MiR-378 Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy by Targeting AKT2.

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy plays a crucial role in heart failure development, potentially leading to sudden cardiac arrest and death. Previous studies suggest that micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) show promise for the early diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.To investigate the miR-378 expression in the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence tests were conducted in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced H9c2 cells and Ang II-induced mouse model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The functional interaction between miR-378 and AKT2 was studied by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, Western blot, and RT-qPCR assays.The results of RT-qPCR analysis showed the downregulated expression of miR-378 in both the cell and animal models of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. It was observed that the introduction of the miR-378 mimic inhibited the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes induced by Ang II. Furthermore, the co-transfection of AKT2 expression vector partially mitigated the negative impact of miR-378 overexpression on Ang II-induced cardiomyocytes. Molecular investigations provided evidence that miR-378 negatively regulated AKT2 expression by interacting with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of AKT2 mRNA.Decreased miR-378 expression and AKT2 activation are linked to Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Targeting miR-378/AKT2 axis offers therapeutic opportunity to alleviate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Protective effects of oyster polypeptide on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rats.

BACKGROUND: Oyster polypeptide (OP) is a mixture of oligopeptides extracted from oysters through enzyme lysis, separation, and purification. It is associated with immunomodulatory effects, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. This study therefore combined proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) urinary metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the gut microbiome to determine the immunoprotective mechanisms of OP in rats subjected to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. RESULTS: Oyster polypeptide restored the body weight and the structure of spleen and thymus in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. It upregulated the levels of white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), platelets (PLT), red blood cells (RBCs), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), cytokines such as interleukin­6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increased the numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in the immunosuppressed rats. The 1H-NMR metabolomics results showed that OP significantly reversed the levels of ten metabolites in urine, including 2-oxoglutarate, citrate, dimethylamine, taurine, N-phenylacetylglycine, alanine, betaine, creatinine, uracil, and benzoate. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that OP restored the gut microbiome homeostasis by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Finally, a combination of metabolomics and microbiomics found that the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine, and the metabolism of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate were disturbed, but these metabolic pathways were restored by OP. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that OP had immunoprotective effects in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression by restoring key metabolic pathways and the gut microbiome homeostasis. Our findings provide a framework for further research into the immunoregulatory mechanisms of OP and its potential use in drugs and nutritional supplements. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Metabolomics and molecular docking analysis of antibiotic exposure in Bifidobacterium adolescentis.

Bifidobacterium adolescentis is a probiotic. This research aimed to investigate the mechanism of antibiotics led to decrease in the number of B. adolescentis. The metabolomics approach was employed to explore the effects of amoxicillin on metabolism of B.adolescentis, while MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy were applied to analyse changes in viability and morphology of bacteria. Molecular docking was used to illuminate the mechanism by which amoxicillin acts on a complex molecular network. The results showed that increasing the concentration of amoxicillin led to a gradual decrease in the number of live bacteria. Untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 11 metabolites that change as a result of amoxicillin exposure. Many of these metabolites are involved in arginine and proline metabolism, glutathione metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, cysteine, and methionine metabolism, and tyrosine and phenylalanine metabolism. Molecular docking revealed that amoxicillin had a good binding effect on the proteins AGR1, ODC1, GPX1, GSH, MAT2A, and CBS. Overall, this research provides potential targets for screening probiotic regulatory factors and lays a theoretical foundation for the elucidation of its mechanisms.

Preventive effect of tilapia skin collagen hydrolysates on ulcerative colitis mice based on metabonomic and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Tilapia skin collagen hydrolysates (TSCHs) are the product of enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen, which is mainly extracted from tilapia skin. The components of TSCHs have recently been reported to play a preventive role in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). However, it has not been illustrated whether TSCHs can prevent against DSS-induced UC via the gut microbiota and its derived metabolites. RESULTS: TSCHs are mainly composed of amino acids, which have similar characteristics to collagen, with most having a molecular weight below 5 kDa. In a mouse model of UC, TSCHs had no toxic effect at a dose of 60 g kg-1 and could reduce body weight changes, colon length, histopathological changes and score, and the level of the serum inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6. Concurrently, 16 S rRNA sequencing showed that TSCHs significantly reduced the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level and norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Escherichia-Shigella at the genus level, while they increased the abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum level and Lachnoclostridium, Allobaculum, Enterorhabdus, and unclassified__f__Ruminococcaceae at the genus level. Target metabolomic analysis showed that TSCHs elevated the concentration of total acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid, and butanoic acid, but reduced isovaleric acid concentrations. Moreover, Pearson correlation analysis revealed that Allobaculum, unclassified_Ruminococcaceae, and Enterorhabdus were positively correlated with acetic acid and butyric acid, but not Escherichia-Shigella. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that TSCHs can prevent UC by modulating gut microbial and microbiota-derived metabolites. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction in improving kidney injury caused by blood stasis syndrome based on metabolomics and network pharmacology].

