Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized by L. brevis 23017 Enhance Aluminum Adjuvanticity and Make Up for its Disadvantage in Mice.

The most popular vaccine adjuvants are aluminum ones, which have significantly reduced the incidence and mortality of many diseases. However, aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines are constrained by their limited capacity to elicit cellular and mucosal immune responses, thus constraining their broader utilization. Biogenic selenium nanoparticles are a low-cost, environmentally friendly, low-toxicity, and highly bioactive form of selenium supplementation. Here, we purified selenium nanoparticles synthesized by Levilactobacillus brevis 23017 (L-SeNP) and characterized them using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the L-SeNP has a particle size ranging from 30 to 200 nm and is coated with proteins and polysaccharides. Subsequently, we assessed the immune-enhancing properties of L-SeNP in combination with an adjuvant-inactivated Clostridium perfringens type A vaccine using a mouse model. The findings demonstrate that L-SeNP can elevate the IgG and SIgA titers in immunized mice and modulate the Th1/Th2 immune response, thereby enhancing the protective effect of aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines. Furthermore, we observed that L-SeNP increases selenoprotein expression and regulates oxidative stress in immunized mice, which may be how L-SeNP regulates immunity. In conclusion, L-SeNP has the potential to augment the immune response of aluminum adjuvant vaccines and compensate for their limitations in eliciting Th1 and mucosal immune responses.

Research status and hotspots of autoimmune gastritis: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: As an emerging potential risk factor for gastric cancer, autoimmune gastritis (AIG) has garnered increasing attention from researchers. AIM: To analyze the research overview and popular topics in the field of AIG using bibliometrics. METHODS: Relevant publications on AIG in the Web of Science Core Collection were collated, and data visualization and analysis of the number of publications, countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords, and citations were performed using software such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphic. RESULTS: In total, 316 relevant articles were included in the analysis. From 2015 to 2022, the number of publications increased annually. The countries, institutions, authors, and journals with the highest number of publications in this field were Italy, Monash University, Toh BH, and Internal Medicine. The main keywords used in this field of research were pathogenesis, Helicobacter pylori, autoantibody, parietal cell antibody, atrophic gastritis, classification, diagnosis, autoimmune disease, risk, cancer, gastric cancer, vitamin B12 deficiency, and pernicious anemia. The following directions may be popular for future research: (1) The role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of AIG; (2) diagnostic criteria for AIG and reference values for serum antibodies; (3) comorbidity mechanisms between AIG and other autoimmune diseases; (4) specific risks of AIG complicating gastric and other cancers; and (5) the role of vitamin B12 supplementation in patients with early-stage AIG. CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis reported on popular topics and emerging trends in AIG, with diagnosis and prognosis being research hotspots in this field.

Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids regulate gastrointestinal tumor immunity: a novel therapeutic strategy?

Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), a tumor-derived immune component, is proven to be closely related to the development, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. Gut microbiota and its fermented-metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a critical role in maintaining the immune homeostasis of gastrointestinal tumors. Consisting mainly of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, SCFAs can interact with G protein-coupled receptors 43 of T helper 1 cell or restrain histone deacetylases (HDACs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to exert immunotherapy effects. Studies have shed light on SCFAs can mediate the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells, as well as cytokine production in TIME. Additionally, SCFAs can alter epigenetic modification of CD8+ T cells by inhibiting HDACs to participate in the immune response process. In gastrointestinal tumors, the abundance of SCFAs and their producing bacteria is significantly reduced. Direct supplementation of dietary fiber and probiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation to change the structure of gut microbiota can both increase the level of SCFAs and inhibit tumor development. The mechanism by which SCFAs modulate the progression of gastrointestinal tumors has been elucidated in this review, aiming to provide prospects for the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Enteral Nutrition Preparations for Blood Glucose Variability and Prognosis for Severe Acute Pancreatitis With Stress Hyperglycemia.

