Joint estimation model for FSO channel parameters and performance evaluation based on CNNs.

Free space optical (FSO) communication systems experience turbulence-induced fading. As a possible solution, adaptive transmission, which adjusts transmitter parameters based on instantaneous channel state information (CSI), can be used. Most of the existing channel estimation methods ignore the impact of detection noise at the receiver, which will lead to additional estimation errors. In this paper, a joint estimation model based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is proposed to estimate detection noise and turbulence fading parameters. We obtained turbulence channel simulation data sets considering the background of detection noise based on the edge probability distribution function of the receive signal. The training of the CNN estimator is carried out through maximum pooling, adaptive learning rate, and regularization, ultimately accurately estimating channel characteristics based on the optimal output results of the network. The simulation results show that the proposed CNN joint estimator performs better in high-detection-noise environments compared with traditional maximum likelihood estimators, and it has better generalization ability in different real atmospheric environments.

Quercetin alleviates hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia by inhibiting ferroptosis through the MAPK/PTGS2 pathway: Insights from network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental evaluations.

Quercetin, a bioactive natural compound renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties, has exhibited therapeutic potential in various diseases. Given that bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development is closely linked to inflammation and oxidative stress, and quercetin, a robust antioxidant known to activate NRF2 and influence the ferroptosis pathway, offers promise for a wide range of age groups. Nonetheless, the specific role of quercetin in BPD remains largely unexplored. This study aims to uncover the target role of quercetin in BPD through a combination of network pharmacology, molecular docking, computer analyses, and experimental evaluations.

Groundwater hydrochemical signatures, nitrate sources, and potential health risks in a typical karst catchment of North China using hydrochemistry and multiple stable isotopes.

Nitrate pollution in aquatic ecosystems has received growing concern, particularly in fragile karst basins. In this study, hydrochemical compositions, multiple stable isotopes (δ2H-H2O, δ18Ο-Η2Ο, δ15Ν-ΝΟ3-, and δ18Ο-ΝΟ3-), and Bayesian stable isotope mixing model (MixSIAR) were applied to elucidate nitrate pollution sources in groundwater of the Yangzhuang Basin. The Durov diagram identified the dominant groundwater chemical face as Ca-HCO3 type. The NO3- concentration ranged from 10.89 to 90.45 mg/L (average 47.34 mg/L), showing an increasing trend from the upstream forest and grassland to the downstream agricultural dominant area. It is worth noting that 47.2% of groundwater samples exceeded the NO3- threshold value of 50 mg/L for drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization. The relationship between NO3-/Cl- and Cl- ratios suggested that most groundwater samples were located in nitrate mixed endmember from agricultural input, soil organic nitrogen, and manure & sewage. The Self-Organizing Map (SOM) and Pearson correlations analysis further indicated that the application of calcium fertilizer, sodium fertilizer, and livestock and poultry excrement in farmland elevated NO3- level in groundwater. The output results of the MixSIAR model showed that the primary sources of NO3- in groundwater were soil organic nitrogen (55.3%), followed by chemical fertilizers (28.5%), sewage & manure (12.7%), and atmospheric deposition (3.4%). Microbial nitrification was a dominant nitrogen conversion pathway elevating NO3- levels in groundwater, while the denitrification can be neglectable across the study area. The human health risk assessment (HHRA) model identified that about 88.9%, 77.8%, 72.2%, and 50.0% of groundwater samples posing nitrate's non-carcinogenic health hazards (HQ > 1) through oral intake for infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The findings of this study can offer useful biogeochemical information on nitrogen pollution in karst groundwater to support sustainable groundwater management in similar human-affected karst regions.

Spatiotemporal transcriptomic changes of human ovarian aging and the regulatory role of FOXP1.

