Electrochemically fast preparation of superhydrophobic copper mesh for high-efficiency oil spill adsorption and oil-water separation.

Oily wastewater and marine oil spills are a massive environmental and human threat. Conventional oil spill treatment methods include adsorption by absorbent materials, dispersants or adsorbents, and in situ burning. Superhydrophobic materials, as a material that can achieve oil-water separation, have great potential for application in oil spill treatment. Research on superhydrophobic oil spill treatment mainly focuses on materials such as sponges and fabrics. Although these materials can effectively perform oil-water separation or oil spill adsorption, they also have the disadvantages of complicated preparation methods and high costs. Here, we present a miniature device for oil-water separation and oil spill collection and recovery. The superhydrophobic copper mesh box can be used on its own as an oil-water separation device or in combination with a commercial polyurethane sponge as a miniature oil-absorbing device. The robust copper mesh is prepared in two steps: anodizing and impregnation. The superhydrophobic copper mesh had a high oil separation flux (32,330 L m-2 h-1) and efficiency (97%), which remained high (28,560 L m-2 h-1) and efficient (95%) after 20 cycles of separation. The combined micro oil adsorption device can adsorb different oils and fats on the water surface, and it has good reusability with oil adsorption capacity and efficiency up to 15.28 g/g and 98% and still has good oil adsorption capacity (11.54 g/g) and efficiency (94.6%) after 20 cycles of adsorption. Therefore, the prepared micro oil-absorbing device has promising application prospects in oil-water separation, oil spill cleanup, etc. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: This study demonstrates a facile electrochemical approach to prepare a miniature device for high-efficiency oil-water separation and oil spill collection and recovery. The modified copper mesh's separation flux could reach 32,330 L m-2 h-1, showing great promise in oil-water separation and oil spill cleanup.

Nutritional support during the first week for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and respiratory distress: a multicenter cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication affecting the survival rate and long-term outcomes of preterm infants. A large, prospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted to evaluate early nutritional support during the first week of life for preterm infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks and to verify nutritional risk factors related to BPD development. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study of very preterm infants was conducted in 40 tertiary neonatal intensive care units across mainland China between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Preterm infants who were born at a gestational age < 32 weeks, < 72 h after birth and had a respiratory score > 4 were enrolled. Antenatal and postnatal information focusing on nutritional parameters was collected through medical systems. Statistical analyses were also performed to identify BPD risk factors. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were BPD and severity at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. A total of 1410 preterm infants were enrolled in this study. After applying the exclusion criteria, the remaining 1286 infants were included in this analysis; 614 (47.7%) infants were in the BPD group, and 672 (52.3%) were in the non-BPD group. In multivariate logistic regression model, the following six factors were identified of BPD: birth weight (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-0.99; p = 0.039), day of full enteral nutrition (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04; p < 0.001), parenteral protein > 3.5 g/kg/d during the first week (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25-2.17; p < 0.001), feeding type (formula: OR 3.48, 95% CI 2.21-5.49; p < 0.001, mixed feed: OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.36-2.70; p < 0.001; breast milk as reference), hsPDA (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.44-2.73; p < 0.001), and EUGR ats 36 weeks (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.02-1.91; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: A longer duration to achieve full enteral nutrition in very preterm infants was associated with increased BPD development. Breastfeeding was demonstrated to have a protective effect against BPD. Early and rapidly progressive enteral nutrition and breastfeeding should be promoted in very preterm infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2000030125 on 24/02/2020) and in www.ncrcch.org (No. ISRCTN84167642 on 25/02/2020).

