Characterization of chemical constituents and metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ by using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS.

Ainsliaea fragrans Champ, a strong heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicine, has been effectively used for treating chronic cervicitis, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and other conditions caused by damp heat. It shows a good effect in the treatment of cervicitis and has broad clinical application prospects. Nevertheless, there is no comprehensive study on its in vivo and in vitro chemical analysis. UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS combined with the non-targeted characteristic filter analysis were used to conjecture and characterize the chemical components and in vivo metabolites of rats following oral administration of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ. In this study, A total of 85 compounds were identified in Ainsliaea fragrans Champ, including 29 flavonoids, 14 sesquiterpenoids, 25 chlorogenic acids, and 17 other compounds. In the plasma of rats after administration of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ, 160 compounds were deduced (19 prototype compounds and 141 metabolites). The 141 metabolites consist of 50 flavonoids, 80 phenolic acids and 11 Chlorogenic acids. The related metabolic pathways mainly involved demethylation, reduction, sulfonation, decarboxylation, hydroxylation, methylation, and glucuronide conjunction. In summary, the chemical components and metabolites of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ were comprehensively identified by using a rapid and accurate analysis method, which laid a foundation for dissecting its bioactive substances. In addition, it provides a scientific basis for the in-depth study of the material basis of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ efficacy and theoretical support for illustrating the mechanism of medical action and its clinical application.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted comparative laparoscopic surgery in lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: A meta-analysis was conducted on the perioperative and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted and laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection in rectal cancer. There are few articles and reports on this topic, and a lack of high-quality research results in unreliable research conclusions. This study includes prospective and retrospective studies to obtain more reliable findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Databases were searched, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The search was conducted from the time of database construction to March 2024. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the NOS scoring system. Meta-analysis was performed using R language software. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS: Six relevant literatures that met the criteria were finally included, and 652 patients were included, including 316 (48.5%) in the robot-assisted lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer group (RLLND) and 336 (51.5%) in the laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer group (LLLND). Analysis of the results showed that compared with the laparoscopic group, the robotic group had less mean intraoperative blood loss (MD = - 22, 95% CI - 40.03 to - 3.97, P < 0.05), longer operative time (MD = 51.57, 95%CI 7.69 to 95.45, P < 0.05), and a shorter mean hospital stay (MD = - 1.25, 95%CI - 2.46 to - 0.05, P < 0.05), a low rate of urinary complications (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.64, P < 0.01), a low overall rate of postoperative complications (OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.42 to 0.87, P < 0.01), and a high number of lateral lymph node dissection (MD = 1.18, 95% CI 0.14 to 2.23, P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative anastomotic leakage, postoperative intestinal obstruction, and total number of lymph nodes obtained (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with laparoscopy, robotic lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer reduces intraoperative blood loss, shortens the average length of hospital stay, reduces urologic complications, decreases overall postoperative complications, and collects more lateral lymph nodes. However, the surgical time is prolonged.

Effect of multifunctional cationic polymer coatings on mitigation of broad microbial pathogens.

Infection control measures to prevent viral and bacterial infection spread are critical to maintaining a healthy environment. Pathogens such as viruses and pyogenic bacteria can cause infectious complications. Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are known to spread through the aerosol route and on fomite surfaces, lasting for a prolonged time in the environment. Developing technologies to mitigate the spread of pathogens through airborne routes and on surfaces is critical, especially for patients at high risk for infectious complications. Multifunctional coatings with a broad capacity to bind pathogens that result in inactivation can disrupt infectious spread through aerosol and inanimate surface spread. This study uses C-POLAR, a proprietary cationic, polyamine, organic polymer with a charged, dielectric property coated onto air filtration material and textiles. Using both SARS-CoV-2 live viral particles and bovine coronavirus models, C-POLAR-treated material shows a dramatic 2-log reduction in circulating viral inoculum. This reduction is consistent in a static room model, indicating simple airflow through a static C-POLAR hanging can capture significant airborne particles. Finally, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are applied to C-POLAR textiles using a viability indicator to demonstrate eradication on fomite surfaces. These data suggest that a cationic polymer surface can capture and eradicate human pathogens, potentially interrupting the infectious spread for a more resilient environment. IMPORTANCE: Infection control is critical for maintaining a healthy home, work, and hospital environment. We test a cationic polymer capable of capturing and eradicating viral and bacterial pathogens by applying the polymer to the air filtration material and textiles. The data suggest that the simple addition of cationic material can result in the improvement of an infectious resilient environment against viral and bacterial pathogens.