Context: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a common critical illness, and stress hyperglycemia is the greatest independent risk factor for poor prognoses in critically ill patients. Enteral nutrition can not only provide an essential energy source for the body and improve a patient's intestinal micro-ecology but also can play a critical role in blood glucose management, especially for blood glucose variability. Objective: The study intended to investigate the effects of different enteral nutrition preparations, including a slow-release starch, on blood glucose variability, nutritional status, inflammatory indexes, and prognosis for patients with SAP with stress hyperglycemia. Design: The research team designed a retrospective analysis of SAP patients' data. Setting: The study took place in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Ruijin Hospital of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, China. Participants: Participants were 129 SAP patients with stress hyperglycemia, who had a random blood glucose of ≥11.1 mmol/L and who had been admitted to the department at the hospital between January 2013 and December 2018. Intervention: After the recovery of intestinal function, Patients were inserted a nasointestinal feeding tube below the ligament of Treitz to deliver enteral nutrition. According to the presence or absence of enteral nutrition preparations containing slow-release starch in the nutritional therapy, the research team divided patients into an intervention group (n = 63) that received a protein-based, enteral nutrition preparation containing slow-release starch and a control group (n = 66) that received a protein- or short-peptide-based, enteral nutrition preparation containing no slow-release starch. Outcome Measures: Postintervention for both groups, the research team measured the total amount of insulin used. At baseline and postintervention, the team measured for both groups: (1) the blood glucose variability: the average value of blood glucose (GLU AVE), standard deviation of blood glucose (GLU SD), coefficient of variation of blood glucose (GLU CV), large amplitude of glycemic excursions (GLU LAGE), and nutrition indicators-serum albumin (ALB), serum pre-albumin (PA), serum total protein (TP), and hemoglobin (HB); (2) the inflammatory markers: total amount of white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT); and (3) prognostic indicators: the length of ICU stay, total length of hospital stay, and 60-day and 90-day mortality. Results: The intervention group used significantly less insulin than the control group did, at 12.23 ± 6.74 and 35.31 ± 12.79 IU/d, respectively (P ≤ .05). Postintervention for 2 weeks, the blood glucose variability in the intervention group showed a decline. Between baseline and postintervention, the following significant decreases in blood glucose variability occurred for the group (P ≤ .05): (1) the GLU AVE from 14.27 ± 2.27 to 10.84 ± 1.97, (2) the GLU SD from 2.76 ± 1.48 to 2.15 ± 0.88, (3) the GLU CV from 20.1 ± 8.93 to 16.2 ± 3.61, and (4) the GLU LAGE from 7.9 ± 4.3 to 6.2 ± 2.5. Between baseline and postintervention, the following significant increases in blood glucose variability occurred for the control group (P ≤ .05): (1) the GLU AVE from 11.2 ± 2.3 to 12.1 ± 1.9, (2) the GLU SD from 1.9 ± 1.09 to 3.2 ± 1.0, (3) the GLU CV from 16.2 ± 6.2 to 19.6 ± 7.8, and (4) the GLU LAGE from 4.6 ± 2.6 to 5.0 ± 2.6. Postintervention, the GLU AVE, GLU SD, and GLU CV in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p≤0.05). For nutritional indicators, the levels of ALB, PA, and TP in both groups significantly increased between baseline and postintervention (P ≤ .05), but HB didn't increase. However, no statistically significant differences existed between the groups (P > .05). For inflammatory markers, the total WBCs, CRP, and PCT in both groups significantly declined between baseline and postintervention (P ≤ .05). However, the decline in CRP in the intervention group was greater, from 154.5 ± 64.8 to 8.4 ± 6.8, than that of the control group, from 155.2 ± 88.4 to 15.6 ± 13.4, but no statistically significant differences existed between the groups (P > .05). The length of ICU stay and total length of hospital stay in the intervention group, from 53.9 ± 5.21 d and 74.7 ± 9.18 d, respectively, were significantly shorter than those in the control group, at 25.9 ± 4.89 and 43.6 ± 7.98 , respectively (P ≤ .05). The 60-day and 90-day mortality in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group, at 0% and 0% compared to 2.8% and 6.9%, respectively (P ≤ .05). Conclusions: The application of enteral nutrition preparation containing sustained-release starch in treatment of SAP patients with stress hyperglycemia, may increase nutrition indicators quickly, significantly reduce blood glucose variability, improve inflammatory markers, shorten the length of ICU stay and hospital stay, and decrease the mortality.

