Heterostructured WOx/W2C Nanocatalyst for Li2S Oxidation in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries with High-Areal-Capacity.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries show extraordinary promise as a next-generation battery technology due to their high theoretical energy density and the cost efficiency of sulfur. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics, uncontrolled growth of lithium sulfide (Li2S), and substantial Li2S oxidation barrier cause low sulfur utilization and limited cycle life. Moreover, these drawbacks get exacerbated at high current densities and high sulfur loadings. Here, a heterostructured WOx/W2C nanocatalyst synthesized via ultrafast Joule heating is reported, and the resulting heterointerfaces contribute to enhance electrocatalytic activity for Li2S oxidation, as well as controlled Li2S deposition. The densely distributed nanoparticles provide abundant binding sites for uniform deposition of Li2S. The continuous heterointerfaces favor efficient adsorption and promote charge transfer, thereby reducing the activation barrier for the delithiation of Li2S. These attributes enable Li-S cells to deliver high-rate performance and high areal capacity. This study provides insights into efficient catalyst design for Li2S oxidation under practical cell conditions.

Experimental Realization of Two Qutrits Gate with Tunable Coupling in Superconducting Circuits.

Gate-based quantum computation has been extensively investigated using quantum circuits based on qubits. In many cases, such qubits are actually made out of multilevel systems but with only two states being used for computational purpose. While such a strategy has the advantage of being in line with the common binary logic, it in some sense wastes the ready-for-use resources in the large Hilbert space of these intrinsic multidimensional systems. Quantum computation beyond qubits (e.g., using qutrits or qudits) has thus been discussed and argued to be more efficient than its qubit counterpart in certain scenarios. However, one of the essential elements for qutrit-based quantum computation, two-qutrit quantum gate, remains a major challenge. In this Letter, we propose and demonstrate a highly efficient and scalable two-qutrit quantum gate in superconducting quantum circuits. Using a tunable coupler to control the cross-Kerr coupling between two qutrits, our scheme realizes a two-qutrit conditional phase gate with fidelity 89.3% by combining simple pulses applied to the coupler with single-qutrit operations. We further use such a two-qutrit gate to prepare an EPR state of two qutrits with a fidelity of 95.5%. Our scheme takes advantage of a tunable qutrit-qutrit coupling with a large on:off ratio. It therefore offers both high efficiency and low crosstalk between qutrits, thus being friendly for scaling up. Our Letter constitutes an important step toward scalable qutrit-based quantum computation.

Association between whole-grain intake and myopia in chinese children: a cross-sectional epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status influences the growth and development of the eyes. However, there are few studies on the association between diet, especially whole grains (WG) consumption, and myopia. The study aimed to evaluate the association between WG intake and myopia prevalence among primary school-age children in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted between November 2019 and December 2019 included 586 children, aged 6-12 years, attending primary school in Binhai district, Tianjin, China. Ophthalmologic examinations and optometric cycloplegic refraction measurements were conducted. Information was collected on known risks and protective factors for myopia and the consumption of WGs, vegetables, and fruits. This association between the probability of myopia and the proportion of WG consumption (WG proportion was calculated as the mean intake from WG sources divided by total grain intake), adjusted for protective and risk factors, was analysed using crude and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the study participants, 226/586 (38.57%) children had myopia in at least one eye. WG intake was inversely correlated with the prevalence of myopia. Furthermore, in the multivariate analysis, WG intake of > 50% was identified as a protective factor against myopia after subsequent adjustment for children's age, sex, parental myopia, near-work activity, screen time, reading and writing habits, visual fatigue, outdoor time, and classroom light environment (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: WG intake (> 50%) was an independent protective factor against myopia. Modifying the form of grains consumed (whole versus refined) could be one of the targets of future public health measures.