This article analyzed the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction(DSD) in improving kidney injury caused by blood stasis syndrome(BSS) in rats. Firstly, 32 female SD rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: a normal group and a BSS group, both receiving an equal amount of distilled water by gavage; a normal+DSD group and a BSS+DSD group, both receiving 5.103 g·kg~(-1) DSD orally for a total of 14 days. Daily cold water bath was given to establish the BSS model, and on the 14th day, BSS rats were subcutaneously injected with 0.8 mg·kg~(-1) adrenaline. Normal rats were subjected to the water bath at 37 ℃ and injected with an equal volume of distilled water. After the experiment, 24-hour urine, serum, and kidney samples were collected for metabolomic analysis, biochemical measurements, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The study then employed ~1H-NMR metabolomic technology to reveal the metabolic network regulated by DSD in improving BSS-induced kidney injury and used network pharmacology to preliminarily elucidate the key targets of the effectiveness of DSD. Pathological and biochemical analysis showed that DSD intervention significantly reduced inflammation and abnormal levels of blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urine protein in the kidneys. Metabolomic analysis indicated that DSD attenuated BSS-induced kidney injury primarily by regulating 10 differential metabolites and three major metabolic pathways(taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, citrate cycle, and acetaldehyde and dicarboxylic acid metabolism). Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the protective effect of DSD against BSS-induced kidney injury might be related to two key genes, ATP citrate lyase(ACLY) and nitric oxide synthase 2(NOS2), and two main metabolic pathways, i.e., arginine biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. This study, from the perspective of network regulation, provides initial insights and evidence into the mechanism of DSD in improving kidney injury induced by BSS, offering a basis for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy.

Genomic analysis of a recombinant coxsackievirus A19 identified in Xinxiang, China, in 2019.

Coxsackievirus A19 (CV-A19) is an enterovirus belonging to the species Enterovirus C, and the prototype strain 8663 was isolated from a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome in Japan. In this study, we determined the complete genome sequence of a CV-A19 isolate identified in a stool sample from a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease in Xinxiang, Henan, China, in 2019 and named it CV-A19 strain 2019103106/XX/CHN/2019 - 2019103106 for short. The genome of this virus consists of 7409 nucleotides, including a 6624-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a potential polyprotein precursor of 2207 amino acids. Compared with strain 8663, strain 2019103106 showed 85.1% nucleotide sequence identity in the complete genome and 85.6% identity in the VP1 coding region, reflecting their genetic divergence. Phylogenetic analysis of strain 2019103106 and other representative EV-C strains with sequences available in the GenBank database showed that CV-A19 strains could be grouped into two clusters based on the complete or 214-nucleotide partial VP1 coding regions, and 2019103106 belonged to cluster 1, with the closest relationship to CV-A19 strain SWG82 from Shandong, China. Phylogenetic trees based on the P2 and P3 coding regions highlighted the divergence between strains 2019103106 and 8663, implying that strain 2019103106 had undergone recombination. Further recombination analysis suggested that strains V18A-like CV-A1 and BBD26-like CV-A19 probably recombined to yield strain 2019103106. The present study points out the genetic diversity of CV-A19. It expands our understanding of the evolution of the CV-A19 genome, but more genome sequences of epidemic strains are needed to explain the phylogeny and evolutionary history of CV-A19 comprehensively.

