A Defense Pathway Linking Plasma Membrane and Chloroplasts and Co-opted by Pathogens.

Chloroplasts are crucial players in the activation of defensive hormonal responses during plant-pathogen interactions. Here, we show that a plant virus-encoded protein re-localizes from the plasma membrane to chloroplasts upon activation of plant defense, interfering with the chloroplast-dependent anti-viral salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis. Strikingly, we have found that plant pathogens from different kingdoms seem to have convergently evolved to target chloroplasts and impair SA-dependent defenses following an association with membranes, which relies on the co-existence of two subcellular targeting signals, an N-myristoylation site and a chloroplast transit peptide. This pattern is also present in plant proteins, at least one of which conversely activates SA defenses from the chloroplast. Taken together, our results suggest that a pathway linking plasma membrane to chloroplasts and activating defense exists in plants and that such pathway has been co-opted by plant pathogens during host-pathogen co-evolution to promote virulence through suppression of SA responses.

Two C-terminal isoforms of Aplysia tachykinin-related peptide receptors exhibit phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent desensitization mechanisms.

Diversity, a hallmark of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, partly stems from alternative splicing of a single gene generating more than one isoform for a receptor. Additionally, receptor responses to ligands can be attenuated by desensitization upon prolonged or repeated ligand exposure. Both phenomena have been demonstrated and exemplified by the deuterostome tachykinin signaling system, although the role of phosphorylation in desensitization remains a subject of debate. Here, we describe the signaling system for tachykinin-related peptides (TKRPs) in a protostome, mollusk Aplysia. We cloned the Aplysia TKRP precursor, which encodes three TKRPs (apTKRP-1, apTKRP-2a, and apTKRP-2b) containing the FXGXR-amide motif. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed predominant expression of TKRP mRNA and peptide in the cerebral ganglia. TKRPs and their posttranslational modifications were observed in extracts of central nervous system ganglia using mass spectrometry. We identified two Aplysia TKRP receptors (apTKRPRs), named apTKRPR-A and apTKRPR-B. These receptors are two isoforms generated through alternative splicing of the same gene and differ only in their intracellular C termini. Structure-activity relationship analysis of apTKRP-2b revealed that both C-terminal amidation and conserved residues of the ligand are critical for receptor activation. C-terminal truncates and mutants of apTKRPRs suggested that there is a C-terminal phosphorylation-independent desensitization for both receptors. Moreover, apTKRPR-B also exhibits phosphorylation-dependent desensitization through the phosphorylation of C-terminal Ser/Thr residues. This comprehensive characterization of the Aplysia TKRP signaling system underscores the evolutionary conservation of the TKRP and TK signaling systems, while highlighting the intricacies of receptor regulation through alternative splicing and differential desensitization mechanisms.

Genomic analyses of wild argali, domestic sheep, and their hybrids provide insights into chromosome evolution, phenotypic variation, and germplasm innovation.

Understanding the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic variation in hybrids between domestic animals and their wild relatives may aid germplasm innovation. Here, we report the high-quality genome assemblies of a male Pamir argali (O ammon polii, 2n = 56), a female Tibetan sheep (O aries, 2n = 54), and a male hybrid of Pamir argali and domestic sheep, and the high-throughput sequencing of 425 ovine animals, including the hybrids of argali and domestic sheep. We detected genomic synteny between Chromosome 2 of sheep and two acrocentric chromosomes of argali. We revealed consistent satellite repeats around the chromosome breakpoints, which could have resulted in chromosome fusion. We observed many more hybrids with karyotype 2n = 54 than with 2n = 55, which could be explained by the selfish centromeres, the possible decreased rate of normal/balanced sperm, and the increased incidence of early pregnancy loss in the aneuploid ewes or rams. We identified genes and variants associated with important morphological and production traits (e.g., body weight, cannon circumference, hip height, and tail length) that show significant variations. We revealed a strong selective signature at the mutation (c.334C > A, p.G112W) in TBXT and confirmed its association with tail length among sheep populations of wide geographic and genetic origins. We produced an intercross population of 110 F2 offspring with varied number of vertebrae and validated the causal mutation by whole-genome association analysis. We verified its function using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Our results provide insights into chromosomal speciation and phenotypic evolution and a foundation of genetic variants for the breeding of sheep and other animals.

