Fr guide catheter that can establish direct intracranial access with an acceptable safety profile. This can be achieved in a wide range of neurointerventional cases with a high rate of technical success.

Feasibility of super-bore 0.088″ mechanical thrombectomy in M1 vessels smaller than 8 French: Experience in 20 consecutive cases.

INTRODUCTION: Superbore 0.088″ catheters provide a platform for optimizing aspiration efficiency and flow control during stroke mechanical thrombectomy procedures. New superbore catheters have the distal flexibility necessary to navigate complex neurovascular anatomy while providing the proximal support of traditional 8F catheters. The safety and feasibility of Zoom 88™ superbore angled-tip catheters in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) segments smaller than the catheter diameter have not been previously described. METHODS: Twenty consecutive cases of acute MCA mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively identified from the senior authors' prospectively maintained Institutional Review Board-approved database, in which the Zoom 88 (Imperative Care, Campbell, CA) catheter was successfully navigated to at least the M1 segment. Patient demographics, procedural details, and periprocedural information were analyzed. Rates and averages (standard errors) are generally reported. RESULTS: The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at presentation and age were 15 ± 2 and 73 ± 3 years, respectively. The M1 and M2 occlusions were evenly distributed. The average M1 measurements before thrombectomy ranged from 2.36 ± 0.07 mm proximally to 2.00 ± 0.11 mm distally, and after thrombectomy, they ranged from 2.34 ± 0.07 mm proximally to 1.97 ± 0.10 mm distally. First-pass modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 2C/3 recanalization was achieved in 40% of cases, and final mTICI 2C/3 recanalization was achieved in 90% of cases. A single case of mild vasospasm was managed with verapamil. No hemorrhagic or periprocedural complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Superbore 0.088″ catheters with flexible distal segments can be safely navigated to the MCA to augment mechanical thrombectomy even when the MCA segment is smaller than the catheter.

Immediate procedural safety of adjunctive proximal coil occlusion in middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas: Experience in 137 cases.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) has emerged as an adjunctive and stand-alone modality for the management of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH). We report our experience utilizing proximal MMA coil embolization to augment cSDH devascularization in MMA embolization. METHODS: MMA embolization cases with adjunctive proximal MMA coiling were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained IRB-approved database of the senior authors. RESULTS: Of the 137 cases, all patients (n = 89, 100%) were symptomatic and underwent an MMA embolization procedure for cSDH. 50 of the patients underwent bilateral embolizations, with 53% (n = 72) for left-sided and 47% (n = 65) for right-sided cSDH. The anterior MMA branch was embolized in 19 (14%), posterior in 16 (12%), and both in 102 (74.5%) cases. Penetration of the liquid embolic to the contralateral MMA or into the falx was present in 38 (28%) and 31 (23%) cases, respectively, and 46 (34%) cases had ophthalmic or petrous collateral (n = 41, 30%) branches. MMA branches coiled include the primary trunk (25.5%, n = 35), primary and anterior or posterior MMA trunks (20%, n = 28), or primary with the anterior and posterior trunks (54%, n = 74). A mild ipsilateral facial nerve palsy was reported, which remained stable at discharge and follow-up. Absence of anterograde flow in the MMA occurred in 137 (100%) cases, and no cases required periprocedural rescue surgery for cSDH evacuation. The average follow-up length was 170 ± 17.9 days, cSDH was reduced by 4.24 ± 0.5(mm) and the midline shift by 1.46 ± 0.27(mm). Complete resolution was achieved in 63 (46.0%) cases. CONCLUSION: Proximal MMA coil embolization is a safe technique for providing additional embolization/occlusion of the MMA in cSDH embolization procedures. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential added efficacy of this technique.

Curcumin nicotinate increases LDL cholesterol uptake in hepatocytes through IDOL/LDL-R pathway regulation.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin nicotinate (Curtn), derived from curcumin and niacin, reduces serum LDL-C levels, partly due to its influence on PCSK9. This study investigates IDOL's role in Curtn's lipid-lowering effects. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate Curtn's regulation of the IDOL/LDLR pathway and potential molecular mechanisms in hepatocytes. METHODS: Differential metabolites in Curtn-treated HepG2 cells were identified via LC-MS. Molecular docking assessed Curtn's affinity with IDOL. Cholesterol content and LDLR expression effects were studied in high-fat diet Wistar rats. In vitro evaluations determined Curtn's influence on IDOL overexpression's LDL-C uptake and LDLR expression in hepatocytes. RESULTS: Lipids were the main differential metabolites in Curtn-treated HepG2 cells. Docking showed Curtn's higher affinity to IDOL's FERM domain compared to curcumin, suggesting potential competitive inhibition of IDOL's binding to LDLR. Curtn decreased liver cholesterol in Wistar rats and elevated LDLR expression. During in vitro experiments, Curtn significantly enhanced the effects of IDOL overexpression in HepG2 cells, leading to increased LDL-C uptake and elevated expression of LDL receptors. CONCLUSION: Curtn modulates the IDOL/LDLR pathway, enhancing LDL cholesterol uptake in hepatocytes. Combined with its PCSK9 influence, Curtn emerges as a potential hyperlipidemia therapy.

