Gut microbiota diversity in a dung beetle (Catharsius molossus) across geographical variations and brood ball-mediated microbial transmission.

The dung beetle primarily feeds on the feces of herbivorous animals and play a crucial role in ecological processes like material cycles and soil improvement. This study aims to explore the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota of Catharsius molossus (a renowned dung beetle originating from China and introduced to multiple countries for its ecological value) and exploring whether these gut microbes are transmitted vertically across generations. Using 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequencing techniques, we described the diversity and composition of gut microbes in C. molossus from different localities and different developmental stages (Egg, young larvae and old larvae). We discovered that the diversity of gut microbiota of dung beetles varied obviously among different geographical localities and different developmental stages, and we also discussed the potential influencing factors. Interestingly, the microbial community structure within the brood balls is more similar to male dung beetle than to that of females, which is consistent with the observation that the brood ball is constructed by the male dung beetle, with the female laying egg in it at the final step. This unique breeding method facilitates offspring in inheriting microbial communities from both the mother and the father. Initially, the larvae's gut microbiota closely mirrors that of the parental gift in these brood balls. As larvae grow, significant changes occur in their gut microbiota, including an increase in symbiotic bacteria like Lactococcus and Enterococcus. Analysis of the gut bacteria of adult dung beetles across various localities and different developmental stages identified nine core genera in adults, contributing to 67.80% of the total microbial abundance, and 11 core genera in beetles at different developmental stages, accounting for 49.13% of the total. Notably, seven genera were common between these two core groups. Our results suggest that Parental gifts can play a role in the vertical transmission of microbes, and the abundance of probiotics increases with larval development, supporting the hypothesis that "larval feeding behavior occurs in two stages: larvae first feed on parental gifts to acquire necessary microbes, then enrich symbiotic microbiota through consuming their own feces."

Laryngeal paraganglioma: The analysis of misdiagnosed cases and literature review.

Laryngeal paraganglioma (LP) is an exceptionally rare neuroendocrine tumor, underscoring importance of accurate identification to preclude misdiagnoses. In this review, we presented two typical misdiagnosed LPs, and offered reviews of LP cases reported over the preceding decade and all documented misdiagnosed LP cases. Furthermore, we systematically investigated the underlying causes of misdiagnosis and elucidated key points for effective differentiation. A retrospective analysis of 28 LP cases revealed a predominant occurrence in middle-aged women, with an average history of 25.1 months. Through an analysis of all misdiagnosed cases (n = 37), supraglottic LPs were frequently misidentified as laryngeal carcinomas and vascular tumors, while subglottic LPs were often misdiagnosed as thyroid cancers. And the occurrence of misdiagnosis resulted in delayed and inappropriate treatments, contributing to the deterioration of LP patients (14 cases, 37.8%). In conclusion, this review endeavored to heighten awareness of LPs, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnostic precision and enhancing patient outcomes.

[Simulation of PM2.5 Concentration Based on Optimized Indexes of 2D/3D Urban Form].

It is well known that urban forms can affect the source distribution and diffusion process of air pollution; however, practical quantitative methods and models on alleviating urban air pollution by optimizing urban form indexes are lacking. Using Chang Sha city as an example, we quantitatively analyzed the PM2.5 concentration distribution in terms of 2D/3D urban form indexes (e.g., land use functionality, landscape pattern, and development intensity). Based on this, the urban form regulation-aided air quality optimization model (UFR-AQOM) was proposed and consequently employed to simulate the scene-dependent PM2.5 concentrations under double constraints from both the index threshold and air quality objectives. The results showed that the high value area of PM2.5 concentration in Chang Sha featured a "one axis and four nodes" spatial pattern. PM2.5 concentrations in grids with commercial or road land applications, high patch density or high Shannon index, and high land plot ratio or low sky openness were shown to be relatively higher. The development intensity indexes had the greatest impact on the spatial variation in PM2.5 concentration, followed by landscape pattern and land use functionality, and the interaction of factor indexes could significantly strengthen their own single contributions. The UFR-AQOM model, taking into account the contribution differences and interactions among different factors, could effectively simulate the spatial variation in PM2.5 concentration in urban areas (R2=0.65,RMSE=1.40 µg·m-3). In order to meet the regulations of PM2.5 standards, the overall management of landscape pattern indexes, such as the integral dimension of the perimeter surface and patch density, should be strengthened in the main urban area of Changsha. Further, the zoned optimization of PM2.5 concentrations could be implemented by controlling the urban land use indexes, such as the industrial land use ratio and water area ratio, as well as the development intensity indexes such as the land use area ratio. These research results provided support for decisions in the optimization of national territory spatial planning indexes targeting air quality improvement.