NF2 regulates IP3R-mediated Ca2+ signal and apoptosis in meningiomas.

Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors and account for nearly 30% of all nervous system tumors. Approximately half of meningioma patients exhibit neurofibromin 2 (NF2) gene inactivation. Here, NF2 was shown to interact with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium (Ca2+) channel inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R1) in IOMM-Lee, a high-grade malignant meningioma cell line, and the F1 subdomain of NF2 plays a critical role in this interaction. Functional assays indicated that NF2 promotes the phosphorylation of IP3R (Ser 1756) and IP3R-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release by binding to IP3R1, which results in Ca2+-dependent apoptosis. Knockout of NF2 decreased Ca2+ release and promoted resistance to apoptosis, which was rescued by wild-type NF2 overexpression but not by F1 subdomain deletion truncation overexpression. The effects of NF2 defects on the development of tumors were further studied in mouse models. The decreased expression level of NF2 caused by NF2 gene knockout or mutation affects the activity of the IP3R channel, which reduces Ca2+-dependent apoptosis, thereby promoting the development of tumors. We elucidated the interaction patterns of NF2 and IP3R1, revealed the molecular mechanism through which NF2 regulates IP3R1-mediated Ca2+ release, and elucidated the new pathogenic mechanism of meningioma-related NF2 variants. Our study broadens the current understanding of the biological function of NF2 and provides ideas for drug screening of NF2-associated meningioma.

Al8 Cluster-Based Metal Halide Frameworks: Balancing Singlet-Triplet Excited States to Achieve White Light and Multicolor Luminescence.

Luminescent metal clusters have attracted great interest in current research; however, the design synthesis of Al clusters with color-tunable luminescence remains challenging. Herein, an [Al8 (OH)8 (NA)16 ] (Al8 , HNA = nicotinic acid) molecular cluster with dual luminescence properties of fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is synthesized by choosing HNA ligand as phosphor. Its prompt photoluminescence (PL) spectrum exhibits approximately white light emission at room temperature. Considering that halogen atoms can be used to regulate the RTP property by balancing the singlet and triplet excitons, different CdX2 (X- = Cl- , Br- , I- ) are introduced into the reactive system of the Al8 cluster, and three new Al8 cluster-based metal-organic frameworks, {[Al8 Cd3 Cl5 (OH)8 (NA)17 H2 O]·2HNA}n (CdCl2 -Al8 ), {[Al8 Cd4 Br7 (OH)8 (NA)16 CH3 CN]·NA·HNA}n (CdBr2 -Al8 ) and {[Al8 Cd8 I16 (OH)8 (NA)16 ]}n (CdI2 -Al8 ) are successfully obtained. They realize the color tunability from blue to yellow at room temperature. The origination of fluorescence and phosphorescence has also been illustrated by structure-property analysis and theoretical calculation. This work provides new insights into the design of multicolor luminescent metal cluster-based materials and develops advanced photo-functional materials for multicolor display, anti-counterfeiting, and encryption applications.

Combinatorial interactions between viral proteins expand the potential functional landscape of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus proteome.

Viruses manipulate the cells they infect in order to replicate and spread. Due to strict size restrictions, viral genomes have reduced genetic space; how the action of the limited number of viral proteins results in the cell reprogramming observed during the infection is a long-standing question. Here, we explore the hypothesis that combinatorial interactions may expand the functional landscape of the viral proteome. We show that the proteins encoded by a plant-infecting DNA virus, the geminivirus tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), physically associate with one another in an intricate network, as detected by a number of protein-protein interaction techniques. Importantly, our results indicate that intra-viral protein-protein interactions can modify the subcellular localization of the proteins involved. Using one particular pairwise interaction, that between the virus-encoded C2 and CP proteins, as proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that the combination of viral proteins leads to novel transcriptional effects on the host cell. Taken together, our results underscore the importance of studying viral protein function in the context of the infection. We propose a model in which viral proteins might have evolved to extensively interact with other elements within the viral proteome, enlarging the potential functional landscape available to the pathogen.

