Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease in children is increasing worldwide. The clinical manifestations of pediatric NTM patients are significantly different from those of adult patients, but the knowledge of the disease is generally poor. Methods: English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, BIOSIS) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfan, VIP) were searched on October 15th, 2022. All the articles of cross-sectional and cohort studies reporting the species composition and lesion site of the NTM disease in children using well-recognized NTM species identification methods were taken into account. Using a random effects model, we assessed the disease lesion sites and the prevalence of different NTM species in pediatric NTM disease. Sources of heterogeneity were analyzed using Cochran's Q and the I2 statistic. All analyses were performed using CMA V3.0. Results: The prevalence rates of NTM disease in children ranged between 0.6 and 5.36/100,000 in different countries, and Europe reported the highest prevalence rate. The most common clinical lesion site was lymph node, accounting for 71.1 % (55.0 %-83.2 %), followed by lung (19.3 %, 9.8%-34.4 %）and then skin and soft tissue (16.6 %,13.5%-20.3 %). Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most isolated NTM pathogen in children, accounting for 54.9 % (39.4%-69.6 %). Inconsistent with adult patients, Mycobacterium avium accounted for a dominant proportion in MAC than Mycobacterium intracellulare. Conclusions: The lymph node was the most affected organ in pediatric NTM disease, while Mycobacterium avium was the most isolated pathogenic species in children.

[Acupuncture combined with tuina therapy for stiff neck with levator scapula injury type: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with tuina therapy for stiff neck with levator scapula injury type. METHODS: A total of 162 patients with stiff neck of levator scapula injury type were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with tuina group (combined group, 52 patients), a tuina group (55 patients), and an acupuncture group (55 patients). The patients in the acupuncture group received acupuncture on the affected side's Houxi (SI 3), inserting the needle 10 to 20 mm towards Laogong (PC 8) with strong or moderate stimulation, and patients were instructed to move their neck, shoulders, and upper limbs during the process, with the needle retained for 2 to 3 min. The patients in the tuina group received strong stimulation pressing on tender points to release the starting and ending points of the trapezius muscle with modified techniques. The combined group first received tuina therapy, followed immediately by acupuncture treatment at the Houxi (SI 3). Treatments were administered every other day for a total of three sessions. Before treatment and on 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the simple McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) scores [including the pain rating index (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS), and present pain intensity (PPI) scores] of the head, neck and shoulder, cervical spine mobility scores were observed, and the clinical efficacy and safety of each group were evaluated. RESULTS: On the 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the SF-MPQ, PRI, VAS, and PPI scores of the head, neck, and shoulder in all groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01). On the 1 and 3 days after treatment, the above scores in the combined group were lower than those in the tuina group and the acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). On the 7 days after treatment, the above scores in the combined group were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). On the 3 days after treatment, the SF-MPQ, PRI, and VAS scores in the tuina group were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). On the 7 days after treatment, the SF-MPQ, PRI, VAS, and PPI scores in the tuina group were lower than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). On the 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the cervical spine mobility scores in each group were decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.01). On the 3 days after treatment, the cervical spine mobility score in the combined group was lower than that in the acupuncture group and the tuina group (P<0.01). On the 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the cured rate in the combined group was higher than that in the tuina group and the acupuncture group (P<0.01). During the treatment period, no serious adverse reactions occurred in any group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with tuina therapy could effectively improve stiff neck with levator scapula injury type, alleviate patient pain, restore cervical spine mobility, and clinically outperform both tuina and acupuncture therapy alone.

MOF-Enhanced Aluminosilicate Ceramic Membranes Using Non-Firing Processes for Pesticide Filtration and Phytochrome Removal.