The management of non-culprit vessel(s) in patients with unstable angina/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and chronic kidney dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The clinical effects of multivessel interventions in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI), multivessel disease (MVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of intervention in non-culprit lession(s) among this cohort. METHODS: We consecutively included patients diagnosed with UA/NSTEMI, MVD and CKD between January 2008 and December 2018 at our centre. After successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we compared 48-month overall mortality between those undergoing multivessel PCI (MV-PCI) through a single-procedure or staged-procedure approach and culprit vessel-only PCI (CV-PCI) after 1:1 propensity score matching. We conducted stratified analyses and tests for interaction to investigate the modifying effects of critical covariates. Additionally, we recorded the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) to assess the perioperative safety of the two treatment strategies. RESULTS: Of the 749 eligible patients, 271 pairs were successfully matched. Those undergoing MV-PCI had reduced all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48-0.67). Subgroup analysis showed that those with advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) could not benefit from MV-PCI (P = 0.250), and the survival advantage also tended to diminish in diabetes (P interaction < 0.01; HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.65-1.45). Although the staged-procedure approach (N = 157) failed to bring additional survival benefits compared to single-procedure MV-PCI (N = 290) (P = 0.460), it showed a tendency to decrease the death risk. CIN risks in MV-PCI and CV-PCI groups were not significantly different (risk ratio = 1.60, 95% CI = 0.94-2.73). CONCLUSION: Among patients with UA/NSTEMI and non-diabetic CKD and an eGFR > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , MV-PCI was associated with a reduced risk of long-term death but did not increase the incidence of CIN during the management of MVD compared to CV-PCI. And staged procedures might be a preferable option over single-procedure MV-PCI.

Clinical characteristics and mortality risk factors of mixed bacterial infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients.

Background and objective: Mixed bacterial infections (MBI) is one of the complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and increases the risk of patient death. However, there are few reports specifically on this topic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and mortality risk factors of MBI in HSCT recipients. Methods: The electronic medical records of patients undergoing HSCT were collected. The epidemiological features and antibiotic resistance of patients with and without MBI were compared. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to identify the risk factors for MBI acquisition and death. R language was used to construct a prediction model for the overall survival of HSCT recipients with MBI. Results: The cumulative incidence of MBI was 6.3% and the mortality was 48.8%. Time interval from diagnosis to transplantation > 180 days (HR=2.059, 95% CI 1.042-4.069, P=0.038) and ICU admission after transplantation (HR=2.271, 95% CI 1.053-4.898, P=0.036) were independent risk factors for MBI acquisition. Engraftment period > 20 days (HR=2.273, 95% CI 1.028-5.027, P=0.043), continuous renal replacement therapy (HR=5.755, 95% CI 1.691-19.589, P=0.005) and septic shock (HR=4.308, 95% CI 2.085-8.901, P=0.000) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. Conclusions: MBI has become a serious problem that cannot be ignored after HSCT. It is urgent for clinicians to pay high attention to it and formulate reasonable monitoring and treatment plans to improve the prognosis of patients.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused by a heterozygous variant in TTR gene: A case report.

RATIONALE: We report a rare case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) caused by a heterozygous variant in TTR gene. PATIENT CONCERNS: The proband had been vomiting without obvious inducement since the age of 27, accompanied by the expulsion of stomach contents. At the age of 28, she began to suddenly syncope. DIAGNOSIS: Cardiac magnetic resonance showed thickening of the right ventricular lateral wall and ventricular septum. The left ventricular diastolic function was limited. Targeted Sanger sequencing validates the presence of mutation p.Leu75Pro in TTR gene. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: After admission to hospital for syncope, she was given metoprolol tablets 25 mg bid, spironolactone tablets 20 mg qd, and trimetazidine 20 mg tid. Her symptoms improved after taking the medicine. LESSONS: The results of this case show that HCM caused by TTR mutation is not easy to be identified and treatment is easy to be delayed. Therefore, high-risk patients with amyloidosis should be evaluated as soon as possible. Timely diagnosis of HCM caused by TTR mutation before irreversible organ damage is essential for proper treatment and better outcomes.

Mannose-Binding Lectin Reduces Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Induced Vascular Endothelial Cells Injury by Inhibiting LOX1-ox-LDL Binding and Modulating Autophagy.