Characterization of intestinal fungal community diversity in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a highly dangerous infectious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a virus that attacks the human immune system. To explore the correlation between intestinal fungal community and immune function (Immune cells and inflammatory factors) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The feces and blood samples were collected from two groups of subjects: PLWHA and healthy controls. High-throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1, flow cytometry, and ELISA were performed to analyze the differences and correlations between fungal microbiota, cellular immune status and serum inflammatory factors in the two groups. There were significant differences in the composition of fungal microbiota between the two groups. The relative abundance of Candida, Bjerkandera, and Xeromyces in PLWHA was significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers (P < 0.01), while the relative abundance of Mycospaerella, Xeroxysium, Penicillium, and Glomerella in PLWHA was significantly lower than that of healthy volunteers. The correlation analysis results show that Mycospaerella and Xeromyces are significantly positively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ T cells and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4. On the other hand, Candida was positively correlated with pro-inflammatory factors negatively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ T cells and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4, while it is positively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines. The significant increase in the relative abundance of Candida may be one of the important causes of intestinal damage in PLWHA. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the relationship between fungal microbiota structure and immune function in the gut ecology of PLWHA.

Modified femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy for managing low corneal astigmatism using trifocal intraocular lens implantation in Chinese cataract patients.

To evaluate the visual outcome and astigmatic correction following trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using the modified femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy (FSAK) in Chinese cataract patients with low astigmatism. This retrospective study included consecutive cataract patients with regular corneal astigmatism ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 D who underwent FSAK combined with the trifocal IOL implantation between November 2020 and September 2022. Monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity, uncorrected intermediate visual acuity, uncorrected near visual acuity, and refractive data were collected at the 3-month follow-up. The pre- and post-operative high-order aberrations (HOAs) were recorded. The variation in astigmatism was analyzed using Alpins vector analysis. A total of 27 eyes from 23 patients were analyzed. The monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) (5 m) at the 3-month follow-up was 0.04 ± 0.09 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which was significantly improved compared with the preoperative value of 0.95 ± 0.51 logMAR (P <.001). The corneal astigmatism was significantly reduced from 1.24 ± 0.42 D to 0.49 ± 0.34 D (P <.001). The target-induced astigmatism (TIA) was 1.25 ± 0.43 D, the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was 1.16 ± 0.52 D, and the difference vector (DV) was 0.5 ± 0.34 D. The magnitude of error (ME) (difference between SIA and TIA) was -0.1 ± 0.41 D, and the correction index (CI) (ratio of SIA to TIA) was 0.93 ± 0.36. The angle of error was 3.92° ± 16.90°. Total HOA was reduced from 0.89 ± 1.11 to 0.41 ± 0.55 (P = 0.184), and the corneal HOA was lowered from 0.17 ± 0.18 to 0.10 ± 0.10 (P = 0.129). Implantation of trifocal IOL following the modified FSAK in Chinese cataract patients exhibited excellent visual efficacy and effectively reduced corneal astigmatism.

Maternal anaemia prevention and control in China: A policy review.

Maternal anaemia is a major public health problem. Developing maternal anaemia prevention and control policies is an important prerequisite for carrying out evidence-based interventions. This article reviews maternal anaemia prevention and control policies in China, identifies gaps, and provides references for other countries. We examined policies concerning maternal nutrition and other related literature in China, identified through key databases and government websites, and conducted a narrative review of the relevant documentations guided by the Smith Policy-Implementing-Process framework. A total of 65 articles and documents were identified for analysis. We found that Chinese government has committed to reducing maternal anaemia at the policy level, with established objectives and a clear time frame. However, most of policies were not accompanied by operational guidelines, standardized interventions, and vigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and 85% of the policies don't have quantifiable objectives on anaemia. Maternal anaemia prevention and control services offered in clinical settings were primarily nutrition education and anaemia screening. Population-based interventions such as iron fortification have yet to be scaled up. Furthermore, medical insurance schemes in some regions do not cover anaemia prevention and treatment, and in other regions that offer coverage, the reimbursement rate is low. The number and capacity of health professionals is also limited. Policy changes should focus on the integration of evidence-based interventions into routine antenatal care services and public health service packages, standardization of dosages and provision of iron supplementation, streamline of reimbursement for outpatient expenses, and capacity building of health professionals.

