[Survey on monkeypox knowledge awareness, risk perception and vaccination intention in men who have sex with men in five cities in northeast China].

Objective: To understand the monkeypox knowledge awareness, risk perception and vaccination intention in men who have sex with men (MSM) in five cities in northeast China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using electronic questionnaire in MSM selected by convenience sampling in five cities in northeast China (Shenyang, Panjin, Changchun, Harbin and Jiamusi) from June 28 to July 8, 2023 by local centers for disease control and prevention and MSM communities. The sample size was estimated to be 220. Information about their demographics, monkeypox-related knowledge awareness, perceived concern about epidemic risk perception, and monkeypox vaccination intention were collected. Logistic regression model was used to analyze related factors for MSM's monkeypox vaccination intention. Results: In 355 MSM, 63.9% (227/355) had monkeypox vaccination intentions, and 55.5% (197/355) had high awareness of monkeypox related knowledge with a mean knowledge awareness score of 3.7±1.5. MSM with education level of high-school and above (aOR=1.93, 95%CI:1.01-3.69), higher knowledge awareness score (aOR=1.19, 95%CI:1.02-1.40) and higher risk perception of monkeypox infection (aOR=1.82, 95%CI:1.15-2.88), were more willing to receive monkeypox vaccination. The main reasons for willingness to receive monkeypox vaccine were preventing monkeypox (86.3%, 196/227) and worrying about appearance being affected (62.1%, 141/227). The main reasons for unwillingness for the vaccination included concerns about vaccine safety (53.1%, 68/128), clinical progression of AIDS being affected (46.1%, 59/128) and efficacy of antiretroviral therapy being affected (44.5%, 57/128). Conclusions: The levels of knowledge awareness and vaccine intentions still need to be improved among MSM in five cities of northeast China. It is necessary to improve the awareness of monkeypox and intention of monkeypox vaccination, promote protected sex behavior and self-assessment of infection risk, reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase monkeypox vaccination intention in MSM in 5 cities in northeast China.

In vitro mitochondrial apoptosis of melanoma cells via immature Poncirus trifoliata fruit extract.

OBJECTIVE: Poncirus trifoliata (P. trifoliata) fruits exert phytotherapeutic effects, depending on their maturity level. However, the mechanism by which these phytotherapeutic effects are exerted remains undefined - especially in cancers. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of the immature fruit extract of P. trifoliata on a B16 melanoma cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of immature P. trifoliata extract on B16 cells was evaluated by MTT assay, cell proliferation, FACScan analysis of cell cycles, confocal imaging analysis, nuclear (Hoechst) staining, apoptosis assay (Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining), and Western blot assay. The capacity of immature P. trifoliata extract to inhibit the invasion and migration of B16 cells was assessed using the scratch-wound assay and Matrigel migration assay. The effect of immature P. trifoliata extract on mitochondrial function was determined via the mitochondrial membrane potential assay, activity, and fraction and cytosol proteins. RESULTS: Treating B16 cells with a methanol extract of immature P. trifoliata (MEPT) significantly inhibited cell viability, migration, and invasiveness in a dose- (p<0.01) and time (p<0.01)- dependent manner. MEPT arrested the cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and led to the activation of the PI3K/AKT/p21 pathway. Furthermore, MEPT dose-dependently induced apoptosis in B16 cells by increasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Apaf-1, while decreasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. MEPT treatment also decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. CONCLUSIONS: Immature P. trifoliata extract inhibited the growth of melanoma cells by inducing cell apoptosis through mitochondrial pathways. Therefore, further research into immature P. trifoliata extract as a potential therapeutic compound for melanoma treatment is warranted.

[Analysis of factors related to the online social interaction and causal sexual behaviors among foreigners in Guangzhou].