Two ACTH analogs exert differential effects on monocytes/macrophages function regulation in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a bioactive peptide of the family of melanocortins, is generated from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). So far, the research on the specific functions of ACTH in the immune system of teleosts is limited. We determined two complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of POMC in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis), termed PaPOMC-A and PaPOMC-B. PaPOMCs transcripts occurred in all examined tissues, and their expression in immune tissues changed following experimental infection with Vibrio anguillarum. PaACTH-B, but not PaACTH-A, suppressed the phagocytosis of monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ). Two isoforms of PaACTH increased the bactericidal capacity of MO/MФ. PaACTH-A increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, while PaACTH-B decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in MO/MФ. Compared with PaACTH-B treatment, the PaACTH-A treatment improved survival rate and reduced the bacterial load in V. anguillarum-infected ayu through interleukin (IL)-10. Our results indicate that the two PaACTH isoforms exert different effects in the host defense against bacterial infection.

Aggregation-Enhanced Sonodynamic Activity of Phthalocyanine-Artesunate Conjugates.

The clinical prospect of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has not been fully realized due to the scarcity of efficient sonosensitizers. Herein, we designed phthalocyanine-artesunate conjugates (e.g. ZnPcT4 A), which could generate up to ca. 10-fold more reactive oxygen species (ROS) than the known sonosensitizer protoporphyrin IX. Meanwhile, an interesting and significant finding of aggregation-enhanced sonodynamic activity (AESA) was observed for the first time. ZnPcT4 A showed about 60-fold higher sonodynamic ROS generation in the aggregated form than in the disaggregated form in aqueous solutions. That could be attributed to the boosted ultrasonic cavitation of nanostructures. The level of the AESA effect depended on the aggregation ability of sonosensitizer molecules and the particle size of their aggregates. Moreover, biological studies demonstrated that ZnPcT4 A had high anticancer activities and biosafety. This study thus opens up a new avenue the development of efficient organic sonosensitizers.

Integrated metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses reveal potential degradation mechanism of azo dye-Direct Black G by thermophilic microflora.

Direct Black G (DBG) is a typical toxic azo dye with extensive applications but it poses a serious threat to the aquatic ecosystem and humans. It is necessary to efficiently and safely remove DBG from environments by the application of various treatment technologies. A thermophilic microflora previously isolated from the soil can effectively metabolize DBG. However, the molecular basis of DBG degradation by this thermophilic microflora remains unknown. In this study, metagenomic sequencing technology and qRT-PCR have been used to elucidate the functional potential of genes and their modes of action on DBG. A quantitative metaproteomic method was further utilized to identify the relative functional proteins involved. Subsequently, the possible co-metabolic molecular mechanisms of DBG degradation by candidate genes and functional proteins of the thermophilic microflora were illustrated. The combination of metagenomics and metaproteomics to investigate the degradation of DBG by a microflora was reported for the first time in recent literature; this can further provide a deep insight into the molecular degradation mechanism of dye pollutants by natural microflora.

Genome and transcriptome analysis of a newly isolated azo dye degrading thermophilic strain Anoxybacillus sp.

Understanding azo dye degrading enzymes and the encoding of their functional genes is crucial for the elucidation of their molecular mechanisms. In this study, a thermophilic strain capable of degrading azo dye was isolated from the soil near a textile dye manufacturing factory. Based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical properties, as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was identified as Anoxybacillus sp. PDR2. The decolorization ratios of 100-600 mg/L Direct Black G (DBG) by strain PDR2 reached 82.12-98.39% within 48 h of dyes. Genome analysis revealed that strain PDR2 contains a circular chromosome of 3791144 bp with a G + C content of 42.48%. The genetic basis of azo dye degradation by strain PDR2 and its capacity to adapt to harsh environments, were further elucidated through bioinformatics analysis. RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR technology confirmed that NAD(P)H-flavin reductase, 2Fe-2S ferredoxin and NAD(P)-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase genes expressed by strain PDR2, were the key genes involved in DBG degradation. The combination of genome and transcriptome analysis was utilized to explore the key genes of strain PDR2 involved in azo dye biodegradation, with these findings providing a valuable theoretical basis for the practical treatment of azo dye wastewater.

