Key lifestyles and health outcomes across 16 prevalent chronic diseases: A network analysis of an international observational study.

Background: Central and bridge nodes can drive significant overall improvements within their respective networks. We aimed to identify them in 16 prevalent chronic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to guide effective intervention strategies and appropriate resource allocation for most significant holistic lifestyle and health improvements. Methods: We surveyed 16 512 adults from July 2020 to August 2021 in 30 territories. Participants self-reported their medical histories and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes. For each disease subgroup, we generated lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks. Variables with the highest centrality indices in each were identified central or bridge. We validated these networks using nonparametric and case-dropping subset bootstrapping and confirmed central and bridge variables' significantly higher indices through a centrality difference test. Findings: Among the 48 networks, 44 were validated (all correlation-stability coefficients >0.25). Six central lifestyle factors were identified: less consumption of snacks (for the chronic disease: anxiety), less sugary drinks (cancer, gastric ulcer, hypertension, insomnia, and pre-diabetes), less smoking tobacco (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), frequency of exercise (depression and fatty liver disease), duration of exercise (irritable bowel syndrome), and overall amount of exercise (autoimmune disease, diabetes, eczema, heart attack, and high cholesterol). Two central health outcomes emerged: less emotional distress (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eczema, fatty liver disease, gastric ulcer, heart attack, high cholesterol, hypertension, insomnia, and pre-diabetes) and quality of life (anxiety, autoimmune disease, cancer, depression, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome). Four bridge lifestyles were identified: consumption of fruits and vegetables (diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and insomnia), less duration of sitting (eczema, fatty liver disease, and heart attack), frequency of exercise (autoimmune disease, depression, and heart attack), and overall amount of exercise (anxiety, gastric ulcer, and insomnia). The centrality difference test showed the central and bridge variables had significantly higher centrality indices than others in their networks (P < 0.05). Conclusion: To effectively manage chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced interventions and optimised resource allocation toward central lifestyle factors, health outcomes, and bridge lifestyles are paramount. The key variables shared across chronic diseases emphasise the importance of coordinated intervention strategies.

Effect and safety of electroacupuncture on weight loss in obese patients with pre-diabetes: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been identified as a significant risk factor for several chronic conditions, including diabetes, tumours and cardiovascular disease, and has been associated with increased mortality rates. Despite the well-established clinical practice of electroacupuncture (EA) as a potential treatment option for obesity, its efficacy remains questionable, primarily due to the paucity of empirical evidence supporting its therapeutic benefits. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The present study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of EA for weight loss in obese individuals with pre-diabetes, using a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial design. A total of 256 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: EA (comprising EA treatment with health education) or superficial acupuncture (SA) (comprising SA treatment with health education). The intervention will be administered three times per week for the initial 12 weeks, two times per week for the subsequent 8 weeks and one time per week for the final 4 weeks, with a 24-week follow-up period. The primary outcome measure will be the percentage of patients who achieve a reduction of 10% or more in their body weight at week 24. Secondary outcome measures will include changes in body weight and body mass index, blood test results, data collected by the body composition analyser, size of adipose tissue scanned by MRI of the abdomen and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life, the 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised and the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait. The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale will be employed to monitor every adverse reaction from baseline to follow-up. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has received ethical clearance from the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine under the registration number 2021SHL-KY-74. All participants will provide their written informed consent prior to their enrolment. The findings of this investigation will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scholarly conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05237089.