Objective: To investigate the role of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in modulating autophagy and protecting endothelial cells (ECs) from oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced injury. Methods: Serum MBL concentration and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were measured in 94 obese and 105 healthy children. ECs were transfected with MBL over-expression plasmid, LOX1 was knocked-down to explore the protective role of MBL in ox-LDL induced ECs injury. Dendritic cells (DCs) were co-cultured with ECs, and inflammatory factors, DC maturation, and autophagy was assessed. WT and ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) with or without MBL-adenovirus injection for 16 weeks and aortic vascular endothelial tissue was isolated, then atherosclerotic plaque, cell injury and autophagy were analyzed. Results: Serum MBL concentration in obese children was lower than healthy controls and was negatively correlated with cIMT. The uptake of ox-LDL was decreased in LOX1 knock-down ECs. MBL over-expression in vitro inhibited LOX1-ox-LDL binding. Both LOX1 knock-down and MBL over-expression can ameliorate EC autophagy and cell injury. MBL over-expression in vivo alleviated atherosclerotic plaque formation, influenced DC maturation and down-regulated IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-a levels. Conclusions: MBL exerts a protective role in ox-LDL-induced EC injury by modulating DC maturation and EC autophagy via inhibiting LOX1-ox-LDL binding.

Bre1/RNF20 promotes Rad51-mediated strand exchange and antagonizes the Srs2/FBH1 helicases.

Central to homologous recombination (HR) is the assembly of Rad51 recombinase on single-strand DNA (ssDNA), forming the Rad51-ssDNA filament. How the Rad51 filament is efficiently established and sustained remains partially understood. Here, we find that the yeast ubiquitin ligase Bre1 and its human homolog RNF20, a tumor suppressor, function as recombination mediators, promoting Rad51 filament formation and subsequent reactions via multiple mechanisms independent of their ligase activities. We show that Bre1/RNF20 interacts with Rad51, directs Rad51 to ssDNA, and facilitates Rad51-ssDNA filament assembly and strand exchange in vitro. In parallel, Bre1/RNF20 interacts with the Srs2 or FBH1 helicase to counteract their disrupting effect on the Rad51 filament. We demonstrate that the above functions of Bre1/RNF20 contribute to HR repair in cells in a manner additive to the mediator protein Rad52 in yeast or BRCA2 in human. Thus, Bre1/RNF20 provides an additional layer of mechanism to directly control Rad51 filament dynamics.

The RPA-RNF20-SNF2H cascade promotes proper chromosome segregation and homologous recombination repair.

The human tumor suppressor Ring finger protein 20 (RNF20)-mediated histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub) is essential for proper chromosome segregation and DNA repair. However, what is the precise function and mechanism of RNF20-H2Bub in chromosome segregation and how this pathway is activated to preserve genome stability remain unknown. Here, we show that the single-strand DNA-binding factor Replication protein A (RPA) interacts with RNF20 mainly in the S and G2/M phases and recruits RNF20 to mitotic centromeres in a centromeric R-loop-dependent manner. In parallel, RPA recruits RNF20 to chromosomal breaks upon DNA damage. Disruption of the RPA-RNF20 interaction or depletion of RNF20 increases mitotic lagging chromosomes and chromosome bridges and impairs BRCA1 and RAD51 loading and homologous recombination repair, leading to elevated chromosome breaks, genome instability, and sensitivities to DNA-damaging agents. Mechanistically, the RPA-RNF20 pathway promotes local H2Bub, H3K4 dimethylation, and subsequent SNF2H recruitment, ensuring proper Aurora B kinase activation at centromeres and efficient loading of repair proteins at DNA breaks. Thus, the RPA-RNF20-SNF2H cascade plays a broad role in preserving genome stability by coupling H2Bub to chromosome segregation and DNA repair.

Epidemiology, drug resistance analysis and mortality risk factor prediction of gram-negative bacteria infections in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective treatment for many malignant and refractory diseases. However, infections, as the most common complication after transplantation, often lead to poor long-term prognosis of patients. In this study, we collected electronic medical records of allo-HSCT recipients with gram-negative bacteria (GNB) infections between January 2012 and September 2021, analyzed epidemiological characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity, and determined independent risk factors for carbapenem-resistant GNB (CR-GNB) infections and death by Logistic and Cox regression models. During the 9-year period, 183 of 968 patients developed GNB infections, of which 58 died. The most common pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae. CR-GNB, especially carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) had a high resistance rate to commonly used clinical antibiotics. Independent risk factors for CR-GNB infections were use of carbapenem antibiotics for >3 days one month before transplantation (OR = 3.244, 95% CI 1.428-7.369, P = 0.005), use of special immunosuppressants after transplantation (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.008-1.452, P = 0.041), and time of hematopoietic reconstruction >20 days (OR = 2.628, 95% CI 1.369-5.043, P = 0.004). Independent risk factors for mortality were interval between diagnosis and transplantation >180 days (HR = 2.039, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.963, P = 0.035), total bilirubin levels during infection >34.2 µmol/L (HR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.583-7.256, P = 0.002) and septic shock (HR = 5.345, 95% CI 2.655-10.761, P = 0.000). In conclusion, GNB has a high incidence and mortality in allo-HSCT recipients. Early transplantation for eligible patients, attention to liver function protection, timely identification and treatment of septic shock can help to improve the prognosis of patients.