Remediation of uranium-contaminated alkaline soil by rational application of phosphorus fertilizers: Effect and mechanism.

In alkaline soil, abundant carbonates will mobilize uranium (U) and increase its ecotoxicity, which is a serious threat to crop growth. However, the knowledge of U remediation in alkaline soils remains very limited. In this study, U-contaminated alkaline soil (tillage layer) was collected from the Ili mining area of Xinjiang, the soil remediation was carried out by using phosphorus (P) fertilizers of different solubility (including KH2PO4, Ca(H2PO4)2, CaHPO4, and Ca3(PO4)2), and the pathways and mechanisms of U passivation in the alkaline soil were revealed. The results showed that water-soluble P fertilizers, KH2PO4 and Ca(H2PO4)2, were highly effective at immobilizing U, and significantly reduced the bioavailability of soil U. The exchangeable U was reduced by 70.5 ± 0.1% (KH2PO4) and 68.2 ± 1.9% (Ca(H2PO4)2), which was converted into the Fe-Mn oxide-bound and residual phases. Pot experiments showed that soil remediation by KH2PO4 significantly promoted crop growth, especially for roots, and reduced U uptake in crops by 94.5 ± 1.0%. The immobilization of U by KH2PO4 could be attributed to the release of phosphate anions, which react with the uranyl ion (UO22+) forming a stable mineral of meta-ankoleite and enhancing the binding of UO22+ to the soil Fe-Mn oxides. In addition, KH2PO4 dissolution produces acidity and P fertilizer, which can reduce soil alkalinity and improve crop growth. The findings in this work demonstrate that a rational application of P fertilizer can effectively, conveniently, and cheaply remediate U contamination and improve crop yield and safety on alkaline farmland.

A Mendelian randomization study of the effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels on autoimmune thyroid disease.

Objective: The influence of vitamin D on autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study employs Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal correlations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), autoimmune hyperthyroidism (AIH), and Graves disease (GD). Methods: Data on single nucleotide polymorphisms related to serum 25(OH)D levels, AIT, AIH, and GD were sourced from UK Biobank and FinnGen. Inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median were employed to test the exposure-outcome causal relationship. Assessments of horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneity, and stability were performed using the MR-Egger intercept, Cochran's Q test, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, respectively. Results: The results of MR analysis showed increased serum 25(OH)D levels was associated with a reduced risk of AIT (OR 0.499, 95% CI 0.289 to 0.860, p = 0.012) but not causal associated with AIH (OR 0.935, 95% CI 0.695 to 1.256, p = 0.654) and GD (OR 0.813, 95% CI 0.635 to 1.040, p = 0.100). Intercept analysis showed no horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05), and Cochran's Q test showed no heterogeneity (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis suggested that these results were robust. Conclusion: An increased serum 25(OH)D level is associated with AIT risk reduction but unrelated to AIH and GD. This finding suggests that vitamin D supplementation can be valuable for preventing and treating AIT.

Effects of bicyclol on hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome induced by Gynura segetum.

BACKGROUND: The intake of Gynura segetum, a traditional Chinese medicine, may be induce hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS). It has a high mortality rate based on the severity of the disease and the absence of therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of bicyclol on HSOS induced by Gynura segetum and the potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Gynura segetum (30 g/kg) was administered for 4 weeks in the model group, while the bicyclol pretreatment group received bicyclol (200 mg/kg) administration. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), and liver histological assays were detected to assess HSOS. The gene expressions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isozymes were quantified by real-time PCR. Moreover, hepatocellular apoptosis was detected using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, then apoptosis and autophagy-related markers were determined using Western blot. RESULTS: As a result, bicyclol pretreatment is notably protected against Gynura segetum-induced HSOS, as observed by reducing serum ALT levels, inhibiting the reduction in CHO and TG levels, and alleviating the histopathological changes. Bicyclol pretreatment inhibited the changes in mRNA levels of CYP450 isozymes (including the increase in CYP2a5 and decrease in CYP2b10, 2c29, 2c37, 3a11, and 7b1). In addition, the upregulation of Bcl-2 and the downregulation of LC3-II/LC3-I proteins expression in HSOS were inhibited with bicyclol pretreatment. CONCLUSION: Bicyclol exerted a protective effect against HSOS induced by Gynura segetum, which could be attributed to the regulated expressions of CYP450 isozymes and alleviated the downregulation of autophagy.

