Complete genome sequence of the novel Antarctic Oceanisphaera sp. IT1-181 that carried five plasmids.

Bacteria of the genus Oceanisphaera in the class Gammaproteobacteria are widely distributed in marine environments. Oceanisphaera sp. IT1-181 was isolated from intertidal sediment in the coastal region of the Chinese Great Wall Station on the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica. Here, we sequenced the complete genome of strain IT1-181, which contained a single chromosome of 3,572,184 bp (G + C content of 49.89 mol%) with five plasmids. A total of 3229 protein-coding genes, 88 tRNA genes, and 25 rRNA genes were obtained. Genome sequence analysis revealed that strain IT1-181 was not only a potentially novel species of the genus Oceanisphaera, but also harbored genes involved in biosynthesizing ectoine as well as poly-ß-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB). In addition, genes of a complete type I-E CRISPR-Cas system were found in the bacterium. The results indicate the potential of strain Oceanisphaera sp. IT1-181 in biotechnology and are helpful for us understanding its ecological roles in the changing Antarctic intertidal zone environment.

Ursolic acid alleviates chronic prostatitis via regulating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.

Ursolic acid (UA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in fruits and vegetables. It has been reported that UA has anti-inflammatory effects. However, its efficacy and mechanism of action in the treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of UA treatment in CP and further explore the underlying mechanism. CP rat and pyroptosis cell models were established in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The efficacy of UA in inhibiting CP was evaluated via haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and measurement of inflammatory cytokines. RNA sequencing and molecular docking were used to predict the therapeutic targets of UA in CP. The expression of pyroptosis-related proteins was examined using various techniques, including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. UA significantly ameliorated pathological damage and reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the CP model rats. RNA sequencing analysis and molecular docking suggested that NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD may be key targets. We also found that UA decreased ROS levels, alleviated oxidative stress, and inhibited p-NF-κB protein expression both in vivo and in vitro. UA improved pyroptosis morphology as indicated by electron microscope and inhibited the expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, and GSDMD, reversed the levels of IL-1ß, IL-18, and lactate dehydrogenase in vivo and in vitro. UA can mitigate CP by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. Therefore, UA may be a potential for the treatment of CP.

Mechanism of Shugan Yidan fan, a Chinese herbal formula, in rat model of premature ejaculation.

BACKGROUND: Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common forms of sexual dysfunction in men, and multimodal therapeutic regimens should be considered to treat the condition. We developed a Chinese medicine herbal medicine, Shugan Yidan fang that had a significant clinical effect on PE patients, extending the time between penetration and ejaculation. However, the mechanism of this formula remains unclear. There is evidence that PE is associated with peripheral neuropathology, and the actions of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Shugan Yidan fang's effect on PE through the relationship between sexual behavioristics and the level of neurotransmitters and dopamine receptors (DARs). RESULTS: We showed that the male PE groups had a significant PE phenotype compared to healthy rats. Treatment with Shugan Yidan fang improved the behavioristics of the PE rats, and reduced the expression of DAR mRNA and protein while improving dopamine transporter levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided evidence for the beneficial effect of Shugan Yidan fang in PE therapy, and proposed a preliminary potential mechanism for the clinical application of the formula.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: L'éjaculation précoce (EP) est l'une des formes les plus courantes de dysfonction sexuelle chez les hommes, et des régimes thérapeutiques multimodaux doivent être envisagés pour traiter la maladie. Nous avons développé une phytothérapie de médecine chinoise, dénommée Shugan Yidan fang, qui a eu un effet clinique significatif sur les patients atteints d'EP, prolongeant le temps entre la pénétration et l'éjaculation. Le mécanisme d'action de cette formule reste cependant flou. Il existe des preuves que l'EP est associée à une neuropathologie périphérique et aux actions de la dopamine (DA) et de la 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Le but de cette étude était d'étudier le mécanisme de l'effet de Shugan Yidan sur l'EP à travers la relation entre les comportements sexuels et le niveau de neurotransmetteurs et de récepteurs de la dopamine (DAR). RéSULTATS: Nous avons montré que les groupes PE mâles avaient un phénotype PE significatif par rapport aux rats sains. Le traitement avec Shugan Yidan fang a amélioré les comportements sexuels des rats PE et a réduit l'expression de l'ARNm DAR et des protéines, tout en améliorant les niveaux de de transporteurs de la dopamine. CONCLUSIONS: Notre étude a fourni des preuves de l'effet bénéfique du Shugan Yidan dans la thérapie de la PE, et a proposé un mécanisme potentiel préliminaire pour l'application clinique de la formule.