The gut microbe-derived metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide induces aortic valve fibrosis via PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s signaling in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The gut microbe-derived metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular fibrosis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs after the dysfunction of ER and its structure. The three signals PERK/ATF-4, IRE-1α/XBP-1s and ATF6 are activated upon ER stress. Recent reports have suggested that the activation of PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s signaling contributes to cardiovascular fibrosis. However, whether TMAO mediates aortic valve fibrosis by activating PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s signaling remains unclear. METHODS: Human aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) were isolated from aortic valve leaflets. PERK IRE-1α, ATF-4, XBP-1s and CHOP expression, and production of collagen Ⅰ and TGF-ß1 were analyzed following treatment with TMAO. The role of PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s signaling pathways in TMAO-induced fibrotic formation was determined using inhibitors and small interfering RNA. RESULTS: Diseased valves produced greater levels of ATF-4, XBP-1, collagen Ⅰ and TGF-ß1. Interestingly, diseased cells exhibited augmented PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s activation after TMAO stimulation. Inhibition and silencing of PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s each resulted in enhanced suppression of TMAO-induced fibrogenic activity in diseased cells. Mice treated with dietary choline supplementation had substantially increased TMAO levels and aortic valve fibrosis, which were reduced by 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB, an inhibitor of trimethylamine formation) treatment. Moreover, a high-choline and high-fat diet remodeled the gut microbiota in mice. CONCLUSIONS: TMAO promoted aortic valve fibrosis through activation of PERK/ATF-4 and IRE-1α/XBP-1s signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. Modulation of diet, gut microbiota, TMAO, PERK/ATF-4 and IRE1-α/XBP-1s may be a promising approach to prevent aortic valve fibrosis.

Composition analysis of Compound Shenhua Tablet, a seven-herb Chinese medicine for IgA nephropathy: evaluation of analyte-capacity of the assays.

Compound Shenhua Tablet, a medicine comprising seven herbs, is employed in treating IgA nephropathy. This study aimed to meticulously analyze its chemical composition. Based on a list of candidate compounds, identified through extensive literature review pertinent to the tablet's herbal components, the composition analysis entailed the systematic identification, characterization, and quantification of the constituents. The analyte-capacity of LC/ESI-MS-based and GC/EI-MS-based assays was evaluated. The identified and characterized constituents were quantified to determine their content levels and were ranked based on the constituents' daily doses. A total of 283 constituents, classified into 12 distinct categories, were identified and characterized in the Compound Shenhua Tablet. These constituents exhibited content levels of 1-10 982 µg·g-1, with daily doses of 0.01-395 µmol·d-1. The predominant constituents, with daily doses of ≥ 10 µmol·d-1, include nine organic acids (citric acid, quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, gallic acid, neochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, isochlorogenic acid B, and linoleic acid), five iridoids (specnuezhenide, nuezhenoside G13, nuezhenidic acid, secoxyloganin, and secologanoside), two monoterpene glycosides (paeoniflorin and albiflorin), a sesquiterpenoid (curzerenone), a triterpenoid (oleanolic acid), and a phenylethanoid (salidroside). Additionally, there were 83, 126, and 55 constituents detected in the medicine with daily doses of 1-10, 0.1-1, and 0.01-0.1 µmol·d-1, respectively. The combination of the LC/ESI-MS-based and GC/EI-MS-based assays demonstrated a complementary relationship in their analyte-capacity for detecting the constituents present in the medicine. This comprehensive composition analysis establishes a solid foundation for further pharmacological research on Compound Shenhua Tablet and facilitates the quality evaluation of this complex herbal medicine.

Upgrading pectin methylation for consistently enhanced biomass enzymatic saccharification and cadmium phytoremediation in rice Ospmes site-mutants.

Crop straws provide enormous biomass residues applicable for biofuel production and trace metal phytoremediation. However, as lignocellulose recalcitrance determines a costly process with potential secondary waste liberation, genetic modification of plant cell walls is deemed as a promising solution. Although pectin methylation plays an important role for plant cell wall construction and integrity, little is known about its regulation roles on lignocellulose hydrolysis and trace metal elimination. In this study, we initially performed a typical CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing for site mutations of OsPME31, OsPME34 and OsPME79 in rice, and then determined significantly upgraded pectin methylation degrees in the young seedlings of three distinct site-mutants compared to their wild type. We then examined distinctively improved lignocellulose recalcitrance in three mutants including reduced cellulose levels, crystallinity and polymerization or raised hemicellulose deposition and cellulose accessibility, which led to specifically enlarged biomass porosity either for consistently enhanced biomass enzymatic saccharification under mild alkali pretreatments or for cadmium (Cd) accumulation up to 2.4-fold. Therefore, this study proposed a novel model to elucidate how pectin methylation could play a unique enhancement role for both lignocellulose enzymatic hydrolysis and Cd phytoremediation, providing insights into precise pectin modification for effective biomass utilization and efficient trace metal exclusion.