Aluminosilicates, abundant and crucial in both natural environments and industry, often involve uncontrollable chemical components when derived from minerals, making further chemical purification and reaction more complicated. This study utilizes pure alumina and fumed silica powders as more controllable sources, enhancing aluminosilicate reactivity through room temperature (non-firing) processing and providing a robust framework that resists mechanical stress and high temperature. By embedding iron-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOF/non-firing aluminosilicate membranes) within the above matrix, these ceramic membranes not only preserve their mechanical robustness but also gain significant chemical functionality, enhancing their capacity to removing phytochromes from the vegetables. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were selected as activators to successfully prepare high-strength, non-firing aluminosilicate membranes. These membranes demonstrated a flexural strength of 8.7 MPa under wet-culture conditions with a molar ratio of Al2O3:SiO2:NaOH:Na2SiO3 at 1:1:0.49:0.16. The chlorophyll adsorption of spinach conducted on these membranes showed a removal rate exceeding 90% at room temperature and pH = 9, highlighting its potential for the selective adsorption of chlorophyll. This study underscores the potential of MOF-enhanced aluminosilicate ceramic membranes in environmental applications, particularly for agricultural pollution control.

Guild-level signature of gut microbiome for diabetic kidney disease.

Current microbiome signatures for chronic diseases such as diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are mainly based on low-resolution taxa such as genus or phyla and are often inconsistent among studies. In microbial ecosystems, bacterial functions are strain specific, and taxonomically different bacteria tend to form co-abundance functional groups called guilds. Here, we identified guild-level signatures for DKD by performing in-depth metagenomic sequencing and conducting genome-centric and guild-based analysis on fecal samples from 116 DKD patients and 91 healthy subjects. Redundancy analysis on 1,543 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (HQMAGs) identified 54 HQMAGs that were differentially distributed among the young healthy control group, elderly healthy control group, early-stage DKD patients (EDG), and late-stage DKD patients (LDG). Co-abundance network analysis classified the 54 HQMAGs into two guilds. Compared to guild 2, guild 1 contained more short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis genes and fewer genes encoding uremic toxin indole biosynthesis, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors. Guild indices, derived from the total abundance of guild members and their diversity, delineated DKD patients from healthy subjects and between different severities of DKD. Age-adjusted partial Spearman correlation analysis showed that the guild indices were correlated with DKD disease progression and with risk indicators of poor prognosis. We further validated that the random forest classification model established with the 54 HQMAGs was also applicable for classifying patients with end-stage renal disease and healthy subjects in an independent data set. Therefore, this genome-level, guild-based microbial analysis strategy may identify DKD patients with different severity at an earlier stage to guide clinical interventions. IMPORTANCE: Traditionally, microbiome research has been constrained by the reliance on taxonomic classifications that may not reflect the functional dynamics or the ecological interactions within microbial communities. By transcending these limitations with a genome-centric and guild-based analysis, our study sheds light on the intricate and specific interactions between microbial strains and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We have unveiled two distinct microbial guilds with opposite influences on host health, which may redefine our understanding of microbial contributions to disease progression. The implications of our findings extend beyond mere association, providing potential pathways for intervention and opening new avenues for patient stratification in clinical settings. This work paves the way for a paradigm shift in microbiome research in DKD and potentially other chronic kidney diseases, from a focus on taxonomy to a more nuanced view of microbial ecology and function that is more closely aligned with clinical outcomes.

[Mutation spectrum analysis of 23-site chip neonatal deafness genetic screening].

Objective:To analyze the mutation spectrum of 23-site chip newborn deafness genetic screening in Beijing, and to provide basis for genetic counseling and clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:The study included 21 006 babies born in Beijing from December 2022 to June 2023. All subjects underwent newborn deafness genetic screening in Beijing Tongren Hospital, covering 23 variants in 4 genes, the GJB2 gene（c.35delG, c.176_191del16, c.235delC, c.299_300delAT, c.109G>A, c.257C>G, c.512insAACG, c.427C>T, c.35insG）, SLC26A4 gene（c.919-2A>G, c.2168A>G, c.1174A>T, c.1226G>A, c.1229C>T, c.1975G>C, c.2027T>A, c.589G>A, c.1707+5G>A, c.917insG, c.281C>T）, Mt12SrRNA（m.1555A>G, m.1494C>T） and GJB3 gene（c.538C>T）. The mutation detection rate and allele frequency were analyzed. Results:The overall mutation detection rate was 11.516%（2 419/21 006）, with the GJB2 gene being the most frequently involved at 9.097%（1 911/21 006）, followed by the SLC26A4 gene at 2.123%（446/21 006）, the GJB3 gene at 0.362%（76/21 006） and Mt12SrRNA at 0.176%（37/21 006）. Among the GJB2 genes, c.109G>A and c.235delC mutation detection rates were the highest, with 6.579%（1 382/21 006） and 1.795%（377/21 006）, respectively. Of the SLC26A4 genes, c.919-2A>G and c.2168A>G had the highest mutation rates of 1.423%（299/21 006） and 0.233%（49/21 106）, respectively. Regarding the allele frequency, GJB2 c.109G>A was the most common variant with an allele frequency of 3.359%（1 411/42 012）, followed by the GJB2 c.235delC at 0.897%（377/42 012） and the SLC26A4 c.919-2A>G at 0.719%（302/42 012）. Conclusion:23-site chip newborn deafness genetic screening in Beijing showed that GJB2 c.109G>A mutation detection rate and allele frequency were the highest. This study has enriched the epidemiological data of 23-site chip genetic screening mutation profiles for neonatal deafness, which can provide evidence for clinical practice.