Comparative genomic analysis of two Arctic Pseudomonas strains reveals insights into the aerobic denitrification in cold environments.

BACKGROUND: Biological denitrification has been commonly adopted for the removal of nitrogen from sewage effluents. However, due to the low temperature during winter, microorganisms in the wastewater biological treatment unit usually encounter problems such as slow cell growth and low enzymatic efficiency. Hence, the isolation and screening of cold-tolerant aerobic denitrifying bacteria (ADB) have recently drawn attention. In our previous study, two Pseudomonas strains PMCC200344 and PMCC200367 isolated from Arctic soil demonstrated strong denitrification ability at low temperatures. The two Arctic strains show potential for biological nitrogen removal from sewage in cold environments. However, the genome sequences of these two organisms have not been reported thus far. RESULTS: Here, the basic characteristics and genetic diversity of strains PMCC200344 and PMCC200367 were described, together with the complete genomes and comparative genomic results. The genome of Pseudomonas sp. PMCC200344 was composed of a circular chromosome of 6,478,166 bp with a G + C content of 58.60% and contained a total of 5,853 genes. The genome of Pseudomonas sp. PMCC200367 was composed of a circular chromosome of 6,360,061 bp with a G + C content of 58.68% and contained 5,801 genes. Not only prophages but also genomic islands were identified in the two Pseudomonas strains. No plasmids were observed. All genes of a complete set of denitrification pathways as well as various putative cold adaptation and heavy metal resistance genes in the genomes were identified and analyzed. These genes were usually detected on genomic islands in bacterial genomes. CONCLUSIONS: These analytical results provide insights into the genomic basis of microbial denitrification in cold environments, indicating the potential of Arctic Pseudomonas strains in nitrogen removal from sewage effluents at low temperatures.

Development and verification of prognostic nomogram for ampullary carcinoma based on the SEER database.

Background: Ampullary carcinoma (AC) is a rare cancer of the digestive system that occurs in the ampulla at the junction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct. However, there is a lack of predictive models for overall survival (OS) and disease -specific survival (DSS) in AC. This study aimed to develop a prognostic nomogram for patients with AC using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. Methods: Data from 891 patients between 2004 and 2019 were downloaded and extracted from the SEER database. They were randomly divided into the development group (70%) and the verification group (30%), and then univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively, was used to explore the possible risk factors of AC. The factors significantly related to OS and DSS were used to establish the nomogram, which was assessed via the concordance index (C-index), and calibration curve. An internal validation was conducted to test the accuracy and effectiveness of the nomogram. Kaplan-Meier calculation was used to predict the further OS and DSS status of these patients. Results: On multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, the independent prognostic risk factors associated with OS were age, surgery, chemotherapy, regional node positive (RNP),extension range and distant metastasis with a moderate C-index of 0.731 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.719-0.744) and 0.766 (95% CI: 0.747-0.785) in the development and verification groups, respectively. While, marital status, surgery, chemotherapy, regional node positive (RNP),extension range and distant metastasis were significantly linked to AC patients' DSS, which have a better C-index of 0.756 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.741-0.770) and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.757-0.805) in the development and verification groups. Both the survival calibration curves of 3- and 5-year OS and DSS brought out a high consistency. Conclusion: Our study yielded a satisfactory nomogram showing the survival of AC patients, which may help clinicians to assess the situation of AC patients and implement further treatment.

Complete genome sequence of one novel marine Pseudomonas sp. BSw22131 growing with dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) as the sole carbon source.