"Am I different?" Coping and mental health among teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To explore the stressors, coping strategies, and mental health of adolescents diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study adopted a descriptive qualitative study design. Twelve participants were recruited from a local non-government organization in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Verbatim transcriptions of interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. The guideline of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies was used to report the findings. RESULTS: Five themes were identified: "Disease- and treatment-induced changes and stressors", "Cognitive assessment and personal perceptions", "Behavioral and emotional coping strategies", "Social interactions and social support", and "Deteriorating or thriving in psychological development and well-being". CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis experienced a variety of physical and psychological stressors. It is imperative to prioritize efforts to promote adaptive coping and activate social support systems to achieve better outcomes in this population. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare providers should aim to comprehend the experiences of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis for improved clinical interactions and holistic care. Future research should prioritize coping-based interventions, to enhance adaptive coping behaviors and the well-being of this population.

Correlation Between Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Renal Tubular Injury Markers in Early Assessment Of Renal Tubular Injury in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: Both functional magnetic resonance imaging and renal tubular injury markers have been proved to be able to detect early renal damage in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. This study mainly explored the functional magnetic resonance imaging parameters and renal tubular injury markers in the early evaluation of type 2 diabetes. Methods: A case observation study was established, and 62 patients with early-stage low-risk type 2 diabetes mellitus with normoalbuminuric (UACR<30 mg/g, eGFR≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2) were included for analysis. Urine kidney damage was determined by ELISA. Kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) assessment of renal tubular injury, and use of intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance Imaging (intravoxel incoherent motion, IVIM) and blood oxygen level dependent magnetic resonance imaging (blood oxygen level dependent, BOLD) to evaluate renal cortex, medulla blood perfusion, water molecule diffusion, oxygenation level and other functional information, using linear correlation to analyze the correlation between functional magnetic resonance imaging parameters and markers of renal tubular injury. Results: The correlation analysis between IVIM parameters and renal tubular injury markers showed that KIM-1 was inversely correlated with the MD value of the renal medulla region parameter (r = -0.24, P = .03), and was closely related to the other IVIM cortex and medulla. There was no correlation between qualitative parameters (P > .05), and no correlation between NGAL and all parameters of IVIM (P > .05). The correlation analysis between BOLD parameters and renal tubular injury markers showed that KIM-1 was positively correlated with renal medulla region parameter MR2* value (r = 0.26, P = .04) and MCR value (r = 0.28, P = .03), respectively. There was also a positive correlation between NGAL and renal medulla region parameter MR2* value (r = 0.24, P = .04). Conclusion: In the early low-risk type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria, the more obvious the renal medullary water molecule diffusion disorder, the higher the renal tubular injury marker KIM-1, and the more severe renal medullary hypoxia, the renal tubular injury. The higher the markers KIM-1 and NGAL are, it is proved that the hypoxia and water diffusion disorder in the early renal medulla are related to renal tubular damage.

Advances in the study of traditional Chinese medicine affecting bone metabolism through modulation of oxidative stress.