Nitrogen-phosphorus dual-doped auricularia auricula porous carbon as host for Li-S battery.

A nitrogen-phosphorus dual-doped porous spore carbon (NP-PSC) positive electrode matrix was prepared using native auricularia auricula as solid medium based on the principle of biomass rot. Yeast was introduce and cultured by the auricularia auricula solid medium. The freeze-drying and carbonization activation processes made the materials present a three-dimensional porous spore carbon aerogel properties. Yeast fermentation transformed auricularia auricula from blocky structure to porous structure and introduced nitrogen-phosphorus dual-doping. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared materials were characterized in detail. Electrochemical performance of NP-PSC in Li-S batteries was systematically investigated. Porous structure and heteroatom-doping improved the electrochemical performance, which is much superior to conventional activated carbon materials.

A Pilot Study on a Possible Mechanism behind Olfactory Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: The Association of TAAR1 Downregulation with Neuronal Loss and Inflammation along Olfactory Pathway.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized not only by motor symptoms but also by non-motor dysfunctions, such as olfactory impairment; the cause is not fully understood. Our study suggests that neuronal loss and inflammation in brain regions along the olfactory pathway, such as the olfactory bulb (OB) and the piriform cortex (PC), may contribute to olfactory dysfunction in PD mice, which might be related to the downregulation of the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in these areas. In the striatum, although only a decrease in mRNA level, but not in protein level, of TAAR1 was detected, bioinformatic analyses substantiated its correlation with PD. Moreover, we discovered that neuronal death and inflammation in the OB and the PC in PD mice might be regulated by TAAR through the Bcl-2/caspase3 pathway. This manifested as a decrease of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and an increase of the pro-apoptotic protein cleaved caspase3, or through regulating astrocytes activity, manifested as the increase of TAAR1 in astrocytes, which might lead to the decreased clearance of glutamate and consequent neurotoxicity. In summary, we have identified a possible mechanism to elucidate the olfactory dysfunction in PD, positing neuronal damage and inflammation due to apoptosis and astrocyte activity along the olfactory pathway in conjunction with the downregulation of TAAR1.

The potential importance of the built-environment microbiome and its impact on human health.

There is increasing evidence that interactions between microbes and their hosts not only play a role in determining health and disease but also in emotions, thought, and behavior. Built environments greatly influence microbiome exposures because of their built-in highly specific microbiomes coproduced with myriad metaorganisms including humans, pets, plants, rodents, and insects. Seemingly static built structures host complex ecologies of microorganisms that are only starting to be mapped. These microbial ecologies of built environments are directly and interdependently affected by social, spatial, and technological norms. Advances in technology have made these organisms visible and forced the scientific community and architects to rethink gene-environment and microbe interactions respectively. Thus, built environment design must consider the microbiome, and research involving host-microbiome interaction must consider the built-environment. This paradigm shift becomes increasingly important as evidence grows that contemporary built environments are steadily reducing the microbial diversity essential for human health, well-being, and resilience while accelerating the symptoms of human chronic diseases including environmental allergies, and other more life-altering diseases. New models of design are required to balance maximizing exposure to microbial diversity while minimizing exposure to human-associated diseases. Sustained trans-disciplinary research across time (evolutionary, historical, and generational) and space (cultural and geographical) is needed to develop experimental design protocols that address multigenerational multispecies health and health equity in built environments.