Members of the genus Pseudomonas have been frequently isolated from the marine environment, indicating their ecological role in native habitats. One bacterial strain, Pseudomonas sp. BSw22131, was isolated from seawater in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. The bacterium can grow with algae-derived dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) as the sole carbon source. Here, we sequenced the complete genome of strain BSw22131, which contained a single circular chromosome of 5,739,290 (G + C content of 58.23 mol%) without any plasmids. A total of 5362 protein-coding genes, 65 tRNA genes, and 16 rRNA genes were obtained. Genome sequence analysis revealed that strain BSw22131 was not only a potential novel species of the genus Pseudomonas but also different from Pseudomonas sp. DMSP-1 that was isolated from the same habitat and also utilized DMSP as the sole carbon source for growth. The results can be helpful for understanding the catabolism of the genus Pseudomonas in sulfur cycling in the Arctic fjord ecosystem.

Complete genome sequence of Devosia beringensis S02T, a type strain with genes involved in deoxynivalenol degradation.

Members of the genus Devosia are known for their abilities to degrade deoxynivalenol (DON). The type strain Devosia beringensis S02T (= JCM 33772 = CCTCC AB 2019343) was isolated from sediment of the Bering Sea and identified in 2021. However, the genome sequence of D. beringensis S02T remains unclear, which complicates the exploration into the function and ecological role of this strain in marine sediment. The genome of D. beringensis S02T contained a 4,048,765 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 63.84 mol%. Potential genes involved in DON degradation were found in the genome. In addition, multiple genes involved in polysaccharide degradation, including agarose, chitin, carrageen, pectate, starch, and xylan, were also annotated in the genome. These findings indicated the potential of strain S02T to be used for DON degradation and its ecological function in the carbon cycle in marine sediment.

The Value-Added Contribution of Exercise Commitment to College Students' Exercise Behavior: Application of Extended Model of Theory of Planned Behavior.

The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of the planned behavior theory model (TPB-5) and TPB-6 model of enhanced physical exercise in college students, and to explore the role of exercise commitment in the relationship between exercise intention and behavior, so as to provide theoretical and empirical support for college students to promotion exercise. The study participants were 581 college students (male = 243, female = 338, age = 19.27 ± 0.94) are investigated with Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) Scale, Exercise Commitment Scale, and Physical Activity Rating Scale. Results showed that the explanatory power of the TPB to exercise intention and exercise behavior is 0.70 and 0.52, respectively, and exercise intention was the primary factor to predict exercise behavior of college students. The Model fit of TPB-6 model is acceptable, compared with TPB 5-factor model, the predictive power of TPB-6 (with the mediator: exercise commitment) on behavioral intention increases from 70.0 to 75.0%, and the predictive power towards behavior raises from 52.0 to 59.0%. Exercise commitment has a partial mediating effect between exercise intention and behavior, which accounts for 26.89% of the total effect, but it has no moderating effect. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the TPB-5 model has good applicability among the college students, with exercise commitment variables, exercise intention can better predict college students' exercise behavior, which can be used as the theoretical basis for the intervention on their exercise behavior.

Investigating the multi-target therapeutic mechanism of Guihuang formula on Chronic Prostatitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a complex, intractable and prevalent urological disorder in men with no effective treatment. Guihuang formula (GHF) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound that is advantageous as a CP treatment, but its aetiology is poorly understood. Research and exploration of the mechanism of GHF will help the development of a potentially valuable drug for CP and provide deeper insight into CP. AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine and further clarify the multi-target therapeutic mechanism of GHF on CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical components in GHF were identified using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The active components and potential targets of GHF for the treatment of CP were screened and analyzed using network pharmacology and molecular docking. We constructed a CP rat model to investigate the therapeutic effect of GHF on CP and verify the influence of key targets and core pathways based on the results of network pharmacology. RESULTS: A total of 143 ingredients were identified in GHF using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS, and 111 potential targets for GHF of CP were predicted. The "drug-ingredient-target-pathway" network was constructed and in compliance with the "Jun-Chen-Zuo-Shi" principle. GHF significantly reduced the prostate index, alleviated histological damage in the prostate, decreased CD3+ T cells and CD45+ leukocyte infiltration in the prostate, downregulated the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, COX-2, MCP-1 and TNF-α, decreased ROS levels and alleviated the production of MDA accompanied by an increase of SOD and GSH-PX levels. Meanwhile, GHF suppressed apoptosis in macrophages, downregulated the mRNA levels of PI3K, AKT and P65 NF-κB and inhibited the phosphorylation of the PI3K, AKT and P65 NF-κB. CONCLUSION: A network pharmacology and experimental validation-based strategy was used to elucidate the underlying "multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway" mode of action of GHF against CP. We verified that GHF inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory response, suppressed apoptosis in macrophages, inhibited the activation of the inflammation-related PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway in CP rat. These findings extend the conventional views of "one drug hits one target", and offer novel insights and indication paradigm for the future discovery on the multi-target therapeutic mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compound.