Relationship between severity of obstructive sleep apnea and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: The cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is controversial, local hypoxia and inflammation being the main two possibilities proposed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and BPH. METHODS: The study cohort comprised men from January 2016 to December 2020 in our Sleep Center. These patients were classified into four groups (no, mild, moderate, severe OSA) by apnea-hypopnea indexes (AHI). Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for BPH, after which participants were stratified into younger (age ≤ 40 years) and older groups (age > 40 years) for further analysis. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 467 patients including 135 younger subjects and 332 older subjects. The prevalence of BPH in the above listed AHI categories was 37.5%, 55.0%, 62.9%, and 52.3%, respectively (p = 0.075). Logistic regression analysis of all patients identified age as a risk factor for BPH (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis according to AHI category found a prevalence of BPH of 0.0%, 13.0%, 33.3%, and 43.9%, respectively, in younger group (p = 0.006), and 52.2%, 71.9%, 71.1%, and 56.3%, respectively, in older group (p = 0.038). Logistic regression analysis found age and AHI were independent risk factors for BPH in younger group (both p < 0.05), whereas only age was identified as a risk factor for BPH in older group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Age is an independent risk factor for BPH in men with OSA. AHI is also an independent risk factor for BPH in younger men, suggesting that OSA may affect development of BPH in younger men.

The role of ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in intermittent hypoxia-induced myocardial injury.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by iron overload and plays critical roles in myocardial injury. This study aimed to investigate the role of ferroptosis in intermittent hypoxia (IH)-induced myocardial injury involving endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). METHODS: AC16 human cardiomyocytes were exposed to IH or normoxia conditions. Mice were randomly grouped as follows: normal control (NC), IH, ferrostatin-1 + IH (FIH), and N-acetylcysteine + IH (AIH). The mRNA levels of GPX4, xCT, FTH1, and FACL4 in AC16 cells were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein levels of GPX4, xCT, NOX4, ATF4, CHOP, Bcl-2, and Bax in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels of GPX4 and xCT in AC16 cells were significantly lower in IH group than that of NC group. In IH mice, myocardial tissues were injured accompanied by increased level of ferroptosis and ERS. Inhibition of ferroptosis and treatment of N-acetylcysteine reduced ERS and myocardial injury in mice exposed to IH. In addition, compared to ferrostatin-1, N-acetylcysteine exerted a greater effect in relieving IH-induced myocardial damage and ERS. CONCLUSIONS: Ferroptosis was involved in IH-related myocardial injury accompanied by the activation of ERS. Inhibition of ferroptosis and acetylcysteine treatment alleviated IH-related myocardial injury, which may be a potential target for therapeutic approaches to OSA-induced myocardial injury.

Self-reported sleep quality and oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia among men attending an infertility clinic: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the influence of sleep disturbances on the risk of oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia (OAT) in men attending an infertility clinic. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled men attending an infertility clinic from July 2020 to June 2021. Semen parameters were obtained at initial presentation, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, and the STOP-BANG Questionnair were completed to assess sleep quality. Embryo outcomes were evaluated after infertility treatment. RESULTS: Of 466 men enrolled, 119 had OAT (OAT group) and 347 had normozoospermia (NS group). There were no differences between the two groups regarding Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG Questionnaire scores. The prevalence of poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≥ 5) in the OAT group was significantly higher than that in the NS group (42% vs. 29%, p = 0.009). A higher rate of poor subjective sleep quality was observed in the OAT group compared with the NS group (p = 0.005) and Pearson's correlations revealed a negative relationship between subjective sleep quality and semen quality. Logistic regression found that subjective sleep quality was independently associated with an increased risk of OAT (adjusted odds ratio = 0.610, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Men with OAT attending an infertility clinic exhibited poor subjective sleep quality. Improving sleep disturbances may be a target intervention to reduce the risk of OAT. This possibility warrants further investigation.

Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Liver Abnormalities in Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Older age is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is associated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to investigate the correlation between OSA and liver injury among older patients. Study Design. This is a cross-sectional study. Methods: Consecutive older (≥60 years) snoring patients were included. Subjects were divided into no OSA, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and were also separated into liver injury and nonliver injury groups based on liver function. Logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the independent risk factors for liver injury. Results: We studied 227 patients (155 male, 72 female). The prevalence of liver injury exhibited an increasing trend among groups with mild-to-severe OSA. In addition, body mass index, AHI, and TG showed significant differences between the liver injury and nonliver injury groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that AHI and TG were the major contributing factors for liver injury in older patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.055, p=0.013, and OR = 1.485, p=0.039, respectively). Conclusions: Older patients with OSA have an increased risk of liver injury and NAFLD, and sleep apnea and high TG are important factors in contributing to the development of liver injury.

