Comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiome and post-translational modifications elucidates the route involved in microbiota-host interactions.

The gut microbiome interacts with the host to maintain body homeostasis, with gut microbial dysbiosis implicated in many diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of gut microbe regulation of host behavior and brain functions remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of gut microbiota on brain functions via post-translational modification mechanisms in the presence or absence of bacteria without any stimulation. We conducted succinylome analysis of hippocampal proteins in germ-free (GF) and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice and metagenomic analysis of feces from SPF mice. These results were integrated with previously reported hippocampal acetylome and phosphorylome data from the same batch of mice. Subsequent bioinformatics analyses revealed 584 succinylation sites on 455 proteins, including 54 up-regulated succinylation sites on 91 proteins and 99 down-regulated sites on 51 proteins in the GF mice compared to the SPF mice. We constructed a panoramic map of gut microbiota-regulated succinylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation, and identified cross-talk and relative independence between the different types of post-translational modifications in modulating complicated intracellular pathways. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that 13 taxa, predominantly belonging to the Bacteroidetes phylum, were correlated with the biological functions of post-translational modifications. Positive correlations between these taxa and succinylation and negative correlations between these taxa and acetylation were identified in the modulation of intracellular pathways. This study highlights the hippocampal physiological changes induced by the absence of gut microbiota, and proteomic quantification of succinylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation, contributing to our understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in brain function and behavioral phenotypes.

Characteristic of red eye related diseases of Han and Uygur population in Urumchi compared with Shanghai, China.

AIM: To study the characteristics, relative distribution and to compare causes of red eye in ophthalmic clinics in Urumchi and Shanghai, China. METHODS: Data on continuous cases of red-eye patients admitted to the Ophthalmology Center of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were collected between November 2018 and September 2019. Demographic data, the incidence of red eye and related disease distribution of all cases were obtained. The independent t-test method was used for age comparison, while the Chi-square test was used to compare classified data information. RESULTS: The information on 335 and 415 patients with red eyes in Shanghai and Urumchi were collected, respectively. The main causes of red eye were conjunctival disease and dry eye. The age of female patients with red eyes was significantly higher than that of males, and the proportion of female patients with dry eyes was also higher. Red-eye-related diseases occurred more frequently in patients over 46 years old than in those under 18, and dry eye was more common with increasing age. The incidence of infectious conjunctivitis in Urumchi was significantly higher than that in Shanghai, and allergic conjunctivitis occurred more frequently in spring, summer, or autumn than in winter (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant differences exist in the distribution of red-eye-related diseases in Urumchi and Shanghai regions of China, and distribution varies with age and season, the latter being an important feature of allergic conjunctivitis.

Multiple Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Exfoliation Syndrome in the Uygur Population.

BACKGROUND: Our previous data suggested that three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1048661, rs3825942, and rs2165241, of the lysyl oxidase-like 1 gene (LOXL1) are significantly associated with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). The following study investigated other SNPs that potentially effect XFS/XFG. METHODS: A total of 216 Uygur patients diagnosed with XFS/XFG, and 297 Uygur volunteers were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital at Xinjiang Medical University between January 2015 and October 2017. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture. Alleles and genotypes of LOXL1, TBC1D21, ATXN2, APOE, CLU, AFAP1, TXNRD2, CACNA1A, ABCA1, GAS7, and CNTNAP2 were analyzed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: The allele G of rs41435250 of LOXL1 was a risk allele for XFS/XFG (P < 0.001), whereas the allele G of rs893818 of LOXL1 was a protective allele for XFS/XFG (P < 0.001). After adjusting all data for age and gender, the following results were obtained: the frequency of genotype CC for rs7137828 of ATXN2 was significantly higher in XFS/XFG patients than in controls (P = 0.027), while no significance was found with reference to the frequency of genotype TT. The frequency of genotype GG for rs893818 of LOXL1 (P < 0.001) and the frequency of genotype AA were both significantly higher in XFS/XFG groups compared to the control group (P < 0.001). In addition, the frequency of genotype TT for rs41435250 of LOXL1 was higher in XFS/XFG patients than in controls (P = 0.003), while no significant difference was found with reference to the frequency of genotype GG after adjusting for age and gender. In addition, the haplotypes G-A/T-G/G-G for rs41435250 and rs893818 were significantly associated with XFS/G. CONCLUSIONS: With reference to LOXL1, the rs41435250 resulted as a risk factor and rs893818 as a protective factor for XFS/XFG in the Uygur populations. Meanwhile, the rs16958445 of TBC1D21 and the rs7137828 of ATXN2 have also shown to be associated with pathogenesis of XFS/XFG.

