Association of short-chain fatty acids and the gut microbiome with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from the Henan Rural Cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Human studies about short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the gut microbiome, and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are limited. Here we explored the association between SCFAs and T2DM and the effects of gut microbial diversity on glucose status in rural populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a cross-sectional study from the Henan Rural Cohort and collected stool samples. Gut microbiota composition and faecal SCFA concentrations were measured by 16S rRNA and GC-MS. The population was divided based on the tertiles of SCFAs, and logistic regression models assessed the relationship between SCFAs and T2DM. Generalized linear models tested the interactions between SCFAs and gut microbial diversity on glucose indicators (glucose, HbAlc and insulin). Compared to the lowest tertile of total SCFA, acetate and butyrate, the highest tertile exhibited lower T2DM prevalence, with ORs and 95% CIs of 0.291 (0.085-0.991), 0.160 (0.044-0.574) and 0.171 (0.047-0.620), respectively. Restricted cubic spline demonstrated an approximately inverse S-shaped association. We also noted interactions of the ACE index with the highest tertile of valerate on glucose levels (P-interaction = 0.022) and the Shannon index with the middle tertile of butyrate on insulin levels (P-interaction = 0.034). Genus Prevotella_9 and Odoribacter were inversely correlated with T2DM, and the genus Blautia was positively associated with T2DM. These bacteria are common SCFA-producing members. CONCLUSIONS: Inverse S-shaped associations between SCFAs (total SCFA, acetate, and butyrate) and T2DM were observed. Valerate and butyrate modify glucose status with increasing gut microbial diversity.

Dietary branched-chain amino acids intake and new-onset hypertension: a nationwide prospective cohort study in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and the risk of developing hypertension. METHODS: A cohort study of 14,883 Chinese adults without hypertension at baseline with were followed for an average of 8.9 years. Dietary intakes of BCAAs, including Ile, Leu, and Val, were collected using 3-day 24-h meal recall and household condiment weighing. Cox proportional hazards regression, restricted cubic splines, interaction analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used to assess the relationship between dietary BCAAs and risk of developing self-reported hypertension, adjusting for age, gender, region, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking status, physical activity, energy intake, salt intake. RESULTS: Among 14,883 study subjects, 6386(42.9%) subjects aged ≥ 45 years at baseline, 2692 (18.1%) had new-onset hypertension during the study period, with a median age of 56 years. High levels of dietary BCAAs were associated with an increased risk of new-onset hypertension. Compared with the 41st-60th percentile, multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for new-onset hypertension was 1.16 (95% CI 1.01-1.32) for dietary BCAAs 61st-80th percentiles, 1.30 (1.13-1.50) for 81st-95th, 1.60 (1.32-1.95) for 96th-100th. The cut-off value of new-onset hypertension risk, total BCAAs, Ile, Leu, and Val were 15.7 g/day, 4.1 g/day, 6.9 g/day, 4.6 g/day, respectively, and the proportion of the population above these intake values were 13.9%, 13.1%, 15.4%, and 14.4%, respectively. Age, BMI, and salt intake had an interactive effect on this relationship (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a significant positive association between total dietary BCAAs, Ile, Leu, Val intake and the risk of developing hypertension, after adjustment for confounders. This relationship was influenced by age, BMI, and salt intake. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism and potential role of BCAAs in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Longitudinal skeletal growth and growth plate morphological characteristics of chondro-tissue specific CUL7 knockout mice.

BACKGROUND: 3 M syndrome is first reported in 1975，which characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth retardation, skeletal malformation and facial dysmorphism. These three genes (CUL7, OBSL1 and CCDC8) have been identified to be respond for 3 M syndrome, of which CUL7 is accounting for approximately 70%. To date, the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of 3 M syndrome remains poorly understood. Previous studies showed that no Cul7-/- mice could survive after birth, because of growth retardation at late gestational stage and respiratory distress after birth. The establishment of the animal model of cartilage specific Cul7 knockout mice (Cul7fl/fl;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice) has confirmed that Cul7fl/fl;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice can be selective in a time- and tissue-dependent manner, which can provide an experimental basis for further research on severe genetic diseases related to growth plates. OBJECTIVE: To establish a model of Cul7fl/fl;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice based on Cre/LoxP system, and to further observe its phenotype and morphological changes in growth plate. METHODS: The Cul7fl/fl;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice were taken as the experimental group, while the genotype of Cul7fl/+;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice were used as the control group. The gross morphological features and X-ray films of limbs in the two groups were observed every week for 3-6 consecutive weeks, and the length of the mice from nose to the tail, the length of femur and tibia were recorded. In the meantime, The histological morphology of tibial growth plates was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A preliminary model of Cul7fl/fl;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice was established. The Cul7fl/fl;Col2a1-CreERT2 mice had abnormally short and deformed limbs (P<0.05), increased thickness of growth plate, the disorderly arranged chondrocyte columns, decreased number of cells in the proliferation zone, changes in the shape from flat to round, obviously expanded extracellular matrix, and disordered arrangement, thickening and loosening of bone trabecula at the proximal metaphysis of the femur. CONCLUSIONS: The knockout of Cul7 gene may affect both the proliferation of chondrocytes and the endochondral osteogenesis, confirming that Cul7 is essential for the normal development of bone in the body.