Protective effects of Typhonii Rhizoma in rheumatoid arthritis rats revealed by integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with a 0.5% prevalence worldwide. Inflammation, periosteal proliferation and joint destruction are the main clinical symptoms of RA. Typhonii Rhizoma (TR) is the dry tuber of the Araceae plant Typhonium giganteum Engl, and possesses many uses such as dispelling obstructive wind-phlegm and relieving pain. It is used for the clinical treatment of arthromyodynia and RA. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we first evaluated the effects of TR in type II collagen-induced RA model rats. Secondly, in serum metabolomics, TR could ameliorate 11 potential metabolites in RA model rats and reversed RA through pentose and glucuronate interconversions, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. To further explore the mechanisms of TR, 40 chemical constituents were used to establish a component-target interaction network. Some key genes were verified by in vitro pharmacological tests by integrating the results from the network pharmacology and metabolomics. The verification results showed that the mechanisms of TR against RA may be related to the inhibition of the production of inflammatory cytokines and the expression and function of HIF1-α. This study serves as a theoretical basis for the treatment of RA with TR.

The Study of a Novel Paeoniflorin-Converting Enzyme from Cunninghamella blakesleeana.

Paeoniflorin is a glycoside compound found in Paeonia lactiflora Pall that is used in traditional herbal medicine and shows various protective effects on the cardio-cerebral vascular system. It has been reported that the pharmacological effects of paeoniflorin might be generated by its metabolites. However, the bioavailability of paeoniflorin by oral administration is low, which greatly limits its clinical application. In this paper, a paeoniflorin-converting enzyme gene (G6046, GenBank accession numbers: OP856858) from Cunninghamella blakesleeana (AS 3.970) was identified by comparative analysis between MS analysis and transcriptomics. The expression, purification, enzyme activity, and structure of the conversion products produced by this paeoniflorin-converting enzyme were studied. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic activity were found to be pH 9, 45 °C, resulting in a specific enzyme activity of 14.56 U/mg. The products were separated and purified by high-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC). Two main components were isolated and identified, 2-amino-2-p-hydroxymethyl-methyl alcohol-benzoate (tirs-benzoate) and 1-benzoyloxy-2,3-propanediol (1-benzoyloxypropane-2,3-diol), via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and NMR. Additionally, paeoniflorin demonstrated the ability to metabolize into benzoic acid via G6046 enzyme, which might exert antidepressant effects through the blood-brain barrier into the brain.

The prognostic value of N6-methyladenosine RBM15 regulators in lung adenocarcinoma.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal modification in mammalian mRNAs while RNA-binding motif protein 15 (RBM15) is an important methyltransferase in m6A modification. Increasing evidences have shown that RBM15 has a close correlation with lung cancer. However, specific functions of RBM15 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are limited. RBM15 expression was analyzed in human LUAD tissues and matched healthy lung tissue. RBM15 was knocked down via siRNA in A549 and H1734 cells. The relationships between RBM15 with cellular functions characteristics and mRNA m6A levels were explored. We performed functional characterization in A549 and H1734 cells lines to elucidate the molecular role of RBM15. Results found that RBM15 was up-regulated in the LUAD tissue and cells, which was linked to poor survival of LUAD patients. RBM15 can be knocked down via siRNA in A549, which leads to the exploration of the associations between RBM15 with cell characteristics. In vivo, RBM15 knockdown could decrease the methylation level, reduce proliferation, accelerate apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth. Our research shows that RBM15 facilitates LUAC cell progression by m6A demethylation. However, it is necessary to conduct further researches on potential downstream molecular mechanisms and m6A modification of RBM15 activity in LUAC.

Development pattern of ocular biometric parameters and refractive error in young Chinese adults: a longitudinal study of first-year university students.

BACKGROUND: The increase in the prevalence of myopia has become a matter of serious public health concern, and few studies to date have examined the ocular biometric parameters of myopia in young Chinese adults. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal ocular biometric and refractive development of first-year university students and the influence of near work. METHODS: This study included 526 first-year university students from Tianjin Medical University (mean age, 18.34 years; 313 females and 213 males). From 2016 to 2018, participants underwent ocular biometry measurements and subjective refraction annually. Near-work activities such as the use of electronic devices, online games, reading, and writing as well as demographic data were recorded by questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of myopia in this population from 2016 to 2018 was 92.40%, 92.59%, and 92.97%, respectively. Importantly, the prevalence of high myopia increased significantly from 20.91% to 28.33% (P < .001). The spherical equivalent refraction was significantly more myopic by approximately - 0.38 D (from - 4.18 ± 2.44 to - 4.56 ± 2.57 D; P < .001) during the period. The axial length, central corneal thickness, and lens thickness became significantly different (all P < .05), and the axial length significantly increased by 0.12 mm during 2 years (P < .001). Using binary logistic regression analysis, the data indicated that spending more time on online games (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-3.29) could speed up the progression of myopia (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the prevalence of high myopia continued to increase in undergraduate students over 2 years. Baseline myopia correlated with myopic shift, the time spent on online games, and parental myopia were significantly associated with an increase in myopia in these young adult populations.