Bone metabolic homeostasis is dependent on coupled bone formation dominated by osteoblasts and bone resorption dominated by osteoclasts, which is a process of dynamic balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Notably, the formation of bone relies on the development of bone vasculature. Previous studies have shown that oxidative stress caused by disturbances in the antioxidant system of the whole organism is an important factor affecting bone metabolism. The increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species can lead to disturbances in bone metabolism, which can initiate multiple bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Traditional Chinese medicine is considered to be an effective antioxidant. Cumulative evidence shows that the traditional Chinese medicine can alleviate oxidative stress-mediated bone metabolic disorders by modulating multiple signaling pathways, such as Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, PI3K/Akt signaling, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, NF-κB signaling, and MAPK signaling. In this paper, the potential mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine to regulate bone me-tabolism through oxidative stress is summarized to provide direction and theoretical basis for future research related to the treatment of bone diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.

Discovering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Formulas for Complex Diseases Based on a Combination of Reverse Systematic Pharmacology and TCM Meridian Tropism Theory: Taking COVID-19 as an Example.

OBJECTIVE: Infections and death have been a part of our daily lives since the COVID-2019 pandemic outbreak in 2019, and the societal and economic consequences have lingered for an unanticipated duration. Novel and effective treatments are still desperately needed around the world to combat the infection. Here, we discovered a novel traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) to potentially combat COVID-19 through reverse systematic pharmacology (disease → targets → TCMF → disease). METHODS: Combining Integrative network pharmacology and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, a TCMF for COVID-19 was identified. In silico physiological interactions between herbs and disease hub targets were validated by molecular docking and dynamics simulation. RESULTS: Based on disease-related gene/pathway targets and a combination of reverse pharmacology and TCM meridian tropism theory, a COVID-19-associated herb database was constructed. A new TCMF, including Gancao, Baitouweng, Congbai, and Diyu (GBCD), was discovered for anti-COVID-19 therapy. The KEGG and GO analyses of 49 intersecting genes suggested that GBCD could combat COVID-19 through antiviral, antiinflammation, immunoregulation, and cytoprotection activities. Moreover, these possible effects were validated through docking and MD simulation. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to combine reverse pharmacology and meridian tropism theories for TCMF development, and a novel herbal combination, GBCD, was discovered for anti-COVID-19 therapy.

Exercise-Induced Tachycardia-Dependent Atrioventricular Block with Narrow QRS Complexes: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Exercise-induced tachycardia-dependent atrioventricular block with a normal electrocardiogram at rest is rare. Herein, we present a case of a 65-year-old woman with exercise-related chest suppression and treadmill exercise test-induced second- and third-degree atrioventricular blocks with narrow QRS wave and normal resting electrocardiogram. High atrioventricular block leads to tissue and organ insufficiency, resulting in exercise intolerance, dyspnea, dizziness, and syncope. Ths diagnosis was exercise-induced high-degree atrioventricular block. For lack of effective medicines, the patient received a permanent dual chamber pacemaker to ensure atrioventricular sequential pacing during exercise. No exercise-related discomfort occurred during follow up.

Orally Administrated Olsalazine-Loaded Multilayer Pectin/Chitosan/Alginate Composite Microspheres for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment.

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease is extremely cloudy. Maintaining the level of remission lesions in colitis is the default treatment attitude at present. Epithelial barrier restoration is considered as the same important strategy as colonic targeted drug delivery in UC treatment. In this paper, we developed a multilayer natural polysaccharide microsphere (pectin/chitosan/alginate) with pH and enzyme dual sensitivity to reduce the loss of medication in the upper digestive tract and preferentially adhere to exposed epithelial cells in colonic tissues by electrostatic forces for efficiently targeted UC treatment. Olsalazine as an inflammatory drug was efficiently loaded in the chitosan layer and realized a colonic pH-responsive drug release. Furthermore, the multilayer microspheres exhibited excellent capability in suppressing harmful flora and a bio-adhesion effect to extend the duration of local medicine. In the in vivo anti-colitis study, the downregulated levels of pro-inflammatory factors and the increase of tight junction protein indicated the excellent anti-inflammation effect of the olsalazine-loaded microspheres. In summary, these results showed that the multilayer natural polysaccharide microspheres could be a powerful candidate in the targeted drug delivery system for UC therapy.

