Virioplankton assemblages from challenger deep, the deepest place in the oceans

Hadal ocean biosphere, that is, the deepest part of the world’s oceans, harbors a unique microbial community, suggesting a potential uncovered co-occurring virioplankton assemblage. Herein, we reveal the unique virioplankton assemblages of the Challenger Deep, comprising 95,813 non-redundant viral contigs from the surface to the hadal zone. Almost all of the dominant viral contigs in the hadal zone were unclassified, potentially related to Alteromonadales and Oceanospirillales. 2,586 viral auxiliary metabolic genes from 132 different KEGG orthologous groups were mainly related to the carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and arsenic metabolism. Lysogenic viral production and integrase genes were augmented in the hadal zone, suggesting the prevalence of viral lysogenic life strategy. Abundant rve genes in the hadal zone, which function as transposase in the caudoviruses, further suggest the prevalence of viral-mediated horizontal gene transfer. This study provides fundamental insights into the virioplankton assemblages of the hadal zone, reinforcing the necessity of incorporating virioplankton into the hadal biogeochemical cycles.

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The unique virioplankton assemblages of the Challenger Deep were revealed

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Virus encoded auxiliary metabolic genes relating to the biogeochemical cycling

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Viruses in deep and hadal zone tend to be lysogenic, and potentially mediate the horizontal gene transfer

Clinical characteristics of 310 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant patients and comparison with Delta and Beta variant patients in China

Although the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant has spread, data on the clinical characteristics of infected patients are limited. In this study, the demographic, clinical characteristics, and laboratory data of 310 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant patients treated at Haihe Hospital of Tianjin were collected and analyzed. Information on these patients was compared to 96 patients with the Delta variant of concern (VOC) and 326 patients with the Beta VOC during the previous coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Harbin. Of the 310 patients infected with the Omicron variant, the median age was 35 years. Most patients were clinically classified as mild (57.74%), and the most common symptoms were cough (48.71%), fever (39.35%), and sore throat (38.26%). The results for different vaccination groups in the Omicron group showed that the median of “SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG” after 2 or 3 doses of vaccination was higher than the unvaccinated group (all Ps ​< ​0.05). Older age was associated with a higher proportion of moderate cases and lower asymptomatic and mild cases based on clinical classifications. Compared to the Delta and Beta groups, the median age of the Omicron group was younger. The total number of asymptomatic patients and mild patients in the Omicron virus group was higher than the Delta and Beta groups (60.97% vs. 54.17% vs. 47.55%). This study presented the clinical characteristics of the first group of patients infected with the Omicron variant in Tianjin, China, and compared their clinical features with patients infected by the Delta and Beta variants, which would increase our understanding of the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

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Clinical features of the Chinese first group of patients infected Omicron variants were studied.

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The effects of vaccine and age on Omicron group were analyzed.

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Compared with the Delta and Beta groups, the symptoms in Omicron group were less severe.

Development of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Rapid Detection System Based on Platinum Microelectrode

Rapid and highly sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in blood could effectively improve the diagnostic sensitivity of colorectal cancer. In this work, a platinum microelectrode (PtμE) modified with gold nanoparticles was developed as a microsensor for the detection of CEA. As the recognition element, a CEA aptamer modified with sulfhydryl could be conjugated onto the surface of the PtμEs/Au. The quantitative analysis of the concentration of CEA [CEA] by the prepared PtμEs/Au aptasensor was carried out through square wave voltammetry. Under the optimized conditions, the PtμEs/Au aptasensor exhibits a linear response toward [CEA] in the range of 1.0 × 10^–11—1.0 × 10^–7 g/ml (S = 5.5 nA/dec, R² = 0.999), and the detection limit is 7.7 × 10^–12 g/ml. The PtμEs/Au aptasensor also has good selectivity against other types of proteins existing in blood. The availability of the developed assay toward [CEA] in blood samples was investigated, and the results agreed well with those obtained through electrochemiluminescence provided by the hospital, and the volume of the blood sample for detection is only 20 μl. Herein, the proposed detection system could be used for the quantitative analysis of CEA in blood, with the advantages of high sensitivity, short time, and low cost. Moreover, the PtμEs/Au aptasensor has a potential application in clinical diagnosis.

