A spatially resolved multiomic single-cell atlas of soybean development.

Cis -regulatory elements (CREs) precisely control spatiotemporal gene expression in cells. Using a spatially resolved single-cell atlas of gene expression with chromatin accessibility across ten soybean tissues, we identified 103 distinct cell types and 303,199 accessible chromatin regions (ACRs). Nearly 40% of the ACRs showed cell-type-specific patterns and were enriched for transcription factor (TF) motifs defining diverse cell identities. We identified de novo enriched TF motifs and explored conservation of gene regulatory networks underpinning legume symbiotic nitrogen fixation. With comprehensive developmental trajectories for endosperm and embryo, we uncovered the functional transition of the three sub-cell types of endosperm, identified 13 sucrose transporters sharing the DOF11 motif that were co-up-regulated in late peripheral endosperm and identified key embryo cell-type specification regulators during embryogenesis, including a homeobox TF that promotes cotyledon parenchyma identity. This resource provides a valuable foundation for analyzing gene regulatory programs in soybean cell types across tissues and life stages.

Photoassisted Water Purification through an Electrochemically Artificially Adjusted p-Cu2O Light Absorption Layer.

The implementation of photoelectrochemical water purification technology can address prevailing environmental challenges that impede the advancement and prosperity of human society. In this study, Cu, which is abundant on Earth, was fabricated using an electrochemical deposition process, in which the preferential orientation direction and carrier concentration of the Cu-based oxide semiconductor were artificially adjusted by carefully controlling the OH- and applied voltage. In particular, Cu2O grown with a sufficient supply of OH- ions exhibited the (111) preferred orientation, and the (200) surface facet was exposed, independently achieving 90% decomposition efficiency in a methyl orange (MO) solution for 100 min. This specialized method minimizes the recombination loss of electron-hole pairs by increasing the charge separation and transport efficiency of the bulk and surface of the Cu2O multifunctional absorption layer. These discoveries and comprehension not only offer valuable perspectives on mitigating self-photocorrosion in Cu2O absorbing layers but also provide a convenient and expeditious method for the mass production of water purification systems that harness unlimited solar energy. These properties enable significant energy saving and promote high-speed independent removal of organic pollutants (i.e., MO reduction) during the water purification process.

Intensive Surveillance of Porcine-Rhesus Kidney Xenotransplant Using Different Ultrasound Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Significant progress has been made in kidney xenotransplantation in the past few years, and this field is accelerating towards clinical translation. Therefore, surveillance of the xenograft with appropriate tools is of great importance. Ultrasonography has been widely used in kidney allotransplantation and served as an economical and non-invasive method to monitor the allograft. However, questions remain whether the ultrasonographic criteria established for human kidney allograft could also be applied in xenotransplantation. METHODS: In the current study, we established a porcine-rhesus life sustaining kidney xenotransplantation model. The xenograft underwent intensive surveillance using gray-scale, colorful Doppler ultrasound as well as 2D shear wave elastography. The kidney growth, blood perfusion, and cortical stiffness were measured twice a day. These parameters were compared with the clinical data including urine output, chemistry, and pathological findings. RESULTS: The observation continued for 16 days after transplantation. Decline of urine output and elevated serum creatinine were observed on POD9 and biopsy proven antibody-mediated rejection was seen on the same day. The xenograft underwent substantial growth, with the long axis length increased by 32% and the volume increased by threefold at the end of observation. The resistive index of the xenograft arteries elevated in response to rejection, together with impaired cortical perfusion, while the peak systolic velocity (PSV) was not compromised. The cortical stiffness also increased along with rejection. CONCLUSION: In summary, the ultrasound findings of kidney xenograft shared similarities with those in allograft but possessed some unique features. A modified criteria needs to be established for further application of ultrasound in kidney xenotransplantation.

Exploring and retrieving sequence and metadata for species across the tree of life with NCBI Datasets.