Comparison of the clinical application values of PCT, hs-CRP and SAA detection in the early diagnosis of sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical application values of procalcitonin (PCT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in the early diagnosis of sepsis. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, 36 patients admitted to Liaocheng People's Hospital were selected from May 2018 to July 2019. According to infectious disease diagnostic criteria, 17 patients were confirmed to have sepsis (observation group), and 19 patients were determined to be nonseptic (control group). The levels of PCT, CRP and SAA of patients were detected on admission, and the clinical application values of PCT, CRP and SAA for sepsis were compared. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included in the observation group, including 9 males and 8 females, with an average age of 52.18 ± 9.49 years; 19 patients were included in the control group, including 12 males and 7 females, with an average age of 51.53 ± 8.50 years. On admission, there were significant differences in white blood cell (WBC) count (t = 5.134), neutrophil count (t = 3.143), lymphocyte count (t = 2.510), PCT (t = 9.250), hs-CRP (t = 2.947) and SAA (t = 11.360) between the observation group and the control group, and the differences were statistically significant. For the comparison of clinical application values: the sensitivity of PCT, hs-CRP and SAA was 78.95%, 52.17% and 50.00%, respectively; the specificity of PCT, hs-CRP and SAA was 88.24%, 61.54% and 37.50%, respectively; the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of PCT, hs-CRP and SAA was 0.920, 0.684 and 0.870, respectively; the logistic regression coefficient of PCT, hs-CRP and SAA was -0.577, -0.028 and -0.009, respectively; and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of PCT, hs-CRP and SAA was 0.779-0.985, 0.508-0.828 and 0.716-0.958, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with hs-CRP and SAA, PCT had a higher clinical application value for sepsis, and PCT could be used as a reliable index for the early diagnosis of sepsis.

Significant MRI indicators of malignancy for breast non-mass enhancement.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and evaluate new malignant predictors of breast non-mass enhancement lesions using the new BI-RADS MRI lexicon. METHODS: A dataset involving 422 consecutive women underwent breast 3.0 T MRI between January 2014 and July 2016 was assembled for this study. Each case was retrospectively reviewed by 3 radiologists. Eighty-four lesions that present non-mass enhancement in 79 patients were identified in the study. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI features were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses to identify significant indicators of malignancy. RESULTS: Of 84 non-mass enhancement lesions, 52 (61.9%) were malignant and 32 (38.1%) were benign. Segmental distribution (P = 0.015 from univariate analysis; OR = 4.739, P = 0.008 from multivariate analysis), cluster ring enhancement (P = 0.017 from univariate analysis; OR = 3.601, P = 0.032 from multivariate analysis), time-intensity curve of plateau (P = 0.002 from univariate analysis; OR = 3.525, P = 0.027 from multivariate analysis) and phase to peak (P = 0.06 from univariate analysis; OR = 6.327, P = 0.015 from multivariate analysis) were significantly different between malignant and benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that segmental distribution, clustered ring enhancement, and short time to peak could act as new malignant predictors for breast non-mass enhancement detected on 3.0 T MRI.

Chinese undergraduates' preferences for altruistic traits in mate selection and personal advertisement: Evidence from Q-sort technique.

Human's preferences for altruistic mates have been confirmed by many researchers. Under the deep influence of Confucianism that authorised more parental control over offspring's mate selection, Chinese people's mating strategies and mate preferences may be different from what the evolutionary psychologists have suggested. This study used the Q-sort technique to assess the roles of altruistic traits in mate selection and personal advertisement. A total of 200 university students participated in the Q-sort procedures and were asked to sort 50 traits (among which altruistic traits were mixed) according to their importance when choosing (or advertising to) a long-term (LT) or a short-term (ST) mate. Our findings were quite different from prior studies. When Chinese participants chose a mate or advertised themselves to a potential mate, kin altruism was considered to be the most important trait; altruistic traits were more preferred by males than by females and females tended to advertise themselves as more altruistic; preferences for altruistic traits showed no difference between LT and ST mate selections (or between personal advertisement to a LT and a ST mate).

Risk factors for infection after endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage of specific types of pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collections (with video).