The role of platelet-related parameters for the prediction of NAFLD in OSAHS patients.

PURPOSE: As the detection of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is imperative for the prevention of its complications, we aimed to explore the predictive value of platelet to lymphocyte count ratio (PLR) and white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio (WBC/MPV) in relation to the occurrence of NAFLD among patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 351 patients with OSAHS (279 with and 72 without NAFLD). The logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate associations between PLR, WBC/MPV, and NAFLD. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze the efficacy of PLR and WBC/MPV in NAFLD prediction. RESULTS: Compared to the OSAHS-only group, there was a rising trend in AHI and TS90% in the OSAHS + NAFLD group. And the logistic regression analysis identified average oxygen saturation (MaSO2), WBC/MPV and PLR as predicted factors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.134, P = 0.031; OR = 7.559, P = 0.018, OR = 0.980, P < 0.001, respectively) for NAFLD in OSAHS patients. Moreover, compared with WBC/MPV, PLR, FLI, and APRI, a combination of WBC/MPV and PLR presented the largest AUC for the detection of NAFLD in BMI < 28 kg/m2 (0.753, 95% CI 0.684-0.822), and in age ≥ 60 years subgroup (0.786, 95% CI 0.692-0.880) in ROC analysis. Meanwhile, a combination of WBC/MPV and PLR presented the second largest AUC for the detection of NAFLD in all subjects (0.743, 95% CI 0.708-0.831), as well as in the age < 60 years subgroup (0.729, 95% CI 0.652-0.806), only ranked after FLI, suggesting the combination of WBC/MPV and PLR has a good predictive value for NAFLD in OSAHS patients. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the levels of WBC/MPV, PLR, and MaSO2 were closely related to the occurrence of NAFLD among OSAHS patients. Furthermore, our results highlighted the clinical combination of WBC/MPV and PLR levels could act as a simple and effective biomarker for screening NAFLD in patients with OSAHS.

Assessment of bone mineral density and bone metabolism in young men with obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients during sleep may have an effect on bone metabolism. Few data regarding evaluation of bone metabolism in young individuals diagnosed with OSA. In this study, we aim to identify the association between bone mineral density and OSA in young men (≤ 40 years old of age). METHODS: Consecutive male subjects who underwent polysomnography were enrolled. Serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3, ß-isomerized form C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, osteocalcin and procollagen type 1 N-propeptide were measured in all participants, and bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck and hip total were determined by dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA). RESULTS: The population consisted of 85 subjects (mean age 35.53 years). The BMD at lumbar spine (L1-L4) in moderate OSA patients was higher than control and severe OSA group significantly (p = 0.036). After adjustment for confounding factors, stepwise multiple linear regression analyses showed LaSO2 (ß = 0.340, p = 0.008) as an independent explanatory variable for Lumbar L1-L4 BMD, LaSO2 (ß = 0.304, p = 0.037), BMI (ß = 0.393, p = 0.008) for femur neck BMD and BMI (ß = 0.720, p = 0.002) for hip total BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicated that there was a relationship between OSA and bone metabolism in younger men, and moderate OSA-related hypoxia positively related with BMD. This study also showed that different degrees of recurrent hypoxia had different effects on bone metabolism, a finding that required further investigation.

Experimental demonstration of quantum pigeonhole paradox.

We experimentally demonstrate that when three single photons transmit through two polarization channels, in a well-defined pre- and postselected ensemble, there are no two photons in the same polarization channel by weak-strength measurement, a counterintuitive quantum counting effect called the quantum pigeonhole paradox. We further show that this effect breaks down in second-order measurement. These results indicate the existence of the quantum pigeonhole paradox and its operating regime.