Landscape of RNA pseudouridylation in archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus.

Pseudouridine, one of the most abundant RNA modifications, is synthesized by stand-alone or RNA-guided pseudouridine synthases. Here, we comprehensively mapped pseudouridines in rRNAs, tRNAs and small RNAs in the archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus and identified Cbf5-associated H/ACA RNAs. Through genetic deletion and in vitro modification assays, we determined the responsible enzymes for these modifications. The pseudouridylation machinery in S. islandicus consists of the stand-alone enzymes aPus7 and aPus10, and six H/ACA RNA-guided enzymes that account for all identified pseudouridines. These H/ACA RNAs guide the modification of all eleven sites in rRNAs, two sites in tRNAs, and two sites in CRISPR RNAs. One H/ACA RNA shows exceptional versatility by targeting eight different sites. aPus7 and aPus10 are responsible for modifying positions 13, 54 and 55 in tRNAs. We identified four atypical H/ACA RNAs that lack the lower stem and the ACA motif and confirmed their function both in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, atypical H/ACA RNAs can be modified by Cbf5 in a guide-independent manner. Our data provide the first global view of pseudouridylation in archaea and reveal unexpected structures, substrates, and activities of archaeal H/ACA RNPs.

Integrated Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Metabolic Profiling of Elderly Residents Living near Industrial Plants.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in industrial production, causing potential health risks to the residents living around chemical industrial plants; however, the lack of data on population exposure and adverse effects impedes our understanding and ability to prevent risks. In this study, we performed screening and association analysis on exogenous PFAS pollutants and endogenous small-molecule metabolites in the serum of elderly residents living near industrial plants. Exposure levels of 11 legacy and novel PFASs were determined. PFOA and PFOS were major contributors, and PFNA, PFHxS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA also showed high detection frequencies. Association analysis among PFASs and 287 metabolites identified via non-target screening was performed with adjustments of covariates and false discovery rate. Strongly associated metabolites were predominantly lipid and lipid-like molecules. Steroid hormone biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and fatty-acid-related pathways, including biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis, were enriched as the metabolic pathways associated with mixed exposure to multiple PFASs, providing metabolic explanation and evidence for the potential mediating role of adverse health effects as a result of PFAS exposure. Our study achieved a comprehensive screening of PFAS exposure and associated metabolic profiling, demonstrating the promising application for integrated analysis of exposome and metabolome.

Association of low-carbohydrate diet scores and type 2 diabetes in Chinese rural adults: The Henan Rural Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between low-carbohydrate diet scores (LCDs) and the risk of type 2 diabetes in rural China. METHODS: A total of 38,100 adults were included in the Henan Rural Cohort Study. Macronutrient intake was assessed via a validated food-frequency questionnaire to create low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) scores. Multivariate logistic regression models and subgroup analysis were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: After multivariable adjustment, participants with a high total low-carbohydrate diet score have a high risk of T2D (extreme-quartile OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04-1.41; P = 0.007), whereas plant-based LCD score is not related to T2D risk. Among individuals with a BMI < 24 (extreme-quartile OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47; P < 0.001) or high levels of physical activity (extreme-quartile OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.17-1.72; P < 0.001), the animal-based LCD score is positively correlated with the risk of T2D. CONCLUSION: Among Chinese rural populations, high-fat-low carbohydrate diet is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. High intake of animal protein and fat also increases T2D risk in those who are overweight or have high physical activity.

Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles in the Feces of Juvenile Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) from Birth to Weaning.