[Effect of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40) on bladder urination function based on ultrasound].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40) with deqi on bladder urination function. METHODS: A total of 60 healthy subjects were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 subjects in each group. Under the guidance of ultrasound, acupuncture was applied Weizhong (BL 40) on both sides. In the observation group, the needling depth was reached to the tibial nerve, and lifting-thrusting twirling method was used to induce deqi. In the control group, the needling depth was reached to the superficial fascia, and no manipulation was operated to induce deqi. The needles were retained for 10 min and acupuncture was given once in both groups. The bilateral ureteral ejection frequency and volume of the bladder were observed by ultrasound before and after acupuncture, and the score of clinical evaluation scale of deqi sensation was observed in both groups. RESULTS: After acupuncture, the frequency of bilateral ureteral ejection in the observation group and the bladder volume in the two groups were increased compared before acupuncture (P<0.05), and the frequency of bilateral ureteral ejection, bladder volume and score of clinical evaluation scale of deqi sensation in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40) with deqi improves the bladder urination function. Ultrasound visualization improves the standardization and safety of acupuncture, intuitively evaluates the acupuncture effect, and provides an objective basis for the correlation between meridian points specificity and zang-fu organs.

Barley ß-glucan inhibits digestion of soybean oil in vitro and lipid-lowering effects of digested products in cell co-culture model.

The effect of barley ß-glucan on soybean oil digestion characteristics before and after fermentation was studied in an in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal digestion model. The addition of barley ß-glucan made the system more unstable, the particle size increased significantly, and confocal laser imaging showed that it was easier to form agglomerates. The addition of barley ß-glucan increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in digestion products, and reduced digestibility of soybean oil. In a co-culture model of Caco-2/HT29 and HepG2 cells, the effects of digestive products of soybean oil and barley ß-glucan before and after fermentation on lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells were investigated. The results showed that adding only soybean oil digestion products significantly increased triglycerides (TG) content and lipid accumulation in basolateral HepG2 cells. When fermented barley ß-glucan was added, lipid deposition was significantly decreased, and the lipid-lowering activity was better than that of unfermented barley ß-glucan.

Spatiotemporal trends and impact of Covid-19 lockdown on eight sewage contaminants in Brisbane, Australia, from 2012 to 2020.

This study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal trends and impact of COVID-19 lockdowns to the profile of physiochemical parameters in the influent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) around Brisbane, Australia. One 24-hr composite influent sample was collected from 10 WWTPs and analyzed for a range of physiochemical parameters per week (i.e., chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia, volatile suspended solid (VSS)) and per month (i.e., Ni and Cr) from 2012 to 2020, including the period of COVID-19 lockdowns in the region. The catchments studied were urban, with a mix of domestic and industrial activities contributing towards the contaminant profile. Statistical analysis identified that industrial and commercial land use, as well as population size had a large impact to the parameter loads and profile. Per capita mass loads of Cr in one catchment were 100 times higher than in others from one industrial point source. TP demonstrated a potential monotonic decrease over time due to practical reduction policies that have been implemented for phosphorous content in household detergents, except for one catchment where trade waste from food manufacturing industries contributed to an overall increase of 6.9%/year TP. The COVID-19 lockdown (March-April 2020) posed different impact on different catchments, either decrease (7-61%) or increase (2-40%) of most parameter loads (e.g., COD, TOC, TN, TP, VSS, Ammonia), which was likely driven by catchment characteristics (i.e., the proportion of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses). This study enhances our understanding of spatiotemporal trend of contaminants in the catchments for further effective source control.

CRISPR/Cas9 Mutant Rice Ospmei12 Involved in Growth, Cell Wall Development, and Response to Phytohormone and Heavy Metal Stress.