Efflux pump effects on levofloxacin resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus.

Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) inherently displays resistance to most antibiotics, with the underlying drug resistance mechanisms remaining largely unexplored. Efflux pump is believed to play an important role in mediating drug resistance. The current study examined the potential of efflux pump inhibitors to reverse levofloxacin (LFX) resistance in M. abscessus. The reference strain of M. abscessus (ATCC19977) and 60 clinical isolates, including 41 M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and 19 M. abscessus subsp. massilense, were investigated. The drug sensitivity of M. abscessus against LFX alone or in conjunction with efflux pump inhibitors, including verapamil (VP), reserpine (RSP), carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), were determined by AlarmarBlue microplate assay. Drug-resistant regions of the gyrA and gyrB genes from the drug-resistant strains were sequenced. The transcription level of the efflux pump genes was monitored using qRT-PCR. All the tested strains were resistant to LFX. The drug-resistant regions from the gyrA and gyrB genes showed no mutation associated with LFX resistance. CCCP, DCC, VP, and RSP increased the susceptibility of 93.3% (56/60), 91.7% (55/60), 85% (51/60), and 83.3% (50/60) isolates to LFX by 2 to 32-fold, respectively. Elevated transcription of seven efflux pump genes was observed in isolates with a high reduction in LFX MIC values in the presence of efflux pump inhibitors. Efflux pump inhibitors can improve the antibacterial activity of LFX against M. abscessus in vitro. The overexpression of efflux-related genes in LFX-resistant isolates suggests that efflux pumps are associated with the development of LFX resistance in M. abscessus.

An early and trustable indicator suggestive of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria isolation in a high tuberculosis burden setting.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing between nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections and pulmonary tuberculosis becomes challenging due to their similar clinical manifestations and radiological images. Consequently, instances of delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis are highly frequent. A feasible and reliable indicator of the existence of NTM in the early stages of the disease would help to solve this dilemma. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the potential of smear-positive and Xpert assay (Cepheid, USA) negative outcomes as an early indicator of possible NTM infection in a high TB-burden setting retrospectively and prospectively. RESULTS: During the study period, 12·77% (138/1081) of the smear-positive cases yielded negative outcomes with the simultaneous Xpert assay. From the 110 patients who yielded smear-positive/Xpert-negative outcomes and cultivated strain as well, 105 (95·45%) were proved to have NTM isolated. By incorporating an additional criterion of a negative result from the Interferon-gamma release assay, the accuracy of the screening method reached 100%. Regarding the NTM presence prediction value, smear-positive/Xpert-negative has a sensitivity of 24·86% (45/181) in all NTM isolated cases but 93·75-96·55% accuracy in retrospective study or 93·75% accuracy in prospective study in smear-positive NTM isolated cases. In addition, the specificity was ∼99·47% (943/948) in smear-positive tuberculosis cases. CONCLUSION: The clue of the presence of NTM could be obtained on the first day of the hospital visit due to the point of care (POC) feature of smear testing and Xpert assay. About one-fourth of the NTM-isolated patients would benefit from this rapid, convenient, and reliable screening strategy in the given circumstance. Smear-positive/Xpert-negative outcome is an early, trustable indicator that is indicative of NTM isolation.

Akkermansia muciniphila Is Beneficial to a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease, via Alleviated Neuroinflammation and Promoted Neurogenesis, with Involvement of SCFAs.

Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may represent potential strategies for Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment. Our previous research revealed a decreased abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) in PD mice; however, whether Akk is beneficial to PD is unknown. To answer this question, the mice received MPTP intraperitoneally to construct a subacute model of PD and were then supplemented with Akk orally for 21 consecutive days. Motor function, dopaminergic neurons, neuroinflammation, and neurogenesis were examined. In addition, intestinal inflammation, and serum and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analyses, were assessed. We found that Akk treatment effectively inhibited the reduction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and partially improved the motor function in PD mice. Additionally, Akk markedly alleviated neuroinflammation in the striatum and hippocampus and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis. It also decreased the level of colon inflammation. Furthermore, these aforementioned changes are mainly accompanied by alterations in serum and fecal isovaleric acid levels, and lower intestinal permeability. Our research strongly suggests that Akk is a potential neuroprotective agent for PD therapy.