The gut microbiota establishment in young ruminants has a profound impact on their adult production performance. However, the critical phase for the succession of the gut microbial composition and metabolic profiles of juvenile sika deer still needs to be further investigated. Here, we analyzed the fecal microbiota and metabolites of juvenile sika deer during the birth (D1), transition (D42), and rumination (D70) periods based on 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS). The results showed that the fecal bacteria and metabolites composition were significantly different in D1 compared to D42 and D70, and the number of OTUs and the Shannon index were significantly higher in D70 than in D1 (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Lachnoclostridium showed a significant increase in D1 compared to D42 and D70, whereas the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Christensenellaceae R-7, and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group were significantly decreased in D1 compared to D42 and D70 (p < 0.05). The amounts of serine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, ornithine, citrulline, creatine, isoleucine, galactose, and ribose in the feces were significantly higher in D1 compared to D42 and D70. In contrast, the concentrations of cortexolone, resveratrol, piceatannol, fumaric acid, alpha-ketoglutarate, glycerol, uracil-5-carboxylic acid, and maleic acid were significantly decreased in D1. The enrichment analysis showed that amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism were significantly changed in D1 compared to D42 and D70. The glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; citrate cycle; and pyruvate metabolism were significantly enriched across the three periods (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that the birth-transition period is a critical phase for the gut bacterial community and metabolic function shift in juvenile sika deer.

Association of the short-chain fatty acid levels and dietary quality with type 2 diabetes: a case-control study based on Henan Rural Cohort.

Evidence of the relationship between fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) levels, dietary quality and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rural populations is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between fecal SCFA levels and T2DM and the combined effects of dietar quality on T2DM in rural China. In total, 100 adults were included in the case-control study. Dietary quality was assessed by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), and SCFA levels were analysed using the GC-MS system. Generalised linear regression was conducted to calculate the OR and 95 % CI to evaluate the effect of SCFA level and dietary quality on the risk of T2DM. Finally, an interaction was used to study the combined effect of SCFA levels and AHEI-2010 scores on T2DM. T2DM participants had lower levels of acetic and butyric acid. Generalised linear regression analysis revealed that the OR (95 % CI) of the highest acetic and butyric acid levels were 0·099 (0·022, 0·441) and 0·210 (0·057, 0·774), respectively, compared with the subjects with the lowest tertile of level. We also observed a significantly lower risk of T2DM with acetic acid levels > 1330·106 µg/g or butyric acid levels > 585·031 µg/g. Moreover, the risks of higher acetic and butyric acid levels of T2DM were 0·007 (95 % CI: 0·001, 0·148), 0·005 (95 % CI: 0·001, 0·120) compared with participants with lower AHEI-2010 scores (all P < 0·05). Acetate and butyrate levels may be important modifiable beneficial factors affecting T2DM in rural China. Improving dietary quality for body metabolism balance should be encouraged to promote good health.

Estimation of 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study from the China National Nutrition Survey.

BACKGROUND: High-sodium intake is one of the most important risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, yet reliable national estimates of sodium intake in Chinese adults have not been reported. OBJECTIVES: We estimated 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion and population daily sodium and potassium intake of Chinese adults for the first time at a national level. METHODS: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect 24-h urine specimens from Chinese adults aged ≥18 y as part of the China National Nutrition Survey 2015. Finally, 10,114 participants (4932 males and 5182 females) with complete 24-h urine specimens were included in the analysis. Estimates of mean urinary electrolyte excretion and demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics were used with weighted coefficients that accounted for sample selection probabilities, poststratification weighting, and nonresponse rates. RESULTS: The estimation of overall weighted mean 24-h urinary sodium excretion was 4121 mg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3993, 4250), 4155 mg (95% CI: 3993, 4317) in males and 4081 mg (95% CI: 3953, 4209) in females (P for sex difference = 0.36). Overall mean 24-h urinary potassium excretion was 1534 mg (95% CI: 1492, 1577), 1468 mg (95% CI: 1424, 1513) in males and 1614 mg (95% CI: 1569-1660) in females (P for sex difference <0.001). Mean 24-h urinary sodium excretion was significantly higher in rural adults (4350 mg; 95% CI: 4217, 4483) than in urban residents (3909 mg; 95% CI: 3739, 4080; P < 0.001), and in northern residents (4388 mg; 95% CI: 4237, 4539) than in southern residents (3998 mg; 95% CI: 3832, 4163; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The first nationwide survey with 24-h urine collection confirmed that mean sodium intake in Chinese adults was more than twice the upper limit, whereas mean potassium intake was <60% of the lower limit, recommended by the World Health Organization. Urgent measures should be taken to reduce sodium intake and increase potassium intake in China.

