The role of enteric dysbacteriosis and modulation of gut microbiota in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is globally increasing. This disorder seriously affects the quality of life in patients. Interestingly, studies have detected that the intestinal flora imbalance is a critical factor in the progression of IBD. One potential treatment strategy for IBD involves regulating the composition and function of the intestinal flora. To date, a multitude of experiments have confirmed the relationship between intestinal flora, immune regulation, and anti-inflammation. The intestinal flora can reduce intestinal inflammation by regulating immunity and increasing the secretion of metabolic short-chain fatty acids. In this review, we discuss the composition and function of the intestinal flora, the relationship between the intestinal flora and the host, the role of intestinal flora disorders in IBD, and the progress in IBD treatment. Combining the regulation of the intestinal flora with probiotics treatment is considered a promising strategy for substantially improving the treatment of IBD.

[UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis of chemical constituents of classical prescription Yiguanjian standard decoction].

An UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method was employed to characterize and classify the chemical components of the standard decoction of Yiguanjian, a classical famous recipe. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity HSS T3(2.1 mm ×100 mm, 1.8 µm) column with a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid water-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile using gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL·min~(-1) and the column temperature was 40 ℃. Mass spectrometry was performed on electrospray ionization source(ESI) with positive and negative ion scanning modes. The potential compounds were identified by comparing the reference compounds, analyzing the mass spectrometry data and matching the published articles on Masslynx 4.1 software and SciFinder database. Finally, a total of 113 compounds, including 11 amino acids, 19 terpenoids, 13 phthalides, 11 steroidal saponins, 10 coumarins, 9 alkaloids, 7 flavonoids, 8 phenylethanoid glycosides, 8 organic acids and 17 other categories were identified. The established method systematically and accurately characterized the chemical components in Yiguanjian, which could provide experimental evidences for the subsequent studies on the pharmacodynamical material basis and quality control of Yiguanjian.

Effects of dietary metabolizable energy level on hepatic lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in aged laying hens.

Lipid metabolic capacity, feed utilization, and the diversity of gut microbiota are reduced in the late laying stage for laying hens. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) on hepatic lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in late laying hens. The 216 Peking Pink laying hens (57-wk-old) were randomly assigned to experimental diets of 11.56 (HM = high ME), 11.14 (MM = medium ME), or 10.72 (LM = low ME) MJ of ME/kg, with each dietary treatment containing 6 replicates per group and 12 chickens per replicate. The HM group showed higher triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations in the liver compared with the LM group; second, the HM group showed higher TG concentration and the LM group showed lower T-CHO concentration compared with MM group; finally, the HM group showed a lower hepatic lipase (HL) activity compared with the MM and LM groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the microbial community structure of the cecum between the HM and MM groups (P < 0.05). The decrease of dietary ME level resulted in a gradual decrease relative abundance of Proteobacteria. At the genus level, beneficial bacteria were significantly enriched in the LM group compared to the MM group, including Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, (linear discriminant analysis [LDA] >2, P <0.05). In addition, at the species level, Lactobacillus crispatus, Parabacteroides gordonii, Blautia caecimuris, and Lactobacillus johnsonii were significantly enriched in the LM group (LDA>2, P < 0.05). The HM group had a higher abundance of Sutterella spp. compared to the LM group (LDA>2, P <0.05). In conclusion, this research suggests that the reduction in dietary energy level did not adversely affect glycolipid metabolism or low dietary ME (10.72 MJ/kg). The findings can be helpful for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and increasing benefit for gut microbiota in late laying hens.

Impact of atmospheric thermodynamic structures and aerosol radiation feedback on winter regional persistent heavy particulate pollution in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, China.

Potential relationships among heavy air pollution, weather conditions, and meteorological effects are unclear and require further investigation, especially for areas with complex terrains, such as the Sichuan Basin (SCB), one of the most polluted regions in China. In this study, air pollution in the SCB was examined and 18 regional persistent heavy pollution events (RPHEs) were identified for the winters of 2014-2018. The average persistent period of the RPHEs was 8.89 days, and the number of affected cities was 17. Based on ground-based observations, CALIPSO satellite data, reanalysis data, and backward trajectory calculations, the synergistic effects of the thermodynamic structures, synoptic circulations and the radiative feedback of aerosols on the formation of RPHEs were revealed. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) An abnormal warming center, attributing to the warm southerly advection in the upper layer and the cold air dammed by the topography near the surface, always presented around 800-700 hPa to form a deep stable layer. (2) The diurnal variations in vertical motions triggered by the thermodynamic structures could regulate the pollution episodes. During the daytime, pollutants accumulated rapidly and thoroughly mixed under the control of sinking airflow from 800 hPa layer to the ground. At night, pollutants sometimes slowly diffused when weak ascending airflow appeared. (3) Forced by the stable layer and topography of the Tibetan Plateau, the local circulation was confined within SCB, resulting in the intensive mixing of local emissions and transport pollutants from other regions. This situation could be maintained for a long time with stable synoptic circulation in winter, leading to the formation of RPHEs. (4) The pollution episodes were featured with multi-layer pollutants above SCB according to the CALIPSO observations, including the local anthropogenic aerosols near the surface, dust aerosols originating from the Taklamakan Desert, and biomass burning aerosols from Southeast Asia. Solar absorption aerosols, including black carbon and dust above the region, could cause meteorological feedback, making the vertical layer more stable and enhancing the persistence and intensity of the pollution episodes. This study highlights the appreciable effects of synoptic circulations on the vertical thermodynamic structures of the atmosphere and air quality, and raises the understanding of the environmental and climate impacts of RPHEs in complex terrains.