Erratum: Author correction to 'Discovery and identification of EIF2AK2 as a direct key target of berberine for anti-inflammatory effects' [Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 13 (2023) 2138-2151].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.12.009.].

Aptamer inhibitor selection of SpyCas9 through CE-SELEX.

CRISPR/Cas9 is a natural immune system of archaea and bacteria, which has been widely used in gene editing. In order to better control and improve the accuracy and safety of the system, inhibitors for SpyCas9 as "switches" have been selected for several years. The available inhibitors currently are all natural polypeptides inhibitors derived from phages, except one small molecule inhibitor. These natural inhibitors are challenging to obtain and are available in limited quantities, and the small molecule inhibitor is cytotoxic. Herein, we discover aptamers against the SpyCas9 protein, by coupling CE-SELEX within one-round pressure controllable selection strategy. One of the identified aptamers, Apt2, shows high affinity at the nanomolar level and leads for effective SpyCas9 enzymatic inhibition in vitro. It is predicted that Apt2 interacts with the HNH and RuvC domains of SpyCas9, competitively inhibiting the binding of substrate DNA to SpyCas9. The proposed aptamer inhibitor is the oligonucleotide inhibitor of SpyCas9, which has the potential in construction of the universal, simple and precise CRISPR-Cas9 system activity control strategy. Meanwhile, these aptamers could also be valuable tools for study of the functions of CRISPR/Cas9 and the related functional mechanisms.

High-throughput extraction and automatic purification of alternariol from edible and medicinal herbs based on aptamer-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.

Mycotoxin contamination is widespread in plants and herbs, posing serious threats to the consumer and human health. Of them, alternariol (AOH) has attracted great attention as an "emerging" mycotoxin in medicinal herbs. However, a specific and high-throughput extraction method for AOH is currently lacking. Thus, developing an efficient pre-treatment technique for AOH detection is extremely vital. Here, a novel automated magnetic solid-phase extraction method was proposed for the highly efficient extraction of AOH. Combining the aptamer-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (AMNPs) and the automatic purification instrument, AOH could be extracted in medicinal herbs in high throughput (20 samples) and a short time (30 min). The main parameters affecting extraction were optimized, and the method was finally carried out by incubation AMNPs with 3 mL of sample solution for 10 min, and then desorption in 75% methanol for liquid-phase detection. Under optimal conditions, good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity were realized with an adsorption capacity of 550.84 ng/mg. AOH extraction in three edible herbs showed good resistance to matrix interference with recovery rates from 86% to 111%. In combination with AMNPs and the automatic purification instrument, high-throughput and labor-free extraction of AOH in different complex matrices was achieved, which could be extended in other complex matrices.

Cryogel wound dressings based on natural polysaccharides perfectly adhere to irregular wounds for rapid haemostasis and easy disassembly.

Skin injuries can have unexpected surfaces, leading to uneven wound surfaces and inadequate dressing contact with these irregular surfaces. This can decrease the dressing's haemostatic action and increase the healing period. This study recommends the use of sticky and flexible cryogel coverings to promote faster haemostasis and efficiently handle uneven skin wounds. Alginate cryogels have a fast haemostatic effect and shape flexibility due to their macroporous structure. The material demonstrates potent antibacterial characteristics and enhances skin adherence by adding grafted chitosan with gallic acid. In irregular defect wound models, cryogels can cling closely to uneven damage surfaces due to their amorphous nature. Furthermore, their macroporous structure allows for quick haemostasis by quickly absorbing blood and wound exudate. After giving the dressing a thorough rinse, its adhesive strength reduces and it is simple to remove without causing any damage to the wound. Cryogel demonstrated faster haemostasis than gauze in a wound model on a rat tail, indicating that it has considerable potential for use as a wound dressing in the biomedical area.