Limited understanding exists regarding how aging impacts the cellular and molecular aspects of the human ovary. This study combines single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to systematically characterize human ovarian aging. Spatiotemporal molecular signatures of the eight types of ovarian cells during aging are observed. An analysis of age-associated changes in gene expression reveals that DNA damage response may be a key biological pathway in oocyte aging. Three granulosa cells subtypes and five theca and stromal cells subtypes, as well as their spatiotemporal transcriptomics changes during aging, are identified. FOXP1 emerges as a regulator of ovarian aging, declining with age and inhibiting CDKN1A transcription. Silencing FOXP1 results in premature ovarian insufficiency in mice. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of spatiotemporal variability in human ovarian aging, aiding the prioritization of potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Resistant Starch from Purple Sweet Potatoes Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis through Modulating the Homeostasis of the Gut Microbiota.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complicated inflammatory disease with a continually growing incidence. In this study, resistant starch was obtained from purple sweet potato (PSPRS) by the enzymatic isolation method. Then, the structural properties of PSPRS and its protective function in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis were investigated. The structural characterization results revealed that the crystallinity of PSPRS changed from CA-type to A-type, and the lamellar structure was totally destroyed during enzymatic hydrolysis. Compared to DSS-induced colitis mice, PSPRS administration significantly improved the pathological phenotype and colon inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. ELISA results indicated that DSS-induced colitis mice administered with PSPRS showed higher IL-10 and IgA levels but lower TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 levels. Meanwhile, high doses (300 mg/kg) of PSPRS significantly increased the production of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing results showed that the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and the potential probiotic bacteria levels were notably increased in the PSPRS treatment group, such as Lactobacillus, Alloprevotella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Bifidobacterium. Simultaneously, harmful bacteria like Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, and Akkermansia were significantly inhibited by the administration of a high dose of PSPRS (p < 0.05). Therefore, PSPRS has the potential to be a functional food for promoting intestinal health and alleviating UC.

Towards Prolonging Ovarian Reproductive Life: Insights into Trace Elements Homeostasis.

Ovarian aging is marked by a reduction in the quantity and quality of ovarian follicles, leading to a decline in female fertility and ovarian endocrine function. While the biological characteristics of ovarian aging are well-established, the exact mechanisms underlying this process remain elusive. Recent studies underscore the vital role of trace elements (TEs) in maintaining ovarian function. Imbalances in TEs can lead to ovarian aging, characterized by reduced enzyme activity, hormonal imbalances, ovulatory disorders, and decreased fertility. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between systemic and cellular TEs balance and ovarian aging is critical for developing treatments to delay aging and manage age-related conditions. This review consolidates current insights into TEs homeostasis and its impact on ovarian aging, assesses how altered TEs metabolism affects ovarian aging, and suggests future research directions to prolong ovarian reproductive life. These studies are expected to offer novel approaches for mitigating ovarian aging.

Animal models of inflammatory bowel disease: category and evaluation indexes.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research often relies on animal models to study the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of IBD. Among these models, rats and mice are frequently employed due to their practicality and genetic manipulability. However, for studies aiming to closely mimic human pathology, non-human primates such as monkeys and dogs offer valuable physiological parallels. Guinea pigs, while less commonly used, present unique advantages for investigating the intricate interplay between neurological and immunological factors in IBD. Additionally, New Zealand rabbits excel in endoscopic biopsy techniques, providing insights into mucosal inflammation and healing processes. Pigs, with their physiological similarities to humans, serve as ideal models for exploring the complex relationships between nutrition, metabolism, and immunity in IBD. Beyond mammals, non-mammalian organisms including zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and nematodes offer specialized insights into specific aspects of IBD pathology, highlighting the diverse array of model systems available for advancing our understanding of this multifaceted disease. In this review, we conduct a thorough analysis of various animal models employed in IBD research, detailing their applications and essential experimental parameters. These include clinical observation, Disease Activity Index score, pathological assessment, intestinal barrier integrity, fibrosis, inflammatory markers, intestinal microbiome, and other critical parameters that are crucial for evaluating modeling success and drug efficacy in experimental mammalian studies. Overall, this review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the field of IBD, offering insights into the diverse array of animal models available and their respective applications in studying IBD.