YdfD, a Lysis Protein of the Qin Prophage, Is a Specific Inhibitor of the IspG-Catalyzed Step in the MEP Pathway of Escherichia coli.

Bacterial cryptic prophage (defective prophage) genes are known to drastically influence host physiology, such as causing cell growth arrest or lysis, upon expression. Many phages encode lytic proteins to destroy the cell envelope. As natural antibiotics, only a few lysis target proteins were identified. ydfD is a lytic gene from the Qin cryptic prophage that encodes a 63-amino-acid protein, the ectopic expression of which in Escherichia coli can cause nearly complete cell lysis rapidly. The bacterial 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway is responsible for synthesizing the isoprenoids uniquely required for sustaining bacterial growth. In this study, we provide evidence that YdfD can interact with IspG, a key enzyme involved in the MEP pathway, both in vivo and in vitro. We show that intact YdfD is required for the interaction with IspG to perform its lysis function and that the mRNA levels of ydfD increase significantly under certain stress conditions. Crucially, the cell lysis induced by YdfD can be abolished by the overexpression of ispG or the complementation of the IspG enzyme catalysis product methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate. We propose that YdfD from the Qin cryptic prophage inhibits IspG to block the MEP pathway, leading to a compromised cell membrane and cell wall biosynthesis and eventual cell lysis.

A randomized clinical trial using cyclopentolate and tropicamide to compare cycloplegic refraction in Chinese young adults with dark irises.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the necessity of cycloplegia for epidemiological studies of refraction in Chinese young adults (aged 17-22 years) with dark irises, and to compare the cycloplegic effects of 1% cyclopentolate and 0.5% tropicamide in them. METHODS: A total of 300 young adults (108 males and 192 females) aged 17 to 22 years (mean 19.03 ± 1.01) were recruited from Tianjin Medical University from November 2019 to January 2020. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. In the cyclopentolate group, two drops of 1% cyclopentolate eye drop were administrated (one drop every 5 min), followed by autorefraction and subjective refraction 30 to 45 min later. In the tropicamide group, four drops of 1% Mydrin P (Tropicamide 0.5%, phenylephrine HCl 0.5%) eye drop were given (one drop every 5 min), followed by autorefraction and subjective refraction 20 to 30 min later. The participants and the examiners were masked to the medication. Distance visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefraction (Topcon KR-800, Topcon Co. Tokyo, Japan), non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic subjective refraction and ocular biometry (Lenstar LS-900) were performed. RESULTS: The values of spherical equivalent (SE) and sphere component were significantly different before and after cycloplegia in the cyclopentolate group and the tropicamide group (p < 0.05). The mean difference between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefraction SE was 0.39 D (±0.66 D) in the cyclopentolate group and 0.39 D (±0.34 D) in the tropicamide group. There was no significant difference in the change of SE and sphere component after cycloplegia between the cyclopentolate group and the tropicamide group (p > 0.05). In each group, no significant difference was found between autorefraction and subjective refraction after cycloplegia (p > 0.05). We also found that more positive or less negative cycloplegic refraction was associated with the higher difference in SE in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Cycloplegic refractions were generally more positive or less negative than non-cycloplegic refractions. It is necessary to perform cycloplegia for Chinese young adults with dark irises to obtain accurate refractive errors. We suggest that cycloplegic autorefraction using tropicamide may be considered as a reliable method for epidemiological studies of refraction in Chinese young adults with dark irises. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on September 7, 2019 (Registration number: ChiCTR1900025774 ).

Inulin catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is affected by some key glycosylation sequons of invertase Suc2.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to study the effect of individual N-glycosylation sequon on Suc2 activity and stability, and improve inulin conversion capacity and ethanol production of yeast by manipulating the key N-glycosylation sequon in Suc2. RESULTS: Based on previous reported data, it could be deduced that both the activity and thermal stability of Suc2 are probably influenced by some key N-glycosylation sequons. Thus, totally 13 N-glycosylation residues of Suc2 were individually deglycosylated by site-directed mutagenesis. Fermentation results indicated that deglycosylation at N4, N78 and N146 sequons improved Suc2 activity and ethanol production of host strains, whereas deglycosylation at N45 showed an opposite effect. Carbohydrate depletion of Suc2 N4 especially endowed the host strain with better ethanol fermentation performance from inulin when the strain was cultured under the higher temperature for 48 h, indicating that deglycosylation of N4 might improve the thermal stability of the Suc2. CONCLUSIONS: Carbohydrate chains at N4, N45, N78 and N146 played an important role in modulating Suc2 activity and inulin catabolism of the S. cerevisiae strain. These key N-deglycosylation sequons should become potential targets for rational engineering of S. cerevisiae strains to enhance the ethanol production from inulin.