Ionic Competition between Na+ and H+ in Aqueous Sodium-Ion Battery Electrolytes.

Aqueous electrolytes have become a research hotspot because of their high safety and low cost, while the inevitable ionization phenomenon of water in aqueous solution leads to the existence of competitive ions (H+) except the active ions. In this article, we take aqueous Na base electrolyte as an example to clear the ion competition behavior by modeling, simulating together with experimental verification. First, the reaction tendency of the two ions (Na+ and H+) is obtained by calculating the Gibbs energy change of the reaction. Furthermore, the properties of electrolytes with different concentrations including transportation are obtained by modeling. After that, relevant experiments are also proceeded to verify the simulation results. Then, the ion competition behavior is analyzed by in situ observation by controlling the constant concentration of Na+: the high concentration of Na+ can reduce the proportion of H+ and reduce the competitiveness of H+; a high concentration of Na+ causes the increased viscosity and reduces the ion diffusion. Based on this, the correlation between ion competitiveness and ion ratio is also confirmed by keeping the concentration of Na+ unchanged and adjusting the concentration of H+ (adjusting pH). The influence of the ion competition phenomenon (Na+ and H+) is the reaction characteristics of the substance itself and the ratio of ion concentration. Finally, the electrochemical performance is further verified in 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDI) symmetric cells and in full-cells with vanadium phosphate sodium (NVP) as the cathode and PTCDI as the anode.

Additional glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in vitro promotes the proliferation of undifferentiated spermatogonia from sterile cattleyak.

Cattleyak is a typically male sterile species. The meiosis process is blocked and the scarcity of spermatogenic stems cells are both contributing factors to the inability of male cattleyak to produce sperm. While Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is the first discovered growth factor known to promote the proliferation and self-renewal of spermatogenic stem cells, its relationship to the spermatogenesis arrest of cattleyak remains unclear. In this report, we studied the differential expression of GDNF in the testis of yak and cattleyak, and discussed the optimal concentration of GDNF in the culture medium of undifferentiated spermatogonia (UDSPG) of cattleyak in vitro and the effect of GDNF on the proliferation of cattleyak UDSPG. The results indicated that GDNF expression in the testicular tissue of cattleyak was inferior to that of yak. Moreover, the optimum value for the UDSPG in vitro culture was determined to be 20-30 ng/mL for cattleyak. In vitro, the proliferation activity of UDSPG was observed to increase with additional GDNF due to the up-regulation of proliferation-related genes and the down-regulation of differentiation-related genes. We hereby report that the scarcity of cattleyak UDSPG is due to insufficient expression of GDNF, and that the addition of GDNF in vitro can promote the proliferation of cattleyak UDSPG by regulating the expression of genes related to proliferation and differentiation. This work provides a new insight to solve the issue of spermatogenic arrest in cattleyak.

Modified Ion Migration via Multi-Ion Competitive Transportation for Stable Aqueous Zn Metal Batteries.

The application of metal batteries is seriously affected by active ions transport and deposition stability during operation. This article takes water-based Zn metal electrodes as an example to analyze the factors that affect ion distribution and the impact of ion distribution on electrodeposition morphology through electrochemical model simulation calculation, in situ observation and electrochemical experiment: 1) high concentration will reduce the concentration polarization and the overpotential; 2) The passage of active ions through channels are facilitated by small anion (Cl- ) rather than bigger one (SO4 2- ), which means small deposition overpotential; 3) The transportability-reaction properties of cations (Zn2+ , Li+ , Na+ and H+ ) depends on their concentration, solvent coordination structure, and the energy changes during redox reactions. Based on the diffusion and reaction properties, a Li+ coupled Zn2+ electrolyte is designed to achieve the rapid transportation of doped ions to cover uneven growth sites and maintain a stable interface for the steady deposition of active Zn2+ , guiding the interface design for high stability metal batteries in addition to the traditional addition of organic solvents.