[A qualitative systematic review and enlightenment of teaching models and evaluation in the general education of epidemiology in China and abroad]

Objective: This study aims to systematically sort out the effectiveness evaluation of the general education teaching models in epidemiology at home and abroad and provide a reference for the development and reform of epidemiology education. Methods: A systematic search of English databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science and Chinese databases such as CNKI, Sinomed, Wanfang, etc., were used to screen out the literature on different general teaching models of education in epidemiology. Each literature's teaching effect will be summarized and evaluated to conduct a systematic qualitative review in the narrative integration method, Results: A total of 45 articles (28 in Chinese and 17 in English) were included in this study, involving 14 teaching models, including mixed teaching models, PBL (problem-based learning), project designing models, and CBL (case-based learning) and other teaching models. Except for some teaching models such as project design, network platform, and flipped classroom model, the teaching effect of other innovative models is better than that of the traditional model. The distribution of teaching models was different in Chinese and foreign literature. Foreign teaching models were diverse, mainly concentrated in mixed teaching models and software/network platform learning. Domestic teaching models were relatively fixed. The mixed teaching model and PBL model were the most widely used in China, and there were fewer comparative studies between different teaching models than in foreign countries. Conclusion: General education in epidemiology is still in the early exploration stage. Compared with the traditional lecture model, the effect of various innovative teaching models has been improved. According to teaching objectives and student characteristics, we encourage extensive use of different teaching strategies, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications and integrating epidemiological knowledge with inter-professional knowledge. Thus, students who can apply what they learn are becoming interdisciplinary talents our society needs.

[Effects of topical anesthesia with 1% tetracaine on hemodynamic responses in microlaryngosurgery]

Objective: To observe the effects of topical anesthesia with 1% tetracaine on hemodynamic responses in general anesthesia patients undergoing microlaryngosurgery. Methods: From October 2021 to December 2021, 92 patients (46 males and 46 females) in Beijing Tongren Hospital, with a median age [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 51 (42, 57) years who scheduled for microlaryngosurgery under general anesthesia, were divided into two groups (n=46 in each group) using the random number table method. Group T received topical anesthesia with 1% tetracaine at the root of the tongue and epiglottis and glottis on the basis of general intravenous anesthesia induction, with 0.5 ml at each position, while the control group (group C) received equal volume of normal saline. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at the time of patients entering the operating room (baseline), after induction, after intubation, immediately after suspending laryngoscopy, 1 min after suspending laryngoscopy, 3 min after suspending laryngoscopy, 5 min after suspending laryngoscopy and immediately after extubation. The recovery profiles, including time to recover breathing, time to open eyes, time to extubation and adverse reactions were evaluated during recovery period. Results: The MAP of patients in group T at baseline, after induction, after intubation, immediately after suspending laryngoscopy, 1 min after suspending laryngoscopy, 3 min after suspending laryngoscopy, 5 min after suspending laryngoscopy and immediately after extubation were (99.4±12.9), (78.5±8.8), (79.2±10.2), (100.6±17.0), (101.9±14.7), (100.8±13.9), (97.4±12.1), (107.3±16.8) mmHg (1 mmH=0.133 kPa), respectively, while in group C were (99.5±11.6), (80.9±12.8), (90.5±16.0), (109.5±20.4), (108.0±18.9), (103.7±15.5), (100.1±13.3), (114.2±17.3) mmHg, respectively. The two critical time points of MAP after intubation and immediately suspending laryngoscopy in group C were significantly higher than group T (P<0.05).The HR of patients in group T at baseline, after induction, after intubation, immediately after suspending laryngoscopy, 1 min after suspending laryngoscopy, 3 min after suspending laryngoscopy, 5 min after suspending laryngoscopy and immediately after extubation was (71.3±10.6), (66.0±10.1), (69.5±11.4), (61.3±14.2), (69.8±9.8), (71.0±10.6), (70.6±11.0), (78.8±11.6) bmp, respectively, while in group C were (73.1±10.9), (67.8±9.9), (79.5±12.9), (57.1±18.1), (69.2±12.8), (71.4±11.7), (70.7±11.5), (85.3±13.0) bmp, respectively. The two critical time points of HR after intubation and after extubation in group C were significantly higher than that of group T (P<0.05). The time to recover breathing in the two groups was (11.8±3.5) min and (11.3±4.6) min, respectively. The time to open eyes was (12.0±3.3) min and (11.5±5.0) min, respectively. The time to extubation was (13.2±3.7) min and (12.6±4.9) min, respectively. There were no statistically significant difference in time to recovery between the two groups (P>0.05). Likewise, there were no toxic reactions to local anesthetics, respiratory depression, hypoxemia, laryngospasm and cough occurred in either group. Conclusion: Topical anesthesia with 1% tetracaine can effectively reduce the hemodynamic changes without influencing patient's recovery, and does not increase the incidence of adverse reactions.