Cascade Electrocatalytic and Thermocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Propionaldehyde.

Electrochemical CO2 reduction can convert CO2 to value-added chemicals, but its selectivity toward C3+ products are very limited. One possible solution is to run the reactions in hybrid processes by coupling electrocatalysis with other catalytic routes. In this contribution, we report the cascade electrocatalytic and thermocatalytic reduction of CO2 to propionaldehyde. Using Cu(OH)2 nanowires as the precatalyst, CO2 /H2 O is reduced to concentrated C2 H4 , CO, and H2 gases in a zero-gap membrane electrode assembly (MEA) reactor. The thermochemical hydroformylation reaction is separately investigated with a series of rhodium-phosphine complexes. The best candidate is identified to be the one with the 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane diphosphine ligand, which exhibits a propionaldehyde turnover number of 1148 under a mild temperature and close-to-atmospheric pressure. By coupling and optimizing the upstream CO2 electroreduction and downstream hydroformylation reaction, we achieve a propionaldehyde selectivity of ~38 % and a total C3 oxygenate selectivity of 44 % based on reduced CO2 . These values represent a more than seven times improvement over the best prior electrochemical system alone or over two times improvement over other hybrid systems.

AI protein structure prediction-based modeling and mutagenesis of a protostome receptor and peptide ligands reveal key residues for their interaction.

The protostome leucokinin (LK) signaling system, including LK peptides and their G protein-coupled receptors, has been characterized in several species. Despite the progress, molecular mechanisms governing LK peptide-receptor interactions remain to be elucidated. Previously, we identified a precursor protein for Aplysia leucokinin-like peptides (ALKs) that contains the greatest number of amidated peptides among LK precursors in all species identified so far. Here, we identified the first ALK receptor from Aplysia, ALKR. We used cell-based IP1 activation assays to demonstrate that two ALK peptides with the most copies, ALK1 and ALK2, activated ALKR with high potencies. Other endogenous ALK-derived peptides bearing the FXXWX-amide motif also activated ALKR to various degrees. Our examination of cross-species activity of ALKs with the Anopheles LK receptor was consistent with a critical role for the FXXWX-amide motif in receptor activity. Furthermore, we showed, through alanine substitution of ALK1, the highly conserved phenylalanine (F), tryptophan (W), and C-terminal amidation were each essential for receptor activation. Finally, we used an artificial intelligence-based protein structure prediction server (Robetta) and Autodock Vina to predict the ligand-bound conformation of ALKR. Our model predicted several interactions (i.e., hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and amide-pi stacking) between ALK peptides and ALKR, and several of our substitution and mutagenesis experiments were consistent with the predicted model. In conclusion, our results provide important information defining possible interactions between ALK peptides and their receptors. The workflow utilized here may be useful for studying other ligand-receptor interactions for a neuropeptide signaling system, particularly in protostomes.

Wettability Engineering of Solar Methanol Synthesis.

Engineering the wettability of surfaces with hydrophobic organics has myriad applications in heterogeneous catalysis and the large-scale chemical industry; however, the mechanisms behind may surpass the proverbial hydrophobic kinetic benefits. Herein, the well-studied In2O3 methanol synthesis photocatalyst has been used as an archetype platform for a hydrophobic treatment to enhance its performance. With this strategy, the modified samples facilitated the tuning of a wide range of methanol production rates and selectivity, which were optimized at 1436 µmol gcat-1 h-1 and 61%, respectively. Based on in situ DRIFTS and temperature-programmed desorption-mass spectrometry, the surface-decorated alkylsilane coating on In2O3 not only kinetically enhanced the methanol synthesis by repelling the produced polar molecules but also donated surface active H to facilitate the subsequent hydrogenation reaction. Such a wettability design strategy seems to have universal applicability, judged by its success with other CO2 hydrogenation catalysts, including Fe2O3, CeO2, ZrO2, and Co3O4. Based on the discovered kinetic and mechanistic benefits, the enhanced hydrogenation ability enabled by hydrophobic alkyl groups unleashes the potential of the surface organic chemistry modification strategy for other important catalytic hydrogenation reactions.