To explore complex biological questions, it is often necessary to access various data types from public data repositories. As the volume and complexity of biological sequence data grow, public repositories face significant challenges in ensuring that the data is easily discoverable and usable by the biological research community. To address these challenges, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has created NCBI Datasets. This resource provides straightforward, comprehensive, and scalable access to biological sequences, annotations, and metadata for a wide range of taxa. Following the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data management principles, NCBI Datasets offers user-friendly web interfaces, command-line tools, and documented APIs, empowering researchers to access NCBI data seamlessly. The data is delivered as packages of sequences and metadata, thus facilitating improved data retrieval, sharing, and usability in research. Moreover, this data delivery method fosters effective data attribution and promotes its further reuse. This paper outlines the current scope of data accessible through NCBI Datasets and explains various options for exploring and downloading the data.

Unveiling a cuproptosis-related risk model and the role of FARSB in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Cuproptosis, a type of regulated cell death that was recently identified, has been linked to the development of a variety of diseases, among them being cancers. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance and therapeutic implications of the cuproptosis potential index in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain uncertain. Methods: Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) methodology was conducted to ascertain the identification of modular genes that are closely linked to cuproptosis. In addition, the gene signature indicative of prognosis was formulated by employing univariate Cox regression analysis in conjunction with a random forest algorithm. The efficacy of this gene signature in predicting outcomes was confirmed through validation in both The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) datasets. Furthermore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the association between the risk score and various clinical-pathological characteristics, explore the biological processes linked to the gene signature, and analyze tumor mutational burden and somatic mutations. Lastly, potential drugs targeting the identified gene signature were identified through screening. Results: The results of our comprehensive analysis across multiple cancer types demonstrated a positive correlation between an elevated cuproptosis potential index (CPI) and an accelerated rate of tumor progression. Furthermore, employing the WGCNA technique, we successfully identified 640 genes associated with cuproptosis. Among these genes, we meticulously screened and validated a seven-gene signature (TCOF1, NOP58, TMEM69, FARSB, DHX37, SLC16A3, and CBX2) that exhibited substantial prognostic significance. Using the median risk score, the division of HCC patients into cohorts with high- and low-risk highlighted significant disparities in survival results, wherein the group with higher risk exhibited a less favorable overall survival. The risk score exhibited commendable predictive efficacy. Moreover, the in vitro knockdown of FARSB significantly hindered cell viability, induced G1 phase arrest, increased apoptosis, and impaired migration in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Conclusion: Our research has successfully identified a strong seven-gene signature linked to cuproptosis, which could be utilized for prognostic evaluation and risk stratification in patients with HCC. Furthermore, the discovered gene signature, coupled with the functional analysis of FARSB, presents promising prospects as potential targets for therapeutic interventions in HCC.

Prognostic significance of serum Chemerin and neutrophils levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Chemerin, as a novel multifunctional adipokine, is proposed to be involved in high cancer risk and mortality. The present study was aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of serum Chemerin and neutrophils in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and methods: 120 patients with OSCC were included in this prospective cohort study. The levels of serum Chemerin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also explored the possible effects of Chemerin on neutrophils' chemokines in OSCC using a real-time PCR, western blotting. Results: Levels of serum Chemerin, neutrophils and NLR were significantly higher among non-survivors compared to survivors of OSCC (both P < 0.05). Higher serum Chemerin levels were associated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, differentiation and tumor recurrence (both P < 0.05). Serum Chemerin levels correlated with neutrophils and NLR levels (r = 0.708, r = 0.578, both P < 0.05). Based on ROC analysis, Chemerin + NLR predicted OSCC patient mortality with 81.54 % sensitivity and 87.27 % specificity, with an AUC of 0.8898. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, high serum Chemerin levels, high neutrophil levels and high NLR levels were associated with shorter overall and disease-free survival (both P < 0.05). A univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum Chemerin and neutrophils were independent risk factors for OSCC. (both P < 0.05). QRT-PCR and western blotting results showed that Chemerin upregulated the expression of chemokines IL-17 and CXCL-5 in neutrophils (both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggests that measurement of serum Chemerin and neutrophils might be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC patients. Chemerin may promote neutrophils infiltration in OSCC through upregulation of chemokines IL17 and CXCL-5.

Preventing bad behavior in academia.