AB1346 ULTRASOUND ASSESSMENT OF SUB-CLINICAL HAND JOINT INFLAMMATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN EARLY RHEUMATOID AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background

Ultrasound (US) detected subclinical inflammation can be present in early psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and also in patients fulfilling clinical remission criteria[1-2]. Numerous evidences support that the persistence of subclinical synovitis detected by US is associated with a high risk of disease progression [2-3].

Objectives

To evaluate sub-clinical inflammation of PsA and RA at the level of small joints of the hand and wrist by B-mode and Power Doppler US.

Methods

30 patients of early PsA and 35 patients of early RA (no clinical evidence of hand joint involvement, PsA disease duration <2 years, and RA disease duration <1 year) were recruited. US [grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD)] was performed to assess synovitis, tenosynovitis, joint effusion, and bone erosion of bilateral wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, as well as the flexor tendons and extensor compartments.

Results

A total of 35 patients were included in the RA group, including 10 males and 25 females. A total of 30 patients were included in the PsA group, including 12 males and 18 females. There were no significant differences in gender composition, age, and duration of disease between the two groups (P>0.05) (Table 1). 19 (63.33%) PsA patients and 16 (45.71%) RA patients had sub-clinical hand joint synovitis. At the joint level, wrist joints were most commonly involved (23.08%), followed by MCP3 (15.38%) and DIP3 (13.46%) in PsA group. In RA group, wrist joints were most commonly involved (55.17%), followed by MCP3 (12.41%), and MCP2 (11.03%). Eight (26.67%) PsA patients and 16 (45.71%) RA patients were detected tenosynovitis. Tenosynovitis was most frequently presented at the extensor tendons in RA and at the flexor tendons in PsA patients (p<0.05). The two most commonly affected were the 4th and 1st extensor compartments in RA patients, and the flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus in PsA patients. 81 (6.80%) joint recesses in the RA and 75 (7.35%) joint recesses in PsA were detected effusion. Joint effusion was most frequently detected at radiocarpal and midcarpal joints in RA (30.86%, 25.92%, respectively). Effusion in PsA was most commonly presented at the 3rd PIP joints (26.67%), followed by radiocarpal joints (24.00%). Bone erosions were uncommon, totally 2 (6.67%) PsA patients and 3 (8.57%) RA patients were detected bone erosions.

Table 1.

Demographic characteristics of RA and PsA patients

RA (n=35)PsA (n=30)PFemale, n(%)25 (71.43%)18 (60.00%)0.33Age, years, mean±SD53.20±14.5054.23±13.650.77Disease duration, years, mean±SD0.72±0.370.91±0.530.07

Conclusion

There are significant differences in the US findings of sub-clinical inflammation at the hand and wrist joints, such as the joint effusion and tenosynovitis, which may assist the identification between early RA and PsA. Simultaneously, it should be pointed out that there are some similarities in the joint involvement of sub-clinical synovitis between RA and PsA, physicians should take this into account in clinical work.

Figure 1.

Gray scale ultrasound sagittal view shows synovitis at the wrist joint in an RA patient (A) and at MCP3 in a PsA patient.

References

[1]Freeston JE, Coates LC, Nam JL, et al. Is there subclinical synovitis in early psoriatic arthritis? A clinical comparison with gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound. Arthritis Care & Research, 2014,66:432-439.

[2]Kawashiri SY, Suzuki T, Nakashima Y, et al. Ultrasonographic examination of rheumatoid arthritis patients who are free of physical synovitis: power Doppler subclinical synovitis is associated with bone erosion. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2014,53:562-569.

[3]Vreju FA, Filippucci E, Gutierrez M, et al. Subclinical ultrasound synovitis in a particular joint is associated with ultrasound evidence of bone erosions in that same joint in rheumatoid patients in clinical remission. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 2016,34:673-678.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82071930).