CircRNA 06209 inhibits cataract development by sponging miR-6848-5p and regulating ALOX15 expression.

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, and there is a lack of effective treatment drugs. CircRNA plays an important part in a variety of diseases, however, the role of circRNA in cataracts remains largely unknown. In this study, we constructed a cataract model of rats and obtained the circRNAs related to cataracts by whole transcriptome sequencing and circRNA-mRNA co-expression network. To investigate the effect and mechanism of circRNA 06209 on cataracts, we performed several in vivo and in vitro experiments, including CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, dual luciferase reporter assay, RIP assay, actinomycin D assay, and Western blot analysis. We identify that a necroptosis-related circRNA, circRNA 06209, is down-regulated in cataracts. Vitro experiments showed that up-regulation of circRNA 06209 could promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis. Vivo experiments revealed that circRNA 06209 overexpression could inhibit the development of cataracts. Mechanistically, circRNA 06209 acts as a miRNA sponge and competitively binds to miR-6848-5p to curb the inhibitory effect of miR-6848-5p on ALOX15, thereby affecting cell viability and apoptosis. This study found that circRNA 06209 plays a critical part in inhibiting cataracts through the miR-6848-5p/ALOX15 pathway, suggesting that circRNA 06209 may be a promising therapeutic target for cataracts.

Divergent dehydroxyfluorination and carbonation of alcohols with trifluoromethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.

Preparation of alkyl fluorides and carbonates via divergent dehydroxyfluorination and carbonation of alcohols with trifluoromethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (CF3SO2OCF3) is described. The reactions performed with BTMG in THF provided alkyl fluorides in good yields, whereas those of two different alcohols with Et3N in DCM formed asymmetric carbonates in moderate to excellent yields. CF3SO2OCF3 was demonstrated to be either a "F" or a "CO" reagent in the reactions by changing the base, allowing the selective construction of alkyl fluorides and carbonates from the corresponding alcohols with high efficiency. Notably, the fluorine-containing asymmetric carbonates that are difficult to synthesize by other methods were comprehensively prepared by this method, which would have great application potential in both academic and industrial fields.

Long duration of atrial high-rate episode is more favorable in predicting ischemic stroke than high CHA2 DS2 -VASc score.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the roles of duration and burden of atrial high-rate episode (AHRE) on ischemic stroke in patients with pacemaker implantation. METHODS: Patients with pacemaker implantation for bradycardia from 2013 to 2017 were consecutively enrolled. Data such as gender, age, combined diseases, type of AF, left atrial size, left ventricular size, left ventricular ejection fraction, CHA2 DS2 -VASc score, and anticoagulants were collected. The burden and duration of AHRE based on different interval partition were also recorded in detail to evaluate the impacts on ischemic stroke. Cox regression analysis with time-dependent covariates was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients with AHRE were enrolled. The average follow-up time was 48.42 ± 17.20 months. Univariate regression analysis showed that diabetes (p = .024), high CHA2 DS2 -VASc score (≥ 2) (p = .021), long mean AHRE burden (p = .011), long maximal AHRE burden (p = .015), long AHRE duration lasting≥48 h (p = .001) or 24 h (p = .001) or 12 h (p = .005) were prone to ischemic stroke. Further multivariate regression analysis showed that long duration of AHRE (≥48 h) (HR 10.77; 95% CI 3.22-55.12; p = .030) were significantly correlated with stroke in patients with paroxysmal AF. There was no significant correlation between the type of AF and stroke (p = .927). CONCLUSION: The longer duration of AHRE (≥48 h) was more favorable in predicting ischemic stroke than high CHA2 DS2 -VASc score (≥2).

