The structural characterization of a novel Chinese yam polysaccharide and its hypolipidemic activity in HFD-induced obese C57BL/6J mice.

Obesity was considered as a rapidly growing chronic disease that influences human health worldwide. In this study, we investigated the primary structure characteristics of Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) and its role in regulating lipid metabolism in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. The molecular weight of CYP was determined to be 3.16 × 103 kDa. Periodic acid oxidation & smith degradation and nuclear magnetic resonance results suggested that CYP consists of 1 → 2, 1 â†’ 2, 6, 1 â†’ 4, 1 â†’ 4, 6, 1→, or 1 â†’ 6 glycoside bonds. The in vivo experiment results suggested that the biochemical indices, tissue sections, and protein regulation associated with lipid metabolism were changed after administering CYP in obese mice. In addition, the abundances of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria Lachnospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 were increased, and the abundances of bacteria Desulfovibrionaceae and Ruminococcus and metabolites of arginine, propionylcarnitine, and alloisoleucine were decreased after CYP intervention in obese mice. Spearman's correlation analysis of intestinal flora, metabolites, and lipid metabolism parameters showed that CYP may affect lipid metabolism in obese mice by regulating the intestinal environment. Therefore, CYP may be used as a promising nutritional intervention agent for lipid metabolism.

Diversity of astroviruses in wild animals in Yunnan province, China.

BACKGROUND: Astroviruses (AstVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses that have been detected in a wide range of mammals and birds. They are associated with numerous interspecies transmissions and viral recombination events, posing a threat to human and animal health. METHODS: We collected 1,333 samples from wild animals, including bats, rodents, wild boars, and birds, from various states and cities in the Yunnan Province, China, between 2020 and 2023 to investigate the presence of AstVs. AstVs were detected using a polymerase chain reaction targeting the RdRp gene. Finally, the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis software was used to construct the phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: The overall positivity rate for AstVs was 7.12% in four species, indicating their widespread occurrence in the region. High genetic diversity among AstVs was observed in different animal species, suggesting the potential for interspecies transmission, particularly among rodents and birds. Additionally, we identified a novel AstV strain and, for the first time, provided information on the presence of bastroviruses in Yunnan, China. CONCLUSIONS: The widespread distribution and high genetic diversity of AstVs, along with the observed potential for interspecies transmission, highlight the importance of further investigation and surveillance in the region. The findings emphasize the need for increased attention to AstVs and their potential impact on human and animal health in Yunnan and other regions.

RNA virus diversity in rodents.

Many zoonotic disease emergencies are associated with RNA viruses in rodents that substantially impact public health. With the widespread application of meta-genomics and meta-transcriptomics for virus discovery over the last decade, viral sequences deposited in public databases have expanded rapidly, and the number of novel viruses discovered in rodents has increased. As important reservoirs of zoonotic viruses, rodents have attracted increasing attention for the risk of potential spillover of rodent-borne viruses. However, knowledge of rodent viral diversity and the major factors contributing to the risk of zoonotic epidemic outbreaks remains limited. Therefore, this study analyzes the diversity and composition of rodent RNA viruses using virus records from the Database of Rodent-associated Viruses (DRodVir/ZOVER), which covers the published literatures and records in GenBank database, reviews the main rodent RNA virus-induced human infectious diseases, and discusses potential challenges in this field.

Comparative analysis of the intestinal microbiome in Rattus norvegicus from different geographies.

Rat species Rattus norvegicus, also known as the brown street rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they co-exist with humans and domestic animals. The reservoir role of R. norvegicus of zoonotic pathogens in cities among rodent-borne diseases that could endanger the lives of humans and other mammals. Therefore, understanding the normal microbiome of R. norvegicus is crucial for understanding and preventing zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans and animals. We investigated the intestinal microbiome of free-living R. norvegicus collected from the Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe regions of Yunnan, China, using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were abundant in the intestines of R. norvegicus; however, bacterial compositions varied significantly between samples from different locations. Following a similar trend, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia were among the top bacterial classes in most intestinal samples. The situation differed slightly for the Lianhe and Nujiang samples, although Phyla Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were most prevalent. The Alpha diversity, Chao1, and Simpson indexes revealed microbial richness among the R. norvegicus samples. A slight variation was observed among the samples collected from Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe. At species levels, several opportunistic and zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including Lactococcus garvieae, Uruburuella suis, Bartonella australis, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus azizii, Vibrio vulnificus, etc., were revealed in the R. norvegicus intestines, implying the need for a regular survey to monitor and control rodent populations. In conclusion, we explored diverse microbial communities in R. norvegicus intestines captured from different regions. Further, we identified several opportunistic and potential bacterial pathogens, which still need to be tested for their underlying pathogenesis. The findings of our current study should be considered a warning to the health authorities to implement rat control and surveillance strategies globally.