SPDEF drives pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression via transcriptional upregulation of S100A16 and activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a notably aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and an unfavorable prognosis for patients. We aimed to investigate molecular mechanisms by which Sam's pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF) exerts effects on PAAD progression. We analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their integration with ETS family members using the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, hence identifying SPDEF as a core gene in PAAD. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed SPDEF's prognostic potential. In vitro experiments validated the association with cell proliferation and apoptosis, affecting pancreatic cancer cell dynamics. We detected increased SPDEF expression in PAAD tumor samples. Our in vitro studies revealed that SPDEF regulates mRNA and protein expression levels, and significantly affects cell proliferation. Moreover, SPDEF was associated with reduced apoptosis and enhanced cell migration and invasion. In-depth analysis of SPDEF-targeted genes revealed four crucial genes for advanced prognostic model, among which S100A16 was significantly correlated with SPDEF. Mechanistic analysis showed that SPDEF enhances the transcription of S100A16, which in turn enhances PAAD cell migration, proliferation, and invasion by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our study revealed the critical role of SPDEF in promoting PAAD by upregulating S100A16 transcription and stimulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This knowledge deepened our understanding of pancreatic cancer's molecular progression and unveiled potential therapeutic strategies targeting SPDEF-driven pathways.

New insights about endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer: pathogenesis, risk factors, prediction and diagnosis and treatment.

Previous studies have shown that the risk of malignant transformation of endometriosis in premenopausal women is approximately 1%, significantly impacting the overall well-being and quality of life of affected women. Presently, the diagnostic gold standard for endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) continues to be invasive laparoscopy followed by histological examination. However, the application of this technique is limited due to its high cost, highlighting the importance of identifying a non-invasive diagnostic approach. Therefore, there is a critical need to explore non-invasive diagnostic methods to improve diagnostic precision and optimize clinical outcomes for patients. This review presents a comprehensive survey of the current progress in comprehending the pathogenesis of malignant transformation in endometriosis. Furthermore, it examines the most recent research discoveries concerning the diagnosis of EAOC and emphasizes potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The ultimate objective is to improve prevention, early detection, precise diagnosis, and treatment approaches, thereby optimizing the clinical outcomes for patients.

Elemental iron protects gut microbiota against oxygen-induced dysbiosis.

Gut dysbiosis induced by oxygen and reactive oxygen species may be related to the development of inflammation, resulting in metabolic syndrome and associated-conditions in the gut. Here we show that elemental iron can serve as an antioxidant and reverse the oxygen-induced dysbiosis. Fecal samples from three healthy donors were fermented with elemental iron and/or oxygen. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that elemental iron reversed the oxygen-induced disruption of Shannon index diversity of the gut microbiota.The bacteria lacking enzymatic antioxidant systems also increased after iron treatment. Inter-individual differences, which corresponded to iron oxidation patterns, were observed for the tested donors. Gut bacteria responding to oxygen and iron treatments were identified as guilds, among which, Escherichia-Shigella was promoted by oxygen and depressed by elemental iron, while changes in bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Eubacterium, Ruminococcaceae, Flavonifractor, Oscillibacter, and Lachnospiraceae were reversed by elemental iron after oxygen treatment. Short-chain fatty acid production was inhibited by oxygen and this effect was partially reversed by elemental iron. These results suggested that elemental iron can regulate the oxygen/ROS state and protect the gut microbiota from oxidative stress.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Revealed Key Pathways Involved in Saccharum spontaneum Defense against Sporisorium scitamineum.

Sugarcane smut, caused by Sporisorium scitamineum, poses a severe threat to sugarcane production. The genetic basis of sugarcane resistance to S. scitamineum remains elusive. A comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic study was conducted on two wild Saccharum species of S. spontaneum with contrast smut resistance. Following infection, the resistant line exhibited greater down-regulation of genes and metabolites compared to the susceptible line, indicating distinct biological processes. Lignan and lignin biosynthesis and SA signal transduction were activated in the resistant line, while flavonoid biosynthesis and auxin signal transduction were enhanced in the susceptible line. TGA2.2 and ARF14 were identified as playing positive and negative roles, respectively, in plant defense. Exogenous auxin application significantly increased the susceptibility of S. spontaneum to S. scitaminum. This study established the significant switching of defense signaling pathways in contrast-resistant S. spontaneum following S. scitamineum infection, offering a hypothetical model and candidate genes for further research into sugarcane smut disease.