Crude Polysaccharide Extracted From Moringa oleifera Leaves Prevents Obesity in Association With Modulating Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

Moringa oleifera is a commonly used plant with high nutritional and medicinal values. M. oleifera leaves are considered a new food resource in China. However, the biological activities of M. oleifera polysaccharides (MOP) in regulating gut microbiota and alleviating obesity remain obscure. In the present study, we prepared the MOP and evaluated its effects on obesity and gut microbiota in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J mice. The experimental mice were supplemented with a normal chow diet (NCD group), a high-fat diet (HFD group), and HFD along with MOP at a different dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/d, respectively. Physiological, histological, biochemical parameters, genes related to lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota composition were compared among five experimental groups. The results showed that MOP supplementation effectively prevented weight gain and lipid accumulation induced by HFD, ameliorated blood lipid levels and insulin resistance, alleviated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulated the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism. In addition, MOP positively reshaped the gut microbiota composition, significantly increasing the abundance of Bacteroides, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, and Oscillibacter, while decreasing the relative abundance of Blautia, Alistipes, and Tyzzerella, which are closely associated with obesity. These results demonstrated that MOP supplementation has a protective effect against HFD-induced obesity in mice, which was associated with reshaping the gut microbiota. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the potential of MOP to prevent obesity and modulating gut microbiota, which suggests that MOP can be used as a potential prebiotic.

Efficacy and Safety of Guihuang Formula in Treating Type III Prostatitis Patients with Dampness-Heat and Blood Stasis Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of Guihuang Formula (GHF) in treating patients with type III prostatitis and Chinese medicine syndrome of dampness-heat and blood stasis. METHODS: Sixty-six patients diagnosed with type III prostatitis with dampness-heat and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment group (GHF) and the control group (tamsulosin) using a random number table, with 33 cases each group. The treatment group received GHF twice a day, and the control group received tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily before bedtime. Patients in both groups received treatment for 6 weeks and was followed up for 2 weeks. The outcomes included the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score, Chinese Medicine Symptoms Score (CMSS), expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: After treatment, the NIH-CPSI total score and domain scores of pain discomfort, urination and quality of life decreased significantly from the baseline in both groups (P<0.05). The CMSS score decreased in both groups (P<0.05). The WBC count decreased and lecithin body count increased in both groups (P<0.05). GHF showed a more obvious advantage in reducing the pain discomfort and quality of life domain scores of NIH-CPSI, reducing the CMSS score, increasing the improvement rate of the WBC and lecithin body counts, compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in decreasing urination domain score of NIH-CPSI between two groups (P>0.05). In addition, no serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION: GHF is effective in treating type III prostatitis patients with dampness-heat and blood stasis syndrome without serious AEs. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900026966).

Changed Cerebral White Matter Structural Network Topological Characters and Its Correlation with Cognitive Behavioral Abnormalities in Narcolepsy Type 1.

OBJECTIVE: In the current study we investigated topological abnormalities of the cerebral white matter networks in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients and its relationship with their cognitive abnormalities using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technology. METHODS: DTI and the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-BJ) were applied to 30 NT1 patients and 30 age-matched healthy controls. DTI studies were also carried using the 3T MRI system. Next, DTI data was used to establish a cerebral white matter network for all subjects and graph theory was applied to analyze the topological characteristics of the white matter structural network. Topographical parameters (such as local efficiency (Eloc), global efficiency (Eglob) and small-world (σ)) between NT1 patients and controls were then compared. The correlation between MoCA-BJ scores and topological parameters was also analyzed. RESULTS: MoCA-BJ scores in NT1 patients were lower than those in the healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, the global efficiency of the white matter network and attributes of the small world network were significantly reduced in NT1 patients. Finally, the global efficiency of the white matter structural network was related to the MoCA-BJ score of NT1 patients. CONCLUSION: The abnormal topological characteristics of the white matter structural network in NT1 patients may be associated with their cognitive impairment.