Investigations of the highly efficient processing technique, chemical constituents, and anti-inflammatory effect of N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone-substituted flavan-3-ol (EPSF)-enriched white tea.

N-Ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone-substituted flavan-3-ols (EPSFs) are a newly discovered compound class in tea with various bioactivities. This study aimed to develop a novel processing technique to enhance EPSF contents in white tea efficiently. Using optimal processing parameters of 125 °C and 30 min in a high-temperature sterilizing oven, total EPSF content significantly increased by 1.42-18.80-fold to 1.57-6.22 mg/g without impacting sensory characteristics. Metabolomics analysis revealed elevated levels of nucleosides, nucleotides, bases, theaflavins, flavonol aglycones, EPSFs, and most flavone-C-glycosides, as well as decreased levels of amino acids, procyanidins, theasinensins, several flavanols, and flavonol-O-glycosides after EPSF-enrichment treatment. Furthermore, the EPSF-enriched white tea exhibited notable anti-inflammatory effects, mitigating xylene-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton ball-induced granulomas in rats. This study developed a new processing technique for highly efficient enhancement of EPSFs in white tea and demonstrated that EPSF-enriched white tea has a potential to serve as effective anti-inflammatory dietary supplement.

[Research Progress of Targeted Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma --Review].

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a relatively inert B lymphocyte proliferative disease. In recent years with the launch of new drugs, chemotherapy has been gradually replaced by targeted therapy, which significantly prolongs the survival of patients and reduces the side effects of treatment. At present, BTK inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors are the most studied targeted therapeutic drugs for CLL/SLL. This article reviews the research progress of different types of targeted therapeutic drugs in the treatment of CLL/SLL.

Protective effect of cilostazol on vascular injury in rats with acute ischemic stroke complicated with chronic renal failure.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) resulting in vascular calcification, which does damage to blood vessels and endothelium, is an independent risk factor for stroke. It has been reported that cilostazol has a protective effect on the focal cerebral ischemic infarct. However, its impact on vascular injury in CRF combined stroke and its molecular protection mechanism have not been investigated. In this study, we carried out the effect of cilostazol on CRF combined stroke rats, and the results confirmed that it improved the neurobehavior, renal function as well as pathologic changes in both the kidney and brain. In addition, the inflammation and oxidative stress factors in the kidney and brain were suppressed. Moreover, the rates of brain edema and infarction were decreased. The injured brain-blood barrier (BBB) was recovered with less Evans blue extravasation and more expressions of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and occludin. More cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the ipsilateral hemisphere and more expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in brain and kidney were found in the cilostazol group. Furthermore, cell apoptosis and cell autophagy became less, on the contrary, proteins of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) after the cilostazol treatment were increased. More importantly, this protective effect is related to the pathway of Janus Kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). In conclusion, our results confirmed that cilostazol exerted a protective effect on the brain and kidney function, specifically in vascular injury, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, cell autophagy, and inflammation response in CRF combined with stroke rats which were related to the upregulation of JAK/STAT3/mTOR signal pathway. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-023-00217-w.

Looking for a Beam of Light to Heal Chronic Pain.

Chronic pain (CP) is a leading cause of disability and a potential factor that affects biological processes, family relationships, and self-esteem of patients. However, the need for treatment of CP is presently unmet. Current methods of pain management involve the use of drugs, but there are different degrees of concerning side effects. At present, the potential mechanisms underlying CP are not completely clear. As research progresses and novel therapeutic approaches are developed, the shortcomings of current pain treatment methods may be overcome. In this review, we discuss the retinal photoreceptors and brain regions associated with photoanalgesia, as well as the targets involved in photoanalgesia, shedding light on its potential underlying mechanisms. Our aim is to provide a foundation to understand the mechanisms underlying CP and develop light as a novel analgesic treatment has its biological regulation principle for CP. This approach may provide an opportunity to drive the field towards future translational, clinical studies and support pain drug development.