A Comparative Analysis of the Stomach, Gut, and Lung Microbiomes in Rattus norvegicus.

Urban rats serve as reservoirs for several zoonotic pathogens that seriously endanger public health, destroy stored food, and damage infrastructure due to their close interaction with humans and domestic animals. Here, we characterize the core microbiomes of R. norvegicus's stomach, gut, and lung using 16S rRNA next-generation Illumina HiSeq sequencing. The USEARCH software (v11) assigned the dataset to operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The alpha diversity index was calculated using QIIME1, while the beta diversity index was determined using the Bray-Curtis and Euclidean distances between groups. Principal component analyses visualized variation across samples based on the OTU information using the R package. Linear discriminant analysis, effect sizes (LEfSe), and phylogenetic investigation were used to identify differentially abundant taxa among groups. We reported an abundance of microbiota in the stomach, and they shared some of them with the gut and lung microbiota. A close look at the microbial family level reveals abundant Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae in the stomach, whereas Lactobacillaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae were more abundant in the gut; in contrast, Alcaligenaceae were abundant in the lungs. At the species level, some beneficial bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus johnsonii, and some potential pathogens, such as Bordetella hinzii, Streptococcus parauberis, Porphyromonas pogonae, Clostridium perfringens, etc., were identified in stomach, gut, and lung samples. Moreover, the alpha and beta diversity indexes revealed significant differences between the groups. Further analysis revealed abundant differential taxonomic biomarkers, i.e., increased Prevotellaceae and Clostridia in the lungs, whereas Campylobacteria and Lachnospirales were richest in the stomachs. In conclusion, we identified many beneficial, opportunistic, and highly pathogenic bacteria, confirming the importance of urban rats for public health. This study recommends a routine survey program to monitor rodent distribution and the pathogens they carry and transmit to humans and other domestic mammals.

Geographical distribution and pathogenesis of ticks and tick-borne viral diseases.

Ticks are obligatory hematophagous arthropods that harbor and transmit infectious pathogens to humans and animals. Tick species belonging to Amblyomma, Ixodes, Dermacentor, and Hyalomma genera may transmit certain viruses such as Bourbon virus (BRBV), Dhori virus (DHOV), Powassan virus (POWV), Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV), Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Heartland virus (HRTV), Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV), etc. that affect humans and certain wildlife. The tick vectors may become infected through feeding on viraemic hosts before transmitting the pathogen to humans and animals. Therefore, it is vital to understand the eco-epidemiology of tick-borne viruses and their pathogenesis to optimize preventive measures. Thus this review summarizes knowledge on some medically important ticks and tick-borne viruses, including BRBV, POWV, OHFV, CTFV, CCHFV, HRTV, and KFDV. Further, we discuss these viruses' epidemiology, pathogenesis, and disease manifestations during infection.

Identification and Characterization of Jingmen Tick Virus in Ticks from Yunnan Imported Cattle.

Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) is a tick-borne segmented positive-sense ssRNA virus that can cause human disease. This virus has been confirmed to be widespread, having a wide host range. In human it can cause fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, and asthenia. Therefore, JMTV poses a threat to public health. In this study, we collected 478 ticks from imported cattle on three quarantine farms near the Yunnan border to detect medically significant tick-borne viruses. Our findings show that JMTV was the only detected virus, with an incidence rate of 56.67%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that our JMTV is more closely related to previously reported JMTV strains from Yunnan Province and neighboring Laos, implying that the tick-borne virus was most likely imported from Laos. In conclusion, we identified and characterized a novel JMTV strain in tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) from Yunnan imported cattle, emphasizing the importance of arbovirus quarantine of livestock imports.

Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrophosphinylation of 2-Vinylazaarenes to Access P-Chiral 2-Azaaryl-Ethylphosphine Oxides.