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1163 PHARMACOKINETICS OF PEGLOTICASE AND METHOTREXATE POLYGLUTAMATE(S) IN PATIENTS WITH UNCONTROLLED GOUT RECEIVING PEGLOTICASE AND CO-TREATMENT WITH METHOTREXATE

Background

In a prior open-label, single-arm trial in adults with uncontrolled gout (MIRROR open-label [OL] trial), methotrexate (MTX) co-treatment with pegloticase suggested improved efficacy of pegloticase by reducing its immunogenicity.1,2 The current randomized, controlled trial (MIRROR RCT) confirmed that pegloticase-MTX co-therapy markedly increased pegloticase response rate (response defined as serum uric acid <6 mg/dL during ≥80% of Month 6) compared to pegloticase-placebo (PBO) co-therapy (71.0% vs. 38.5%) with a decreased infusion reaction rate and no new safety signals reported.

Objectives

To evaluate systemic exposures of pegloticase and its immunogenicity in uncontrolled gout patients receiving pegloticase with and without MTX as part of the MIRROR RCT; and to determine exposure of methotrexate polyglutamate(s) (MTX-PGs) in uncontrolled gout patients through Month 6 of treatment.

Methods

In MIRROR RCT, MTX (15 mg/wk) or matching PBO was given orally 4 weeks prior to the first pegloticase dose and continued weekly, in combination with pegloticase 8 mg given intravenously every 2 weeks, over a 52-week treatment period. Pre-infusion blood samples were collected to measure MTX polyglutamates (MTX-PGs, including MTX-PG1-5) in red blood cells and pre- and post-infusion serum samples were obtained to measure trough (Cmin) and peak (Cmax) concentrations of pegloticase, respectively, at multiple visits. MTX-PG and pegloticase concentrations were summarized by visit and by treatment group. Pre-infusion serum samples for anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibody (Ab) measurement were also collected at multiple pre-defined time points. Anti-PEG Ab incidence and titer were summarized by visit and by treatment group.

Results

Overall, higher Cmax and Cmin of pegloticase were observed in the pegloticase + MTX group than in the pegloticase + PBO group (Figure 1). At Week 14, median (first quartile [Q1], third quartile [Q3]) Cmin was 1.32 (0.73, 1.74) µg/mL and 0.63 (0.30, 1.28) µg/mL for the pegloticase + MTX and pegloticase + PBO groups, respectively. Median (Q1, Q3) Cmax was 3.01 (1.94, 3.94) µg/mL and 2.66 (1.45, 3.20) µg/mL for the pegloticase + MTX and pegloticase + PBO groups, respectively. Improved pegloticase response was associated with higher pegloticase concentrations. At Week 14, Cmin was below the quantitation limit (0.6 µg/mL) for 8 of 10 non-responders and 1.26 (0.72, 1.71) µg/mL for responders. MTX co-administration reduced the incidence of new anti-PEG antibody formation. The proportion of subjects with an increase from baseline in anti-PEG Ab titers or who were negative at baseline and developed an anti-PEG Ab response at ≥1 post-dose time point during pegloticase treatment was 29.5% and 51.0%, for the pegloticase + MTX and pegloticase + PBO groups, respectively. The pegloticase + MTX group had overall lower titer levels than those in the pegloticase + PBO group. Positive anti-PEG Ab status was associated with a lower pegloticase Cmin. Concentrations of MTX-PGs were maintained during the treatment course in the pegloticase + MTX group, suggesting compliance with MTX administration. There was no apparent difference in concentrations of MTX-PGs (including MTX-PG3, the predominant form of MTX-PGs4) between responders and non-responders. MTX-PG concentrations were in the same range as those reported for low-dose oral MTX use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,3 suggesting no impact of pegloticase on MTX PK.

Conclusion

Pegloticase 8 mg IV every 2 weeks with MTX co-treatment (oral 15 mg weekly) reduced anti-PEG Ab incidence and resulted in higher pegloticase exposures compared to pegloticase administered with PBO, consistent with the increased clinical efficacy observed with pegloticase + MTX co-administration.