We gave young scientists this prompt: Describe one change to scientific policy or culture that would substantially decrease incidents of scientific misconduct or other unethical behavior.

Nitroglycerin combined with NSAIDs for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: A meta-analysis of prospective, randomized, controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with an incidence of approximately 9.7% according to some literature reviews. Recent clinical guidelines propose that glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) can reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, currently, no guidelines provide an exact opinion on GTN and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis was performed of published, full-length, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of prophylactic use of GTN, including GTN alone or GTN in combination with NSAIDs, on the prevention of PEP. METHODS: Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library. Search terms included "endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography" OR "ERCP," "OR 'PEP' OR 'post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis', pancreatitis," "GTN" OR "glyceryl trinitrate" OR "nitroglycerin," "NSAIDs" OR "Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs" and limited to RCT. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs comprising 3240 patients undergoing ERCP were included. Meta-analysis revealed that the administration of GTN was associated with a significant reduction in the overall incidence of PEP. Moreover, PEP incidence was significantly lower in the GTN combined with the NSAIDs group than in the GTN alone group. GTN alone or GTN combined with NSAIDs may not reduce the severity of PEP (risk ratio = 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.99; P = .04). The difference in incidence between the 2 groups is 1.01% (6/594) in the GTN with NSAIDs group and 2.36% (14/592) in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: GTN has a significant benefit in preventing postoperative ERCP pancreatitis (P < .001). And neither GTN nor GTN plus NSAIDs reduces the incidence of non-mild ERCP postoperative pancreatitis. These conclusions need to be confirmed by high-quality randomized controlled studies with multicenter, large samples, and long-term follow-up.

Correlation analysis between driver gene mutation and clinicopathological features in lung adenocarcinoma based on real-world cumulative clinical data.

Background: Driver genes are essential predictors of targeted therapeutic efficacy. Detecting driver gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients can help to screen for targeted drugs and improve patient survival benefits. This study aims to investigate the mutation characterization of driver genes and their correlation with clinicopathological features in LUAD. Methods: A total of 440 LUAD patients were selected from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between July 2019 and September 2022. Postoperative tissue specimens were analyzed for gene mutations using next-generation sequencing technology, focusing, including epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR, ALK, ROS1, RET, KRAS, MET, BRAF, HER2, PIK3CA and NRAS. At the same time, clinicopathological data were collected and organized for multidimensional correlation analysis. Results: Of 440 LUAD patients, driver gene mutations were not detected in 48 patients. The proportion of patients with driver gene mutations was as high as 89.09%. The top three driver genetic mutations were EGFR, KRAS, and MET. Sixty-nine types of EGFR mutations were detected and distributed in the protein tyrosine kinase catalytic domain (56, 81.16%), Furin-like cysteine-rich region (9, 13.04%), receptor binding domain (3, 4.35%), and EGFR transmembrane domain (1, 1.45%). Single gene locus mutation occurred in 343 LUAD patients, but the mutation gene types covered all tested genes. Our findings showed that EGFR mutations were more commonly observed in non-smoking and female patients (P<0.01), KRAS mutations were more prevalent in male patients and smokers (P<0.01), ROS1 mutations had larger tumor diameters (P<0.01) and RET mutations were more prevalent in smokers (P<0.05). Conclusions: LUAD patients exhibit diverse genetic mutations, which may co-occur simultaneously. Integrated analysis of multiple mutations is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease. The use of NGS can significantly expand our understanding of gene mutations and facilitate integrated analysis of multiple gene mutations, providing critical evidence for targeted treatment methods.