Formation of Super-Assembled TiOx /Zn/N-Doped Carbon Inverse Opal Towards Dendrite-Free Zn Anodes.

Uncontrolled growth of Zn dendrites and side reactions are the major restrictions for the commercialization of Zn metal anodes. Herein, we develop a TiOx /Zn/N-doped carbon inverse opal (denoted as TZNC IO) host to regulate the Zn deposition. Amorphous TiOx and Zn/N-doped carbon can serve as the zincophilic nucleation sites to prevent the parasitic reactions. More importantly, the highly ordered IO host homogenizes the local current density and electric field to stabilize Zn deposition. Furthermore, the three-dimensional open networks could regulate Zn ion flux to enable stable cycling performance at large current densities. Owing to the abundant zincophilic sites and the open structure, granular Zn deposits could be realized. As expected, the TZNC IO host guarantees the steady Zn plating/stripping with a long-term stability over 450 h at the current density of 1 mA cm-2 . As a proof-of-concept demonstration, a TZNC@Zn||V2 O5 full cell shows long lifespan over 2000 cycles at 5.0 A g-1 .

A pilot study shows the positive effects of continuous airway pressure for treating hypernasal speech in children with infantile-onset Pompe disease.

Children with infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) demonstrate hypernasality. This study aimed to evaluate whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) training may reduce hypernasality in children with IOPD. Five children with IOPD were enrolled in a single-subject experimental design of type A-B-A'. The intervention comprised an 8-week, 6-day-per-week regimen of CPAP training at home. Participants continued traditional speech therapy once per week throughout the 24-week study duration. The outcome measurements included the degree of hypernasality (DH), the percentage of consonants correct (PCC), and the speech intelligibility score (SIS). C-statistic analysis with an α of 0.05 was used along with visual analysis to assess speech changes. Three patients completed the study. During the CPAP training phase, the DH, PCC, and SIS were significantly improved compared with the baseline (p < 0.05). At the follow-up phase, both DH and SIS were improved compared with the baseline (p < 0.05), but the PCC had returned to the baseline level. CPAP training demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nasal sounds in IOPD patients. Further studies training younger children with normal hearing may help elucidate the persistence of the effects in children with IOPD.

Devosia beringensis sp. nov., isolated from surface sediment of the Bering Sea.

Strain S02T was isolated from a surface sediment sample collected from the Bering Sea (64.3361° N, 170.9541° W). The cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile and rod-shaped. The temperature range for growth was 4-25 °C and the pH for growth was 5.5-9.0, with optimum growth occurring at 20-25 °C and pH 7.0-8.0. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-5 %). Strain S02T had menaquinone-8 as the major respiratory quinone and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), C16:0, C17 : 0 cyclo, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c /C16 : 1 ω7c), C17 : 0 and C18 : 0 as major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was approximately 63.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S02T belonged to the genus Devosia. Strain S02T showed the highest sequence similarities to Devosia psychrophila Cr7-05T (97.5 %), Devosia naphthalenivorans CM5-1T (97.7 %), Devosia submarina KMM 9415T (97.4 %), Devosia epidermidihirudinis E84T (97.44 %), Devosia euplotis LIV5T (97.1 %) and Devosia limi DSM 17137T (96.7 %). On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characteristics, a novel species of the genus Devosia, Devosia beringensis sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain S02T (=JCM 33772=CCTCC AB 2019343).

Efficient whole-cell oxidation of α,ß-unsaturated alcohols to α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes through the cascade biocatalysis of alcohol dehydrogenase, NADPH oxidase and hemoglobin.