Recent advances in medicinal and edible homologous plant polysaccharides: Preparation, structure and prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Medicinal and edible homologs (MEHs) can be used in medicine and food. The National Health Commission announced that a total of 103 kinds of medicinal and edible homologous plants (MEHPs) would be available by were available in 2023. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the third most common chronic metabolic disease that seriously threatens human health worldwide. Polysaccharides, the main component isolated from MEHPs, have significant antidiabetic effects with few side effects. Based on a literature search, this paper summarizes the preparation methods, structural characterization, and antidiabetic functions and mechanisms of MEHPs polysaccharides (MEHPPs). Specifically, MEHPPs mainly regulate PI3K/Akt, AMPK, cAMP/PKA, Nrf2/Keap1, NF-κB, MAPK and other signaling pathways to promote insulin secretion and release, improve glycolipid metabolism, inhibit the inflammatory response, decrease oxidative stress and regulate intestinal flora. Among them, 16 kinds of MEHPPs were found to have obvious anti-diabetic effects. This article reviews the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications by MEHPPs and provides a basis for the development of safe and effective MEHPP-derived health products and new drugs to prevent and treat diabetes.

Deep learning-empowered crop breeding: intelligent, efficient and promising.

Crop breeding is one of the main approaches to increase crop yield and improve crop quality. However, the breeding process faces challenges such as complex data, difficulties in data acquisition, and low prediction accuracy, resulting in low breeding efficiency and long cycle. Deep learning-based crop breeding is a strategy that applies deep learning techniques to improve and optimize the breeding process, leading to accelerated crop improvement, enhanced breeding efficiency, and the development of higher-yielding, more adaptive, and disease-resistant varieties for agricultural production. This perspective briefly discusses the mechanisms, key applications, and impact of deep learning in crop breeding. We also highlight the current challenges associated with this topic and provide insights into its future application prospects.

Use of everolimus following kidney transplantation during pregnancy: A case report and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited safety data on the use of everolimus during pregnancy. In this study, we present the maternal and neonatal outcomes of everolimus used throughout the course of pregnancy and conducted a systematic review of reports of everolimus use after organ transplantation during pregnancy. CASE REPORT: A woman with type 1 diabetes who underwent kidney transplantation was treated with tacrolimus, everolimus, and prednisolone. Two years later, she became pregnant. At 27 weeks of gestation, an emergent cesarean delivery was performed owing to severe preeclampsia and fetal distress. No congenital malformation was noted in the baby at a corrected age of 4 months, and the maternal renal function remained stable. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review did not identify evidence of teratogenicity in babies exposed to everolimus as an immunosuppressant after transplantation. To better assess the risk of exposure to everolimus during pregnancy, all cases of new pregnancies occurring in transplant recipients receiving treatment with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor inhibitors should be reported.

Sputtering of Molybdenum as a Promising Back Electrode Candidate for Superstrate Structured Sb2 S3 Solar Cells.

Sb2 S3 is rapidly developed as light absorber material for solar cells due to its excellent photoelectric properties. However, the use of the organic hole transport layer of Spiro-OMeTAD and gold (Au) in Sb2 S3 solar cells imposes serious problems in stability and cost. In this work, low-cost molybdenum (Mo) prepared by magnetron sputtering is demonstrated to serve as a back electrode in superstrate structured Sb2 S3 solar cells for the first time. And a multifunctional layer of Se is inserted between Sb2 S3 /Mo interface by evaporation, which plays vital roles as: i) soft loading of high-energy Mo particles with the help of cottonlike-Se layer; ii) formation of surficial Sb2 Se3 on Sb2 S3 layer, and then reducing hole transportation barrier. To further alleviate the roll-over effect, a pre-selenide Mo target and consequentially form a MoSe2 is skillfully sputtered, which is expected to manipulate the band alignment and render an enhanced holes extraction. Impressively, the device with an optimized Mo electrode achieves an efficiency of 5.1%, which is one of the highest values among non-noble metal electrode based Sb2 S3 solar cells. This work sheds light on the potential development of low-cost metal electrodes for superstrate Sb2 S3 devices by carefully designing the back contact interface.

Simulation of highly efficient GeSe-based solar cells with SCAPS-1D.

Recently GeSe has developed as a promising light harvesting material by enjoying to its optical and electrical features as well as earth-abundant and low-toxic constituent elements. Nevertheless, the power conversion efficiency of GeSe-based solar cells yet lags far behind the Shockley-Queisser limit. In this work, we systematically designed, simulated and analyzed the highly efficient GeSe thin-film solar cells by SCAPS-1D. The influence of thickness and defect density of light harvest material, GeSe/CdS interface defect density, electron transport layer (ETL), electrode work function and hole transport layer (HTL) on the device output are carefully analyzed. By optimizing the parameters (thickness, defect, concentration, work function, ETL and HTL), an impressive PCE of 17.98% is delivered along with Jsc of 37.11 mA/cm2, FF of 75.53%, Voc of 0.61 V. This work offers theoretical guidance for the design of highly efficient GeSe thin film solar cells.