References

[1]Botson J, et al. J Rheumatol 2021;48:767-74

[2]Song Y, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2020;72(suppl 10)

[3]Dervieux T, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2013;72:908-10

[4]Choi R. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021;201:114124

Disclosure of Interests

Yan Xin Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Yang Song Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Michael E. Weinblatt Consultant of: Horizon Therapeutics, Jason Chamberlain Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Jennifer Zarzoso Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Katie Obermeyer Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Stephen Sainati Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Colleen Canavan Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Srini Ramanathan Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics

Transcriptome analysis of the potential molecular mechanism of enteritis in intestine and hepatopancreas of Litopenaeus vannamei

The prawn, Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei), is the most widely farmed species in the world but the incidence of enteritis in L. vannamei has increased in recent years. However, the pathogenesis of enteritis remains unclear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the hepatopancreatic and intestinal transcriptome of healthy and enteritis-affected individuals from the same pond. In total, 1209 and 1608 differently-expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the hepatopancreatic and intestinal transcriptomes, respectively. Significantly changed genes were enriched in the intestinal immune network for IgA Production, Lysosomes, Sphingolipid Metabolism and the Peroxisome Signaling Pathway. Expression of the integrin α4β7 gene was significantly increased in the intestine of L. vannamei with enteritis, while expression of 38 DEGs associated with the lysosome was significantly down-regulated. Furthermore, the expression of sphingolipid metabolism-related enzymes and superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes was also significantly decreased, indicating that abnormal autoimmune function, weak intestinal resistance to external pathogenic microbial invasion, and self-healing ability were important factors associated with enteritis in L. vannamei. In addition, the expression of trypsin and pancreatic lipase was decreased in the hepatopancreas of L. vannamei with enteritis. This study provided new insights into the possible molecular pathogenesis of enteritis in L. vannamei.

Transthyretin-induced increase in circ_0007411 represses neovascularization of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells in hyperglycemia via the miR-548m/PTPN12/SKP1/EGFR pathway

Background

To investigate the mechanism of transthyretin (TTR) induced high expression of circ_0007411 and its parent gene, protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 12 (PTPN12) in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRECs) cultivated under high glucose condition.

Methods

The levels of PTPN12, circ_0007411, miR-548m, S-phase kinase associated protein 1 (SKP1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The direct interaction between circ_0007411/PTPN12 and miR-548m was investigated via Dual-luciferase reporter assay. The physiological characterization of hRECs was investigated through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) labelling, Transwell, flow cytometry (FCM), wound healing, and tube formation assays. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was used to detect the interaction between PTPN12 and SKP1. The function of PTPN12 against diabetic retinopathy (DR) was studied in streptozotocin (STZ) induced DR C57BL/6 mice.

Results

The levels of circ_0007411 was increased in hRECs in hyperglycemia with the induction of TTR. The overexpressed circ_0007411 could significantly enhance the level of PTPN12 and repress that of miR-548m, and it could enhance apoptosis and prohibit the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of hRECs. miR-548m mimics enhanced the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of hRECs by reducing the expression level of PTPN12 and promoting that of EGFR, whereas circ_0007411 rescued it. The direct binding of PTPN12 and SKP1 was confirmed by Co-IP. Additionally, the anti-neovascularization function of PTPN12 was confirmed in a STZ-induced mouse model of DR.

Conclusions

In hyperglycemia, the TTR-induced increase in circ_0007411 could repress retinal neovascularization via the miR-548m/PTPN12/SKP1/EGFR pathway.

Solid surface frustrated Lewis pair constructed on layered AlOOH for hydrogenation reaction

Designing heterogeneous solid surface frustrated Lewis pair (ssFLP) catalyst for hydrogenation is a new challenge in catalysis and no research has been reported on the construction of ssFLP on boehmite (AlOOH) surfaces up to now as far as we know. Herein, AlOOH with a layer structure is prepared and it is found that the Lewis basic O_Hv site (one H removed from OH) and an adjacent Lewis acidic unsaturated Al site (Al³⁺_unsatur.) proximal to a surface OH_v (OH vacancy) on AlOOH layers could form the ssFLP. The layered structure of AlOOH and its abundant OH defects over the surface result in a high concentration of O_Hv/Al³⁺_unsatur. FLPs, which are conducive to highly efficient hydrogen activation for hydrogenation of olefins and alkynes with low H-H bond dissociates activation energy of 0.16 eV under mild conditions (T = 80°C and P(H₂) = 2.0 MPa). This work develops a new kind of hydrogenation catalyst and provides a new perspective for creating solid surface FLP.

Designing heterogeneous solid surface frustrated Lewis pair (ssFLP) catalyst for hydrogenation is a new challenge in catalysis. Here, the authors show the ssFLP can be constructed on layered AlOOH for hydrogenation reactions under mild conditions.