Objective: To understand the social support, social network, and sexual behavior characteristics of foreigners living in Guangzhou, analyze factors relating to aspects of online social interactions and sexual behaviors of foreigners in Guangzhou, and provide references for targeted HIV intervention services for foreigners. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (both online and offline), among those who met the inclusion criteria was conducted between November 2019 and January 2020. Data were collected on demographics, social support, online social interactions, sexual behaviors, and so on. Statistics were compiled to analyze the factors that may influence casual sexual behaviors. Results: A total of 434 participants were included in the study (241 offline and 193 online). The majority of the participants were male 68.4% (297/434), age (31.0±8.8) years old, African 79.0% (343/434), business people 46.5% (202/434), students 48.2% (209/434), who have business partners and family members in China were 59.4% (258/434) and 28.1% (122/434) separately. They also had the following features: less than 10 close friends 57.1% (248/434); spend 1-3 hours on social applications per day 43.3% (188/434), had casual sexual behaviors in the last 3 months 15.2% (55/363). Multiple logistic regression model analysis showed that compared with those who used social applications for less than 1 hour per day, participants who used social applications for more than 6 hours per day were more likely to have casual sexual behaviors in the last 3 months (OR=3.63, 95%CI: 1.31-10.08). Conclusions: Participants who used social applications for a longer period every day were more likely to have casual sexual behaviors among foreigners in Guangzhou. Good use of social applications for health promotion and education of HIV can increase the health awareness of foreigners in China.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NK112 mitigates Escherichia coli-induced depression and cognitive impairment in mice by regulating IL-6 expression and gut microbiota.

The gut microbiota communicates with the brain through microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes and other pathways. Excessive expression of interleukin (IL)-6 is closely associated with the occurrence of the psychiatric disorders depression and dementia. Therefore, to understand whether IL-6 expression-suppressing probiotics could alleviate psychiatric disorders, we isolated IL-6 expression-inhibiting Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (formerly Lactobacillus paracasei) NK112 from the human faecal bacteria strain collection (Neurobiota Research Center, Seoul, Korea) and examined its therapeutic effect for the depression and cognitive impairment in mice. C57 BL/6J mice with depression and cognitive impairment were prepared by exposure to Escherichia coli K1. Oral gavage of NK112 significantly alleviated K1-induced anxious, depressive, and memory-impaired behaviours in the elevated plus maze, tail-suspension and Y-maze tasks, IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) activation in the hippocampus, while K1-suppressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression increased. Treatment with NK112 also improved K1-induced myeloperoxidase activity, IL-6 and TNF-α expression, and NF-κB activation in the colon and reduced K1-induced Proteobacteria population in the gut microbiota. Heat-killed NK112 and its lysate supernatant, and precipitate fractions also improved anxiety/depression, cognitive impairment, and colitis in mice. In conclusion, NK112, even if heat-killed or lysed, alleviated K1 stress-induced colitis, anxiety/depression, and cognitive impairment by suppressing IL-6, TNF-α, and BDNF expression through the regulation of gut microbiota and NF-κB activation.

[A qualitative study on HIV related risk behaviors, current status and need for prevention services among 28 money boys].

Objective: To understand the characteristics of HIV-related risk behaviors and needs for prevention services among males who sell sex for money or anything of value (commonly known as money boys or MB), and to provide evidence for the development of targeted interventions. Methods: Using non-probability purposive sampling method and one-on-one interviews. Results: A total of 28 MBs were interviewed, with age range between 20 and 67, and education primarily at junior high school level. Among them 6 were married. Their household registration for residency cut across 15 provinces, and their sexual orientation is diverse. They migrate primarily among tier one cities and provincial capitals. Most enter the trade for economic reasons, relying on clubs and personal networks to find clients, and on word of mouth to obtain knowledge and skills. In addition to their primary clientele of the male homosexual community, 5 out of 28 serve male heterosexuals and 6 out of 28 also serve females. They have some awareness of self protection from diseases, primarily from word of mouth. Nevertheless, over half of them cannot maintain consistent condom use, and 12 out of 28 have a history of illegal drug use. Three of them reported being tested positive for HIV, and all continue to engage in sex work. They prefer their communication messages to be simple and straight-forward. Privacy comes first when they are accessing testing and treatment services. Conclusion: The bridge role of the MB community in transmitting HIV to the general population cannot be ignored, and interventions targeting the MB population need to be strengthened.

Characteristics and viral suppression among people living with HIV from the National Free Antiretroviral Therapy Programme, 2019.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present the clinical characteristics of and viral suppression in the national antiretroviral therapy (ART) cohort in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the participants enrolled in China's National Free Antiretroviral Therapy Programme (NFATP) who were on ART at the end of 2019. The data used were from China's NFATP information system. The primary outcome was viral load (VL) suppression. Full virological suppression and low-level viraemia (LLV) were defined as VL < 50 copies/mL and between 51 and 999 copies/mL, respectively. RESULTS: At the end of 2019, 853 429 people living with HIV (PLWH) were on ART. The median age was 44 years [interquartile range (IQR): 33-54]. The majority of PLWH were 25-44 years old (47.2%) and male (73.5%) and reported HIV infection via heterosexual contact (64.5%). The median (IQR) baseline CD4 count was 257 (140-376) cells/µL. Among the 704 375 PLWH who were on ART for at least 12 months, 82.9% had full virological suppression, 6.5% had VL between 50 and 1000 copies/mL (LLV) and 4.3% had VL > 1000 copies/mL. Optimal full virological suppression occurred in participants who acquired HIV through homosexual contact (88.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Although China can be credited for substantial progress in scaling up ART and viral suppression, challenges remain in some key populations, such as injecting drug users, participants with a history of treatment failure and hepatitis C virus co-infected people. To improve the programme output, additional monitoring and intervention for LLV are necessary.