A chiral Brønsted acid-catalysed asymmetric hydrophosphinylation of 2-vinylazaarenes by secondary phosphine oxides is described. A variety of P-chiral 2-azaaryl-ethylphosphine oxides are synthesized with high yields and ees, of which both the substituents of phosphines and azaarenes can be flexibly modulated, underscoring an exceptionally broad scope of substrates. These adducts are valuable to asymmetric metal catalysis since the resultant P-chiral tertiary phosphines from the reduction of them are verified as a kind of effective C1 -symmetric chiral 1,5-hybrid P,N-ligands. Importantly, this catalysis platform enables the generic and efficient kinetic resolution of P-chiral secondary phosphine oxides. It thus provides an expedient approach to access the enantiomers of the P-chiral tertiary phosphine oxides derived from asymmetric hydrophosphinylation, further improving the utility of the method.

Novel small-molecule compound VCP979 attenuates renal fibrosis in male rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Renal fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease, while efficient therapy against renal fibrosis is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the role of a novel small-molecule compound VCP979 on renal fibrosis and inflammation in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). One week after the UUO surgery, rats were administered VCP979 by gavage for one week, and after treatment, magnetic resonance imaging of T1rho mapping and histopathological analysis were performed to evaluate renal fibrosis in vivo and ex vivo. This study showed that treatment with VCP979 effectively reduced renal fibrosis, extracellular matrix accumulation, and alleviated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in UUO rats, as well as improved renal function. In vivo T1rho mapping displayed increased T1rho values in the UUO rats, which was decreased after VCP979 treatment, and a positive correlation was detected between the T1rho values and the percentage of fibrotic area. Moreover, the administration of VCP979 also ameliorated the inflammatory cytokines expression and the infiltration of macrophages in renal tissues. Mechanistically, VCP979 treatment inhibited the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor-kappa B, and transforming growth factor-ß1/Smads signaling pathways. These results indicated that VCP979 could be an effective therapeutic agent for alleviating renal fibrosis and inflammation in the rat model of UUO via its antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects.

DisP+V: A Unified Framework for Disentangling Prototype and Variation From Single Sample per Person.

Single sample per person face recognition (SSPP FR) is one of the most challenging problems in FR due to the extreme lack of enrolment data. To date, the most popular SSPP FR methods are the generic learning methods, which recognize query face images based on the so-called prototype plus variation (i.e., P+V) model. However, the classic P+V model suffers from two major limitations: 1) it linearly combines the prototype and variation images in the observational pixel-spatial space and cannot generalize to multiple nonlinear variations, e.g., poses, which are common in face images and 2) it would be severely impaired once the enrolment face images are contaminated by nuisance variations. To address the two limitations, it is desirable to disentangle the prototype and variation in a latent feature space and to manipulate the images in a semantic manner. To this end, we propose a novel disentangled prototype plus variation model, dubbed DisP+V, which consists of an encoder-decoder generator and two discriminators. The generator and discriminators play two adversarial games such that the generator nonlinearly encodes the images into a latent semantic space, where the more discriminative prototype feature and the less discriminative variation feature are disentangled. Meanwhile, the prototype and variation features can guide the generator to generate an identity-preserved prototype and the corresponding variation, respectively. Experiments on various real-world face datasets demonstrate the superiority of our DisP+V model over the classic P+V model for SSPP FR. Furthermore, DisP+V demonstrates its unique characteristics in both prototype recovery and face editing/interpolation.

[Characteristics and Evolutionary Advantages of Coronavirus].

Coronaviruses are a major source of emerging infectious diseases in recent years.With a variety of family members,wide host spectrum,and diverse mutant strains,coronaviruses have demonstrated unique advantages in evolution.This paper reviews the research progress of coronaviruses from genome characteristics,host animals,distribution of receptorsand gene mutations,summarizes the advantages of coronaviruses in evolution and transmission,aiming to draw attention to the prevention and control of such viruses.

Diversity and Genetic Characteristics of Astroviruses from Animals in Yunnan Province.

Astroviruses (AstVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses, including two main genera: Mamastroviruses (MAstVs) and Avastroviruses (AAstVs). AstVs have been detected in more than 80 different mammals and birds, with the characteristics of multiple cross-species transmission and gene recombination. All these have accelerated the process of virus mutation and posed a potential threat to human beings and animal husbandry. Yunnan province is a global hotspot with rich biodiversity and abundant animal resources and an important area with significance for public health and security because it neighbors a few Southeast Asian countries. This study collected 860 samples from 13 species of animals in Yunnan province for AstVs detection. The results showed that the positive rate of AstVs was 6.05%, and its extremely high genetic diversity was observed in different animal species. Potential cross-species transmission events were also detected from rodents to birds. Therefore, AstVs, which are widely distributed with highly diverse genes and the risk of cross-species transmission to people, deserve more attention in this region.