Characterization of the complete plastid genome of Acer tsinglingense, an endemic tree species in China.

Acer tsinglingense is an ecologically and economically important tree species in China. In this study, we characterized its whole plastid genome sequence using the Illumina sequencing platform. The complete plastid genome size of A. tsinglingense is 156,039 bp in length, including a large single-copy [LSC] region of 85,760 bp, a small single-copy [SSC] region of 18,139 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats [IRs] of 26,070 bp. The genome contains 137 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC contents in chloroplast genome, LSC region, SSC region, and IR region were 38.0%, 36.2%, 32.4%, and 42.9%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis based on the plastid genomes showed that A. tsinglingense was more closely related with the congeneric A. laevigatum, A. palmatum, A. wilsonii, and A. buergerianum, these species were clustered into a monophyletic clade with high bootstrap support.

Whole plastid genome of Anemone taipaiensis (Ranunculaceae), an endemic herb plant in China.

Anemone taipaiensis W. T. Wang is an endemic herb species in Shaanxi province (China). Here, we first characterized its whole plastid genome via pair-end sequencing method. The whole chloroplast genome was 156,659 bp in size, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 78,439 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 16,178 bp, and two repeat regions (IRs) of 31,021 bp. A total of 135 genes, including 91 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes were identified in A. taipaiensis. The phylogenetic analysis showed that A. taipaiensis have a close relationship with congeneric species A. trullifolia.

[Electrophysiological characteristics of hippocampal postnatal early development mediated by AMPA receptors in rats].

The present study was aimed to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of hippocampal postnatal early development mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into postnatal 0.5-, 1-, 2- and 3-month groups (n = 12). Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) mediated by AMPA receptors were recorded to evaluate the changes in the intrinsic membrane properties of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons by using patch-clamp and MED64 planar microelectrode array technique respectively. The results showed that, during the period of postnatal 0.5-3 months, some of the intrinsic membrane properties of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, such as the membrane capacitance (Cm) and the resting membrane potential (RMP), showed no significant changes, while the membrane input resistance (Rin) and the time constant (τ) of the cells were decreased significantly. The amplitude, frequency and kinetics (both rise and decay times) of sEPSCs were significantly increased during the period of postnatal 0.5-1 month, but they were all decreased during the period of postnatal 1-3 months. In addition, the range of evoked fEPSPs in hippocamal CA1 region was significantly expanded, but the fEPSP amplitudes were decreased significantly during the period of postnatal 0.5-3 months. Furthermore, the evoked fEPSPs could be significantly inhibited by extracellular application of the AMPA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). These results suggest that AMPA receptor may act as a major type of excitatory receptor to regulate synaptic transmission and connections during the early stage of hippocampal postnatal development, which promotes the development and functional maturation of hippocampus in rats.

Histopathological changes in retinas and F-ERG features of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with ozone.

AIM: To study the histopathological changes in the retina and flash electroretinogram (F-ERG) features of ozone-treated streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Seventy male Sprague Dawley rats were grouped as follows: blank group (GB, n=10), model control group (GM, n=18), ozone group (GO3, n=19), and oxygen group (GO2, n=18). The model was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Ozone or oxygen enteroclysm was given twice per week for 4wk. F-ERG and histopathological examinations were performed one month after treatment. RESULTS: Under dark adaption, as compared to GB, the other groups each had differential decreases in the a-wave amplitudes (P<0.05); the latencies were delayed in GM, GO2, and GO3 rats (P<0.05). Similar results were observed under light adaption, with the exception that the a-wave of the amplitudes (F=0.28, P>0.05). There were significant differences in the apoptosis index among the groups (P<0.05). Under ozone treatment, apoptosis was decreased in GO3 as compared to GM and GO2. CONCLUSION: Ozone administration alleviates nerve damage and reduces pathology and apoptosis in the retinas of diabetic rats.