Polyphenols, flavonoids and inflammasomes: the role of cigarette smoke in COPD.

COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide by 2030. Cigarette smoking (active or passive) is one of its chief causes, with about 20% of cigarette smokers developing COPD from cigarette smoke (CS)-induced irreversible damage and sustained inflammation of the airway epithelium. Inflammasome activation leads to the cleavage of pro-interleukin (IL)-1ß and pro-IL-18, along with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines via gasdermin D N-terminal fragment membrane pores, which further triggers acute phase pro-inflammatory responses and concurrent pyroptosis. There is currently intense interest in the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing protein-3 inflammasomes in chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as COPD and their potential for therapeutic targeting. Phytochemicals including polyphenols and flavonoids have phyto-medicinal benefits in CS-COPD. Here, we review published articles from the last decade regarding the known associations between inflammasome-mediated responses and ameliorations in pre-clinical manifestations of CS-COPD via polyphenol and flavonoid treatment, with a focus on the underlying mechanistic insights. This article will potentially assist the development of drugs for the prevention and therapy of COPD, particularly in cigarette smokers.

Gynura segetum induces hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in mice by impairing autophagy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the underlying mechanism of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) induced by Gynura segetum by measuring autophagy in mouse models. METHODS: The model group was administered G. segetum (30 g/kg/d) by gavage, while the normal control group was administered an equal volume of saline daily for five weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic histopathological examinations, and Masson staining were performed to evaluate liver injury. Liver intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and P-selectin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Hepatocellular apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Protein expression levels of autophagy markers were measured using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Gynura segetum was found to significantly induce liver injury compared with control mice, as evidenced by the increase of serum transaminases, a decrease in triglyceride levels, and histopathological changes in mice. Gynura segetum remarkably induced hepatocellular apoptosis and upregulated the expressions of ICAM-1 and P-selectin and also downregulated the protein expression levels of LC3, Atg12 and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that G. segetum induced liver injury with HSOS, and it was partly due to its ability to impair the autophagy pathway.

[Current situation and problems of national standards for Chinese medicinal materials].

To learn the current situation and strengthen the management of national standards for Chinese medicinal materials, we sorted out the relevant national standards. According to incomplete statistics, there are 1 185 kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, including 1 024 kinds of plant medicines, 106 kinds of animal medicines, and 54 kinds of mineral medicines, in addition to ethnic medicinal materials with different functions. The relevant standards include 819 Pharmacopoeia standards, 342 standards issued by the Ministry of Health or National Medicinal Products Administration, 7 standards for new medicinal materials, and 17 standards for imported medicinal materials. In this paper, the sources of standards as well as the distribution of families and genera and the distribution of medicinal parts of medicinal materials are analyzed. The suggestions are as follows:(1)to improve the coordination among different national standards of Chinese medicinal materials;(2)to improve the standardization and controllability of relevant standards;(3)to revise the issued standards for Chinese medicinal materials(including Tibetan, Uygur, and Mongolian medicinal materials).

Assessment of uranium migration and pollution sources in river sediments of the Ili River Basin using multiply statistical techniques.

Uranium (U) is a highly toxic radioactive element and limited to < 30 µg/L in drinking water by the World Health Organization. In this study, the concentration, distribution, possible source, and correlation with other elements of U were investigated in river sediments of the Ili River Basin. Metal contamination factors (CFs) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were calculated, and both of them indicated that U in the survey region was unpolluted, slightly polluted, or moderately polluted (its concentration was ranged from 1.37 to 5.99 mg/kg). Notably, U pollution in the tributaries near the Wusun Mountain was evidently higher than those in the main streams of the Ili River and the Tekes River. Principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and correlation analysis revealed that U was significantly positively correlated with Pb, and both of them might have originated from the dense coal mines in the areas of the Wusun Mountain. Sediment U in the main streams of the rivers was unpolluted or slightly polluted, which might be strongly influenced by the U contamination in their upstream tributaries. The results from this work showed that the source control of the coal-derived U pollution near the Wusun Mountain was critical to protect the aquatic environment in the Ili River Basin.