Reducing White Adipose Tissue Browning Using p38α MAPK Inhibitors Ameliorates Cancer-Associated Cachexia as Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Up to 80% of pancreatic cancer patients suffer from cachexia. White adipose tissue (WAT) browning caused by the tumorigenicity and progression aggravates the cancer-associated cachexia (CAC). Cancer-initiated changes in the protein-38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) pathway are likely involved in the development of CAC. METHODS: p38 MAPK inhibitors, VCP979 or SB203580, were used in the in vitro and in vivo models of pancreatic cancer cachexia. Expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the p38 MARK pathway and the properties and level of white adipocytes were analyzed and correlated to browning, followed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting validations. Changes in the volume and fat fraction of WAT in animals were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: The size of white adipocytes was increased after being treated with the p38 MAPK inhibitors, along with increase in the MRI-measured volume and fat fraction of WAT. Comparing two p38 MAPK inhibitors, the p38α subunit-specific inhibitor VCP979 had a better therapeutic effect than SB203580, which targets both p38α and ß subunits. CONCLUSIONS: Blockade of p38 MAPK reduced the WAT browning that contributes to CAC. Thus, p38 MARK inhibitors can potentially be used as a therapy for treating CAC. Non-invasive MRI can also be applied to assess the progression and treatment responses of CAC.

Cross-species transmission, evolution and zoonotic potential of coronaviruses.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) continuously evolve, crossing species barriers and spreading across host ranges. Over the last two decades, several CoVs (HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) have emerged in animals and mammals, causing significant economic and human life losses. Due to CoV cross-species transmission and the evolution of novel viruses, it is critical to identify their natural reservoiurs and the circumstances under which their transmission occurs. In this review, we use genetic and ecological data to disentangle the evolution of various CoVs in wildlife, humans, and domestic mammals. We thoroughly investigate several host species and outline the epidemiology of CoVs toward specific hosts. We also discuss the cross-species transmission of CoVs at the interface of wildlife, animals, and humans. Clarifying the epidemiology and diversity of species reservoirs will significantly impact our ability to respond to the future emergence of CoVs in humans and domestic animals.

Association of serum levels of inflammatory markers and adipokines with joint symptoms and structures in participants with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the longitudinal associations of serum inflammatory markers and adipokines with joint symptoms and structures in participants with knee OA. METHODS: Two hundred participants (46.5% female, mean age 63.1 years, mean BMI 29.5 kg/m2) from Tasmania, part of the VIDEO (Vitamin D Effect on OA) study, were randomly selected in the current study. Serum levels of 19 biomarkers, scores of WOMAC and MRI-assessed knee structures were evaluated at baseline and month 24. The patterns of biomarkers were derived from principal component analysis and their association with knee symptoms and structures were examined using adjusted generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Five components explained 78% of the total variance. IL-1ß, -2, -4, -6, -8, -17 A, -17 F, -21, -22 and -23 loaded the highest on the first component, which was associated with increased bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and WOMAC dysfunction score. IL-10, -12 and GM-CSF loaded on the second component, which was associated with increased cartilage volume, and decreased effusion synovitis and WOMAC scores. Leptin, adipsin and CRP loaded on the third component, which was positively associated with WOMAC scores. Resistin loaded on the fourth component, which was associated with increased BMLs and cartilage defects. Apelin-36 and adiponectin loaded on the fifth component, which was associated with increased BMLs. CONCLUSION: Various inflammatory and metabolic components were associated differently with joint symptoms and structural changes in knee OA, suggesting a complex inflammatory and metabolic interrelationship in the pathogenesis of knee OA.

Function of Host Protein Staufen1 in Rabies Virus Replication.