Comprehensive identification strategy for rapid profiling of chemical constituents using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with Rhubarb as an example.

In this study, the collision induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) fragmentation pathway of chemical components in rhubarb was wholly explored using 34 standards by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS in negative ion mode. In consequently, the diagnostic product ions for speedy screening and categorization of chemical components in rhubarb were ascertained based on their MS/MS splitting decomposition patterns and intensity analysis. According to these findings, a fresh two-step data mining strategy had set up. The initial key step involves the use of characteristic product ions and neutral loss to screen for different types of substituents and basic skeletons of compounds. The subsequent key step is to screen and classify different types of compounds based on their characteristic product ions. This method can be utilized for rapid research, classification, and identification of compounds in rhubarb. A total of 356 compounds were rapidly identified or tentatively characterized in three rhubarb species extracts, including 150 acylglucoside, 125 anthraquinone, 65 flavanols and 15 other compounds. This study manifests that the analytical strategy is feasible for the analysis of complex natural products in rhubarb.

Exploring the lipid oxidation mechanisms during pumpkin seed kernels storage based on lipidomics: From phenomena, substances, and metabolic mechanisms.

The study investigated the lipid oxidation of pumpkin seed kernels (PSK) under different storage conditions (room temperature, vacuum-room temperature, refrigeration, and vacuum-refrigeration) using HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Experimental results found the vacuum-refrigeration group showed the lowest PV (0.24 g/100 g), diene (8.68), hexanal (356.64 ± 16.06 ng/g), and nonanal (132.05 ± 8.38 ng/g) after a 9-month storage. A total of 586 lipids, including 6 classes and 27 subclasses, were detected, 46 of which showed significant differences. Refrigeration samples had the highest diacylglycerol content, while room temperature samples demonstrated the highest triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine content. Differential lipid metabolite analyses indicated that storage conditions mainly affected glycerolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism pathways in PSK, while glycerolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism were still dominant. It revealed that refrigeration was more effective than vacuum in inhibiting the oxidation of PSK. These findings could offer valuable references for the storage, transportation, preservation, and the development and utilization of PSK.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula with Low Back Pain as the Only Symptom at Onset: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Spinal cord arteriovenous fistula that only manifests as lower back pain is easily misdiagnosed as myofasciitis, lumbar spondylosis, and other diseases, and incorrect treatment such as glucocorticoid blockade might be given, leading to worsening of the condition. CASE REPORT We analyze the clinical characteristics of a patient with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula who presented with chronic-onset low back pain. A patient with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presented with chronic-onset low back pain as the only symptom, and was misdiagnosed as having myofasciitis. We assessed the paraclinical data, clinical reasoning, and course of treatment. The patient was an elderly man with low back pain for 1 year. He was diagnosed with myofasciitis in a local hospital and received local blocking treatment using glucocorticoid, and left lower-limb weakness appeared after that. After he was admitted to our hospital, enhanced thoracic and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging and selective spinal angiography were performed, and the results indicated the diagnosis of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. After surgical treatment, the low back pain and lower-limb weakness were alleviated, and the patient is still under follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The possibility of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula should not be overlooked among patients with chronic low back pain, and caution should be taken when using glucocorticoids for treatment of chronic low back pain.

[Mechanism of Puerariae Thomsonii Radix in treatment of mild dyslipidemia: based on clinical metabolomics and proteomics].

This study aims to explore the potential metabolic pathways and targets of Puerariae Thomsonii Radix in the clinical treatment of mild dyslipidemia. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and EASY-nLC-timsTOF-Pro2 were employed to perform metabolomic and proteomic analyses of the plasma samples collected from the patients with mild dyslipidemia at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment with Puerariae Thomsonii Radix. The multivariate statistical analysis was carried out for comparison between groups, and the correlation analysis was performed for the metabolites and proteins closely related to mild dyslipidemia with the blood lipid indexes. The possible pathways and targets for mitigating mild dyslipidemia were screened out by the Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. The results showed that 56 differential metabolites and 78 differential proteins in the plasma of patients were associated with Puerariae Thomsonii Radix treatment. In addition, changes were detected for the proteins or metabolites(ApoB-100, 9,10-DHOME, GAPDH, PGK1, PGAM1, ENO1, etc.) involved in lipoprotein, lipid, and glucose metabolism and the proteins or metabolites(oxidized phospholipid, PLA2G7, LTA4H, etc.) related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Puerariae Thomsonii Radix may down-regulate the overexpression of ApoB-100, activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ(PPARα/γ), promote the catabolism of fat and glycerol, and alleviate the oxidative stress mediated by oxidized phospholipids and leukotriene B4(LTB4) in the treatment of mild dyslipidemia.