[Randomized controlled clinical trials for treatment of external sty with ear-apex blood-letting].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of ear-apex blood-letting for external sty. METHODS: A total 102 sty patients were randomized into ear-apex blood-letting group (n = 51) and routine treatment (medication) group (n = 51) according to computer-aided randomization procedure. Ear-apex-bloodletting (5-6 blood drops/time) was performed once daily for 3 times for the patients of blood-letting group. Patients of the medication group were treated by local application of hydrochloric levofloxacin and erycin ointment to the affected eyelid lining. Additionally, local warm compress of the affected eyelid was given to patients of both groups. The therapeutic effect was assessed by measuring the size of the sty swell and visual analogue scale (VAS) was determined for evaluating pain severity changes. The outcomes were analyzed by researchers who did not know the grouping. RESULTS: Comparison between patients of the two groups showed that the difference vahees of the styrize and VAS score between pre- and post-treatment in the ear-apex bloodletting group were significantly bigger than those of the medication group on day 3, 5 and 7 after treatment (P<0.05). The cure rates of the blood-letting group and medication group were 64.7% and 41.2%, 90.2% and 62.7%, 94. 1% and 80.4%, respectively on day 3, 5 and 7 after the treatment. The therapeutic effects of blood-letting were significantly superior to those of the medication group in relieving external sty (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ear-apex blood-letting therapy for external sty is effective in relieving pain, reducing the size and shortening the duration of disease.

[Survey of blindness and low vision among residents in Shuimogou District, Urumqi, China in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 40 years, compare the prevalence between Uyghur and Han residents and analyze the causes of visual impairment. METHODS: Population-based cluster sampling survey was conducted among a target population of 5032 persons ≥ 40 years of age from Shuimogou District in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Distance visual acuity (VA) was measured with a Tumbling-E chart at 5 m. Presenting and best corrected VA were recorded. Clinical evaluations were performed. And primary causes of visual impairment was determined for those with VA < 0.3. RESULTS: Among them, there were 4104 responders (Uyghur 2006 persons, Han 2098 persons) with a response rate 81.56%. Prevalence of bilateral blindness was 1.25%/1.86% (Uyghur/Han) (P < 0.05) and bilateral low vision 4.04%/3.29% (Uyghur/Han) (P < 0.05). Primary cause of visual impairment among participants was cataract (cause proportion of 49.23% among Uyghurs and 51.85% among Hans). Visual impairment was correlated with advanced age, males and poor literacy. Prevalences of bilateral blindness and bilateral low vision in age group 40 - 50 yr increased from 0.48% and 1.13% to 3.47% and 10.88% in age group ≥ 70 among Uygur citizens respectively (χ(2) = 22.36, P < 0.05 vs χ(2) = 70.97, P < 0.05). Relative data among the Han citizens varied from 0% and 1.42% to 4.39% and 7.89% (χ(2) = 27.94, P < 0.05 vs χ(2) = 39.99, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The most frequent cause of visual impairment in this area is cataract (Uyghur 49.23% vs Han 51.85%) while retinal diseases and glaucoma are important causes as well. Blindness prevention programs targeting the elderly should be expanded, particularly in areas with a limited access and affordability of eye care services.

Synthesis and structural analysis of a novel iodinated cyclopentadienone via ring-contraction iodination and its application in synthesis of alkyne-functionalized cyclopentadienones.

The first iodinated cyclopentadienone was isolated and its structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Based on this intermediate, the first direct C-C bond formation on cyclopentadienone ring was achieved. The photo induced intramolecular charge transfer of alkynylated cyclopentadienones was evaluated by solvent polarity effect on their electronic absorption spectra.

Investigation of sp(2)-sp coupling for electron-enriched aryl dihalides under oxygen-free Sonogashira coupling reaction conditions using a two-chamber reaction system.

Triethylamine hydroiodide crystals were formed during Sonogashira reactions; after complete reaction the solution retains a characteristic light color (see picture). Very sluggish Sonogashira reactions of electron-enriched aryl diiodides have been carried out in high yield in an oxygen-free, two-chamber reaction system. The formation of triethylamine hydroiodide crystals was monitored to determine the completion of reaction.