Rabies virus is a highly neurophilic negative-strand RNA virus with high lethality and remains a huge public health problem in developing countries to date. The double-stranded RNA-binding protein Staufen1 (STAU1) has multiple functions in RNA virus replication, transcription, and translation. However, its function in RABV infection and its mechanism of action are not clear. In this study, we investigated the role of host factor STAU1 in RABV infection of SH-SY-5Y cells. Immunofluorescence, TCID50 titers, confocal microscopy, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were carried out to determine the molecular function and subcellular distribution of STAU1 in these cell lines. Expression of STAU1 in SH-SY-5Y cells was down-regulated by RNA interference or up-regulated by transfection of eukaryotic expression vectors. The results showed that N proficiently colocalized with STAU1 in SH-SY-5Y at 36 h post-infection, and the expression level of STAU1 was also proportional to the time of infection. Down-regulation of STAU1 expression increased the number of Negri body-like structures, enhanced viral replication, and a caused 10-fold increase in viral titers. Meanwhile, N protein and G protein mRNA levels also accumulated gradually with increasing infection time, which implied that STAU1 inhibited rabies virus infection of SH-SY-5Y cells in vitro. In conclusion, our results provide important clues for the detailed replication mechanism of rabies virus and the discovery of therapeutic targets.

Phylogenetic characteristics of HIV among female cross-border travelers in Yunnan province between 2003 and 2012.

Sexual transmission is currently the main mode of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, 181 HIV-infected female cross-border travelers entering Yunnan province were recruited between 2003 and 2012. HIV RNAs were extracted from their frozen serum and gag-pol gene sequences were obtained for phylogenetic and recombination analyses. In total, 131 gag-pol gene sequences were obtained successfully, at a rate of 72.4%. The most prevalent subtypes were CRF01_AE, followed by CRF08_BC, subtypes B and C. The other four subjects were classified as undefined subtypes and other recombinants. The subtype distribution of intravenous drug users was significantly different from that of sexually transmitted infections and unknown groups. The genetic distances of subtype B, C, and CRF01_AE strains were all close to the reference sequences from Yunnan province and Southeast Asian countries. Gene diversity and cocirculation of multiple subtypes were observed in female cross-border travelers, and CRF01_AE was the dominant epidemic subtype. The advantages of these subtype preferences for sexual transmission were obvious in HIV infection and transmission among this population. Our findings also suggest that close attention should be given to the HIV infection status of the female migrant population. In addition, a description of their epidemic characteristics is significant for the surveillance and prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Yunnan province.

The homology analysis of ACE2 gene and its distinct expression in laboratory and wild animals

Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) has been recognized as an entry receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the host cells while bats has been suspected as natural host of SARS-CoV-2. However, the detail of intermediate host or the route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is still unclear. In this study, we analyze the conservation of ACE2 gene in 11 laboratory and wild animals that live in close proximity either with Bats or human and further investigated its RNA and protein expression pattern in wild bats, mice and tree shrew. We verified that the wild-bats and mice were belonged to Hipposideros pomona and Rattus norvegicus, respectively. ACE2 gene is highly conserved among all 11 animals species at the DNA level. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ACE2 nucleotide sequences revealed that wild bat and Tree shrew were forming a cluster close to human. We further report that ACE2 RNA expression pattern is highly species-specific in different tissues of different animals. Most notably, we found that the expression pattern of ACE2 RNA and protein are very different in each animal species. In summary, our results suggested that ACE2 gene is highly conserved among all 11 animals species. However, different relative expression pattern of ACE2 RNA and protein in each animal species is interesting. Further research is needed to clarify the possible connection between different relative expression pattern of ACE2 RNA and protein in different laboratory and wild animal species and the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recyclable Eu3+ functionalized Hf-MOF fluorescent probe for urinary metabolites of some organophosphorus pesticides.

A luminescent metal-organic framework Eu3+ functionalized Hf-MOF (Eu3+@1) is designed through post-synthesis modification (PSM) and utilized as a probe for detecting p-nitrophenol (PNP, the urinary metabolite of parathion, methyl-parathion and EPN) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC, the urinary metabolite of fenitrothion). The apparent quenching effect in urine is observed from the Eu3+@1 with the addition of organophosphorus metabolites. The fluorescent probe has several appealing merits, such as high selectivity, excellent sensitivity (0.36 µg mL-1 for PNP, 0.41 µg mL-1 for PNMC), fast response time (less than 1 min) and easy preparation. Linear correlation between the fluorescence intensity of Eu3+@1 and the concentration of PNP and PNMC are from 0.005 to 0.15 mg mL-1 and 0.005-0.30 mg mL-1, respectively. Furthermore, this fluorescent material also demonstrated the possibility for recycling. It is a prominent candidate for potential application in personalized monitoring the internal dose of human exposure to some organophosphorus pesticides.