A review ofimaging genetics in Alzheimer's disease

Determining the association between genetic variation and phenotype is a key step to study the mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD), laying the foundation for studying drug therapies and biomarkers. AD is the most common type of dementia in the aged population. At present, three early-onset AD genes (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2) and one late-onset AD susceptibility gene apolipoprotein E (APOE) have been determined. However, the pathogenesis of AD remains unknown. Imaging genetics, an emerging interdisciplinary field, is able to reveal the complex mechanisms from the genetic level to human cognition and mental disorders via macroscopic intermediates. This paper reviews methods of establishing genotype-phenotype to explore correlations, including sparse canonical correlation analysis, sparse reduced rank regression, sparse partial least squares and so on. We found that most research work did poorly in supervised learning and exploring the nonlinear relationship between SNP-QT.

Spinal anesthesia alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by modulating the gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease with recurrent intestinal inflammation. Although the exact etiology of IBD remains unknown, the accepted hypothesis of the pathogenesis to date is that abnormal immune responses to the gut microbiota are caused by environmental factors. The role of the gut microbiota, particularly the bidirectional interaction between the brain and gut microbiota, has gradually attracted more attention.

AIM

To investigate the potential effect of spinal anesthesia on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice and to detect whether alterations in the gut microbiota would be crucial for IBD.

METHODS

A DSS-induced colitis mice model was established. Spinal anesthesia was administered on colitis mice in combination with the methods of cohousing and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to explore the role of spinal anesthesia in IBD and identify the potential mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that spinal anesthesia had protective effects against DSS-induced colitis by alleviating clinical symptoms, including reduced body weight loss, decreased disease activity index score, improved intestinal permeability and colonic morphology, decreased inflammatory response, and enhanced intestinal barrier functions. Moreover, spinal anesthesia significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes, which was suppressed in the gut microbiota of colitis mice. Interestingly, cohousing with spinal anesthetic mice and FMT from spinal anesthetic mice can also alleviate DSS-induced colitis by upregulating the abundance of Bacteroidetes. We further showed that spinal anesthesia can reduce the increase in noradrenaline levels induced by DSS, which might affect the gut microbiota.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that microbiota dysbiosis may contribute to IBD and provide evidence supporting the protective effects of spinal anesthesia on IBD by modulating the gut microbiota, which highlights a novel approach for the treatment of IBD.

Hypoxia Induces Oxidative Injury and Apoptosis via Mediating the Nrf-2/Hippo Pathway in Blood Cells of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Investigating how aquatic animals respond to hypoxia brought about by changes in environmental temperature may be of great significance to avoid oxidative injury and maintain the quality of farmed fish in the background of global warming. Here, we investigated the effects of hypoxia on oxidative injury and environment-sensing pathway in blood cells of Micropterus salmoides. The total blood cell count (TBCC) and Giemsa staining showed that hypoxia could lead to damage of blood cells. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the apoptosis rate, Ca2+ level, NO production and ROS of blood cells were significantly increased under hypoxia stress. Environment-sensing pathways, such as Nrf2 pathway showed that hypoxia resulted in significant up-regulation of hiF-1 alpha subunit (Hif-1α), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and kelch-1ike ECH- associated protein l (Keap1) expression. Meanwhile, the expression of Hippo pathway-related genes such as MOB kinase activator 1 (MOB1), large tumor suppressor homolog 1/2 (Lats1/2), yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) were significantly increased in blood cells after hypoxia exposure. In addition, hypoxia stress also increased the expression of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), but decreased the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Consequently, our results suggested that hypoxia could induce oxidative injury and apoptosis via mediating environment-sensing pathway such as Nrf2/Hippo pathway in blood cells of M. salmoides.