[A survey on sexual needs and factors of HIV risky sexual behaviors among elderly men at different ages in two communities of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture].

Objective: To understand sexual needs and factors of risky sexual behaviors among elderly men at different ages in two communities of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture and provide basis for targeted HIV prevention and intervention. Methods: Two communities in the prefecture were selected as study sites. Questionnaire surveys were carried out among elderly men aged 50 and over who visited or consulted in the communities from June to December 2018, and they were tested for HIV and syphilis antibodies. Results: Among 400 elderly men, 209 (52.2%) were 50-64 years old, and 191(47.8%) were above 65 years old. They were mainly Miao people, accounting for 66.3% (265/400), and 235 (58.8%) had an education no more than 6 years. HIV awareness of the two age groups were only 25.8% (54/199) and 26.2% (50/191), respectively. Among those aged 50-64, 142 (68.0%) felt normal sexual desire, and 153 (73.6%) reported penile erections or erections in most cases whenever sex, and 52.9% (110) ejaculated most of the time. HIV prevalence was 1.0% (4/400). Compared with the over 65-year-old group, the proportion of having sex with spouse/stable partners (89.5%, 179/200), proportion of no condom use with their spouse/stable sexual partners during the most recent sex (93.8%, 168/179), proportion of having casual sex (11.0%, 23/209) and commercial sex (3.8%, 8/209) were all higher among 50-64 age group. In comparison to those aged over 65 years old, average monthly income>3 000, and use of sex helper, aged 50-64 (OR=2.70, 95%CI: 1.22-5.95), average monthly income ≤1 000 yuan (OR=2.79, 95%CI: 1.25-6.21), and no use of sex helper (OR=3.78) (95%CI: 1.65-8.67) were related factors of HIV risky sexual behavior last time. Conclusion: Elderly men in the minority prefecture had low HIV awareness. Compared with those≥65 years old, the 50-64 age group had more active sexual behaviors and higher sexual needs. Those from 50-64 age group, with lower economic level and good sexual ability were more likely to have HIV risky sexual behaviors.

Polar meron lattice in strained oxide ferroelectrics.

A topological meron features a non-coplanar structure, whose order parameters in the core region are perpendicular to those near the perimeter. A meron is half of a skyrmion, and both have potential applications for information carrying and storage. Although merons and skyrmions in ferromagnetic materials can be readily obtained via inter-spin interactions, their behaviour and even existence in ferroelectric materials are still elusive. Here we observe using electron microscopy not only the atomic morphology of merons with a topological charge of 1/2, but also a periodic meron lattice in ultrathin PbTiO3 films under tensile epitaxial strain on a SmScO3 substrate. Phase-field simulations rationalize the formation of merons for which an epitaxial strain, as a single alterable parameter, plays a critical role in the coupling of lattice and charge. This study suggests that by engineering strain at the nanoscale it should be possible to fabricate topological polar textures, which in turn could facilitate the development of nanoscale ferroelectric devices.

[Survival analysis on HIV-infected children aged 14 years old and younger in China].

Objective: To understand the survival status and related influencing factors of HIV-infected children aged ≤14 years old, in China. Methods: HIV-infected children were selected from the China's HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System (CRIMS). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the situation of survival on infected children. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to screen the factors affecting the survival time. Results: This study involved 8 029 cases of infected children, with a median survival time of 179.75 months. The cumulative survival probabilities at 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years after the diagnosis, were 99.13%, 97.95%, 90.11% and 78.63%, respectively. Results from the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that children who did not receive antiviral therapy were 12.81 times more likely to die than the ones who received the antiretroviral therapy (95%CI: 11.40-14.27). Male HIV-infected children were 1.20 (95%CI: 1.10-1.32) times more likely to die than the female HIV-infected children. The risk of death among HIV positive children at the age of 3 to 5 years was 0.67 (95%CI: 0.60-0.76) times of those children who were diagnosed at the age of 2 years old or younger. The risk of death among children infected with HIV in Northwest was 0.52 (95%CI: 0.29-0.95) times higher than the ones from the Northeast areas of China. The risk of death among children who received antiviral treatment (ART) in the residential areas was 1.96 (95%CI: 1.48-2.61) times than those children who did not. The risk of death from children who did not receive health care services was 2.07 times of those children who did (95%CI: 1.88-2.29). Conclusions: The median survival time of HIV-infected children aged ≤14 years old was 179.75 months, in China. Our findings revealed that initiation of antiviral therapy, female, age, place of receiving ART (out of the residential areas), living in Northwest China, care services and being diagnosed at older age etc. were protective factors influencing the survival time of infected children.