BACKGROUND: α,ß-Unsaturated aldehydes are widely used in the organic synthesis of fine chemicals for application in products such as flavoring agents, fragrances and pharmaceuticals. In the selective oxidation of α,ß-unsaturated alcohols to the corresponding α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes, it remains challenging to overcome poor selectivity, overoxidation and a low atom efficiency in chemical routes. RESULTS: An E. coli strain coexpressing the NADP+-specific alcohol dehydrogenase YsADH and the oxygen-dependent NADPH oxidase TkNOX was constructed; these components enabled the NADP+ regeneration and catalyzed the oxidation of 100 mM 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol to 3-methyl-2-butenal with a yield of 21.3%. The oxygen supply was strengthened by introducing the hemoglobin protein VsHGB into recombinant E. coli cells and replacing the atmosphere of the reactor with pure oxygen, which increased the yield to 51.3%. To further improve catalytic performance, the E. coli cells expressing the multifunctional fusion enzyme YsADH-(GSG)-TkNOX-(GSG)-VsHGB were generated, which completely converted 250 mM 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol to 3-methyl-2-butenal after 8 h of whole-cell oxidation. The reaction conditions for the cascade biocatalysis were optimized, in which supplementation with 0.2 mM FAD and 0.4 mM NADP+ was essential for maintaining high catalytic activity. Finally, the established whole-cell system could serve as a platform for the synthesis of valuable α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes through the selective oxidation of various α,ß-unsaturated alcohols. CONCLUSIONS: The construction of a strain expressing the fusion enzyme YsADH-(GSG)-TkNOX-(GSG)-VsHGB achieved efficient NADP+ regeneration and the selective oxidation of various α,ß-unsaturated alcohols to the corresponding α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes. Among the available redox enzymes, the fusion enzyme YsADH-(GSG)-TkNOX-(GSG)-VsHGB has become the most recent successful example to improve catalytic performance in comparison with its separate components.

Negative school experiences in early adolescence on depressive affect in middle adulthood.

This study takes a life course perspective to examine the long-term effect of negative school experiences during early adolescence on depressive affect in middle adulthood. The study uses a prospective longitudinal panel dataset that spanned nearly three decades with three waves: when respondents were at 7th grade (Time 1, mostly 12-13 years of age), young adulthood (Time 2, in their 20 s), and middle adulthood (Time 3, in their mid-30 s to early 40 s). The OLS regression models yielded results demonstrating that early negative school experiences were contemporaneously associated with depressive affect at Time 1, which endured through Time 2 and Time 3. Furthermore, independently of Time 1 control variables and the stability effects of depressive affect at Time 1 and Time 2, early negative school experiences still exerted a direct effect on depressive affect in middle adulthood. Ad hoc analysis demonstrated that this significant direct effect was mediated by the economic attainment of the respondents in middle adulthood net of the stability effects of depressive affect. Apparently, part of the influences of early negative school experiences on depressive affect in middle adulthood may be explained by its impeding economic attainment in adulthood, which in turn was associated with depressive affect.

[Mechanisms of Huanshao Capsules protecting the reproductive function in rats with ornidazole-induced asthenozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible mechanism of Huanshao Capsules (HSC) protecting the reproductive function in rats with ornidazole-induced asthenozoospermia (AZS). METHODS: Forty SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number, blank control, AZS model control, HSC and L-carnitine (LC) intervention. The AZS model was established in the latter three groups of rats by intragastrical administration of ornidazole at 400 mg/kg/d for 28 days, and meanwhile the animals in the HSC and LC groups were treated by gavage of HSC at 0.31 g/kg/d and LC at 100 mg/kg/d, respectively. Then, all the rats were killed for examination of the LC content, sperm concentration, sperm motility and expression of OCTN2 mRNA in the epididymis and observation of the histopathological changes in the testis tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the AZS model controls, the rats in the HSC and LC groups showed significantly increased LC content (2 880.3 vs 6 366.5 and 6 934.7 mg/L, P < 0.01), sperm concentration (ï¼»34.58 ± 10.25ï¼½ vs ï¼»46.19 ± 14.23ï¼½ and ï¼»42.25 ± 6.11ï¼½ ×106/ml, P < 0.01), sperm motility (ï¼»42.59 ± 7.54ï¼½% vs ï¼»61.34 ± 7.98ï¼½% and ï¼»61.34 ± 7.98ï¼½%, P < 0.01) and expression of OCTN2 mRNA in the epididymis (26.07% vs 27.26% and 27.15%, P < 0.01). The animals of the HSC group exhibited a higher comparability than those of the LC group to the blank controls in the morphology, arrangement and activity of spermatogenic cells. CONCLUSIONS: HSC can protect the reproductive function and improve sperm concentration and motility in the model rats with ornidazole-induced AZS, which may be associated with its abilities of up-regulating the expression of OCTN2 mRNA and increasing the LC content in the epididymis.