The application of machine learning techniques in posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recently becomes one of the most important mental health concerns. However, no previous study has comprehensively reviewed the application of big data and machine learning (ML) techniques in PTSD. We found 873 studies meet the inclusion criteria and a total of 31 of those in a sample of 210,001 were included in quantitative analysis. ML algorithms were able to discriminate PTSD with an overall accuracy of 0.89. Pooled estimates of classification accuracy from multi-dimensional data (0.96) are higher than single data types (0.86 to 0.90). ML techniques can effectively classify PTSD and models using multi-dimensional data perform better than those using single data types. While selecting optimal combinations of data types and ML algorithms to be clinically applied at the individual level still remains a big challenge, these findings provide insights into the classification, identification, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.

Sex-based differences in brain morphometry under chronic stress: A pilot MRI study.

Background: Sex-based differences are known to be a significant feature of chronic stress; however, the morphological mechanisms of the brain underlying these differences remain unclear. The present study aimed to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to investigate the effects of sex on gray matter volume (GMV) changes under conditions of chronic stress. Methods: A total of 32 subjects were included for analysis in the present study: 16 participants experiencing chronic stress and 16 healthy controls. T1-weighted (T1WI) images from a 3 T MRI scanner were extracted from the OpenfMRI database. Images were segmented into gray matter using VBM analysis. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a 2 × 2 full factorial design was used to evaluate the main and interaction effects of chronic stress and sex on GMV changes, and then post hoc testing was used to verify each simple effect. Results: Two-way ANOVA showed a chronic stress × sex interaction effect on GMV. Simple effects analysis indicated that the GMV of the bilateral pre- and post-central gyri, the right cuneus and superior occipital gyrus was decreased in males, whereas that of the bilateral pre- and post-central gyri, the right superior occipital gyrus and the left middle frontal gyrus and orbital middle frontal gyrus was increased in females, under chronic stress. Additionally, in the control group, the GMV of the bilateral pre- and post-central gyri, the right cuneus and superior occipital gyrus was greater in males than females. While in the chronic stress group, the above sex-based differences were no longer significant. Conclusions: This study preliminarily shows that there are significant differences in gray matter volume changes between males and females under chronic stress. These findings provide a basis for future studies investigating the volumetric mechanisms of sex differences under chronic stress.

Nitrogen migration and transformation during re-suspension and photo-induction in landscape water replenished by reclaimed water.

Sediment re-suspension plays a crucial role in releasing endogenous nitrogen and greenhouse gases in shallow urban waters. However, the impacts of repeated re-suspension and photo-induced processes on migration and transformation from endogenous nitrogen, as well as the emission of greenhouse gases, remain unclear. This study simulated three conditions: re-suspension (Rs), re-suspension combined with ultravioletirradiation (Rs + UV), and ultraviolet irradiation (UV). The findings revealed that both repeated sediment re-suspension and exposure to UV light altered the characteristics of surface sediments. Decrease of convertible nitrogen in sediments, leading to the release of ion-exchangeable nitrogen (IEF-N) into NH4+-N and NO3--N, influenced greenhouse gas production differently under various conditions. The study observed the highest concentration of dissolved N2O in under UV irradiation, positively correlated with NO2--N and NO3--N. Re-suspension increased the turbidity of the overlying water and accelerated nitrification, resulting in the highest NO3--N concentration and the lowest dissolved N2O concentration. Additionally, in the Rs + UV dissolved N2O maintained the higher concentrations than in Rs, with greatest amount of N conversion in surface sediments, and a 59.45% reduction in IEF-N. The production of N2O during re-suspension was mainly positively correlated with NH4+-N in the overlying water. Therefore, this study suggest that repeated re-suspension and light exposure significantly influence nitrogen migration and transformation processes in sediment, providing a theoretical explanation for the eutrophication of water and greenhouse gas emissions.