Intravenous Alteplase Versus Best Medical Therapy for Patients With Minor Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of thrombolysis (IVT) in minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 0-5) remains inconclusive. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of IVT with best medical therapy (BMT) by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to obtain articles related to IVT in minor stroke from inception until August 10, 2023. The primary outcome was an excellent functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1 at 90 days. The associations were calculated for the overall and preformulated subgroups by using the odds ratios (ORs). This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023445856). RESULTS: A total of 20 high-quality studies, comprised of 13 397 patients with acute minor ischemic stroke, were included. There were no significant differences observed in the modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 1 (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.89-1.37]) and 0 to 2 (OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.95-1.43]), mortality rates (OR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.39-1.15]), recurrent stroke (OR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.57-1.38]), and recurrent ischemic stroke (OR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.68-1.73]) between the IVT and BMT group. There were differences between the IVT group and the BMT group in terms of early neurological deterioration (OR, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.17-2.80]), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 7.48 [95% CI, 3.55-15.76]), and hemorrhagic transformation (OR, 4.73 [95% CI, 2.40-9.34]). Comparison of modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1 remained unchanged in subgroup patients with nondisabling deficits or compared with those using antiplatelets. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that IVT does not yield significant improvement in the functional prognosis of patients with acute minor ischemic stroke. Additionally, it is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage when compared with the BMT. Moreover, IVT may not have superiority over BMT in patients with nondisabling deficits or those using antiplatelets.

Arsenic trioxide suppresses lung adenocarcinoma stem cell stemness by inhibiting m6A modification to promote ferroptosis.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is well known for its inhibitory effects on cancer progression, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the roles of ATO in regulating LUAD stem cells (LASCs) and the underlying mechanisms. To induce LASCs, cells cultured in an F12 medium, containing B27, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, induced LASCs. LASCs stemness was assessed through tumor sphere formation assay, and percentages of CD133+ cells were detected by flow cytometry. The Cell Counting Kit-8 method was used to assess LASCs viability, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron ion levels were quantitated by fluorescence microscopy and spectrophotometry, respectively, and total m6A levels were measured by dot blot. Additionally, LASCs mitochondrial alterations were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy. Finally, the tumorigenicity of LASCs was assessed using a cancer cell line-based xenograft model. Tumor sphere formation and CD133 expression were used to validate the successful induction of LASCs from A549 and NCI-H1975 cells. ATO significantly inhibited proliferation, reduced ZC3H13 expression and total m6A modification levels, and increased ROS and iron ion content, but repressed sphere formation and CD133 expression in LASCs. ZC3H13 overexpression or ferrostatin-1 treatment abrogated LASCs stemness inhibition caused by ATO treatment, and interference with ZC3H13 inhibited LASCs stemness. Furthermore, the promotion of LASCs ferroptosis by ATO was effectively mitigated by ZC3H13 overexpression, while interference with ZC3H13 further promoted ferroptosis. Moreover, si-ZC3H13 promoted ferroptosis and impaired stemness in LASCs, which ferrostatin-1 abrogated. Finally, ZC3H13 overexpression alleviated the inhibitory effects of ATO on LASCs tumorigenicity. Taken together, ATO treatment substantially impaired the stemness of LUAD stem cells by promoting the ferroptosis program, which was mediated by its ZC3H13 gene expression inhibition to suppress m6A medication.

Characterization of glomerular basement membrane components within pediatric glomerular diseases.