Pectin is one of the constituents of the cell wall, distributed in the primary cell wall and middle lamella, affecting the rheological properties and the cell wall stickiness. Pectin methylesterase (PME) and pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PMEI) are the most important factors for modifying methyl esterification. In this study, 45 PMEI genes from rice (Oryza sativa L.) were screened by bioinformatics tools, and their structure, motifs, cis-acting elements in the promoter region, chromosomal distribution, gene duplication, and phylogenetic relationship were analyzed. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to edit the OsPMEI12 (LOC_Os03G01020) and two mutant pmei12 lines were obtained to explore the functions of OsPMEI in plant growth and development, and under cadmium (Cd) stress. Compared to wild type (WT) Nipponbare, the second inverted internodes of the mutant plants shortened significantly, resulting in the reduction in plant height at mature stage. The seed setting rate, and fresh and dry weights of the mutants were also decreased in mutant plants. In addition, the pectin methylation of pmei12 lines is decreased as expected, and the pectin content of the cell wall increased at both seedling and maturity stages; however, the cellulose and hemicellulose increased only at seedling stage. Interestingly, the growth of the pmei12 lines was better than the WT in both normal conditions and under two phytohormone (GA3 and NAA) treatments at seedling stage. Under Cd stress, the fresh and dry weights were increased in pmei12 lines. These results indicated that OsPMEI12 was involved in the regulation of methyl esterification during growth, affected cell wall composition and agronomic traits, and might play an important role in responses to phytohormones and stress.

Curcumin Targeting Non-Coding RNAs in Colorectal Cancer: Therapeutic and Biomarker Implications.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies, with high incidence rates, a low rate of early diagnosis, and complex pathogenesis. In recent years, there has been progress made in its diagnosis and treatment methods, but tumor malignant proliferation and metastasis after treatment still seriously affect the survival and prognosis of patients. Therefore, it is an extremely urgent task of current medicine to find new anti-tumor drugs with high efficiency and safety and low toxicity. Curcumin has shown potent anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects and is considered a hot spot in the research and development of anti-tumor drugs due to its advantages of precise efficacy, lower toxic side effects, and less drug resistance. Recent studies have revealed that curcumin has anti-tumor effects exerted on the epigenetic regulation of tumor-promoting/tumor-suppressing gene expression through the alteration of expression levels of non-coding RNAs (e.g., lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs). Herein, we summarize the interaction between curcumin and non-coding RNAs on the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. The information complied in this review will serve as a scientific and reliable basis and viewpoint for the clinical application of non-coding RNAs in colorectal cancer.

Involvement of the gut-brain axis in vascular depression via tryptophan metabolism: A benefit of short chain fatty acids.

Cerebral hemodynamic dysfunction and hypoperfusion have been found to underlie vascular depression, but whether the gut-brain axis is involved remains unknown. In this study, a rat model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) was adopted to mimic chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. A reduced sucrose preference ratio, increased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swim test, and compromised gut homeostasis were found. A promoted conversion of tryptophan (Trp) into kynurenine (Kyn) instead of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was observed in the hippocampus and gut of BCCAO rats. Meanwhile, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing suggested a compromised profile of the gut SCFA-producing microbiome, with a decreased serum level of SCFAs revealed by targeted metabolomics analysis. With SCFA supplementation, BCCAO rats exhibited ameliorated depressive-like behaviors and improved gut dysbiosis, compared with the salt-matched BCCAO group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and quantitative RT-PCR suggested that SCFA supplementation suppressed the conversion of Trp to Kyn and rescued the reduction in 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and gut. In addition to inhibiting the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, SCFA supplementation ameliorated the activated oxidative stress and reduced the number of microglia and the expression of its proinflammatory markers in the hippocampus post BCCAO. In conclusion, our data suggested the participation of the gut-brain axis in vascular depression, shedding light on the neuroprotective potential of treatment with gut-derived SCFAs.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility Function, Pain, and Inflammation via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 in a Rat Model after Colonic Anastomoses.