The inhibitory effect of Yam polysaccharides on acrylamide-induced programmed cell death in RAW 264.7 cells.

Acrylamide has been well known for its neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, etc. Recently, the immunotoxicity of acrylamide has been reported by different research groups, although the underlying mechanisms of acrylamide endangering immune systems have not been fully elucidated. In this study, mouse monocyte-macrophage cells model was used to clarify the toxic mechanism of acrylamide and the inhibitory effect of Yam polysaccharides (YPS) on acrylamide-induced damage. We found that acrylamide induced RAW 264.7 cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. After acrylamide (2.0, 3.0, 4.0 mmol/L) treatment for 24 h, cell apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis were observed. However, the levels of autophagy and pyroptosis decreased at a high concentration of acrylamide (4.0 mmol/L). Acrylamide upregulated P2X7 expression, but the P2X7 level was not showing a monotone increasing trend. When the P2X7 antagonist was applied, the effect of acrylamide on autophagy and pyroptosis was weakened. Additionally, acrylamide triggered the occurrence of oxidative stress and a decreased nitric oxide (NO) level. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the decrease of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, and the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were reversed by the inhibition of P2X7. Yam polysaccharides (50.0 µg/ml) significantly inhibited acrylamide-induced oxidative stress and cell death (including apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis). Yam polysaccharides also effectively reversed the increase of iNOS expression induced by acrylamide. However, Yam polysaccharides promoted the expression of P2X7 rather than prohibit it. These results indicated that acrylamide caused RAW 264.7 cell death due to pro-apoptosis as well as excessive autophagy and pyroptosis. Apoptosis might be more predominant than autophagy and pyroptosis under a higher concentration of acrylamide (4.0 mmol/L). P2X7-stimulated oxidative stress was responsible for acrylamide-induced programmed cell death (PCD), but P2X7 showed limited regulatory effect on apoptosis. Yam polysaccharides with antioxidant activity inhibited acrylamide-induced cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis), but exerted limited effect on the acrylamide-induced P2X7 expression. These findings would offer an insight into elucidating the immunotoxic mechanism of acrylamide and the potential approaches to control its toxicity.

Isolation, Structural Characterization, and Hypoglycemic Activities In Vitro of Polysaccharides from Pleurotus eryngii.

Pleurotus eryngii (PE) is an edible mushroom with high nutritional value. Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides (PEPs) are one of the main active ingredients and manifest a great variety of biological activities. This study mainly focused on the chemical characterization and biological activities of PEPs, which were separated into two fractions (named WPS and P-1). WPS is mainly dominated by ß-glycosidic bonds and contains α-glycosidic bonds, and P-1 only contains α-glycosidic bonds. The molecular weights of WPS and P-1 were 4.5 × 105 Da and 2.2 × 104 Da. The result of GC indicated that two the fractions were composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, and galactose, with a ratio of 0.35:0.24:0.45:0.24:28.78:1.10 for WPS and 0.95:0.64:0.66:1.84:60.69:0.67 for P-1. The advanced structure studies indicated that the two fractions had no triple-helical structure, where WPS had a dense structure and P-1 had a loose structure. In addition, the antioxidant activity of WPS surpassed P-1, and the two fractions also exhibited a high hypoglycemic activity via inhibiting α-glycosidase activities and promoting the expression of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway based on in vitro assay and cell experiments.

Tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide enhances NK-92MI mediated cellular immunotherapy in all-trans retinoic acid-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is liable to induce disseminated intravascular coagulation and has a high early mortality. Although the combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) has significantly improved the complete remission rate, there are still some patients developed drug resistance. Growing evidence suggests that natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immunotherapy as a new treatment can help slow the progression of hematological malignancies. Previous studies also indicated that some tumors exhibited excellent responsiveness to NK cells in vitro. However, many clinical trial results showed that the anti-tumor effect of NK cells infusion alone was not ideal, which may be related to the inactivation of infiltrating NK cells caused by strong immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment, but the specific mechanism remains to be further explored. In the present study, we demonstrated that low doses of tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide (As4S4) not only enhanced the in vitro killing of NK-92MI against ATRA-resistant APL cells, but also strengthened the growth inhibition of xenografted tumors in APL mouse model. Mechanistically, As4S4 altered the expression of natural killer group 2 member D ligands (NKG2DLs) and cytokines in APL cells, and PD-1 in NK-92MI cells. In addition, database retrieval results further revealed the relationship between the differentially regulated molecules of As4S4 and immune infiltration and its impact on prognosis. In conclusion, our findings confirmed the potential of As4S4 as an adjuvant for NK-92MI in the treatment of ATRA-resistant APL.

Home oxygen use and 1-year outcome among preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia discharged from a Chinese regional NICU.

Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical characteristics and 1-year outcomes of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) who were discharged on supplemental oxygen or room air. Materials and Methods: The preterm infants (born <32 weeks' gestation, birth weight ≤1,250 g) diagnosed with BPD and admitted between January 2020 and December 2020 were enrolled. The clinical data during hospitalization were collected through the hospital's electronic record system. The outcomes after discharge were acquired from the outpatient system and through telephonic interviews. Results: Of the 87 preterm infants diagnosed with BPD, 81 infants survived until discharge. The 81 infants were divided into the home oxygen group (n = 29) and room air group (n = 52) according to supplemental oxygen or not at discharge. Infants in the home oxygen group were more likely to receive postnatal systemic steroids and higher ventilation settings at 36 weeks' PMA. There was one patient in each group who died before 1 year corrected age, respectively. All the infants had successfully weaned off oxygen eventually during the first year. The median duration of home oxygen therapy was 25 (7,42) days. Readmission occurred in 49 (64.5%) infants. Readmissions for infants with home oxygen were more often related to respiratory disease. In addition, wheezing disorders and home inhalation occurred more frequently in the home oxygen group (p = 0.022, p = 0.004). Although the incidence of underweight at 1 year corrected age was higher in the room air group (10.0 vs. 3.8%), there was no significant difference (p = 0.620). The rate of neurodevelopmental impairment was similar between these two groups (26.0 vs. 30.8%, p = 0.659). Conclusions: It was the first study focused on preterm infants with BPD receiving home oxygen in China. Infants with home oxygen were more likely to have respiratory problems after discharge from NICU. Home oxygen use was not associated with more readmission for infants with BPD, and no difference was found in neurodevelopmental impairment and growth outcome.

Epidemiology, Drug Resistance, and Risk Factors for Mortality Among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients with Hospital-Acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections: A Single-Center Retrospective Study from China.

Objective: Infection is the most common complication and cause of death after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Our study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for death of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in HSCT recipients, so as to provide evidence for guiding antibiotic use and improving prognosis in the future. Methods: The epidemiology, clinical manifestations and drug resistance rate with K. pneumoniae infections among HSCT recipients between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression model and Cox regression model were respectively used to determine the risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) acquisition and death. Results: Fifty-nine HSCT recipients suffered from K. pneumoniae infections, with a mortality rate of 42.4%. The most common site was lung, followed by blood stream. The resistance rate of K. pneumoniae to various clinically common antibiotics was high, especially CRKP, which was only sensitive to amikacin and tigecycline. Independent risk factor for CPKP acquisition was a previous infection within 3 months before transplantation (OR=10.981, 95% CI 1.474-81.809, P=0.019). Independent risk factors for mortality included interval from diagnosis to transplantation > 180 days (HR=3.963, 95% CI 1.25-12.561, P=0.019), engraftment period > 20 days (HR=8.015, 95% CI 2.355-27.279, P=0.001), non-use of anti-CMV immunoglobulin/rituximab after transplantation (HR=10.720, 95% CI 2.390-48.089, P=0.002), and PCT > 5 µg/L (HR=5.906, 95% CI 1.623-21.500, P=0.007). Conclusion: K. pneumoniae infection has become a serious threat for HSCT recipients, which reminds us to pay enough attention and actively seek new strategies.