Lignocellulose degradation by rumen bacterial communities: New insights from metagenome analyses.

Ruminant animals house a dense and diverse community of microorganisms in their rumen, an enlarged compartment in their stomach, which provides a supportive environment for the storage and microbial fermentation of ingested feeds dominated by plant materials. The rumen microbiota has acquired diverse and functionally overlapped enzymes for the degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides. In rumen Bacteroidetes, enzymes involved in degradation are clustered into polysaccharide utilization loci to facilitate coordinated expression when target polysaccharides are available. Firmicutes use free enzymes and cellulosomes to degrade the polysaccharides. Fibrobacters either aggregate lignocellulose-degrading enzymes on their cell surface or release them into the extracellular medium in membrane vesicles, a mechanism that has proven extremely effective in the breakdown of recalcitrant cellulose. Based on current metagenomic analyses, rumen Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are categorized as generalist microbes that can degrade a wide range of polysaccharides, while other members adapted toward specific polysaccharides. Particularly, there is ample evidence that Verrucomicrobia and Spirochaetes have evolved enzyme systems for the breakdown of complex polysaccharides such as xyloglucans, peptidoglycans, and pectin. It is concluded that diversity in degradation mechanisms is required to ensure that every component in feeds is efficiently degraded, which is key to harvesting maximum energy by host animals.

Excessive exogenous cholesterol activating intestinal LXRα-ABCA1/G5/G8 signaling pathway can not reverse atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice.

BACKGROUND: The long-term excessive intake of exogenous cholesterol can lead to abnormally elevated blood lipid levels and induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the influence and relevance of exogenous cholesterol on plasma cholesterol components were still unclear, and the influence on intestinal lipid metabolism targets needs to be further explored. METHODS: In vivo, the C57BL/6 + NF group and ApoE-/- + NF group mice were fed a normal specific pathogen-free (SPF) diet; the ApoE-/- + HF group mice were fed a high-cholesterol SPF diet. The plasma and jejunum tissue homogenate were obtained for non-targeted lipid metabolomics. The lipid droplets in tissues were observed by transmission electron microscope and oil red O staining. Jejunum tissue morphology was observed by HE staining. The kits were used to detect lipid content in plasma, tissues, intestinal contents, and cells. Western blot, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) were used to observe the key target of lipid metabolism. In vitro, the final concentration of cholesterol was 100 µmol/L in Caco-cells. Oil red O staining, western blot, RT-PCR and immunofluorescence (IF) were used to observe the changes of lipid metabolism. Finally, the influence of liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) on intestinal cholesterol metabolism was clarified by applying the LXRα inhibitor GSK2033 and siRNA targeting LXRα. RESULTS: The aortic arch and intestinal villi of the two groups of ApoE-/- mice showed apparent lesions and lipid accumulation, and there were significant changes in a variety of lipids in the plasma and jejunum. Additionally, jejunum LXRα was markedly activated. High cholesterol can significantly activate LXRα in Caco-2 cells. After LXRα was inhibited, the protein level of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1/G5/G8 (ABCA1/G5/G8) decreased, and the quantity and volume of intracellular lipids soared. CONCLUSION: In a high-cholesterol environment, the intestine promotes the excretion of cholesterol from the cell through the LXRα-ABCA1/G5/G8 pathway, reduces the intestinal intake of a variety of exogenous cholesterol, and reduces the risk of AS.

Mechanical protective effect of lens anterior capsule disc on corneal endothelial cells during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a novel technique using an isolated lens anterior capsule disc (LACD) to protect corneal endothelial cells in rabbit eyes during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: Experimental study. 40 rabbits were divided into endothelium-protected (experimental) and control groups, with 20 rabbits in each group. In the experimental group, after femtosecond laser capsulotomy, the isolated capsule disc was lifted to the corneal endothelium by an ophthalmic viscosurgical device. The endothelium was damaged for 1 min with an ultrasonic probe. The control group underwent the same surgery, except that the disc was removed immediately after capsulorhexis. Corneal endothelioscopy was performed preoperatively and on postoperative days (PODs) 3 and 7 to observe endothelial cell counts (ECC) and endothelial cell loss rate. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured before and at PODs 1, 3 and 7. RESULTS: There were 3.59%±1.88% (p < 0.001) and 2.92%±2.14% (p < 0.001) loss of ECC in experimental group at POD3 and POD7, respectively, while those in the control group were 11.62%±7.43% and 10.34%±5.77%, respectively. On POD 1, the difference in central corneal thickness was significant(P = 0.019) between the two groups. At POD 3 and POD 7, CCT was not significantly different (P = 0.597;0.913) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The isolated LACD technique significantly reduced damage to the endothelium caused by ultrasonic energy and protects corneal endothelial cells during phacoemulsification.