Background: Complications after colon surgery are a major obstacle to postoperative recovery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) on gastrointestinal motility in rats after colonic anastomosis and the mechanism of transient receptor potential vanillin 1 (TRPV1) channel in regulating gastrointestinal motility, pain, and inflammation. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into six groups, including the control, model, EA, sham-EA, capsaicin, and capsaicin+EA groups, with preoperative capsaicin pretreatment and EA treatment at ST36 acupoint after surgery. Rats were treated using EA at ST36 or sham acupoints after surgery for 5 days. Capsaicin was intraperitoneally injected into rats 3 hours before surgery. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed by measuring the gastric residue, small intestinal propulsion in vivo, contractile tension, and frequency of isolated muscle strips in vitro. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of abdominal incision skin and spontaneous nociceptive scores were observed and recorded in rats after colon anastomosis. The expressions of TRPV1, substance P (SP), neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), interleukin- (IL-) 6, L-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α were determined. Results: Compared with the model group, electroacupuncture at ST36 point could significantly reduce the residual rate of stomach in rats after operation and increase the propulsive force of the small intestine and the contraction tension of the isolated smooth muscle. Electroacupuncture also increased postoperative day 3 MWT values and decreased postoperative spontaneous nociception scores. In addition, electroacupuncture treatment downregulated the expressions of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, TRPV1, NF-κB, SP, and NK1 receptors in the colon tissue of rats after colonic anastomosis. Conclusions: Our study showed that electroacupuncture at ST36 acupoint could improve gastrointestinal motility in rats after colonic anastomosis and relieve intestinal inflammation and pain. The mechanism may be to inhibit the activation of NF-κB and SP/NK1 receptor signaling pathways by inhibiting TRPV1.

Discovery, preparation and characterization of lipid-lowering alkylphenol derivatives from Syzygium jambos fruit.

The chemical characteristics and hypolipidemic effects of alkylphenols in the fruit of Syzygium jambos were investigated in this study. Three cardanols (1-3; 1 as a new compound) and three alkylresorcinols (4-6) were isolated and identified from S. jambos fruit. Cardanols 1 and 2 (10-40 µM) suppressed lipids accumulation and reduced triglyceride content in oleic acid-overloaded HepG2 cells via the activation of AMPK/PPARα signaling pathways. Furthermore, the biological distribution of cardanols after an oral intake in mice was investigated. Compound 2 was detected in mice plasma, feces, and adipose tissues after a single oral intake (80 mg/kg body weight). In addition, an alkylphenols-enriched S. jambos fruit extract containing two bioactive compounds (95.9 and 198.6 µg/mg of compounds 1 and 2, respectively) was prepared. Findings from the current study highlight the potential usage of cardanols as well as S. jambos fruit for the management of dyslipidemia.

Aqueous extracts of tree peony petals: renin and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activities in different colours and flowering stages.

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is an ornamental and medicinal plant from China. Previous studies have detected novel blood pressure-regulating substances in this species, which potentiate its value of utilization. To explore these substances, the aqueous extracts of 7 different colours of tree peony petals were assessed for inhibitory activity on renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The results showed that the activity of dark-coloured samples was significantly stronger than that of light-coloured ones. Furthermore, the inhibitory activity of the red tree peony petals 'Hong TaiYang' on renin and ACE indicated a downward trend from bud compaction to the full opening stage. The antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts, on one side, and the correlations between phenolics and flavonoids functionalities and total contents, on the other, were also evaluated. In this regard, the extracts of different samples had ABTS free radical scavenging capacities of 17.28-210.41 mg TE per g DW, DPPH radical scavenging capacities of 35.45-150.78 mg TE per g DW, iron ion reduction capacities of 16.66-150.77 mg TE per g DW, and total phenolic content of 23.94-150.78 mg GAE per g DW. Correlation analysis revealed that the renin and ACE inhibitory activities, the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging capacities, and the iron reduction ability of different sample extracts were positively correlated with total phenolic contents (p < 0.01). Finally, the aqueous phenolic compounds in the sample extracts tended to show strong renin and ACE inhibitory activities and therefore exhibit a potential auxiliary blood pressure control prospect.