PRR-Mediated Immune Response and Intestinal Flora Profile in Soybean Meal-Induced Enteritis of Pearl Gentian Groupers, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can recognize microbial-specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns, initiate signal cascade transduction, activate the expressions of host immunity and proinflammatory genes, and, ultimately, trigger an immune response against identified pathogens. The present study focused on two outcomes of feeding pearl gentian groupers with high levels of soybean meal (SBM): (1) growth performance and (2) the intestinal environment, including tissue structure, flora profile, and immune responses. Some 720 groupers were randomly divided into three groups (n = 4): (1) controls, fed a 50% fish meal feed (FM), (2) with 20% of the FM substituted with SBM (SBM20), and (3) 40% of the FM substituted with SBM (SBM40). The fish were fed these iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets for 10 weeks. They were kept in containers with 1 m3 of water under natural light and temperature levels. The experimental results demonstrate that the SBM diets significantly degraded growth performance and intestinal physiology. Typical enteritis characteristics and immune fluctuations appeared, as reflected by the enzyme activities of total superoxide dismutase and lysozyme, and the contents of immunoglobulin M, complement 3, and complement 4. 16SrDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that the intestinal flora was significantly affected, with the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Vibrio and Streptococcus, increasing with dietary SBM level. Based on "3 + 2" full-length transcriptome sequencing, three triggered PRRs were found in the intestine: the RIG-like receptor, NOD-like receptor, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. The intestinal flora variations were significantly correlated with the activation of the three PRR signaling pathways by canonical correlation analysis. These culminated in the transcriptome activation of NF-κB, IRFs, and costimulatory molecules, ultimately promoting the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, interferons (IFNs), chemokines, and other molecules vital to the innate and/or adaptive immune responses. This study provides new information for diagnosing and preventing SBMIE in aquaculture fish.

Predicting depression among rural and urban disabled elderly in China using a random forest classifier

With global aging, the number of elderly with physical disabilities is also increasing. Compared with the ordinary elderly, the elderly who lose their independence are more likely to have the symptoms of depression. Reducing depression may help to alleviate the disability process of those who find themselves in the disabled stages. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the predictive effects of demographic characteristics, health behavior, health status, family relations, social relations, and subjective attitude on depression in rural and urban disabled elderly to improve early depression symptom recognition.A total of 1460 older adults aged 60 and disabled were selected from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Depression was assessed according to The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). This paper used the random forest classifier to predict the depression of the disabled elderly from six aspects: demographic characteristics, health status, health behavior, family relationship, and social relationship. The prediction model was established based on 70% of the training set and 30% of the test set. The depression rate of rural disabled elderly was 57.67%, and that of urban disabled elderly was 44.59%. The mean values of the 10-k cross-validated results were 0.71 in rural areas and 0.70 in urban areas. AUC:0.71, specificity: 65.3%, sensitivity: 80.6% for rural disabled elderly with depression; AUC:0.78, specificity: 78.1%, sensitivity: 64.2% for urban disabled elderly with depression, respectively. There are apparent differences in the top ten predictors between rural and urban disabled elderly. The common predictors were self-rated health, changing in perceived health, disease or accidence experience within the past 2 weeks, life satisfaction, trusting people, BMI, and having trust in the future. Non-common predictors were chronic diseases, neighborly relations, total medical expenses within 1 year, community emotion, sleep duration, and family per capita income. Using random forest data to predict the depression of the disabled elderly may lead to early detection of depression.

Recreating the natural evolutionary trend in key microdomains provides an effective strategy for engineering of a thermomicrobial N-demethylase

N-demethylases have been reported to remove the methyl groups on primary or secondary amines, which could further affect the properties and functions of biomacromolecules or chemical compounds; however, the substrate scope and the robustness of N-demethylases have not been systematically investigated. Here we report the recreation of natural evolution in key microdomains of the Thermomicrobium roseum sarcosine oxidase (TrSOX), an N-demethylase with marked stability (melting temperature over 100 °C) and enantioselectivity, for enhanced substrate scope and catalytic efficiency on -C-N- bonds. We obtained the structure of TrSOX by crystallization and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the initial framework. The natural evolution in the nonconserved residues of key microdomains—including the catalytic loop, coenzyme pocket, substrate pocket, and entrance site—was then identified using ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR), and the substitutions that accrued during natural evolution were recreated by site-directed mutagenesis. The single and double substitution variants catalyzed the N-demethylation of N-methyl-L-amino acids up to 1800- and 6000-fold faster than the wild type, respectively. Additionally, these single substitution variants catalyzed the terminal N-demethylation of non-amino-acid compounds and the oxidation of the main chain -C-N- bond to a -C=N- bond in the nitrogen-containing heterocycle. Notably, these variants retained the enantioselectivity and stability of the initial framework. We conclude that the variants of TrSOX are of great potential use in N-methyl enantiomer resolution, main-chain Schiff base synthesis, and alkaloid modification or degradation.