Hollow Structure Co1-xS/3D-Ti3C2Tx MXene Composite for Separator Modification of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The commercial application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries has faced obstacles, including challenges related to low sulfur utilization, structural degradation resulting from electrode volume expansion, and migration of polysulfide lithium (LiPSs). Herein, Co1-xS/3D-Ti3C2Tx composites with three-dimensional (3D) multilayered structures are used as separator modification materials for Li-S batteries to solve these problems. The multilevel layered structure of Co1-xS/3D-Ti3C2Tx establishes an efficient electron and Li+ transfer path, alleviates the volume change during the battery charge-discharge process, and enhances the stability of the structure. In addition, the battery assembled with the modified separator shows excellent discharge capacity and cycle stability at 0.5 C and could maintain a high discharge capacity after 500 cycles. This work provides a method for designing highly dispersed metal sulfide nanoparticles on MXenes and extends the application of MXenes-based composites in electrochemical energy storage.

Dietary Potassium and Magnesium Intake with Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Rural China: the Henan Rural Cohort Study.

Previous studies exploring the relationship between dietary potassium and magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have yielded inconsistent results and the lack evidence from rural China. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between dietary potassium and magnesium intake and the risk of T2DM in rural China. Data was collected from the Henan Rural Cohort Study in 2017. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire assessed dietary potassium and magnesium intake. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the effect of dietary potassium, magnesium and the potassium-magnesium ratio on the risk of T2DM. A total of 38384 individuals were included in the study, and 3616 participants developed T2DM. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the OR (95% CI) of the highest versus dietary potassium and magnesium and potassium-magnesium ratio intakes were 0.67 (0.59, 0.75), 0.76 (0.67, 0.88), and 0.57 (0.50, 0.66), respectively, compared to the subjects with the lowest quartile of intakes. In addition, gender partially influences the relationship between dietary magnesium and T2DM prevalence (P-interaction = 0.042). The group with the highest dietary potassium and dietary magnesium intake had the lowest risk of T2DM, with an OR (95% CI) of 0.63 (0.51-0.77). Dietary potassium and magnesium intake are important modifiable risk factors for T2DM in rural China. Dietary potassium intake > 1.8g/day, dietary magnesium intake > 358.6mg/day and < 414.7mg/day and potassium-magnesium ratio >5.1 should be encouraged to prevent better and manage T2DM.

Comparison of intravenous butorphanol vs. tramadol for post-spinal anesthesia shivering: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Patients often experience shivering after spinal anesthesia. In recent years, more and more studies have compared the efficacy and side effects of intravenous butorphanol and tramadol in the treatment of shivering after spinal anesthesia. Therefore, we conducted a MATE analysis and systematic review to compare the efficacy and side effects of butorphanol vs. tramadol in the treatment of shivering after spinal anesthesia. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 30 December 2022, comparing the effects of butorphanol vs. tramadol for the control of shivering after spinal anesthesia. Data assessment and collection were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.4 software. Results: Five randomized controlled trials involving 302 adult patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that butorphanol has a shorter time to cease shivering (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.89, -0.17], P = 0.004, I2 = 0%), a higher rate of cessation of shivering within 1 min after administering the study drugs (relative risk (RR), 1.69; 95% CI [1.15,2.48], P = 0.008, I2 = 0%), and higher incidences of sedation (RR, 2.98; 95% CI [2.11, 4.21], P <0.00001, I2 = 0%), compared with tramadol. Conclusion: In the treatment of shivering after spinal anesthesia, butorphanol has a shorter onset time and a higher rate of cessation of shivering within 1 min after the study drugs were administered than tramadol. Therefore, butorphanol is superior to tramadol in the treatment of shivering after spinal anesthesia.

Analysis of microbiota reveals the underlying mechanism of PHF11 in the development of Enterococcus-regulated endometriotic cysts.

Endometriosis (EMS) is a prevalent disease and the etiologies has not uniform. Microbiota is associated with human diseases. To delve into the relationship between EMS and microbiota, Ectopic (EM) and eutopic (EU) endometrial tissues, pharyngeal swabs, and stools were collected from EMS patients. The microbiota composition of EM and EU partially overlapped, with similar taxon numbers and diversity, but the richness levels were significantly different. A comparison of intestinal microbes in healthy individuals (FN) and EMS patients (FE) revealed that the richness of Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Haemophilus, and Neisseria was enhanced in FE. In addition, Enterococcus-induced mice (EFA) presented with a higher degree of lesion infiltration and a wider distribution of lesions. Proteomic analysis revealed the expression of plant homeodomain finger 11 (PHF11) was notably downregulated in EFA. And the downregulated expression of PHF11 was accompanied by the upregulated expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8). Our findings suggest a potential regulatory mechanism for PHF11 in EMS development.