Transcriptome sequencing and microRNA-mRNA regulatory network construction in the lens from a Na2SeO3-induced Sprague Dawley rat cataract model.

BACKGROUND: A sight-threatening, cataract is a common degenerative disease of the ocular lens. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of age-related cataract (ARC) formation and progression. METHODS: Cataracts in Sprague Dawley rats were induced by adopting the method that injected selenite subcutaneously in the nape. We performed high-throughput RNA sequencing technology to identify the mRNA and microRNA(miRNA) expression profiles of the capsular membrane of the lens from Na2SeO3-induced and saline-injected Sprague Dawley rats. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were carried out to forecast the regulatory and functional role of mRNAs in cataracts by DAVID and Metascape. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of differentially expressed mRNA(DEmRNAs) was built via the STRING. Target miRNAs of hub genes were predicted by miRBD and TargetScan. Furthermore, differentially expressed miRNA(DEmiRNAs) were selected as hub genes' targets, validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), and a DEmiRNA-DEmRNA regulatory network was constructed via Cytoscape. RESULT: In total, 329 DEmRNAs including 40 upregulated and 289 downregulated genes were identified. Forty seven DEmiRNAs including 29 upregulated and 18 downregulated miRNAs were detected. The DEmRNAs are involved in lens development, visual perception, and aging-related biological processes. A protein-protein interaction network including 274 node genes was constructed to explore the interactions of DEmRNAs. Furthermore, a DEmiRNA-DEmRNA regulatory network related to cataracts was constructed, including 8 hub DEmRNAs, and 8 key DEmiRNAs which were confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. CONCLUSION: We identified several differentially expressed genes and established a miRNA-mRNA-regulated network in a Na2SeO3-induced Sprague Dawley rat cataract model. These results may provide novel insights into the clinical treatment of cataracts, and the hub DEmRNAs and key DEmiRNAs could be potential therapeutic targets for ARC.

Metagenomics study on taxonomic and functional change of gut microbiota in patients with obesity with PCOS treated with exenatide combination with metformin or metformin alone.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of exenatide treatment on the composition of intestinal flora and metabolic pathways in patients with obesity with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: Patients with obesity with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were distributed to two groups: one received exenatide combined with metformin (COM group, n = 14) and the other used metformin alone (MF group, n = 15). Fresh fecal specimens from the participants, including 29 patients with obesity with PCOS and 6 healthy controls, were collected for metagenomic sequencing. The effect of exenatide combination with metformin or metformin alone on the composition and function of intestinal flora in patients with obesity with PCOS were compared by bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: The level of BMI, TT, HbA1c, and HDL-c was significantly improved in both groups. The MF and COM groups were abundant in Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Uroviricota, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Hungatella, and certain probiotics like Phocaeicola and Anaerobutyricum significantly increased in both groups after treatment. Enriched microbial species in the MF and COM group were different. Clostridium, Fusobacterium, and Oxalobacter were the main bacteria in the post-MF group, while Lactococcus_garvieae, Clostridium_perfringens, and Coprococcus_sp_AF16_5 were the main bacteria in the post-COM group. The post-COM group had more probiotic species including Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, and Anaerobutyricum after treatment. CONCLUSION: Both exenatide combined with metformin and metformin monotherapy can improve metabolic and endocrine markers, and the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in patients with obesity with PCOS. The effects of the combination and monotherapy agents on intestinal flora were consistent to some extent but also unique respectively.