Mendelian randomization study to assess causality between diet and phenotype of aging.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational research findings have demonstrated correlations between diet and the process of aging. Nevertheless, there remains uncertainty regarding possible disruption caused by confounding variables. To elucidate the connections between diet and aging, we employed the Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The exposure factor was the daily diet, whereas accelerated aging was measured through telomere length, facial aging (FA), frailty index (FI), and senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), representing the outcome factors. The primary analysis employed IVW analysis, with additional MR-Egger and Weighted Median analyses conducted to assess the reliability of the findings. Furthermore, we analyzed the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the results. RESULTS: The results revealed that the consumption of salad/raw vegetables and oily fish exhibited a negative correlation with FA, whereas coffee intake showed a positive correlation with FA. On the other hand, the intake of cheese, oily fish, dried fruit, and cereal showed negative associations with FI. Additionally, coffee, alcohol, and pork intake were positively associated with FI. Lastly, the intake of bread exhibited a positively correlated with SASPs, while the intake of cheese and coffee showed a negative correlation with SASPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that the consumption of cheese, vegetables, oily fish, dried fruit, bread, coffee, and alcohol was associated with the aging process. Interestingly, our findings suggest that coffee intake may accelerate aging, whereas intake of oily fish may delay the aging process. However, it is important to note that further well-designed prospective studies are required to validate our findings in the future.

Antithrombin testing and treatment in pregnancy: Their real-world relationship to clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombin (AT) deficiency is a severe thrombophilia associated with increased rates of maternal morbidity, mortality, and greater healthcare resource utilization during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: Two large U.S. healthcare databases were queried for women aged 15-44 with delivery-related encounters: Cerner Real-World Data (CRWD, 01/01/2000-12/31/2021) and Premier Healthcare Database (PHD, 01/01/2016-01/01/2019). Individuals receiving cardiopulmonary bypass were excluded. Three cohorts were created: 1) Individuals who had AT levels tested any time between 9-months pre- through 3-months post-delivery (CRWD Test Cohort); 2) individuals prescribed AT concentrate (ATc) within 1-year pre- or 1-year post-delivery in CRWD (CRWD Medication Cohort); and 3) the same criteria as 2) applied to PHD (PHD Medication Cohort). RESULTS: There were 5411 individuals in the CRWD Test Cohort, 13 in the CRWD Medication Cohort and 38 in the PHD Medication Cohort. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were similar across cohorts. AT level testing occurred pre-delivery in 47.9 % of the CRWD Test Cohort and 23.1 % of the CRWD Medication Cohort. ATc was administered during the delivery hospitalization to 0.1 %, 23.1 % and 50.0 % of the CRWD Test, CRWD Medication, and PHD Medication Cohorts, respectively. Across cohorts, 5.4-7.9 % of individuals experienced thrombosis during the delivery-related encounter. Mean (SD) total costs for delivery through 1-year post-delivery were $190,894 ($276,893) with $123,763 ($177,122) of total costs related to abnormal coagulation. CONCLUSION: Opportunities exist to enhance the care of pregnant individuals with low AT levels throughout pregnancy, aiming for optimal maternal outcomes.

Electrochemical chiral sensor for recognition of amino acid enantiomers with cyclodextrin-based microporous organic networks.

BACKGROUND: Chirality is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature, but enantiomers exhibit different pharmacological activities and toxicological effects. Therefore, Chiral recognition plays a pivotal role in various fields such as life sciences, chemical synthesis, drug development, and materials science. The synthesis of novel chiral composites with well-defined loading capabilities and ordered structures holds significant potential for electrochemical chiral recognition applications. However, the design of selective and stable electrochemical chiral recognition materials remains a challenging task. RESULT: In this work, we construct a simple and rapid electrochemical sensing platform for tryptophan (Trp) enantiomer recognition using cyclodextrin-modified microporous organic network as chiral recognition agent. CD-MON with chiral microenvironment was prepared by Sonogashira-Hagihara coupling reaction of the chiral molecule heptyl-6-iodo-6-deoxyß-cyclodextrin and 1, 4-Diethynylbenzene. The adhesion of BSA makes CD-MON firmly fixed on the electrode surface, and as a chiral protein, it can improve the chiral recognition ability through synergistic effect. Chiral amino acids are in full contact with the chiral microenvironment during pore conduction of MON, and L-Trp is more stably bound to CD-MON/BSA due to steric hindrance, host-guest recognition and hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the electrochemical sensor can effectively identify tryptophan enantiomers (IL-Trp/ID-Trp = 2.02), and it exhibits a detection limit of 2.6 µM for L-Trp. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the adsorption capacity of CD-MON towards tryptophan enantiomers in agreement with electrochemistry results. SIGNIFICANCE: The prepared chiral sensor has excellent stability, reproducibility (RSD = 3.7%) and selectivity, realizes the quantitative detection of single isomer in tryptophan racemic and quantitative analysis in real samples with 94.0%-101.0% recovery. This work represents the first application of MON in chiral electrochemistry which expands the application scope of chiral sensors and holds great significance in separation science and electrochemical sensing.