Development of a high-sensitivity radon monitor for a radon calibration system at KRISS.

A radon calibration system is being developed with a high-sensitivity radon detector using electrostatic collection and an alpha spectrometer. Eight radon cells, each with a volume of 1.354 L, are integrated to achieve a high-sensitivity radon monitor with a total detector volume of 10.832 L. The sensitivity is estimated to be 35.6 ± 0.2 (36.8 ± 0.2) times higher relative to the RAD7 radon monitor for the detection of 218Po (214Po), respectively.

The primary system for measurement of beta emitting radioactive gases at KRISS.

Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) is developing a length-compensated proportional counting (LCPC) system as a primary system for standardization of beta emitting radioactive gases. The pilot experiment was performed with 85Kr and the optimized high voltage and pressure were found to be 1700 V and 0.203 MPa, respectively. The total activity of 85Kr was deduced by the length compensation of each count. The expanded uncertainty was estimated to be around 0.8% (k = 2) for the 85Kr measurement.

[Interrupted time series analysis for influence on HIV related fatality of implementation of 'Four Free Services One Care' policy in China].

Objective: To analyze influence on HIV related fatality of implementation of 'Four Free Services One Care' policy in China during 1993-2012, and evaluate effectiveness for the policy of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Methods: The data during 1993-2003 (before the implementation of the policy) and during 2005-2012 (after the implementation of the policy) were collected from the national HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System for the analysis on HIV related fatality in Chinese, especially in rural residents. Interrupted time series analysis was used to analyze the trends of HIV related fatality during 1993 and 2012. Results: During the twenty years from 1993 to 2012, the HIV related fatality in China decreased, and the HIV related fatality in rural areas was higher than the overall HIV related fatality. Compared with the period before the implementation of the policy, the overall HIV related fatality decreased by 1.5% (P=0.156) and the HIV related fatality in rural residents decreased by 2.6% in 2004 when the policy was implemented (P=0.094). As for the change of slope, the overall slope rate after the policy implementation was -0.466 (P=0.005), indicating a decrease trend of HIV related fatality. The slope rate after the policy implementation in rural residents was-0.592 (P=0.005), indicating a decrease trend of HIV related fatality. At the same time, the slope rate after the policy implementation in rural residents infected through blood transmission route was-0.766 (P<0.001), indicating a decrease trend of HIV related fatality. Conclusions: The implementation of the 'Four Free Services One Care' policy in China has made remarkable progress in free HIV antiviral therapy.

[HIV infection rate in people aged 50 years and older in China: a Meta-analysis].

Objective: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in people aged ≥50 years is increasing in China, resulting in another focus for AIDS prevention and control. A Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the HIV infection, its area and time distributions in people aged ≥50 years in China to provide evidence for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Methods: Information on HIV infection rate in people aged ≥50 years in China were collected from Wanfang digital database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed and Embase. The R Studio1.1.456 software was used to calculate the pooled infection rate, and assessed the publication bias. Results: A total of 30 studies which covered 13 provinces were selected. From 2010 to 2018, the pooled HIV infection rate in people aged ≥50 years was 1.68% (95%CI:1.00%-2.79%). The HIV infection rate (2.60%) was higher in eastern China than in central and western China (0.16%, 2.13%). Conclusion: The overall HIV infection rate in people aged ≥50 years is generally high in China. It is important to control the HIV infection in this population to facilitate the AIDS prevention and control in China.

[A cross-sectional study on AIDS-related knowledge and demands for health education among first-grade students of senior high schools in Tianjin].