High-grain diet feeding alters ileal microbiota and disrupts bile acid metabolism in lactating dairy cows.

Bile acids (BAs) play an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolic homeostasis, but little is known about their metabolism in dairy cows fed a high-grain (HG) diet. In the present study, we examined the bacterial community, BA profile, and the FXR/FGF19 signaling pathway in the ileum and liver to investigate the gut microbe-BA metabolism interactions response to HG diet and the changes in the subsequent enterohepatic circulation of dairy cows. The results showed that the ileal bacterial community was altered, with an increase of Paraclostridium, Anaerobutyricum, Shuttleworthia, and Stomatobaculum in the relative abundance in the HG group. Moreover, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that the abundance of total bacteria and bacterial bile-salt hydrolase (BSH) genes was increased in the ileal digesta in the HG group. Meanwhile, HG feeding also decreased the total BA content in the digesta of jejunum and ileum and in feces. HG feeding altered the BA profile in the ileal digesta by increasing unconjugated BAs and decreasing conjugated BAs. In addition, the intestinal FXR/FGF19 signaling pathway was activated. The expression of CYP7A1 (cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase) was depressed, which inhibited BAs synthesis in the liver of cows fed HG. Overall, HG feeding altered the ileal bacterial community and BA profile, and activated FXR/FGF19 signaling pathway, resulting in a decrease of BA level in the ileal digesta via the inhibition of hepatic BA synthesis. The findings provided novel insights into understanding the relationship between gut microbiota and the homeostasis of BAs in dairy cows fed a HG diet.

Bile acids plays an important role in regulating lipids metabolism in animals and human. Dairy cows fed high-grain (HG) diet generally suffer abnormal lipids metabolism. However, if there is a relationship between the bile acids metabolism and abnormal lipids metabolism in dairy cows fed HG diet is unclear. This study found that HG diet altered the bacterial community and bile aids composition in the ileum of dairy cows. HG also activated the FXR/FGF19 signaling pathway in the ileum, and inhibited the bile acid synthesis in the liver, which might be the reason for the reduced level of bile acid in the digesta of small intestine. The reduced bile acid level in the small intestine might affect the digestion and absorption of the dietary lipids in dairy cows fed HG diet.

Augmentation of flow diverter vessel wall apposition using the Comaneci device: case experience from a novel, off-label technique.

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion (FD) embolization of intracranial cerebral aneurysms is an increasingly common modality where treatment success depends on adequate vessel wall apposition of the device. This study aimed to investigate off-label use of the Comaneci device for augmenting vessel wall apposition in post-deployed flow diversion stents (FDS). METHODS: Over a 20- month period, all FD cases for the treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms were reviewed. Cases in which the Comaneci device was used to augment vessel wall apposition were analyzed. Data including patient demographics, case characteristics, and procedural outcomes were collected and analyzed as counts. RESULTS: From a total of 74 ICA FD cases, the Comaneci device was used to improve vessel wall apposition in 22 cases (29.7%) . Of these cases, 91% were female with a mean patient age of 64.9±11.3 years, and an average aneurysm size of 4.5±2.5 mm. Comaneci device deployment and retrieval was successful in all (100%) cases, with an average fluoroscopy time of 27.3±7.8 min, an average contrast usage of 25.8±13.2 mL, and an average radiation exposure of 915.1±320.8 mGy. Only two cases (9%) required subsequent balloon angioplasty after Comaneci deployment to improve vessel wall apposition throughout the FDS. CONCLUSION: Our experience with this technique demonstrates the feasibility of using the Comaneci device for augmentation of FDS vessel wall apposition with 100% success in the deployment and retrieval of the Comaneci device.

[Quality analysis of Rosae Radix et Rhizoma].

Rosae Radix et Rhizoma is a herbal medicine in a variety of famous Chinese patent medicines, while the quality standard for this medicine remains to be developed due to the insufficient research on the quality of Rosae Radix et Rhizoma from different sources. Therefore, this study comprehensively analyzed the components in Rosae Radix et Rhizoma of different sources from the aspects of extract, component category content, identification based on thin-lay chromatography, active component content determination, and fingerprint, so as to improve the quality control. The results showed that the content of chemical components varied in the samples of different sources, while there was little difference in the chemical composition among the samples. The content of components in the roots of Rosa laevigata was higher than that in the other two species, and the content of components in the roots was higher than that in the stems. The fingerprints of triterpenoids and non-triterpenoids were established, and the content of five main triterpenoids including multiflorin, rosamultin, myrianthic acid, rosolic acid, and tormentic acid in Rosae Radix et Rhizoma was determined. The results were consistent with those of major component categories. In conclusion, the quality of Rosae Radix et Rhizoma is associated with the plant species, producing area, and medicinal parts. The method established in this study lays a foundation for improving the quality standard of Rosae Radix et Rhizoma and provides data support for the rational use of the stem.