Thioredoxin H (TrxH) contributes to adversity adaptation and pathogenicity of Edwardsiella piscicida.

Thioredoxins (Trxs) play an important role in defending against oxidative stress and keeping disulfide bonding correct to maintain protein function. Edwardsiella piscicida, a severe fish pathogen, has been shown to encode several thioredoxins including TrxA, TrxC, and TrxH, but their biological roles remain unknown. In this study, we characterized TrxH of E. piscicida (named TrxHEp) and examined its expression and function. TrxHEp is composed of 125 residues and possesses typical thioredoxin H motifs. Expression of trxHEp was upregulated under conditions of oxidative stress, iron starvation, low pH, and during infection of host cells. trxHEp expression was also regulated by ferric uptake regulator (Fur), an important global regulatory of E. piscicida. Compared to the wild type TX01, a markerless trxHEp in-frame mutant strain TX01∆trxH exhibited markedly compromised tolerance of the pathogen to hydrogen peroxide, acid stress, and iron deficiency. Deletion of trxHEp significantly retarded bacterial biofilm growth and decreased resistance against serum killing. Pathogenicity analysis shows that the inactivation of trxHEp significantly impaired the ability of E. piscicida to invade host cells, reproduce in macrophages, and infect host tissues. Introduction of a trans-expressed trxH gene restored the lost virulence of TX01∆trxH. There is likely to be a complex relationship of functional complementation or expression regulation between TrxH and another two thioredoxins, TrxA and TrxC, of E. piscicida. This is the first functional report of TrxH in fish pathogens, and the findings suggest that TrxHEp is essential for coping with adverse circumstances and contributes to host infection of E. piscicida.

The association between glycometabolism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: Growing evidence has revealed that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to assess the association between glycometabolism and NAFLD in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Patients with suspected OSA were enrolled consecutively and then underwent polysomnography, liver ultrasound, and biochemical measurements. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with NAFLD. RESULTS: In total, 415 patients were included. The prevalence of NAFLD in the non-OSA, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA groups was 37.21%, 69.09%, 68.34%, and 78.08%, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression suggested that percentage of total sleep time spent with oxygen saturation of < 90% (TS90), lowest oxygen saturation (LaSO2), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were independently associated with NAFLD in all subjects, after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 1.037, p = 0.014; OR = 1.056, p = 0.004; OR = 0.732, p = 0.009; respectively). TS90, LaSO2, and HOMA-IR were also independent predictors for NAFLD in patients with mild and moderate OSA, whereas TS90, LaSO2, and ODI were independent predictors for NAFLD in patients with severe OSA. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between OSA and NAFLD, and the combination of disordered glycometabolism and intermittent hypoxia may act as a "two hit" mechanism to promote the development of NAFLD. Furthermore, intermittent hypoxia alone was an independent predictor for NAFLD in severe OSA patients.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of the flavonoid-rich extract from Flos populus.

Flos populi is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, obtained from the male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa Carr. or Populus canadensis Moench. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Flos populi extract by various in-vitro and in-vivo methods. In-vitro results showed that Flos populi extract had strong antioxidant potential in terms of Superoxide radical and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, nitrogen dioxide radical inhibition and the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Mice were given with Flos populi extract via gavage for 1 month to scrutinize the in-vivo antioxidant effects of Flos populi. The results revealed that Flos populi extract had markedly enhanced the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while decreased the level of malondialdehvde (MDA) in serums and livers of mice compared to CCl4 treated group. Additionally, the flavonoids content were determined by the colorimetric method was 553.23 ± 23.45mg/g. The extract was further examined by HPLC and showed the presence of flavonoids-including quercetin (16.26±0.58mg/g), luteolin (9.97±1.07mg/g), apigenin (8.57±0.46mg/g), pinocembrin (119.71±1.05mg/g) and chrysin (16.12±0.53mg/g). The study revealed that Flos populi extract had antioxidant activity and could be utilized as a potential natural antioxidant.