Objective: To understand the AIDS awareness and related factors as well as the demands for AIDS-related health education programs, among first-grade students from three senior high schools in Tianjin. Methods: A cross-sectional study using both stratified cluster and convenient sampling methods was conducted. Anonymous questionnaires including social demographic characteristics, AIDS-related knowledge and needs for AIDS health education were distributed to the first-grade students from two general middle schools and one vocational senior middle school in Tianjin. Results: A total of 1 082 students were responding to the questionnaires. Among them, the overall awareness rates of AIDS-related knowledge were 34.3%(371/1 082), 71.9%(778/1 082) of the students had received knowledge about AIDS and 59.4% (643/1 082) of the students had received knowledge about sexual health in the past, from the three schools. There appeared statistical differences among the two types of schools. 7.0% (76/1 082) of the students reported having had sexual behaviors. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, in vocational senior middle school, the awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was lower (compared with general middle school, OR=0.41, 95%CI: 0.29-0.59) and in the following items, including no need in receiving safe sex health knowledge (compared with needs of safe sex health knowledge, OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.43-0.91), no interests in reading AIDS-related health education materials (compared with attention to AIDS health education materials, OR=0.41, 95%CI: 0.30-0.56), not aware of safe sex behavior (compared with aware of safe sex behavior, OR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.39-0.77), not aware of correct condom use, compared with aware of correct condom use (OR=0.33, 95%CI: 0.24-0.46). Conclusions: The overall awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was low among the first-grade students in Tianjin. Some students reported of already having had insertive sex, sexual health knowledge has a significant impact on AIDS knowledge, suggesting that sexual health education and AIDS health education among high school students be strengthened in Tianjin.

Bifidobacterium longum IM55 and Lactobacillus plantarum IM76 alleviate allergic rhinitis in mice by restoring Th2/Treg imbalance and gut microbiota disturbance.

This study aimed to examine whether probiotics, which suppressed the differentiation of splenic T cells into type 2 helper T (Th2) cells and induced into regulatory T cells in vitro, alleviate allergic rhinitis (AR) and gut microbiota disturbance. We isolated Bifidobacterium longum IM55 and Lactobacillus plantarum IM76 from human faecal microbiota and kimchi, respectively, and examined their effects on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR and gut microbiota disturbance in mice. Treatment with IM55, IM76, or their probiotic mixture (PM) significantly reduced OVA-induced allergic nasal symptoms and blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in mice. These also reduced OVA-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 levels in nasal tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) but increased OVA-suppressed IL-10 levels. Treatment with IM55, IM76, or PM reduced OVA-induced increase in the populations of mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cells and increased OVA-suppressed population of regulatory T cells in the BALF. Treatment with IM55, IM76, or PM also inhibited OVA-induced expression of IL-5 in lung and colon tissues and restored OVA-disturbed composition of gut microbiota Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. These results suggest that IM55 and IM67 can alleviate AR by restoring Th2/Treg imbalance and gut microbiota disturbance.

A serine protease homologue Bombyx mori scarface induces a short and fat body shape in silkworm.

Body shape is one of the most prominent and basic characteristics of any organism. In insects, abundant variations in body shape can be observed both within and amongst species. However, the molecular mechanism underlying body shape fine-tuning is very complex and has been largely unknown until now. In the silkworm Bombyx mori, the tubby (tub) mutant has an abnormal short fat body shape and the abdomen of tub larvae expands to form a fusiform body shape. Morphological investigation revealed that the body length was shorter and the body width was wider than that of the Dazao strain. Thus, this mutant is a good model for studying the molecular mechanisms of body shape fine-tuning. Using positional cloning, we identified a gene encoding the serine protease homologue, B. mori scarface (Bmscarface), which is associated with the tub phenotype. Sequence analysis revealed a specific 312-bp deletion from an exon of Bmscarface in the tub strain. In addition, recombination was not observed between the tub and Bmscarface loci. Moreover, RNA interference of Bmscarface resulted in the tub-like phenotype. These results indicate that Bmscarface is responsible for the tub mutant phenotype. This is the first study to report that mutation of a serine protease homologue can induce an abnormal body shape in insects.

Gastrointestinal inflammation by gut microbiota disturbance induces memory impairment in mice.