Analysis of status and influencing factors of mental health in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disorder with varied clinical courses and prognoses, not only did the patients suffer from physical impairment, but also various physical and psychiatric comorbidities. Growing evidence have suggested that mental disorders in SLE patients, can lead to various adverse consequences. AIM: To explored the features and influencing factors of mental health in patients with SLE and clarifying the correlations between mental health and personality characteristics and perceived social support. The results would provide a basis for psychological intervention in patients with SLE. METHODS: The clinical data of 168 patients with SLE admitted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University between June 2020 and June 2022 were collected. Psychological assessment and correlation analysis were conducted using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Perceived Social Support Scale, and the collected data were compared with the national norms in China. The relevant factors influencing mental health were identified by statistical analysis. A general information questionnaire, the Revised Life Orientation Test, and Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey were employed to assess optimism level and quality of life (QoL), respectively. RESULTS: Patients with SLE obtained higher scores for the somatization, depression, anxiety, and phobic anxiety subscales than national norms (P < 0.05). A correlation was identified between total social support and total SCL-90 score or each subscale (P < 0.05). The factors significantly affecting patients' mental health were hormone dosage and disease activity index (DAI) (P < 0.05). The average optimism score of patients with SLE was 14.36 ± 4.42, and 30 cases were in the middle and lower levels. A positive correlation was found between optimism level and QoL scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with SLE develop psychological disorders at varying degrees, which are significantly influenced by hormone dosage and DAI. Patients' mental health should be closely monitored during clinical diagnosis and treatment and provided adequate support in establishing positive, healthy thinking and behavior patterns and improving their optimism level and QoL.

Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36) Preferentially Mediates Intestinal Absorption of Dietary Z-Astaxanthin and Especially 9-Z-Isomer via Higher Binding Affinity.

Variances in the biological functions of astaxanthin geometric isomers (i.e., all-E, Z) are related to their intestinal absorption, but the mechanism of isomer absorption mediated by transporters remains unclear. Here, models of in vitro cell overexpression, in situ intestinal perfusion, and in vivo mouse inhibition were employed to investigate the impact of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) on the absorption of astaxanthin isomers. Cells overexpressing CD36 notably enhanced the uptake of Z-astaxanthin, particularly the 9-Z-isomer (47.76%). The absorption rate and permeability of Z-astaxanthin surpassed that of the all-E-isomer by the in situ model. Furthermore, the addition of the CD36-specific inhibitor sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate significantly reduced the absorption of Z-astaxanthin in the mouse duodenum and jejunum, especially the 9-Z-isomer (57.66%). Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance techniques further validated that 9-Z-astaxanthin binds to more amino acids of CD36 with higher affinity and in a fast-binding, fast-dissociating mode, thus favoring transport. Our findings elucidate, for the first time, the mechanism of the CD36-mediated transmembrane transport of astaxanthin geometric isomers.