Background: Disruptions in gene expression associated with the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) could precipitate glomerular dysfunction. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the characterization of GBM components within pediatric glomerular diseases and their potential association with glomerular function necessitates further systematic investigation. Methods: We conducted a systematic analysis focusing on the pathological transformations and molecular attributes of key constituents within the GBM, specifically Collagen IV α3α4α5, Laminin α5ß2γ1, and Integrin α3ß1, across prevalent pediatric glomerular diseases. Results: We observed upregulation of linear expression levels of COL4A3/4/5 and Laminin 5α proteins, along with a partial reduction in the linear structural expression of Podocin in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), encompassing minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), but showing a reduction in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) and lupus nephritis (LN). Furthermore, our study revealed reductions in Laminin ß2γ1 and Integrin α3ß1 in both primary and secondary childhood glomerular diseases. Conclusion: In INS, notably MCD and FSGS, there is a notable increase in the linear expression levels of COL4A3/4/5 and Laminin 5α proteins. In contrast, in IgAN, IgAVN, and LN, there is a consistent reduction in the expression of these markers. Furthermore, the persistent reduction of Laminin ß2γ1 and Integrin α3ß1 in both primary and secondary childhood glomerular diseases suggests a shared characteristic of structural alterations within the GBM across these conditions.

The efficacy of bandage contact lens in relieving the aggravation of dry eye disease after complicated cataract or/and IOL surgery.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the bandage contact lens (BCLs) in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) after complicated cataract or/and intraocular lens (IOL) surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-centered, observational study, we collected data from 69 patients who underwent complicated cataract or/and IOL surgery. Of these, 35 cases wore their own BCLs immediately after the operation, while the other 34 cases did not have their own BCLs and were instead covered with gauze. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, slit-lamp microscope examination, keratograph analysis, and Schirmer I test were measured at baseline, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: In the BCL group, the score of the OSDI questionnaire was significantly decreased at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively compared with baseline levels (P = 0.000, collectively). Moreover, the fluorescein staining score of the BCL group was remarkably decreased 1-week and 1-month postoperatively compared with the non-BCL group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively). Furthermore, the redness score of the BCL group was also better compared with the non-BCL group at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (P = 0.014 and P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Complicated cataract or/and IOL surgery would intensify the DED. Early application of BCLs postoperatively improved patients' comfort and alleviated dry eye-related symptoms and signs. Furthermore, this mechanism might involve the acceleration of corneal epithelial healing, the alleviation of ocular stress response and the stabilization of the tear film. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration ClinicalTrials, NCT04120389. Registered 10 October 2019-retrospectively registered.

Effectiveness of web-based interventions for women with urinary incontinence: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common chronic diseases among women, which can endanger their physical and mental health and incur a heavy financial burden on both individuals and society. Web-based interventions (WBIs) have been applied to manage women's UI, but their effectiveness has remained inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the effectiveness of WBIs on self-reported symptom severity, condition-specific quality of life, adherence to pelvic floor muscle training (primary outcomes) and other extensive secondary outcomes among women with UI. We also aimed to investigate whether intervention characteristics (format, interactivity and main technology) have impacts on the effectiveness of primary outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This systematic review protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. 10 electronic databases will be comprehensively searched from their inception to 1 May 2024, along with grey literature searches and manual reviews of relevant reference lists to identify eligible randomised controlled trials. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed by two reviewers based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analyses will be conducted via Stata V.12.0. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses will be performed, and publication bias will be evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test. Subgroup analyses regarding intervention format, interactivity and main technology will be carried out. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethics approval is needed for this review since no primary data are to be collected. The results of this review will help develop an optimal WBI for women with UI, thereby providing them with maximum benefits. The findings will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentation. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023435047.

MOF/MXene-loaded PVA/chitosan hydrogel with antimicrobial effect and wound healing promotion under electrical stimulation and improved mechanical properties.