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage is widely used for the treatment of specific types of peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs). Infectious complications have been reported. It is recommended that the infection rate should be assessed by measuring risk factors. The objectives of this study were to measure whether the risk of infection after EUS-guided drainage was associated with patient- and procedure-related factors. METHODS: Eighty-three patients were eligible for inclusion from September 2008 to November 2012. EUS-guided drainage was performed in all patients. Infectious complications were observed, and data on patient- and procedure-related factors were collected. Patient-related factors mainly included age, sex, etiology of PFC, and cyst location and diameter. Procedure-related factors mainly included approach of EUS-guided drainage and stent diameter. Separate multivariate logistic regression models for all EUS-guided drainage were carried out. RESULTS: Complete EUS-guided drainage was achieved in all patients. A definitive diagnosis of infection after EUS-guided drainage was made in seven patients. All seven patients had a history of acute pancreatitis, and the cyst diameters were all >15 cm. Three patients had diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: The cyst diameter was an independent risk factor for infection. Larger cysts with a diameter >15 cm should perhaps be drained initially with multiple pigtail or a larger diameter self-expandable metal stents to try to avoid infection.

Factors associated with endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric submucosal tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that impact the procedure and treatment outcomes for endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). METHODS: Medical records were collected for all patients with gastric SMTs who underwent EFTR procedures in Shengjing Hospital between June 2012 and April 2014. The data from each patient were reviewed, including gender, age, maximum tumor size on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), tumor location in stomach, length of EFTR procedure, pneumoperitoneum during EFTR, cost to close defects, length of hospital stay after the procedure, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: Endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric SMTs was successfully performed in all 41 patients. Maximum size on EUS [parameter estimate (PE) = 4.443, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.191-6.695; p = 0.000] and tumor location in the greater curvature (PE = 44.441, 95% CI 5.539-83.343; p = 0.026) were significantly associated with the length of the procedure. A pneumoperitoneum was more likely to occur during EFTR in tumors with a larger EUS size [odds ratio (OR) = 1.415, 95% CI 1.034-1.936; p = 0.03], and less likely to occur during EFTR for tumors located in the posterior wall (OR = 0.003, 95% CI 0-0.351; p = 0.017). The use of the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system was significantly associated with shorter hospital stays (PE = -1.006, 95% CI -1.998 to -0.014; p = 0.047) and a higher cost of closing defects (PE = 854.742, 95% CI 358.377-1351.107; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic full-thickness resection is an effective and safe method for removing gastric SMTs. Tumor size on EUS and location of the tumor were associated with the duration of EFTR and the occurrence of a pneumoperitoneum during the procedure. The use of an OTSC system was significantly associated with shorter hospital stays and a higher cost of closing defects.

EUS assisted transmural cholecystogastrostomy fistula creation as a bridge for endoscopic internal gallbladder therapy using a novel fully covered metal stent.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the "gold standard" for treating symptomatic gallstones. Innovative methods, such as a scarless therapeutic procedure through a natural orifice are being introduced, and include transgastric or transcolonic endoscopic cholecystectomy. However, before clinical implementation, instruments still need modification, and a more convenient treatment is still needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic internal gallbladder therapy such as cholecystolithotomy in an animal survival model. METHODS: Four pigs underwent endoscopic-ultrasound (EUS)-guided cholecystogastrostomy and the placement of a novel covered mental stent. Four weeks later the stents were removed and an endoscope was advanced into the gallbladder via the fistula, and cholecystolithotomy was performed. Two weeks later the pigs were sacrificed, and the healing of the fistulas was assessed. RESULTS: EUS-guided cholecystogastrostomy with mental stent deployment was successfully performed in all the animals. Four weeks after the procedure, the fistulas had formed and all the stents were removed. Endoscopic cholecystolithotomy was performed through each fistula. All the animals survived until they were sacrificed 2 weeks later. The fistulas were found to be completely healed. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the first endoscopic transmural cholecystolithotomy after placement of a novel mental stent in an animal survival model.

Metabolomics analysis reveals the effect of fermentation on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Paeonia lactiflora Root.

Fermentation is an effective means of enhancing the nutritional value of natural medicines, however, it is unclear how the metabolites changed during the fermentation of Paeonia lactiflora root (PLR). This study intends to elucidate how the active constituents and antioxidant activity of PLR change during fermentation. The study examined the levels of total glucosides of paeony (TGP), total flavonoids content (TFC), total phenols content (TPC), and antioxidant capability by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry. The chemical compositions before and after PLR fermentation were compared utilizing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC - MS). The findings from this study indicate that TGP, TFC and TPC peaked at Day 2 of fermentation, and the antioxidant capacity increased after fermentation. Of the 109 detected compounds, 18 were discrepant compounds. In summary, fermentation is an essential strategy for enhancing the functional activity of PLR. The current study could establish a scientific basis for future research on the fermentation of PLR, and provides new insights into the influence of fermentation on chemical composition as well as the antioxidant activity of drugs.

Revealing the degrading-possibility of methyl red by two azoreductases of Anoxybacillus sp. PDR2 based on molecular docking.

Azo dyes, as the most widely used synthetic dyes, are considered to be one of the culprits of water resources and environmental pollution. Anoxybacillus sp. PDR2 is a thermophilic bacterium with the ability to degrade azo dyes, whose genome contains two genes encoding azoreductases (named AzoPDR2-1 and AzoPDR2-2). In this study, through response surface methodology (RSM), when the initial pH, inoculation volume and Mg2+ addition amount were 7.18, 10.72% and 0.1 g/L respectively, the decolorization rate of methyl red (MR) (200 mg/L) could reach its maximum (98.8%). The metabolites after biodegradation were detected by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), indicating that MR was successfully decomposed into 4-aminobenzoic acid and other small substrates. In homologous modeling, it was found that both azoreductases were flavin-dependent azoreductases, and belonged to the α/ß structure, using the Rossmann fold. In their docking results with the cofactor flavin mononucleotide (FMN), FMN bound to the surface of the protein dimer. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was superimposed on the plane of the pyrazine ring between FMN and the activity pocket of protein. Besides, both azoreductase complexes (azoreductase-FMN-NADH) exhibited a substrate preference for MR. Asn104 and Tyr74 played an important role in the combination of the azoreductase AzoPDR2-1 complex and the azoreductase AzoPDR2-2 complex with MR, respectively. This provided assistance for studying the mechanism of azoreductase biodegradation of azo dyes in thermophilic bacteria.

Injectable chitosan-polyvinylpyrrolidone composite thermosensitive hydrogels with sustained submucosal lifting for endoscopic submucosal dissection.

To develop a submucosal injection material with sustained submucosal lifting for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), this study designed and prepared a novel composite thermosensitive hydrogel system with high pH chitosan-polyvinylpyrrolidone-ß-glycerophosphate (HpHCS-PVP-GP). HpHCS improved the injectability of the hydrogels and retained the rapid gelation ability at low concentrations. The modification of PVP significantly improved the stability of low-temperature hydrogel precursor solutions and the integrity of hydrogels formed at 37 °C through hydrogen bonds between PVP and HpHCS. A mathematical model was established using response surface methodology (RSM) to evaluate the synergistic effect of HpHCS, GP, and PVP concentrations on gelation time. This RSM model and submucosal lifting evaluation using in vitro pig esophageal models were used to determine the optimal formula of HpHCS-PVP-GP hydrogels. Although the higher PVP concentration (5 % (w/v)) prolonged gelation time, it improved hydrogel mechanical strength, resulting in better submucosal lifting performance. The experiments of Bama mini pigs showed that the heights of the cushions elevated by the HpHCS-5%PVP-GP hydrogel remained about 80 % 1 h after injection. Repeated injections were avoided, and the hydrogel had no cytotoxicity after electric cutting. Therefore, the HpHCS-PVP-GP thermosensitive hydrogel might be a promising submucosal injection material for ESD.

A comprehensive "quality-quantity-activity" approach based on portable near-infrared spectrometer and membership function analysis to systematically evaluate spice quality: Cinnamomum cassia as an example.

Spices have long been popular worldwide. Besides serving as aromatic and flavorful food and cooking ingredients, many spices exhibit notable bioactivity. Quality evaluation methods are essential for ensuring the quality and flavor of spices. However, existing methods typically focus on the content of particular components or certain aspects of bioactivity. For a systematic evaluation of spice quality, we herein propose a comprehensive "quality-quantity-activity" approach based on portable near-infrared spectrometer and membership function analysis. Cinnamomum cassia was used as a representative example to illustrate this approach. Near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometric methods were combined to predict the geographical origin, cinnamaldehyde content, ash content, antioxidant activity, and integrated membership function value. All the optimal prediction models displayed good predictive ability (correlation coefficient of prediction > 0.9, residual predictive deviation > 2.1). The proposed approach can provide a valuable reference for the rapid and comprehensive quality evaluation of spices.