Structural Characteristics, Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activities of Polysaccharide from Siraitia grosvenorii.

The structural characterization, the in vitro antioxidant activity, and the hypoglycemic activity of a polysaccharide (SGP-1-1) isolated from Siraitia grosvenorii (SG) were studied in this paper. SGP-1-1, whose molecular weight is 19.037 kDa, consisted of Gal:Man:Glc in the molar ratio of 1:2.56:4.90. According to the results of methylation analysis, GC-MS, and NMR, HSQC was interpreted as a glucomannan with a backbone composed of 4)-ß-D-Glcp-(1→4)-, α-D-Glcp-(1→4)-, and 4)-Manp-(1 residues. α-1,6 linked an α-D-Galp branch, and α-1,6 linked an α-D-Glcp branch. The study indirectly showed that SGP-1-1 has good in vitro hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities and that these activities may be related to the fact that the SGP-1-1's monosaccharide composition (a higher proportion of Gal and Man) is the glycosidic-bond type (α- and ß-glycosidic bonds). SGP-1-1 could be used as a potential antioxidant and hypoglycemic candidate for functional and nutritional food applications.

Cardiac contractility modulation ameliorates myocardial metabolic remodeling in a rabbit model of chronic heart failure through activation of AMPK and PPAR-α pathway.

Metabolic remodeling contributes to the pathological process of heart failure (HF). We explored the effects of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) on myocardial metabolic remodeling in the rabbit model with HF. The HF in rabbit model was established by pressure uploading and then CCM was applied. We evaluated the cardiac structure and function by echocardiography, serum BNP level, and hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. We detected the accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets in myocardial tissues by periodic acid-Schiff and Oil Red O staining. Then, we measured the contents of glucose, free fatty acid (FFA), lactic acid, pyruvate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in myocardial tissues by corresponding kits and the expression levels of key factors related to myocardial substrate uptake and utilization by western blotting were analyzed. CCM significantly restored the cardiac structure and function in the rabbit model with HF. CCM therapy further decreased the accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets. Furthermore, CCM reduced the contents of FFA, glucose, and lactic acid, and increased pyruvate and ATP levels in HF tissues. The protein expression levels related to myocardial substrate uptake and utilization were markedly improved with CCM treatment by further activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α signaling pathways.

Effect of Vaginoscopy versus Conventional Hysteroscopy on Pain, Complications, and Patient Satisfaction in Patients with Endometrial Polyps.

Background: Hysteroscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing intrauterine pathology. Traditional hysteroscopy requires the placement of a vaginal speculum and cervical forceps, which are large in diameter, causing discomfort and pain to the patient and even causing vagal reflexes. Aims: To investigate the impact and clinical value of vaginoscopy versus conventional hysteroscopy on pain, complications, and patient satisfaction in patients with endometrial polyps and to analyse the advantages of clinical application of vaginoscopy examination. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five patients with endometrial polyps treated in our hospital from May 2021 to December 2021 were selected for this study and divided into 52 cases in the hysteroscopy group and 73 cases in the vaginoscopy group according to the random remainder grouping method. Conventional hysteroscopy was used, and in the vaginoscopy group, vaginoscopy was performed. The impact of pain, complications, patient satisfaction, and clinical value of the two groups was observed and compared. Results: The time taken for the examination varied between the different hysteroscopic methods, with the hysteroscopy group taking the longest time compared to the vaginoscopy group (P < 0.01). The VAS scores immediately after the examination and 30 minutes after the examination were both significantly higher in the hysteroscopy group than in the vaginoscopy group (P < 0.01). The difference in NPY, PGE2, and 5-HT after the pain-causing mediator intervention was significantly better in the vaginoscopy group than in the hysteroscopy group. The difference in the incidence of complications such as abortion syndrome, cervical laceration, uterine perforation, and haemorrhage after treatment was significantly lower in the vaginoscopy group than in the hysteroscopy group. In the vaginoscopy group, the satisfaction rate was 91% significantly higher than that of the hysteroscopy group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The vaginoscopy technique shortens the examination and treatment time, reduces patient pain, improves patient compliance, reduces the use of preintervention drugs and anaesthetics, and reduces complications.