Electrical stimulation modulates cell behavior and influences bacterial activity, so highly conductive, antimicrobial hydrogels are suitable for promoting wound healing. In this study, highly conductive and antimicrobial Ti3C2Tx (MXene) hydrogels composed of chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) and AgCu- H2PYDC MOF were developed. In PVACS/MOF/MXene (PCMM) hydrogels, the MXene layer acts as an electrical conductor. The electrical conductivity is 0.61 ± 0.01 S·cm-1. PCMM hydrogels modulate cell behavior and provide ES antimicrobial capacity under ES at 1 V. The metal ions of MOF form coordination with chitosan molecules and increase the cross-linking density between chitosan molecules, thus improving the mechanical properties of the hydrogel (tensile strength 0.088 ± 0.04 MPa, elongation at break 233 ± 11 %). The PCMM gels had good biocompatibility. The PCMM hydrogels achieved 100 % antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus for 12 h. 1 V electrical stimulation of PCMM hydrogel accelerated the wound healing process in mice by promoting cell migration and neovascularization, achieving 97 ± 0.4 % wound healing on day 14. The hydrogel dressing PCMM-0.1 with MOF addition of 0.1 % had the best wound healing promoting effect and which is a promising dressing for promoting wound healing and is a therapeutic strategy worth developing.

Formation/characterization of humin-mediated anaerobic granular sludge and enhanced methanogenic performance.

This study presents a novel method for accelerating the granulation of methanogenic anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor using solid-phase humin (HM). The results demonstrated that HM-mediated AnGS (HM-AnGS) formed rapidly within 50 days. The increase in particle size, settling velocity and mechanical strength was attributed to the rapid granulation of the HM-AnGS. The maximum methane yield of the HM-AnGS was 5-fold higher than that of the control group. This is consistent with the findings, which showed that HM-AnGS had 3.2-3.4 times more methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr) activity and 2.4-2.9 times more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) than control groups. Molecular analyses indicate that HM most likely accelerated interspecies electron transfer (IET) in HM-AnGS (e.g., from Enterococcus to Methanosaeta). Furthermore, the HM-AnGS was effective in recovering energy from actual slaughterhouse wastewater.

Tangshen Formula alleviates inflammatory injury against aged diabetic kidney disease through modulating gut microbiota composition and related amino acid metabolism.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is leading causes and one of the fastest growing causes of chronic kidney disease worldwide, and leads to high morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidences have revealed gut microbiota dysbiosis and related metabolism dysfunction play a dominant role in DKD progression and treatment through modulating inflammation. Our previous studies showed that Tangshen Formula (TSF), a Chinese herbal prescription, exhibited anti-inflammatory effect on DKD, but underlying mechanism that involved gut microbiota and related metabolism in aged model remained obscure. Here, BTBR ob/ob mice were used to establish aged DKD model, and 16S rRNA sequence and untargeted metabolomic analyses were employed to investigate the correlation between colonic microbiota and serum metabolism. The aged ob/ob mice exhibited obvious glomerular and renal tubule injury and kidney function decline in kidney, while TSF treatment significantly attenuated these abnormalities. TSF also exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effect in aged ob/ob mice indicating by reduced proinflammatory factor IL-6 and TNF-α, MCP-1 and COX-2 in serum, kidney and intestine, which suggested the involvement of gut microbiota with TSF effect. The 16S rDNA sequencing of the colonic microbiome and untargeted serum metabolomics analysis revealed significant differences in gut microbiota structure and serum metabolomic profiles between WT and ob/ob mice. Notably, TSF treatment reshaped the structure of gut microbiota and corrected the disorder of metabolism especially tryptophan metabolism and arginine biosynthesis. TSF increased Anaeroplasma and Barnesiella genera and decreased Romboutsia, Akkermansia, and Collinsella genera, and further elevated tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetate, glutamic acid, aspartate and reduced 4-hydroxy-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, xanthurenic acid, glutamine. Further correlation analysis indicated that disturbed gut microbiota was linked to tryptophan metabolism and arginine biosynthesis to regulate inflammation in aged DKD. Our data revealed that TSF attenuated renal inflammation by modulating gut microbiota and related amino acid metabolism in aged DKD model, highlighting gut microbiota and related metabolism functioned as potential therapeutic target for DKD in elderly patients.