Prediction and validation of common targets in atherosclerosis and non-small cell lung cancer influenced by atorvastatin.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies have shown that these two diseases may have some common risk factors. Atorvastatin is mainly used for the treatment of atherosclerosis in clinic. A large number of studies show that atorvastatin may produce anti-tumor activities. This study aimed to predict the common targets of atorvastatin against atherosclerosis and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on network pharmacology. METHODS: The target genes of atherosclerosis and NSCLC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The disease-target-component model map and the core network were obtained using Cytoscape 3.7.1. The MTS and wound healing assay were used to detect the effect of atorvastatin on cell viability and migration of A549 cells. The expression of potential common target genes of atorvastatin against atherosclerosis and NSCLC were confirmed in A549 cells and lung cancer tissues of patients. RESULTS: We identified 15 identical pathogenic genes, and four of which (MMP9, MMP12, CD36, and FABP4) were considered as the key target genes of atorvastatin in anti-atherosclerosis and NSCLC. The MTS and wound healing assays revealed that atorvastatin decreased A549 cells migration significantly. Atorvastatin markedly decreased the expression of MMP9, MMP12, CD36, and FABP4 in A549 cells and patients were treated with atorvastatin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated 15 common pathogenic genes in both atherosclerosis and NSCLC. And verified that MMP 9, MMP 12, CD 36 and FABP 4 might be the common target genes of atorvastatin in anti-atherosclerosis and NSCLC.

The common origin and degenerative evolution of flagella in Actinobacteria.

IMPORTANCE: Flagellar motility plays an important role in the environmental adaptation of bacteria and is found in more than 50% of known bacterial species. However, this important characteristic is sparsely distributed within members of the phylum Actinobacteria, which constitutes one of the largest bacterial groups. It is unclear why this important fitness organelle is absent in most actinobacterial species and the origin of flagellar genes in other species. Here, we present detailed analyses of the evolution of flagellar genes in Actinobacteria, in conjunction with the ecological distribution and cell biological features of major actinobacterial lineages, and the co-evolution of signal transduction systems. The results presented in addition to clarifying the puzzle of sporadic distribution of flagellar motility in Actinobacteria, also provide important insights into the evolution of major lineages within this phylum.

High quality stealth dicing of sapphire with a picosecond Bessel beam by controlling the polarization direction.

Sapphire is an important substrate material in optoelectronic devices, and it is also widely used as a touch screen panel. In order to achieve high quality cutting of sapphire, the stealth dicing of 500 µm thick sapphire by a picosecond Bessel beam is studied in this paper. The influences of laser polarization direction and process parameters on cutting section roughness were studied. By controlling the laser polarization direction, different crack propagation morphologies were obtained. When the polarization direction was vertical to the cutting path, the crack propagation path was straighter, and the sapphire had better cutting quality. The laser processing parameters, including burst mode, hole spacing, and pulse energy, had a significant impact on the cutting section roughness. When the polarization direction was vertical to the cutting path under the optimal process parameters, the cutting section was uniform and flat, with no recondensable particles, no ripples, and no chamfer, and an 89.7 nm average roughness of the cutting section could be obtained.

Association between snoring, daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular disease in Chinese rural adults.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Evidence on the association between habitual snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains uncertain and limited. The study aimed to explore the independent and joint association between habitual snoring, EDS, and CVDs in rural Chinese adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 28,140 participants from the Henan rural cohort study were included. Sleep status information was obtained by self-reported. Based on their sleep status, the participants were classified into four groups: "no snoring and no EDS (NSNS) (reference group)", "snoring and no EDS (SNS)", "no snoring and EDS (NSS)", "snoring and EDS (SS)." The logistic regression models were used to calculate independent and joint odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the snoring, EDS status and stroke, CHD, and CVD. Of the 28,140 participants, 740 subjects reported snoring and sleepiness. The ORs and (95% CIs) for CVDs in the adjusted model were 1.31 (1.20-1.43) for participants who snored frequently and 2.44 (1.76-3.39) for frequent sleepiness compared with no snoring and no sleepiness. Individuals with both snoring and sleepiness had higher odds of CVDs compared with no snoring and no sleepiness (OR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.80-2.62). CONCLUSION: Habitual snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness were independently and jointly associated with CVDs in the Chinese rural population. More studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of the relationship. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (Registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699). Date of registration: 2015-52 07-06. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375.