Halomonas profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Mariana Trench

Two novel Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated MT13T and MT32, were isolated from sediment samples collected from the Mariana Trench at a depth of 8300 m. The two strains grew at −2–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 5.5–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5–8.0) and with 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3–6 %). They did not reduce nitrate to nitrite nor hydrolyse Tweens 40 and 80, aesculin, casein, starch and DNA. The genomic G+C contents of draft genomes of strain MT13T and MT32 were 52.2 and 54.1 m ol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains MT13T and MT32 were affiliated with the genus Halomonas , with the highest similarity to the type strain of Halomonas olivaria . The values of average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization between strain MT13T and MT32, and between strain MT13T and five closely related type strains of Halomonas species indicated that strains MT13T and MT32 belonged to the same species, but represented a novel species in the genus of Halomonas . The major cellular fatty acids of strains MT13T and MT32 were C16 : 0, summed feature 3(C16 : 1  ω7c/ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1  ω7c/ω6c). Major polar lipids of strains MT13T and MT32 included phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. Ubiquinone-9 was the predominant respiratory quinone. Based on data from the present polyphasic study, strains MT13T and MT32 represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas , for which the name Halomonas profundi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MT13T (=MCCC 1K06389T=KCTC 82923T).

Heterostructural Sn/SnO2 microcube powders coated by a nitrogen-doped carbon layer as good-performance anode materials for lithium ion batteries

The nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) coating encapsulating heterostructural Sn/SnO₂ microcube powders (Sn/SnO₂@NC) are successfully fabricated through hydrothermal, polymerization of hydrogel, and carbonization processes, in which the SnO precursor powders exhibit regular microcube structure and uniform size distribution in the presence of optimized N₂H₄·H₂O (3.0 mL of 1.0 mol/L). Interestingly, the precursor powders are easily subjected to a disproportionated reaction to yield the desirable heterostructural Sn/SnO₂@NC microcube powders after being calcined at 600 °C in N₂ atmosphere in the presence of home-made hydrogel. The coin cells assembled with the Sn/SnO₂@NC electrode present a high initial discharge specific capacity (1058 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1), improved rate capability (an excellent D_Li+ value of 2.82 × 10^-15 cm² s^-1) and enhanced cycling stability (a reversible discharge specific capacity of 486.5 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^-1). The enhanced electrochemical performance can be partly ascribed to the heterostructural microcube that can accelerate the transfer rate of lithium ions by shortening the transmission paths, and be partly to the NC coating that can accommodate the volume effect and contribute to partial lithium storage capacity. Therefore, the strategy may be able to extend the fabrication of Sn/SnO₂ heterostructural microcube powders and further application as promising anode materials in lithium ion batteries.

Phosphorylation-Induced Ubiquitination and Degradation of PXR through CDK2-TRIM21 Axis

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is activated by a variety of endogenous metabolites or xenobiotics. Its downstream target genes are involved in metabolism, inflammation and processes closely related to cancer. However, the stability regulation of PXR protein resulting from post-translational modification is still largely undefined. In the present study, primary mouse hepatocytes, hepatoma HepG2 cells and HEK 293T cells were used to investigate gene expression and protein interactions. The role of kinases was evaluated by RNA interference and overexpression constructs with or without PXR phosphorylation site mutations. The activity of CYP3A4 and P-gp was determined by enzymatic and substrate accumulation assays. It was found that E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 mediates the ubiquitination and degradation of PXR and plays an important role in regulating the activity of PXR. On this basis, PXR phosphorylation-associated kinases were evaluated regarding regulation of the stability of PXR. We found cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) exclusively phosphorylates PXR at Ser350, promotes its disassociation with Hsp90/DNAJC7, and leads to subsequent TRIM21-mediated PXR ubiquitination and degradation. As well-known CDK inhibitors, dinaciclib and kenpaullone stabilize PXR and result in elevated expression and activity of PXR-targeted DMETs, including carboxylesterases, CYP3A4 and P-gp. The suppressed degradation of PXR by CDK2 inhibitors denotes dinaciclib-induced promotion of PXR-targeted genes. The findings of CDK2-mediated PXR degradation indicate a wide range of potential drug–drug interactions during clinical cancer therapy using CDK inhibitors and imply an alternative direction for the development of novel PXR antagonists.

Highly efficient catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid using bimetallic Pt-Cu alloy nanoparticles as catalysts

Bimetallic platinum-copper alloy nanoparticles are highly active catalysts for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) under base-free conditions, with a high turnover frequency of up to 135 h^-1 in aqueous solution. The Pt-Cu_1.5/AC alloyed catalyst promoted the rate-determining step in the tandem oxidation compared with the monometallic Pt/AC catalyst, thus improving the catalytic performance.