miR-373 inhibits autophagy and further promotes apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells by targeting ULK1.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor originating from intrahepatic bile ducts. Surgical therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are taken to treat this disease, but it is prone to recurrence and metastasis, with poor prognosis. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore new targets and molecular mechanisms for the development of cholangiocarcinoma cells. Clinical cholangiocarcinoma tissues from patients and four human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were analyzed for microRNA-373 (miR-373) expression. For investigating whether miR-373 directly modulated unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed. In addition, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, western blot, and immunofluorescence were applied to evaluate the proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of cholangiocytic hepatocellular carcinoma cells. miR-373 downregulation was observed in clinical tissues and cell lines of cholangiocarcinoma. Overexpression of miR-373 reduced proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and raised expression levels of pro-apoptosis proteins including BCL2 associated X (Bax), Caspase-3, and Caspase-9. Moreover, overexpression of miR-373 downregulated expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II, Beclin-1, and promoted P62 expression on mRNA and protein levels. After miR-373 knockdown, all indexes of apoptosis and autophagy mentioned above were reversed. Luciferase activity was decreased after cotransfection of miR-373 mimic and wild-type ULK1 vector. Also, miR-373 overexpression inhibited ULK1 expression. Importantly, overexpression of miR-373 weakened expressions of ULK1, LC3, Beclin-1, and Bcl-2, and enhanced expressions of P62, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9. miR-373 mimic treatment and subsequent ULK1 overexpression, induced reverse regulation in expressions of these proteins, compared with overexpression of miR-373 only. miR-373 targeted ULK1 to initiate inhibition of autophagy and subsequent promotion of apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Interfacial Effect of Oxygen-Doped Nanodiamond on CuO and Micropyramidal Silicon Heterostructures for Efficient Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor.

Herein, the novel strategy of copper oxide (CuO) deposited oxygen-doped nitrogen incorporated nanodiamond (NOND)/Si pyramids (Pyr-Si) heterostructure is studied for high-performance nonenzymatic glucose sensor. The combined properties of surface-modified NOND/Pyr-Si induced by different growth durations (5 to 20 min) of CuO is envisioned to improve glucose sensitivity and stability. For comparison, the same methods and parameters were deposited on the plane silicon wafers. The systematic analysis reveals the best glucose sensing properties of 15 min grown CuO/NOND/Pyr-Si based sensor, with a high sensitivity of 1993 µA mM-1 cm-2, a lower limit of detection of 0.1 µm, and a longer stability of 28 d (∼96%). In addition, the present sensor exhibits good selectivity of glucose among other analytes such as sodium chloride, ascorbic acid, uric acid, and so on. The enhancement in glucose sensing performances of the as-fabricated CuO/NOND/Pyr-Si is ascribed to the interfacial effect of NOND and the synergistic effect of CuO and NOND/Pyr-Si. Moreover, the oxygen dopant in NOND and CuO stimulates the reactive oxygen species while measuring glucose and affords rapid recovery (<2 s). This promotes fast electron kinetics in the electrocatalytic solutions, which enhances the electroactive area and thereby contributes to a high sensitivity. These salient results suggested that the as-fabricated CuO/NOND/Pyr-Si sensor is more suitable for high-performance biosensors and effective energy storage device applications.

The roles of autophagy and apoptosis in burn wound progression in rats.

Understanding the role of cell death in burn wound progression is crucial for giving appropriate diagnoses and designing therapy regimens for burn patients. A well-described and reliable "comb burns model" was employed to evaluate the roles of autophagy and apoptosis in burn wound progression at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-burn in a rat model. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results showed that autophagy was detectable in hair follicle epithelium at 2 h post-burn, peaked at 12 h post-burn, then declined. Conversely, apoptosis was mainly located in the stratum epidermis and took place at low levels until 6 h post-burn, at which point it slowly increased. Bcl-2 and Bax, which are regulators of both processes, showed protein expression level patterns that were consistent with the IHC results. This study of autophagy in burn wound tissue progression represents a conceptual expansion of cell death in burn wounds. Based on these results, we suggest that different treatments should be performed on a specific post-burn time course depending on the most prevalent type of cell death occurring at that time.

[Observation on the fluid resuscitation and the change in blood sodium of severely burned patients in the early stage].

OBJECTIVE: To study the necessary amount of fluid consisting of electrolyte and colloid, the ratio of electrolyte and colloid used, and the change of blood sodium during early resuscitation in severely burned patients. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with total burn surface area (TBSA) equal to or over 70% and full-thickness area equal to or over 50%TBSA, hospitalized from March 2004 to March 2009, were resuscitated with fluid. The infusion amount of electrolyte, colloid, and water, and urinary output of patients at post injury hour (PIH) 24, 48, and 72 were analyzed retrospectively. The variation in blood sodium and fluid infusion at different time points was recorded. Data were processed with SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: Among the 67 patients, hyponatremia occurred in 9 cases, hypernatremia occurred in 5 cases, and 53 patients had normal blood sodium level. The urinary output of patients within PIH 72 was above 70 mL/h. K value was calculated through the formula: actual total infusion amount of electrolyte and colloid (mL) = burn area (%TBSA) x body weight (kg) x K. In the first 24 PIH, K value was about 1.7, and the ratio of electrolyte and colloid was 1.4. In the second 24 PIH, K value was about 1.3 with electrolyte and colloid ratio 1.6. K value in the third 24 PIH was about 0.9 with electrolyte and colloid ratio 2.0. CONCLUSIONS: The actual amount of resuscitation fluid is slightly larger than that calculated from traditional formula during the early stage in severely burned patients. The amount of electrolytes and the proportion of electrolyte and colloid will influence blood sodium level of patients.