The combination of sodium alginate and chlorogenic acid enhances the therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis by the regulation of inflammation and the intestinal flora.

Chlorogenic acid (CA) and sodium alginate (SA) each have good therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis (UC) owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CA alone and in combination with SA on inflammatory cells and UC mice. In the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 inflammatory cell model, Nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly lower after treatment with CA plus SA than with CA alone. In the DSS-induced UC mouse model, compared with CA alone, CA plus SA showed a better ability to alleviate weight loss, reduce the disease activity index (DAI), improve the colonic mucosa, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors in the serum and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in colonic tissue, increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, protect the intestinal mucosa and regulate the abundance of Actinobacteriota, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Subdoligranulum and Streptococcus. Thus, CA plus SA can improve the therapeutic efficacy of CA in UC by regulating inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and the intestinal flora and by protecting ulcerative wounds. These findings broaden our understanding of the role of the combination of SA and CA in enhancing the effects of CA on UC and provide strategies for prevention and treatment.

Association of betatrophin amounts with 25-(OH)D levels in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT: To determine the association of betatrophin amounts with 25-(OH)D levels in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients, and to provide new targets for the prevention and treatment of GDM.This study included 40 GDM patients (GDM group) and 37 healthy pregnant women (control group). Betatrophin, 25-(OH)D, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, hsCRP, and FINS levels in peripheral blood, as well as betatrophin and 25-(OH)D amounts in cord blood, were measured. Then, associations of betatrophin levels with 25-(OH)D amounts and other indexes were determined.Maternal (P = .011) and cord (P = .022) blood betatrophin levels were significantly lower in the GDM group compared with control group. Cord blood betatrophin levels were higher compared with maternal blood amounts in both the GDM and control groups (both P = .000). Serum betatrophin levels were positively associated with 25-(OH)D levels (r = 0.677, P = .000), but negatively associated with hsCRP (r = -0.335, P = .037) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.346, P = .031) levels in the GDM group. Fetal weight was higher in the GDM group compared with control group (P = .023), and negatively associated with cord blood betatrophin amounts in the GDM group (r = -0.342, P = .031). However, cord blood betatrophin levels were not significantly associated with body length, Apgar score, and cord blood 25-(OH)D levels in the GDM group (all P > .05).Serum betatrophin and 25-(OH) D levels were positively associated in women with GDM, and both significantly lower compared with control values. Fetal weight was higher in the GDM group and associated with cord blood betatrophin. These findings provide insights into developing new predictive biomarkers or therapeutic targets for GDM.

The changes of Lp-PLA2 in patients with gestational diabetes and its clinical significance.

ABSTRACT: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of lipoprotein-associated phospholipaseA2 (Lp-PLA2) level and its correlation with biochemical indexes in patients with GDM.This observational cross-sectional study was performed among 52 GDM and 48 healthy pregnant women. Automatic biochemical analyzer was employed to test the biochemical indexes, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The lipoprotein-associated phospholipaseA2 (Lp-PLA2) level was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated.The levels of FPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TG, TC and LDL-C were significantly increased while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was significantly decreased in the GDM group when compared with those in the control group. Lp-PLA2 level in maternal blood in the GDM group was significantly higher than that in the control group (199.125 ±â€Š23.494 vs165.825 ±â€Š15.576 ng/mL, P < .05) and logistic regression analysis further confirmed the association of Lp-PLA2 levels with GDM. Furthermore, Lp-PLA2 positively correlated with HOMA-IR, TC, and LDL-C.Our results confirmed the association of Lp-PLA2 with GDM. This broadens our knowledge on the pathophysiology of GDM and provides insights into the development of new targets for the prevention and treatment of GDM.

Polysaccharides from natural resources exhibit great potential in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: A review.

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is high. Despite the availability of various therapeutic agents for the treatment of UC, the routine treatment has limitations and serious side effects. Therefore, a new drug that safely and effectively treats UC is urgently needed. Polysaccharides from natural resources have recently become a hot topic of study for their therapeutic effects on UC. These effects are associated with the regulation of inflammatory cytokines, intestinal flora, and immune system and protection of the intestinal mucosa. This review focuses on the recent advances of polysaccharides from natural resources in the treatment of UC. The mechanisms and practicability of polysaccharides, including pectin, guar gum, rhamnogalacturonan, chitosan, fructan, psyllium, glycosaminoglycan, algal polysaccharides, polysaccharides from fungi and traditional Chinese medicine, and polysaccharide derivatives, are discussed in detail. The good efficacy and safety of polysaccharides make them promising drugs for treating UC.