Attentional bias modification and attention control training in PTSD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cognitive models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) highlighted the effect of maladaptive cognitive processing in the development and maintenance of PTSD. PTSD is related to attentional bias (AB) toward threatening stimuli and greater attentional bias variability (ABV). Attentional bias modification (ABM) and attention control training (ACT) have demonstrated the effect of improving PTSD, but the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are controversial. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the extent of evidence supporting the efficacy of ABM in the treatment of PTSD. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched PUBMED, PsycINFO, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for articles published between 1980 and 2022. RCTs of ABM for adult participants with PTSD symptoms were identified. The primary outcome was changes in PTSD severity, and the second outcome was changes in AB and ABV. Trial quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Publication bias was assessed using the Doi plot and Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index. Results: Eight RCTs comparing the effect of ABM to ACT were included in the review, and six studies were meta-analyzed. Meta-analysis favored ACT in improving PTSD symptoms and ABV, and the effect size was large. ABM and ACT demonstrated similar effects in improving AB. Conclusion: ACT should not only be seen as a control training condition but also has therapeutic values. However, since the current meta-analysis only included a limited number of studies, further research was still needed to examine the clinical value of ACT in PTSD treatment.

Attentional bias modification and attention control training in PTSD We summarized and analyzed studies on attentional bias modification (ABM) and attention control training (ACT) in PTSD. Our findings indicated that ACT was a more effective treatment condition. This study highlights the therapeutic value of ACT.

[Traditional Chinese medicine preparations in medical institutions: current situation and inspirations on research and development of new traditional Chinese medicine preparations].

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations in medical institutions embody the characteristics of TCM and are the source for the development of new TCM drugs. This study summarizes the current situation, existing problems, and development trends of the TCM preparations in medical institutions in 31 provinces across China. Furthermore, this paper puts forward the development path of new TCM preparations based on the requirements of registration and management regulations of TCM preparations, providing new ideas for promoting the inheritance, innovation, and development of TCM.

Network analysis of the comorbidity between post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic pointed out significant mental symptoms of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). Objective: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and comorbidity of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression and anxiety symptoms in HCWs from Fangcang shelter hospitals during the pandemic. Design: Demographic information, post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) were obtained online based on stratified random sampling design during April 2022, with 284 eligible responses. Method: Hierarchical regression analyses were applied to investigate independent variables associated with psychological status outcomes (PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PCL-5), and the network analyses were applied to explore the comorbidity using all items of PCL-5, PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Results: (1) 10.56%, 13.03% and 8.10% of HCWs reported PTSS, depression and anxiety symptoms. Fifty-three (18.66%) HCWs experienced at least one mental health disorder, among which 26.42-37.74% HCWs had comorbidity of two or three mental disorders; (2) several influence factors of mental health were identified, including medical professions, working hours, contacted patients (p < 0.05); (3) prominent bridge symptoms between PTSS and depression were sleep problems, suicide ideation, concentration difficulties and recklessness. Comorbidity between PTSS and anxiety was thought to mainly stem from negative affect, such as afraid, anxious, annoyed and worrying. Depressed mood and worry might be good targets during treatment of comorbidity of depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Our data suggest mild level of PTSS, depression and anxiety symptoms among HCWs during the pandemic and might give novel insights into assessment and intervention of comorbidity.

Improving water quality and mitigating CH4 and N2O production in urban landscape water simultaneously by optimizing calcium peroxide dosage.

Recent studies show that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from urban landscape water are significant and cannot be overlooked, underscoring the need to develop effective strategies for mitigating GHG production from global freshwater systems. Calcium peroxide (CaO2) is commonly used as an eco-friendly reagent for controlling eutrophication in water bodies, but whether CaO2 can reduce GHG emissions remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of CaO2 dosage on the production of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in urban landscape water under anoxic conditions during summer. The findings reveal that CaO2 addition not only improved the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of simulated urban landscape water but also reduced N2O production by inhibiting the activity of denitrifying bacteria across various dosages. Moreover, CaO2 exhibited selective effects on methanogens. Specifically, the abundance of acetoclastic methanogen Methanosaeta and methylotrophic methanogen Candidatus_Methanofastidiosum increased whereas the abundance of the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanoregula decreased at low, medium, and high dosages, leading to higher CH4 production at increased CaO2 dosage. A comprehensive multi-objective evaluation indicated that an optimal dosage of 60 g CaO2/m2 achieved 41.21 % and 84.40 % reductions in CH4 and N2O production, respectively, over a 50-day period compared to the control. This paper not only introduces a novel approach for controlling the production of GHGs, such as CH4 and N2O, from urban landscape water but also suggests a methodology for optimizing CaO2 dosage, providing valuable insights for its practical application.