Evaluation and application of a Chinese version symptom questionnaire for visual dysfunctions (CSQVD) in school-age children.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a Chinese version of the Symptom Questionnaire for Visual Dysfunctions (CSQVD) to quantify visual dysfunction symptoms in school-age children with various eye diseases, and to explore the relationship between ophthalmological disorders and visual dysfunction symptoms. Methods: Following standard scale adaptation procedures, the Symptom Questionnaire for Visual Dysfunctions (SQVD) was translated into Chinese (CSQVD). We employed random sampling to survey 198 outpatients aged 7-18 to assess the psychometric properties of the CSQVD. Using the reliable and validated questionnaire, we evaluated the determinants of visual dysfunction symptoms among 406 school-age patients at an eye center. The CSQVD scores were correlated with demographic and clinical variables, including gender, age, eye position, refractive power, and best-corrected visual acuity. Univariate analysis identified potential risk factors, followed by binary logistic regression and multiple linear regression analysis on factors with a P-value <0.05. Results: The CSQVD scale's critical ratio (CR) values ranged from 6.028 to 10.604. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was 0.779, and Spearman-Brown split-half reliability was also 0.779. The I-CVI varied from 0.83 to 1.000, the S-CVI/Ave was 0.857, and the KMO value was 0.821. Multifactorial regression analysis indicated that high myopia (OR â€‹= â€‹5.744, 95% CI [1.632, 20.218], P â€‹= â€‹0.006) and amblyopia (OR â€‹= â€‹9.302, 95% CI [1.878, 46.058], P â€‹= â€‹0.006) were significant predictors of CSQVD symptoms. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BCVA of amblyopic eyes (B â€‹= â€‹-5.052, 95% CI [-7.779, 2.325], P â€‹= â€‹0.000) and SE power (B â€‹= â€‹-0.234, 95% CI [-0.375, 0.205], P â€‹= â€‹0.001) significantly affected the CSQVD scale scores. Conclusions: The Chinese version of the SQVD scale (CSQVD) demonstrates good feasibility, discriminatory power, validity, and reliability in assessing Chinese school-aged children. Furthermore, those who have severe myopia and amblyopia reported more visual dysfunction symptoms.

Association between flavonoid intake and rheumatoid arthritis among US adults.

Basic research shows that flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effects that influence rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in rats. Investigating potential dietary interventions for RA helps prevent the onset and progression of the disease. Clinical evidence on the association of flavonoid and subclass intake with RA is lacking. Using three survey cycles of 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2017-2018 from the National Health and Nutrition Survey and the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS), we analyzed 7,419 American adults (≥20 years old). The values of flavonoid and subclass intake were calculated using FNDDS. The status questions for self-reported RA were from the NHANES codebook. Weighted analyses, revealed that among the 7,419 participants included in this study (mean age of 44.69 years [standard error, 0.40] and 3,584 [48.31%] were female), 408 met the classification criteria for RA. According to the multivariable logistic regression model, compared with the risk of RA in the first quartile (Q1), the risks of RA in the second quartile (Q2), the third quartile (Q3) and the fourth quartile (Q4) were lower (Q2: OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.38-0.80; Q3: OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.44-0.97; Q4: OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.89; trend: P=.03). The association between total flavonoids and RA remained significant after full consideration of confounding factors. With regard to the subclasses of flavonoids, high flavanones intake was associated with low RA prevalence in Model 3 (Q3: OR= 0.60, 95% CI:0.39-0.92; Q4: OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.99, trend: P=.02), but no such association was found in the other subclasses. Total flavonoids intake protected against RA, and the risk of developing RA decreased significantly with increasing intake of total flavonoids. Total flavonoids and flavanones were significantly associated with reduced RA risk for the American adult population. We highlighted the importance of employing diverse methodologies to assess the health effects of flavonoids.

The effects of venlafaxine on depressive-like behaviors and gut microbiome in cuprizone-treated mice.

Background: Cuprizone (CPZ)-treated mice show significant demyelination, altered gut microbiome, and depressive-like behaviors. However, the effects of venlafaxine (Ven) on the gut microbiome and depressive-like behavior of CPZ-treated mice are largely unclear. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a chow containing 0.2% cuprizone (w/w) for 5 weeks to induce a model of demyelination. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota and depressive-like behaviors were assessed after the mice were fed with Ven (20 mg/kg/day) or equal volumes of distilled water for 2 weeks by oral gavage from the third week onward during CPZ treatment. Results: CPZ treatment decreased the sucrose preference rate in the sucrose preference test and increased the immobility time in the tail-suspension test, and it also induced an abnormality in ß-diversity and changes in microbial composition. Ven alleviated the depressive-like behavior and regulated the composition of the gut microbiota, such as the increase of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in CPZ-treated mice. Conclusion: The anti-depressant effects of Ven might be related to the regulation of gut microbiota in the CPZ-treated mice.