[Trend of Syphilis Infection among Voluntary Blood Donors in Foshan City from 2008 to 2017].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of syphilis infection in voluntary blood donors in Foshan City, so as to provide reference for improving the infusion blood safety strategy of city. METHODS: A total of 657 382 voluntary blood donors in Foshan City from January 2008 to December 2017 were selected. The blood samples were tested for treponema pallidum. The prevalence trends, the detection rate of treponema pallidum infection and epidemiological data were statistically analyzed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed for antibody screening in blood samples. The two-hole retest was then performed for the samples which were positive in initial test, meanwhile, they were also confirmed by the treponema hemagglutination blood coagulation test (TPHA). RESULTS: First, the annual infection rate of treponema pallidum in Foshan City from January 2008 to December 2017 was 0.43%, 0.40%, 0.41%, 0.43%, 0.50%, 0.32%, 0.36%, 0.32%, 0.37% and 0.32%, respectively. A total of 2502 cases of treponema pallidum infection were detected, the overall infection rate was 0.38%, and the infection rate decreased year by year (x2=23.826, P＜0.05). Second, among the 657 382 samples of voluntary blood donors, 2 502 were showed the positive treponema pallidum antibody (0.38%). In 2015-2017, 791 donors were showed positive treponema pallidum antibody, 676 case out of which were confirmed positive, 0.34% with the positive coincidence rate of 85.46%. Third, this group of 676 syphilis infection cases were male-dominated (0.35%, 577/164 484). The age distribution was 18-53 years old, and the average age was 32 years, among which 35-44 years old accounted for 0.33% (138/41 858). The education level of in donors with treponema pallidom positive mainly ranked at low or lower levels under janior college (0.32%, 571/180 917). The occupation is mainly outside work and company staff (0.39%, 452/115 101). The marital status is mainly unmarried (0.29%, 377/130 905). The place of origin is mainly non-local (0.29%,570/198 063). CONCLUSION: The positive rate of treponema pallidum shows a downward trend in 2008-2017. Among the individuals with comfirmed TP antibody positive in 2015-2017, the non-local, unmarried and low educated males are main population, moreover more than half of them are migrant worker or company employeers.

IL-10 producing type 2 innate lymphoid cells prolong islet allograft survival.

Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a subset of ILCs with critical roles in immunoregulation. However, the possible role of ILC2s as immunotherapy against allograft rejection remains unclear. Here, we show that IL-33 significantly prolonged islet allograft survival. IL-33-treated mice had elevated numbers of ILC2s and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Depletion of Tregs partially abolished the protective effect of IL-33 on allograft survival, and additional ILC2 depletion in Treg-depleted DEREG mice completely abolished the protective effects of IL-33, indicating that ILC2s play critical roles in IL-33-mediated islet graft protection. Two subsets of ILC2s were identified in islet allografts of IL-33-treated mice: IL-10 producing ILC2s (ILC210 ) and non-IL-10 producing ILC2s (non-ILC10 ). Intravenous transfer of ILC210 cells, but not non-ILC10 , prolonged islet allograft survival in an IL-10-dependent manner. Locally transferred ILC210 cells led to long-term islet graft survival, suggesting that ILC210 cells are required within the allograft for maximal suppressive effect and graft protection. This study has uncovered a major protective role of ILC210 in islet transplantation which could be potentiated as a therapeutic strategy.

Implementation of a 2D Wavelet Method to Probe Mixed Layer Height Using Lidar Observations.

A new method was developed to estimate mixed layer (ML) height with light detection and ranging (lidar) observations using a 2Dimensional (2D) wavelet method, which can consider the diurnal variation characteristics of ML height. Ideal signals and real lidar observations in Shanghai, China were used to evaluate the new method. The results showed that the new method is insensitive to the type of wavelet filters. The estimated ML heights obtained by the 2D wavelet method agreed well with both of the previous methods developed for the ML height probing using lidar, including the gradient method, the 1D-wavelet method, the standard deviation method, and the conventional radiosonde method. The primary differences among the results obtained via the different lidar methods occurred in the early morning or later afternoon; when the ML is well mixed, very small differences were observed among the different lidar methods. The new method showed better determination skills than other methods when compared to the radiosonde observation results. It also performed well when there were missing profiles or observation errors and it made the new method suitable for operations where data quality control may be missed.

The value of transvaginal ultrasound in clinical surgical treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy.

The clinical value of transvaginal ultrasound in clinical surgical treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) was evaluated. The clinical data of 104 patients with CSP admitted at Tongji Hospital from 2013 to 2016 were collected and analyzed retrospectively, including the patients' age, gestational age, the size of gestational sac or uneven mass, the uterine scar thickness, ß human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and so on. Of these 104 cases, 30 cases were subjected to laparotomy, 29 cases to laparoscopy, 27 cases to hysteroscopy, 16 cases to ultrasound-guided uterine curettage, and 2 cases to conservative treatment. The transvaginal ultrasound showed that uterine scar thickness and gestational sac or uneven mass size had significant difference (P<0.05) among different surgical methods by comparatively analyzing the patients' data. It was suggested that transvaginal ultrasound may provide the valuable reference for choosing clinical surgical procedures for CSP.