Effect of shiitake mushrooms polysaccharide and chitosan coating on softening and browning of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) during postharvest storage.

We investigated the browning and softening of fresh Lentinula edodes (LE) coated with polysaccharides (LEP) isolated from LE stalks and stored at 4 °C for 15 days. The results showed that compared to the chitosan-coated and uncoated LE, the LEP-treated mushrooms showed significant improvements in several qualities during storage, such as reduced weight loss, retention of hardness and springiness, improved soluble protein content, and reduced browning, malondialdehyde content, and electrolyte leakage rate. The best results were obtained with 1.5 % LEP. LEP improved the activities of peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonialyase and significantly reduced the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide during storage compared to the control samples. In addition, the LEP treatment maintained the high antioxidant activity of LE during storage. Notably, LEP inhibited browning-related enzymes (polyphenol oxidase and tyrosinase) to reduce browning. It also maintained high levels of cellulase, chitinase, and ß-1,3 glucanase to improve softening during storage. These findings suggest the potential of LEP to improve the post-harvest quality of mushrooms, allowing a storage period of up to 15 days (extending the shelf life by six days) and indirectly suggesting that the polysaccharide component of LEP can act as a self-defense additive to protect against spoilage during storage.

Inhibitions and Down-Regulation of Motor Protein Eg5 Expression in Primary Sensory Neurons Reveal a Novel Therapeutic Target for Pathological Pain.

The motor protein Eg5, known as kif11 or kinesin-5, interacts with adjacent microtubules in the mitotic spindle and plays essential roles in cell division, yet the function of Eg5 in mature postmitotic neurons remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the contribution and molecular mechanism of Eg5 in pathological pain. Pharmacological inhibition of Eg5 and a specific shRNA-expressing viral vector reversed complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced pain and abrogated vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In the dorsal root, Eg5 inhibition promoted VR1 axonal transport and decreased VR1 expression. In the spinal cord, Eg5 inhibition suppressed VR1 expression in axon terminals and impaired synapse formation in superficial laminae I/II. Finally, we showed that Eg5 is necessary for PI3K/Akt signalling-mediated VR1 membrane trafficking and pathological pain. The present study provides compelling evidence of a noncanonical function of Eg5 in primary sensory neurons. These results suggest that Eg5 may be a potential therapeutic target for intractable pain.

Microbiome-metabolome responses of Fuzhuan brick tea crude polysaccharides with immune-protective benefit in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice.

The present study investigated the immune-protective effect of polysaccharides from Fuzhuan brick tea (FBTPs) in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppressive mice. The results showed that high-dose of FBTPs administration remarkably alleviated Cy-evoked immune damage through improving the body features, organ indices, immune responses and oxidative stress in the mice. Further microbiota analysis revealed that FBTPs obviously restored Cy-evoked microbial dysbiosis by increasing several beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae and norank_f_Lachnospiraceae, while reducing Bacteroides, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, Colidextribacter, Alloprevotella, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae and Helicobacter. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis found that FBTPs significantly altered a range of microbial metabolites, including inosine, deoxyinosine, taurine, sinapic acid, maltotriose, butyric acid, lysophosphatidyl cholines (LysoPCs), lysophosphatidic acids (LysoPAs) and choline. These altered metabolites were involved in purine metabolism, ABC transporters, sulfur metabolism, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, protein digestion and absorption, choline metabolism in cancer and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways, which were mainly related to immune responses, antioxidant capacity and energy supply of the immunosuppressive mice. Additionally, some significant correlations were observed between the specific microbiota and effective metabolites. These results provide a novel insight into the immune-protective effect of FBTPs on regulating the intestinal microbiota and metabolism, which are helpful for thoroughly understanding the nutrition of FBTPs and providing a solid basis for the deeper utilization of Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT).