Neurophysiological features of STN LFP underlying sleep fragmentation in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Sleep fragmentation is a persistent problem throughout the course of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the related neurophysiological patterns and the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. METHOD: We recorded subthalamic nucleus (STN) local field potentials (LFPs) using deep brain stimulation (DBS) with real-time wireless recording capacity from 13 patients with PD undergoing a one-night polysomnography recording, 1 month after DBS surgery before initial programming and when the patients were off-medication. The STN LFP features that characterised different sleep stages, correlated with arousal and sleep fragmentation index, and preceded stage transitions during N2 and REM sleep were analysed. RESULTS: Both beta and low gamma oscillations in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep increased with the severity of sleep disturbance (arousal index (ArI)-betaNREM: r=0.9, p=0.0001, sleep fragmentation index (SFI)-betaNREM: r=0.6, p=0.0301; SFI-gammaNREM: r=0.6, p=0.0324). We next examined the low-to-high power ratio (LHPR), which was the power ratio of theta oscillations to beta and low gamma oscillations, and found it to be an indicator of sleep fragmentation (ArI-LHPRNREM: r=-0.8, p=0.0053; ArI-LHPRREM: r=-0.6, p=0.0373; SFI-LHPRNREM: r=-0.7, p=0.0204; SFI-LHPRREM: r=-0.6, p=0.0428). In addition, long beta bursts (>0.25 s) during NREM stage 2 were found preceding the completion of transition to stages with more cortical activities (towards Wake/N1/REM compared with towards N3 (p<0.01)) and negatively correlated with STN spindles, which were detected in STN LFPs with peak frequency distinguishable from long beta bursts (STN spindle: 11.5 Hz, STN long beta bursts: 23.8 Hz), in occupation during NREM sleep (ß=-0.24, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Features of STN LFPs help explain neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep fragmentations in PD, which can inform new intervention for sleep dysfunction. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02937727.

Identifying the personal characteristics of decent work perception for nursing students in China using latent profile analysis.

BACKGROUND: Given the importance of perceptions of decent work for nursing students' future career choices, we attempted to determine potential classifications and characteristics of nursing students' perceptions of decent work so that targeted interventions could be developed. METHODS: A convenience sample of 1004 s- to fourth-year nursing students completed the General Information Questionnaire, Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale, Occupational Identity Questionnaire, and Decent Work Perceptions Scale in a cross-sectional survey in Heilongjiang Province, China, resulting in 630 valid questionnaires with a valid return rate of 62.75%. Nursing students' perceptions of decent work were defined using descriptive and regression analysis. RESULTS: Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified three subgroups: low perceived decent work group, medium perceived decent work group, and high perceived decent work group, accounting for 4.76%, 69.37%, and 25.87% of the sample, respectively. The results of unordered multiclass logistic regression show that nursing students with relatively low levels of perceived decent work are more likely to have a low professional identity, a lack of respect for nursing seniors, an involuntary choice of nursing major, and a low family income. CONCLUSION: Different types of nursing students have different perceptions of decent work, and these universities and related departments can use different educational guidance strategies.

The impact of negative cognitive bias on NSSI: mediating non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies.

BACKGROUND: Individuals may be more likely to engage in NSSI due to negative cognitive bias, while the use of negative emotional regulation mechanisms may further contribute to NSSI. Currently, there is a dearth of studies regarding the correlation among the three variables. METHOD: The study employed convenience sampling to collect data via online platforms from a total of 572 college students in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, over the period of January 2024 to February 2024. The questionnaires comprise the Non-Adaptive Cognitive Emotion Srategy Regulation Subscale, the Negative Cognitive Processing Bias Questionnaire, and the NSSI Questionnaire. OUTCOME: Negative cognitive bias significantly and directly influences NSSI, as indicated by a beta coefficient of 0.3788 and a confidence interval of [0.2878, 0.4698]. The existence of negative cognitive bias significantly enhances the impact of non-adaptive cognitive emotion control approaches (ß = 0.5613, CI [0.4808, 0.6418]). Non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies showed a significant effect on NSSI, as indicated by a beta coefficient of 0.2033 and a confidence interval of [0.0942, 0.3125]. The non-adaptive cognitive emotion control strategy serves as an intermediary between negative cognitive bias and NSSI, explaining 30.12% of the overall impact. IN CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies play a partially moderating role in the relationship between negative cognitive bias and NSSI among nursing students. We emphasize the importance of non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, negative cognitive biases, and NSSI among nursing students. In order to reduce the occurrence of NSSI, it is important for schools, families, and teachers to work together closely and implement a well-organized and efficient intervention to protect the mental well-being of nursing students.

Exploring the influencing factors of patient safety competency of clinical nurses: a cross-sectional study based on latent profile analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical nurses play an important role in ensuring patient safety. Nurses' work experience, organizational environment, psychological cognition, and behavior can all lead to patient safety issues. Improving nurses' attention to patient safety issues and enhancing their competence in dealing with complex medical safety issues can help avoid preventable nursing adverse events. Therefore, it is necessary to actively identify the latent profiles of patient safety competency of clinical nurses and to explore the influencing factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was conducted. A total of 782 Chinese registered nurses were included in the study. Demographic characteristics questionnaire, Error Management Climate scale, Security Questionnaire, Proactive Behavior Performance scale and Patient Safety Competency Self-Rating Scale of Nurses were used. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to categorize nurses into latent subgroups with patient safety competency differences. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to explore the influencing factors of nurses' patient safety competency (PSC) in different latent profiles. RESULTS: A total of 782 questionnaires were valid. Nurses' PSC was positively related to error management climate, and psychological safety and proactive behavior. The PSC score was 121.31 (SD = 19.51), showing that the PSC of clinical nurses was at the level of the medium on the high side. The error management climate score was 70.28 (SD = 11.93), which was at a relatively high level. The psychological safety score was 61.21 (SD = 13.44), indicating a moderate to low level. The proactive behavior score was 37.60 (SD = 7.33), which was at a high level. The latent profile analysis result showed that three groups of profile models were fitted acceding to the evaluation of PSC. They were defined as Low-competency Group (74 (9.5%)), Medium-competency Group (378 (48.3%)) and High-competency Group (330 (42.2%). Working years, professional titles, departments, error management climate, psychological security and proactive behavior were the influencing factors of PSC in three latent profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The PSC of clinical nurses had obvious classification characteristics, and the main influencing factors were working years, professional titles, working departments, error management climate, psychological security and proactive behavior. This study suggests that managers should pay attention to the continuous cultivation of patient safety competence among clinical nurses, provide targeted intervention measures for nurses at different work stages, professional titles, and departments, and use efficient management strategies to create a positive error management atmosphere. In patient safety management, providing nurses with more psychological security is conducive to stimulating more proactive behaviors and continuously improving the level of patient safety competence.

The effect of an escape room game on college nursing students' learning attitude and game flow experiences in teaching safe medication care for the elderly: an intervention educational study.

BACKGROUND: In the context of an aging population, the Gerontological Nursing course is becoming more and more important. Escape room games have been shown to have a positive effect on nursing education, but they have not been applied in the Gerontological Nursing course. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adding an escape room game-based learning activity at the end of classroom teaching in a Gerontological Nursing course on nursing students' learning attitude and game flow experience. METHODS: In April 2023, a total of 84 nursing students from two classes at a medical school in Northeast China were selected for the study, and the classes were divided into a test group (n = 41) and a control group (n = 43). Both groups received regular classroom teaching on "Safe Medication Care for the Elderly", and the test group participated in an escape room game at the end of the classroom teaching. General information about the nursing students in both groups was collected prior to participation; learning attitude were measured before and after participation; and game flow experience was measured before and after participation in the test group. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and paired samples t-tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the general information and learning attitude of nursing students between the two groups before participation. After participation, the total learning attitude score of nursing students in the test group was (73.17 ± 1.67) and that of the control group was (61.63 ± 2.66), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 5.196). The game flow experience of nursing students in the test group before and after participation was (63.27 ± 2.48) and (81.29 ± 2.49), respectively, and the difference between before and after was statistically significant (p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 5.253). CONCLUSIONS: During the teaching process of the Gerontological Nursing course, an escape room game added at the end of classroom teaching can improve nursing students' learning attitude and also help them to have a good game flow experience. These findings suggest that teaching activities based on the escape room game have considerable practical application value.

Factors influencing bedtime procrastination in junior college nursing students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep quality is related to physical and mental health. Though bedtime procrastination has been identified as a potentially key source of poor sleep quality, related research is scarce. The goal of our study was to determine bedtime procrastination among nursing students and identify its influencing factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 1827 junior college nursing students. The data were collected from November to December 2021 using a mobile app-based survey. We evaluated demographic factors, Big Five personality traits, self-regulatory fatigue, future time perspective, and problematic mobile phone use. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent characteristics that influence bedtime procrastination among junior college nursing students. RESULTS: The mean bedtime procrastination score in junior college nursing students was 25.11 ± 6.88. Family monthly income of 3000-6000 RMB (ß = 0.740; p = 0.015), as well as that of > 6000 RMB (ß = 1.708; p = 0.001), and an extroverted personality (ß = 0.225; p = 0.001), self-regulatory fatigue (ß = 0.135; p < 0.001), and problematic mobile phone use (ß = 0.078; p < 0.001) had significant positive effects on bedtime procrastination. Conscientious personality (ß = - 0.284; p = 0.003), neurotic personality (ß = - 0.203; p = 0.031), and future time perspective (ß = - 0.141; p < 0.001) had significant negative effects on bedtime procrastination. CONCLUSION: The nursing students who participated in this study had moderate levels of bedtime procrastination. Bedtime procrastination was predicted by higher monthly household income; personality traits of extroversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism; self-regulatory fatigue; future time perspective; and problematic mobile phone use. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: We recommend that effective measures are needed to help alleviate bedtime procrastination and improve the health and well-being of nursing students.

Preliminary Investigation and Imaging Analysis of Early Lung Cancer Screening Among Petroleum Workers in North China.

BACKGROUND: The detection rate of lung nodules has increased significantly among petroleum workers in North China since the low-dose CT (LDCT) screening has been widely carried out. What's more, the number of confirmed early lung cancers is increasing continuously. Therefore, a great deal of concern for the high risk of lung cancer has been shown among petroleum workers. PURPOSE: To improve the screening efficiency and maximize the benefits of the subjects, the current situation of LDCT lung cancer screening should be understood and the imaging characteristics of early lung cancer should be analyzed for petroleum workers in North China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, the dynamic changes of LDCT early lung cancer screening for petroleum workers in North China were analyzed in recent years. Then, the survey data of 3121 petroleum workers was compared with that of 1868 non-petroleum workers, which was analyzed. Finally, 91 patients (129 nodular lung cancer) confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed, and the data of which was compared with the clinical features obtained from survey data above. The imaging characteristics and related factors of different subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma were discussed and analyzed. RESULTS: Lung nodules were found in 810 cases (25.95%) out of 3121 petroleum workers; and the surgery was chosen by 42 patients, 38 of whom were confirmed as lung cancer. Compared with the data of screened petroleum workers, there were more older people and more females as well as a higher proportion of people with family malignancy history, and a lower proportion of smoking people in 91 patients with lung cancer. As the pathological grade of tumor nodules increased, the volume and diameter of nodules gradually increased, and the mean density, maximum density and standard deviation of density also increased (p < 0.001). The volume and diameter of nodules were positively correlated with ages (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of lung adenocarcinoma is closely related to the family history of malignant tumors, and the constituent ratio of young women without a history of smoking increased significantly. At the same time, the quantitative information obtained by using CT images has important value in predicting its pathological subtypes.

Analysis of the myoelectric characteristics of genioglossus in REM sleep and its improvement by CPAP treatment in OSA patients.

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the characteristics of genioglossus (GG) activation in moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep compared with non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and to determine whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) could improve GG activation in OSA patients during sleep. METHODS: All subjects underwent polysomnography (PSG) with synchronous GG electromyography (GGEMG) recording with intra-oral surface electrodes at baseline on the first night. Only those subjects diagnosed with moderate and severe OSA were included and were manually titrated with CPAP to achieve a therapeutic pressure (Pt) with GGEMG recording on the second night. RESULTS: Nine OSA patients and six normal controls were analyzed in this study. The tonic GGEMG was higher in OSA patients during wakefulness (p = 0.003) and NREM sleep (p = 0.015), but it was not higher in REM sleep (p = 0.862). The average phasic activity of OSA patients was significantly higher in all stages, including wakefulness (p = 0.007), NREM sleep (p = 0.005), and REM sleep (p = 0.021). The peak phasic GGEMG was not different in wakefulness compared with normal controls (p = 0.240), but it was higher in OSA patients in NREM sleep (p = 0.001) and REM sleep (p = 0.021), and it was significantly reduced by using CPAP during sleep (NREM sleep: p = 0.027; REM sleep: p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that GG activation during NREM and REM sleep is associated with component differences. The tonic component of GGEMG exhibited less of a compensatory increase compared with the phasic component in REM sleep, suggesting that it may be one of the pathological mechanisms of UA collapsibility in REM sleep. In addition, treatment with CPAP can normalize GGEMG activity and mostly reduced the peak phasic GGEMG during sleep.

Short-term postoperative CPAP may improve the outcomes of velopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of short-term postoperative continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the outcomes of velopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 119 OSA patients who underwent velopharyngeal surgery. Based on the results of postoperative pulse oximetry, the patients were divided into 3 groups: intervention, control, and observation. Patients with oxygen desaturation index (ODI) > 10 and lowest SpO2 < 90% were randomly assigned to the CPAP intervention group and non-CPAP control. Patients with ODI ≤10 or lowest SpO2 ≥ 90% were assigned to the non-CPAP observation group. Patients in the intervention group completed at least 3 months of CPAP treatment. Postoperative polysomnography data were compared to assess the difference of prognosis between the three groups. RESULTS: Baseline data showed no significant differences between the three groups except the observational group showed a significantly larger tonsil size relative to the intervention and control groups. However, there was no significant difference in terms of tonsil size between the control and intervention groups. The surgical success rate of the intervention group was 80.65%, whereas it was 55.17% in the control group, with significant difference. The success rate of the observation group was 85.71% which was significantly different from that of the control group, but not the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Short-term postoperative CPAP treatment may improve the outcomes of velopharyngeal surgery for OSA in patients who have respiratory events related hypoxia after surgery. Further studies are necessary for the underlying mechanisms.

Diguanylate Cyclases and Phosphodiesterases Required for Basal-Level c-di-GMP in Pseudomonas aeruginosa as Revealed by Systematic Phylogenetic and Transcriptomic Analyses.

Cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is an important second messenger involved in bacterial switching from motile to sessile lifestyles. In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, at least 40 genes are predicted to encode proteins for the making and breaking of this signal molecule. However, there is still paucity of information concerning the systemic expression pattern of these genes and the functions of uncharacterized genes. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic distribution of genes from P. aeruginosa that were predicted to have a GGDEF domain and found five genes (PA5487, PA0285, PA0290, PA4367, and PA5017) with highly conserved distribution across 52 public complete pseudomonad genomes. PA5487 was further characterized as a typical diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and was named dgcH A systemic analysis of the gene expression data revealed that the expression of dgcH is highly invariable and that dgcH probably functions as a conserved gene to maintain the basal level of c-di-GMP, as reinforced by gene expression analyses. The other four conserved genes also had an expression pattern similar to that of dgcH The functional analysis suggested that PA0290 encoded a DGC, while the others functioned as phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Our data revealed that there are five DGC and PDE genes that maintain the basal level of c-di-GMP in P. aeruginosaIMPORTANCEPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections in animals, humans, and plants. The formation of biofilms by P. aeruginosa is the central mode of action to persist in hosts and evade immune and antibiotic attacks. Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is an important second messenger involved in the regulation of biofilm formation. In P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain, there are around 40 genes that encode enzymes for making and breaking this dinucleotide. A major missing piece of information in this field is the phylogeny and expression profile of those genes. Here, we took a systemic approach to investigate this mystery. We found that among 40 c-di-GMP metabolizing genes, 5 have well-conserved phylogenetic distribution and invariable expression profiles, suggesting that there are enzymes required for the basal level of c-di-GMP in P. aeruginosa This study thus provides putative therapeutic targets against P. aeruginosa infections.

Inhomogeneous neuromuscular injury of the genioglossus muscle in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: Muscle injury exists in the upper airway in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, whether this injury is homogeneous remains unclear. The objective of this study was to measure neuromuscular changes in the anterior and posterior genioglossus muscle (GG) in subjects with OSA using motor unit potentials (MUPs). METHODS: Male subjects underwent diagnostic sleep studies to obtain apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) data. MUPs of the anterior and posterior GG were recorded. Mean values and outliers of MUP parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventeen subjects with severe OSA (AHI, 72.3 ± 16.7 events/h) and nine control subjects (AHI, 3.7 ± 0.4 events/h) were enrolled in this study. In the control group, the MUP values of amplitude, duration, area, area/amplitude, and size index did not differ significantly between the posterior and anterior GG. In the OSA group, these values were significantly higher in the posterior than anterior GG (amplitude: P = 0.011; duration: P = 0.007; area: P = 0.008; size index: P = 0.033). Posterior GG values were greater in the OSA group than in the control group, whereas anterior values were similar. A larger proportion of subjects with OSA had outlying values for the posterior GG than anterior GG (52.9 vs. 11.8%; P < 0.05). No significant correlation between MUP parameters and body mass index, AHI, or LSAT was observed in the OSA group. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic neuromuscular injury in subjects with OSA was more severe in the posterior than in the anterior GG.

Correlation of computed tomography angiography parameters and shock index to assess the transportation risk in aortic dissection patients.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious, life-threatening disease. It is currently crucial for AD patients to be transferred to a specialised hospital in a safe and timely manner. For this reason, the search for clinical and imaging changes related to transportation risk is becoming increasingly important. PURPOSE: The transportation risks of AD patients were assessed by studying the correlation between computed tomography angiography (CTA) parameters and shock index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six cases of AD confirmed with 64-slice volumetric CT (VCT) (18 cases of Stanford type A and 18 cases of type B) were divided into a high-risk group (14 cases, six Stanford type A and eight type B) and a low-risk group (22 cases, 12 Stanford type A and 10 type B) according to the modified Early Warning Score. The shock index (ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure) and measured CTA parameters were compared between the high-risk group and the low-risk group, and the correlation between the measured CTA parameters and shock index was analysed. RESULTS: The shock index and ratio of false/true lumen were compared between Stanford type A and type B, and no statistically significant differences were found. The shock index and ratio of false/true lumen were compared between the high-risk group and low-risk group, revealing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant linear correlation was found between the ratio of false/true lumen and the shock index (r = 0.691; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The higher the shock index and the ratio of false/true lumen are, the greater the transportation risk for AD patients. The shock index and the ratio of false/true lumen proved to be essential clinical and radiological indices for assessing the transportation risk of AD patients.

Comparison of drug-induced sleep endoscopy and upper airway computed tomography in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the associations between the findings of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and upper airway computed tomography (UACT) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. This study was a non-randomized, prospective, clinical trial. We used DISE to identify the obstruction pattern according to VOTE classification. All 62 study subjects (all men) showed velum-related obstruction; 47 (75.8%) had lateral oropharyngeal obstruction, 45 (72.6%) had tongue-base-related obstruction, and 6 (9.7%) had epiglottal obstruction. The following UACT measurements significantly differed between subjects with and without lateral oropharyngeal obstruction (P < 0.05): airway length, laryngopharynx length, mandibular plane to hyoid distance, minimum lateral dimension of the retroglossal airway, retropalatal anteroposterior/lateral dimension, and retroglossal anteroposterior/lateral dimension. None of the UACT measurements significantly differed between subjects with and without tongue-base-related or epiglottal obstruction. These results indicate that in OSA patients, obstruction related to the lateral oropharyngeal walls can be identified using these UACT measurements. Thus, UACT, which is performed during wakefulness, can partially replace DISE, which is both time consuming and costly.

Observer design for a core circadian rhythm network.

The paper investigates the observer design for a core circadian rhythm network in Drosophila and Neurospora. Based on the constructed highly nonlinear differential equation model and the recently proposed graphical approach, we design a rather simple observer for the circadian rhythm oscillator, which can well track the state of the original system for various input signals. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the designed observer. Potential applications of the related investigations include the real-world control and experimental design of the related biological networks.

More homework improve mathematics achievement? Differential effects of homework time on different facets of students' mathematics achievement: A longitudinal study in China.

BACKGROUND: Mathematics homework is highly prevalent in East Asia. Teachers and parents expect mathematics homework to improve students' performance; however, studies have not clearly defined the effectiveness of the assignment of different amounts of homework. AIMS: This study analyses the differential effect of homework amount on various facets of Chinese students' mathematics achievement using a longitudinal design. It aims, thereby, to contribute to the existing knowledge of homework effectiveness and mathematics learning and to provide insights for student development. SAMPLE: The sample included 2383 grade 9 students from a mid-sized city with a moderate level of economic and educational development in central China. METHODS: We administered a student-reported questionnaire, collected school reports of mathematics achievements to track retrospective longitudinal variations in mathematics over half a year and analysed the differential effectiveness of homework on mathematics achievement at four hierarchical cognitive levels with Hierarchical Linear Model. RESULTS: The results indicated that assigning more homework at the class level could enhance students' mathematics achievement at a low cognitive level, although this effectiveness tended to disappear when the set homework time reached about 1.5-2 h. We did not find evidence that assigning more homework enhances students' mathematics achievement at higher cognitive levels. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study provides evidence on the effectiveness of homework and offers implications for educational practice and future research.

Mechanism of Action of the Plateau-Adapted Gene PPARA in COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex respiratory disorder influenced by various factors and involving multiple genes. Respiratory dysfunction in COPD patients leads to hypoxia, resulting in limited oxygen uptake. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) is a plateau-adapted gene that regulates respiratory function in populations adapted to high-altitude areas through multiple pathways. Interestingly, PPARA expression is higher in long-term inhabiting Tibetan populations that have adapted to the plateau environment. However, in patients with COPD, the expression of PPARA is downregulated, leading to dysregulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway. Moreover, abnormal PPARA expression in lung epithelial cells triggers inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and disrupted lipid metabolism, thereby exacerbating disease progression. Thus, this paper explored the mechanism underlying the role of plateau-adapted PPARA in COPD, providing essential theoretical insights into the treatment and prevention of COPD in high-altitude regions.

Modulation of intestinal metabolites by calorie restriction and its association with gut microbiota in a xenograft model of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor, and its occurrence and development are closely related to dysbiosis of gut microbes. Previously, we found calorie restriction altered the composition of the microbial community in a colorectal cancer mouse model and inhibited in vivo growth of CRC cells. Here, we aim to further investigate alteration in the intestinal metabolites and explore the interplay between gut microbiota and intestinal metabolites upon calorie restriction. METHODS: Human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells were used to establish a colorectal cancer xenograft mouse model. The changes of intestinal metabolites in the ad libitum group and calorie restriction group were investigated through untargeted metabolomics analysis. The integrative analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites to elucidate the associations between gut microbiota and intestinal metabolites. RESULTS: Compared with the mice in the ad libitum group, mice upon calorie restriction exhibited downregulation of Isoleucyl-Valine, and upregulation of D-Proline, 1-Palmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and 4-Trimethylammoniobutanoic acid. Additionally, an integrative analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites revealed that Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides and rC4-4 genus were upregulated in the calorie restriction group and positively correlated with D-Proline, 4-Trimethylammoniobutanoic acid or 1-Palmitoylphosphatidylcholine, while negatively correlated with Isoleucyl-Valine. In contrast, the Nitrospirae and Deferribacteres phylum exhibited opposite trends. CONCLUSION: Calorie restriction affects the abundance of gut microbes such as Nitrospirae phylum and Lactobacillus genus in mouse model of colorectal cancer, leading to changes in the metabolites such as D-Proline、Isoleucyl-Valine, which contributes to the suppression of in vivo growth of CRC by calorie restriction.

Biodegradation Characteristics and Mechanism of Aflatoxin B1 by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens from Enzymatic and Multiomics Perspectives.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a mycotoxin and natural carcinogen, commonly contaminates cereals and animal feeds, posing serious health risks to human and animal. In this study, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ZG08 isolated from kimchi could effectively remove 80.93% of AFB1 within 72 h at 37 °C and pH 7.0. Metabolome and transcriptome analysis showed that metabolic processes including glycerophospholipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism were most affected in B. amyloliquefaciens ZG08 exposed to AFB1. The adaptation mechanism likely involved activation of the thioredoxin system to restore intracellular redox equilibrium. The key genes, tpx and gldA, overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21, achieved degradation rates of 60.15% and 47.16% for 100 µg/kg AFB1 under optimal conditions of 37 °C and pH 8.0 and 45 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The degradation products, identified as AFD1, were less cytotoxic than AFB1 in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest potential strategies for utilizing probiotics and engineered enzymes in AFB1 detoxification.

Nanozyme-based inulin@nanogold for adhesive and antibacterial agent with enhanced biosafety.

Nanozymes with oxidase or peroxidase-mimicking activity have emerged as a promising alternative for disinfecting resistant pathogens. However, further research and clinical applications of nanozymes are hampered by their low in vivo biosafety and biocompatibility. In this study, inulin-confined gold nanoparticles (IN@AuNP) are synthesized as an antibacterial agent via a straightforward in situ reduction of Au3+ ions by the hydroxyl groups in inulin. The IN@AuNP exhibits both peroxidase-mimicking and oxidase-mimicking catalytic activities, of which the maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) for H2O2 is 2.66 times higher than that of horseradish peroxidase. IN@AuNP can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in effective antibacterial behavior against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Abundant hydroxyl groups retained in inulin endow the nanozyme with high adhesion to bacteria, reducing the distance between the captured bacteria and ROS, achieving an antibacterial ratio of 100 % within 1 h. Importantly, due to the natural biosafety and non-absorption of the dietary fiber inulin, as well as the inability of inulin-trapped AuNP to diffuse, the IN@AuNP exhibits high biosafety and biocompatibility under physiological conditions. This work is expected to open a new avenue for nanozymes with great clinical application value.

GSTP1 rs4147581 C>G and NLRP3 rs3806265 T>C as Risk Factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory ailment influenced by a blend of genetic and environmental factors. Inflammatory response and an imbalance in oxidative-antioxidant mechanisms constitute the primary pathogenesis of COPD. Glutathione S-transferase P1(GSTP1) plays a pivotal role as an antioxidant enzyme in regulating oxidative-antioxidant responses in the pulmonary system. The activation of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain (NLRP3) inflammatory vesicle can trigger an inflammatory response. Several investigations have implicated GSTP1 and NLRP3 in the progression of COPD; nonetheless, there remains debate regarding this mechanism. Methods: Employing a case-control study design, 312 individuals diagnosed with COPD and 314 healthy controls were recruited from Gansu Province to evaluate the correlation between GSTP1 (rs4147581C>G and rs1695A>G) and NLRP3 (rs3806265T>C and rs10754558G>C) polymorphisms and the susceptibility to COPD. Results: The presence of the GSTP1 rs4147581G allele substantially elevated the susceptibility to COPD (CGvs.CC:OR=3.11,95% CI=1.961-4.935, P<0.001;GGvs.CC:OR=2.065,95% CI=1.273-3.350, P=0.003; CG+GGvs.CC:OR=2.594,95% CI=1.718-3.916, P<0.001). Similarly, the NLRP3rs3806265T allele significantly increased the susceptibility to COPD (TC:TT:OR=0.432,95% CI=0.296-0.630; TC+CCvs.TT:OR=2.132,95% CI=1.479-3.074, P<0.001). However, no statistically significant association was discerned between the rs1695A>G and rs10754558G>C polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility (P>0.05). Conclusion: In summary, this study ascertained that the GSTP1 rs4147581C>G polymorphism is associated with increased COPD susceptibility, with the G allele elevating the risk of COPD. Similarly, the NLRP3 rs3806265T>C polymorphism is linked to elevated COPD susceptibility, with the T allele heightening the risk of COPD.