In this study, we tested our hypothesis regarding mechanistic cross-talk between gastrointestinal inflammation and memory loss in a mouse model. Intrarectal injection of the colitis inducer 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice caused colitis via activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and increase in membrane permeability. TNBS treatment increased fecal and blood levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the number of Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Escherichia coli (EC), in the gut microbiota composition, but significantly reduced the number of Lactobacillus johnsonii (LJ). Indeed, we observed that the mice treated with TNBS displayed impaired memory, as assessed using the Y-maze and passive avoidance tasks. Furthermore, treatment with EC, which was isolated from the feces of mice with TNBS-induced colitis, caused memory impairment and colitis, and increased the absorption of orally administered LPS into the blood. Treatment with TNBS or EC induced NF-κB activation and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the hippocampus of mice, as well as suppressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. However, treatment with LJ restored the disturbed gut microbiota composition, lowered gut microbiota, and blood LPS levels, and attenuated both TNBS- and EC-induced memory impairment and colitis. These results suggest that the gut microbiota disturbance by extrinsic stresses can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, resulting in memory impairment.

Anxiolytic-like effect of Bifidobacterium adolescentis IM38 in mice with or without immobilisation stress.

To better understand the role of gut microbiota in the anxiety, we isolated bifidobacteria and lactobacilli from the human faecal microbiota, investigated their inhibitory effects on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, and examined the anxiolytic-like effect of Bifidobacterium adolescentis IM38 in mice treated with or without immobilisation stress using the elevated plus maze (EPM) task. Oral administration of IM38 at a dose of 1×109 cfu/mouse showed a significant anxiolytic-like effect both in mice exposed to immobilisation stress and in control mice using the EPM test (P<0.05). Moreover, IM38 treatment significantly increased the amount of time spent on open arms and open arm entries. The anxiolytic-like effect of IM38 was comparable to that of buspirone (1 mg/kg). Moreover, this anxiolytic-like effect was blocked by treatment with flumazenil (3 mg/kg, i.p.), a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, but was not affected by treatment with bicuculine or WAY-100635. IM38 treatment also reduced the blood levels of corticosterone and IL-6 in mice with or without immobilisation stress, whereas this effect was abolished by treatment with flumazenil. IM38 treatment also reduced the blood TNF-α level in mice subjected to immobilisation stress but not in normal control mice. Treatment with flumazenil also significantly increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in immobilisation stress-free mice treated with IM38. These findings suggest that IM38 may attenuate anxiety through modulation of the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor and modulate stress-related cytokine expression.

Lactobacillus fermentum IM12 attenuates inflammation in mice by inhibiting NF-κB-STAT3 signalling pathway.

In the present study, we isolated Lactobacillus fermentum IM12 from human gut microbiota, which strongly inhibited interleukin (IL)-6 expression and STAT3 activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages, and examined its anti-inflammatory effect in mice with carrageenan-induced hind-paw oedema (CIE) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis (TIC). Oral administration of IM12 (0.2×109, 1×109 or 5×109 cfu/mouse, once a day for 3 days) in mice with CIE significantly suppressed the increase of oedema volume and thickness, as well as myeloperoxidase activity and IL-6, IL-17, NO, and prostaglandin E2 levels in the carrageenan-stimulated paw. Treatment with IM12 (1×109 cfu/mouse, once a day for 3 days) in mice with TIC significantly suppressed colon shortening, and myeloperoxidase activity and IL-6 and IL-17 levels. Treatment with IM12 in mice with CIE or TIC also suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, as well as activation of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Furthermore, IM12 significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS, and COX-2, as well as activation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The inflammatory effect of heat-inactivated IM12 was significantly different to that of live IM12 in mice with TIC, although anti-inflammatory effect of IM12 was reduced by heat treatment. Based on these findings, IM12 may attenuate inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB-STAT3 signalling pathway.

Metabolites from the co-culture of nigranoic acid and Umbelopsis dimorpha SWUKD3.1410, an endophytic fungus from Kadsura angustifolia.

The ability of the endophytic fungus Umbelopsis dimorpha SWUKD3.1410 to transform the triterpene nigranoic acid (3, 4-secocycloarta-4(28), 24-(Z)-diene-3, 26-dioic acid; 1) was investigated. Co-culture of nigranoic acid with U. dimorpha SWUKD3.1410 yielded six major products, including a new triterpene (2) and 5 known compounds (3-7). Their structures were identified by the extensive 1D, 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS Data analysis, and by comparison with those reported data. Among them, 2-4 were transformed from nigranoic acid (1), while 5-7 were derived from the culture medium stimulated by the substrate. On the basis of the structures of 2-4, it was proposed that the transformative process probably involved isomerase and hydroxylase, in which the former was rare in fungi. Additionally, all the compounds (1-7) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity. As a result, compounds 1, 3-5 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines, while others showed no cytotoxicity.