Pulchinenoside B4 ameliorates oral ulcers in rats by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.

Pulchinenoside B4, a natural saponin monomer from the Pulsatilla plant, plays an important role as an immunomodulator in the treatment of acute inflammation. Oral ulcer (OU) is a common ulcerative injury disease that occurs in the oral mucosa, including mucosal ulceration and abnormalities of lips and tongue. A close correlation exists between gut microbiota and circulating metabolites in patients with OU. However, the correlation between gut microbiota and serum metabolomics is not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the changes in gut microbiota and metabolites in OU. The 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing was used to detect the changes in the composition of gut microbiota in OU rat model. Moreover, the endogenous small metabolites were explored by collecting the non-targeted serum metabolomics data. A total of 34 OU-related biomarkers were identified, mainly related to fatty acid metabolism and inflammatory pathways. The administration of B4 effectively reduced the occurrence of OU and restored the levels of multiple endogenous biomarkers and key gut microbial species to the normal level. This study demonstrated that the gut microbiota and metabolites were altered in the OU rat model, which were significantly restored to the normal level by B4, thereby showing good application prospects in the treatment of OU. KEY POINTS: • The first investigating the correlation between OU and gut microbiota. • A close correlation between metabolites and gut microbiota in OU disease was successfully identified. • Pulchinenoside B4 ameliorates oral ulcers in rats by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.

Machine learning methods to discriminate posttraumatic stress disorder: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Recent years have witnessed a persistent threat to public mental health, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has emerged as a pivotal concern amidst this backdrop. Concurrently, machine learning (ML) techniques have progressively applied in the realm of mental health. Therefore, our present undertaking seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of studies employing ML methods that use diverse data modalities on the classification of people with PTSD. Methods and analysis: In pursuit of pertinent studies, we will search both English and Chinese databases from January 2000 to May 2022. Two researchers will independently conduct screening, extract data and assess study quality. We intend to employ the assessment framework introduced by Luis Francisco Ramos-Lima in 2020 for quality evaluation. Rate, standard error and 95% CIs will be utilized for effect size measurement. A Cochran's Q test will be applied to assess heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis will further elucidate the source of heterogeneity and funnel plots and Egger's test will detect publication bias. Ethics and dissemination: This systematic review and meta-analysis does not encompass patient interactions or engagements with healthcare providers. The outcomes of this research will be disseminated through scholarly channels, including presentations at scientific conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023342042.

Mechanism of Tianma-Gouteng granules lowering blood pressure based on the bile acid-regulated Farnesoid X Receptor-Fibroblast Growth Factor 15- Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tianma-Gouteng granules (TGG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound that was first recorded by modern medical practitioner Hu Guangci in "New Meaning of the Treatment of Miscellaneous Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine". It is widely used to treat hypertensive vertigo, headache and insomnia. AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the antihypertensive effect of TGG and explore its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were prepared a model of the ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang syndrome (AHLYS), blood pressure and general state of rats were recorded. A series of experiments were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS), 16S rRNA sequencing, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and enzymatic colorimetry. RESULTS: TGG can effectively lower blood pressure and improve related symptoms. TGG significantly reduced the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, Renin and AngII. A total of 17 differential metabolites were found in plasma, with the two most potent metabolic pathways being glycerophospholipid metabolism and primary bile acid biosynthesis. After TGG intervention, 7 metabolite levels decreased and 10 metabolite levels increased. TGG significantly increased the relative abundance of Desulfovibio, Lachnoclostridium, Turicibacter, and decreased the relative abundance of Alluobaculum and Monoglobu. TGG also downregulated Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 15 (FGF15) levels in the liver and ileum, upregulated Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) levels, and regulated total bile acid (TBA) levels. CONCLUSION: TGG can regulate bile acid metabolism through liver-gut axis, interfere with related intestinal flora and plasma metabolites, decrease blood pressure, and positively influence the pathologic process of SHR with AHLYS. When translating animal microbiota findings to humans, validation studies are essential to confirm reliability and applicability, particularly through empirical human research.

Tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater in an IBFR dominated by PD/A with unique niche.

To explore the feasibility of biofilter reactor to treat municipal secondary effluent deeply without extra carbon source, this paper proposed an integrated biofilter reactor (IBFR) coupling partial denitrification (PD) with anammox (A) to treat the secondary effluent and raw sewage with the flow ratio of 3:1 together. The results show that the effluent concentration of TN and COD in IBFR could be reduced to 10 mg/L and 15 mg/L, respectively, under hydraulic retention time of 1.5 h and nitrogen loading rate of 0.55 kg/(m3·d). The highest specific anammox activity (19.2 mg N/(g TVS·d)) and the maximum extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content (107.21 mg/g TVS) occurred at the 25-50 cm section of IBFR, where Thauera, Candidatus Anammoximicrobium and Candidatus Brocadia were the dominant denitrifiers and anammox bacteria. Furthermore, the cyclic self-stratification occurred along the reactor height, where the utilization, decomposition, transformation and cross-feeding of EPS enhanced the performance stability of nitrogen and carbon removal, strengthened the niche structure and promoted the synergistic symbiosis. In conclusion, IBFR coupling PD and A demonstrated the possibility to treat secondary effluent without additional carbon sources, which is expected as an alternative approach for tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater.

Exploration of markers in oxidized rancidity walnut kernels based on lipidomics and volatolomics.

Walnut kernels are prone to oxidation and rancidity due to their rich lipid composition, but the existing evaluation indicators are not sensitive enough to promote their industrial development. This study aims to investigate the potential markers in oxidative rancidity walnut kernels using lipidomics and volatolomics. The results showed that the antioxidant capacity of walnut kernels significantly decreased after oxidation, with the decreasing of total phenolic content from 36276.34 mg GAE/kg to 31281.53 mg GAE/kg, the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity from 89.25% to 73.54%, and 61.69% to 43.73%, respectively. The activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) and lipase (LPS) increased by 6.08-fold and 0.33-fold, respectively. By combining volatolomics and chemometrics methods, it was found that significant differences existed in the content of hexanal, caproic acid, 1-pentanol, (E)-2-octenal, and 2-heptanenal before and after walnut kernel oxidation (VIP > 1). Based on the results of lipidomics, it can be concluded that the above five compounds can serve as characteristic markers for walnut kernel oxidative rancidity, mainly produced through glycerol phospholipid (GPL), glyceride, linoleic acid (LA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA) metabolism pathways. Possible mechanisms of lipid degradation in oxidized walnut kernels were also proposed, providing technical support for the storage, preservation, and high-value utilization of walnut kernels.

Inactivation of the TGF-ß1/ALK5 axis enhances club cell function and alleviates lung tissue damage to ameliorate COPD progression through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent and fatal disease worldwide. The function of club cells, which are considered progenitor/stem cells of the bronchial epithelium, and their secreted protein CC16, have been proposed as potential targets for COPD treatment. This study aimed to investigate the role of the TGF-ß1/ALK5 signaling pathway in club cell function and COPD progression. C57BL/6J mice were divided into Normal group (exposed to fresh air) and COPD group (exposed to incremental cigarette smoke extract for 12 weeks). The COPD mice were further divided into COPD group, DMSO group, and LY2109761 group (injected with 150 mg/kg LY2109761, a TGF-ß1 inhibitor). Tissue staining was used to assess lung damage, and the expression of CC16 was measured. The levels of inflammatory factors and DNA damage-related indicators were also measured. The involvement of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway was determined. COPD mice exhibited severe lung damage and impaired club cell function. Activation of the TGF-ß1/ALK5 and MEK/ERK pathways were observed in COPD mice. However, administration of LY2109761 in COPD mice inactivated the TGF-ß1/ALK5 and MEK/ERK pathways. Administration of LY2109761 also alleviated pulmonary fibrosis, downregulated the levels cleaved caspase-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-12, and IFN-γ, and limited the phosphorylation of Chk1. Moreover, LY2109761 enhanced CC16 expression and decreased lung cell apoptosis. Inactivation of the TGF-ß1/ALK5 axis inhibits the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, enhances club cell function, and alleviates lung tissue damage. These findings suggest that TGF-ß1 is a potential therapeutic target for COPD.