[VEGF, COX-2 and MVD in lesions of patients with condyloma acuminatum].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the occurrence and development of condyloma acuminatum (CA). METHODS: The VEGF, COX-2, and microvascular density (MVD) in the lesions of 61 CA patients were detected with immunohistochemical SP method. Seventeen skin tissues from healthy men served as controls. RESULTS: The CA patients had greater positive rate and field-strength scores of VEGF and COX-2 than the controls (P < 0.05). VEGF positively correlated with COX-2 in the CA lesions (r = 0.749, P < 0.05). With the increase of number and diameters of CA lesions, the field-strength scores of VEGF and COX-2 increased (P < 0.05). The positive rates and field-strength scores did not change with the courses of the CA disease (P > 0.05). The CA lesions also had greater MVD than the controls (P < 0.05). The CA lesions with positive VEGF and COX-2 had greater MVD than those with negative VEGF and COX-2 (P < 0.05). Both VEGF and COX-2 were positively correlated with MVD (r = 0.348 and 0.327 respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: VEGF and COX-2 promote the abnormal angiogenesis and the cell proliferation in CA lesions, which accelerate the progress of wart lesions. The two factors have synergistic

[Prevalence of dementia among rural elderly in Gushan township, Fuzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of dementia and its related risk factors in people aged 65 years and older in Gushan township. METHODS: People aged 65 years or older in 22 villages of Gushan township were screened, from July 2007 to November 2007. Face to face interview with mini-mental state examination, and followed by clinical assessment. A series of neuropsychological examination was done on selected subjects based on the results of the screening tests. Clinical diagnosis on dementia was made according to the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder Fourth Edition. RESULTS: Out of the 2913 people 2696 aged 65 years or older, were enrolled. Among the participants, 197 were confirmed of having dementia, accounting for the overall rate as 7.3%. The prevalence rate of dementia was 5.1% in males and 8.9% in females. Prevalence of dementia in the highly educated intellectuals was 9.2%, followed by 5.2%, 3.9% and 2.5% in those having received primary, junior high or senior high school education. Results from logistic regression analysis showed that the major risk factors which influencing the prevalence of dementia would include age, activies of daily living, marital status, monthly income, frequency in watching TV/movie/field show, poker player or tress and taking care of the family etc. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of dementia went up along with age. Factors as watching TV/movie/field show or playing poker/chess more frequently, as well as taking good care on families tend to help reduce or postpone the development of dementia.

A method for purification and viral inactivation of human placenta hemoglobin.

For pilot-scale manufacturing of hemoglobin-based oxygen carrying drugs, we should get highly pure and viral inactivated hemoglobin (Hb) at high recovery. In our method, placenta hemoglobin (PHb) solutions were purified by heating in the presence of reducing agent and deoxygenating conditions so that heat-sensitive proteins were selectively precipitated and virus was inactivated. The optimum preparative condition resulted in highly purified PHb solution (>99% pure) with approximate 90% recovery and less than 2% of MetHb content, maintained oxygen carrying capacity, residual phospholipids less than 1 ppm, free of endotoxin, bacteria, type A&B antigens and virus. Finally, we compared the efficacy of blood exchange on rat with poly-PHb and poly-Hb from adult blood. The results showed no significant difference between two products. Therefore, the placenta Hb obtained from this method could be supplied as materials for oxygen carrying drugs.

[Effects of hsf1 genotype on the constitutive expression of alphaB-crystallin in mice myocardium].

AIM: Try to clarify the effects of HSF1 gene on the constitutively expressed alphaBC. METHODS: To investigate the levels of constitutively expressed alphaB-Crystallin (alphaBC) in hsf1 knockout (hsf1 -/-) and hsf1 wild type (hsf1 +/+) mice myocardium by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The alphaBC levels in hsf1 -/- and hsf1 +/+ were 68.42% +/- 4.16%, 100% +/- 7.58%, respectively (P < 0.05, cytosolic fraction), and 20.53% +/- 1.01%, 37.55% +/- 1.91%, respectively (P < 0.05, pellet fraction). The alphaBC signals decreased significantly in hsf1 -/- myocardium compared with hsf1 +/+ myocardium stained with fluorescence immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: hsf1 is the important, but not the only factor, which mediates the constitutively expressed alphaBC.