Gynura segetum induces hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in mice by impairing autophagy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the underlying mechanism of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) induced by Gynura segetum by measuring autophagy in mouse models. Methods: The model group was administered G. segetum (30 g/kg/d) by gavage, while the normal control group was administered an equal volume of saline daily for five weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic histopathological examinations, and Masson staining were performed to evaluate liver injury. Liver intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and P-selectin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Hepatocellular apoptosis was assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Protein expression levels of autophagy markers were measured using Western blot analysis. Results: Gynura segetum was found to significantly induce liver injury compared with control mice, as evidenced by the increase of serum transaminases, a decrease in triglyceride levels, and histopathological changes in mice. Gynura segetum remarkably induced hepatocellular apoptosis and upregulated the expressions of ICAM-1 and P-selectin and also downregulated the protein expression levels of LC3, Atg12 and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein. Conclusions: Our results suggested that G. segetum induced liver injury with HSOS, and it was partly due to its ability to impair the autophagy pathway.

Abnormal asymmetry of thalamic volume moderates stress from parents and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) usually onsets in childhood or adolescence and is associated with brain development and chronic family stress during this period. As an information hub, the thalamus plays a crucial role in the development of emotion processing and stress regulation. Its structural and functional lateralization have been related to mental disorders. This study examined the age-dependent asymmetry of the thalamic volume in children and adolescents with SAD. We further examined the role of the thalamic asymmetry in moderating the relationships between parental alienation, which is a main source of familial stress for children and adolescents, and anxiety symptoms in this population. Fifty-three medication-free children and adolescents with SAD and 53 typical developing controls (age: 8-17) were included. Anxiety severity was measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). We estimated the bilateral thalamic volume and examined diagnosis effect and age-group difference on the thalamic asymmetry. We further examined the moderation of the thalamic asymmetry on the associations between scores on the parental alienation, social phobia, and total SCARED. Compared with controls, the SAD group exhibited significantly abnormal asymmetry in thalamic volume. This asymmetry became more evident in the older age group. Furthermore, this asymmetry significantly weakened the relationships between parental attachment and total SCARED score. The asymmetry of the thalamic volume and its age-group difference provide novel evidence to support brain developmental abnormalities in children and adolescents with SAD. The findings further revealed interactions between physiological and chronic stress in children and adolescents with SAD. This article is part of the special issue on 'Stress, Addiction and Plasticity'.

Chinese herbal medicine formula Gu-Ben-Fang-Xiao-Tang attenuates airway inflammation by modulating Th17/Treg balance in an ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model.

Gu-Ben-Fang-Xiao-Tang (GBFXT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of 11 medicinal plants, which has been used in the treatment of asthma. The present study aimed to determine the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of GBFXT on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma. A total of 50 mice were randomly assigned to the following five experimental groups: Normal, model, montelukast (2.6 mg/kg), 12 g/kg GBFXT and 36 g/kg GBFXT groups. Airway responsiveness was measured using the forced oscillation technique, while differential cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured by Wright-Giemsa staining. Histological assessment was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, while BALF levels of Th17/Treg cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the proportions of Th17 and Treg cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. The results showed that GBFXT suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness during methacholine-induced constriction, reduced the percentage of leukocytes and eosinophils, and resulted in decreased absolute neutrophil infiltration in lung tissue. In addition, GBFXT treatment significantly decreased the IL-17A cytokine level and increased the IL-10 cytokine level in the BALF. Furthermore, GBFXT significantly suppressed Th17 cells and increased Treg cells in asthmatic mice. In conclusion, the current results demonstrated that GBFXT may effectively inhibit the progression of airway inflammation in allergic asthma, partially by modulating the Th17/Treg cell balance.

Notolutesins A-J, dolabrane-type diterpenoids from the Chinese liverwort Notoscyphus lutescens.

Ten new dolabrane-type diterpenoids, notolutesins A-J (1-10), were isolated from the Chinese liverwort Notoscyphus lutescens, along with four known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data, and that of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by comparing its experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. All of the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against a small panel of human cancer cell lines, and compound 1 exhibited an IC50 value of 6.2 µM against the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line.