Effect of systemic lupus erythematosus on the ovarian reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that occurs at higher rates in young women. Evidence suggests that SLE may be associated with ovarian dysfunction. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the possible effects of SLE on ovarian reserve function. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception to July 2023 to identify studies that compared ovarian reserve in patients with SLE to that of healthy individuals. The study examined anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen studies (n=1017) were eligible for meta-analysis. Females with SLE had significantly lower levels of AMH (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.37 to -0.76, P<0.001) and AFC (WMD: -3.46, 95% CI: -4.57 to -2.34, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in FSH levels. Subgroup analyses by age of onset revealed that SLE patients with adult-onset had significantly lower AMH levels (WMD: -1.44, 95% CI: -1.71 to -1.18, P<0.001), lower AFCs (WMD: -3.11, 95% CI: -3.60 to -2.61, P<0.001) and higher FSH levels (WMD: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.15 to 1.05, P<0.01). However, SLE patients with juvenile-onset did not exhibit significant differences in their AMH and FSH levels, except for AFCs (WMD: -7.27, 95% CI: -12.39 to -2.14, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The impact of SLE on ovarian reserve is significant, and the effect may be particularly severe in cases of adult-onset SLE.

METTL3 orchestrates glycolysis by stabilizing the c-Myc/WDR5 complex in triple-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The carcinogenic transcription factor c-Myc is the most aggressive oncogene, which drive malignant transformation and dissemination of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Recruitment of many cofactors, especially WDR5, a protein that nucleates H3K4me chromatin modifying complexes, play a pivotal role in regulating c-Myc-dependent gene transcription, a critical process for c-Myc signaling to function in a variety of biological and pathological contexts. For this reason, interrupting the interaction between c-Myc and the transcription cofactor WDR5 may become the most promising new strategy for treating c-Myc driven TNBC. METHODS: Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry (IP-MS) is used to screen proteins that bind c-Myc/WDR5 interactions. The interaction of METTL3 with c-Myc/WDR5 in breast cancer tissues and TNBC cells was detected by Co-IP and immunofluorescence. Subsequently, we further analyzed the influence of METTL3 expression on c-Myc/WDR5 protein expression and its interaction stability by Western blot and Co-IP. The correlation between METTL3 and c-Myc pathway was analyzed by ChIP-seq sequencing and METTL3 knockdown transcriptome data. The effect of METTL3 expression on c-Myc transcriptional activity was detected by ChIP-qPCR and Dual Luciferase Reporter. At the same time, the overexpression vector METTL3-MUT (m6A) was constructed, which mutated the methyltransferase active site (Aa395-398, DPPW/APPA), and further explored whether the interaction between METTL3 and c-Myc/WDR5 was independent of methyltransferase activity. In addition, we also detected the changes of METTL3 expression on TNBC's sensitivity to small molecule inhibitors such as JQ1 and OICR9429 by CCK8, Transwell and clonal formation assays. Finally, we further verified our conclusions in spontaneous tumor formation mouse MMTV-PyMT and nude mouse orthotopic transplantation tumor models. RESULTS: METTL3 was found to bind mainly to c-Myc/WDR5 protein in the nucleus. It enhances the stability of c-Myc/WDR5 interaction through its methyltransferase independent mechanism, thereby enhancing the transcriptional activity of c-Myc on downstream glucose metabolism genes. Notably, the study also confirmed that METTL3 can directly participate in the transcription of glucose metabolism genes as a transcription factor, and knockdown METTL3 enhances the drug sensitivity of breast cancer cells to small molecule inhibitors JQ1 and OICR9429. The study was further confirmed by spontaneous tumor formation mouse MMTV-PyMT and nude mouse orthotopic transplantation tumor models. CONCLUSION: METTL3 binds to the c-Myc/WDR5 protein complex and promotes glycolysis, which plays a powerful role in promoting TNBC progression. Our findings further broaden our understanding of the role and mechanism of action of METTL3, and may open up new therapeutic avenues for effective treatment of TNBC with high c-Myc expression.

Trends in mortality due to tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancer across the BRICS: An age-period-cohort analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL) is a major cause of mortality and top contributor to productivity loss in large emerging economies such as the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). We examined the time trends of TBL mortality across the BRICS to better understand the disease burden in these countries and inform public health and healthcare resource allocation. METHODS: TBL mortality-related data between 1990 and 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and analyzed using age-period-cohort models. Net drift (local drift) was used to describe the expected age-adjusted TBL mortality rate over time overall (each age group); the longitudinal age curve was used to reflect the age effect; the period rate ratios (RRs) were used to reflect the period effect; and the cohort RR was used to reflect the cohort effect. RESULTS: In 2019, there were 958.3 thousand TBL deaths across the BRICS, representing 46.9% of the global TBL deaths. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of TBL decreased in Russia, Brazil, and South Africa while increased in China and India, with the largest reduction reported in Russia (-29.6%) and the largest increase in China (+22.4%). India showed an overall increase (+15.7%) in TBL mortality but the mortality risk decreased among individuals born after 1990 (men) and 1995 (women). Although South Africa and Brazil experienced an overall decline in TBL mortality, their recent birth cohorts, such as Brazilian individuals born after 1985 (men) and 1980 (women), and South African men born after 1995, had an increasing TBL mortality risk. China has experienced an overall increase in TBL mortality, with the mortality risk rising among individuals born after 1995 for both men and women. Russia, which had the highest TBL mortality among the BRICS countries in 1990, has demonstrated significant improvement over the past three decades. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 30 years, the BRICS accounted for an increasing proportion of global TBL mortality. TBL mortality increased in older women in all the BRICS countries except Russia. Among the recent birth cohort, the risk of TBL mortality increased in Brazil, China, and South Africa. More effective efforts are needed in the BRICS to reduce the burden of TBL and help achieve the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

First report of prevalence and assemblage analysis of Giardia duodenalis in pigs from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China.

Giardia duodenalis is a common intestinal protozoan that can cause diarrhea and intestinal disease in animals and in humans. However, the prevalence and assemblages of G. duodenalis in pigs from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have not been reported. In this study, a total of 724 fecal samples (201 from nursery pigs, 183 from piglets, 175 from breeding pigs, and 165 from fattening pigs) were obtained in four areas of the region (Nanning, Yulin, Hezhou, and Guigang). The gene of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) of G. duodenalis was amplified by nested PCR. The results show that the prevalence of G. duodenalis in pigs was 3.59% (26/724), of which 14 samples belonged to assemblage A (53.85%) and 12 samples belonged to assemblage E (46.15%). The infection rates of G. duodenalis in Hezhou, Yulin, Nanning, and Guigang were 0%, 0.7%, 10.8% and 1.1%, respectively (χ2 = 45.616, p < 0.01); whereas 5.1% of breeding pigs, 6.0% of piglets, 2.4% of fattening pigs, and 1.0% of nursery pigs were infected with G. duodenalis (χ2 = 8.874, p < 0.05). The SSU rRNA-positive samples were amplified by PCR based on the ß-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triphosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. Ten, eight and seven positive samples were detected, respectively. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the three genetic loci sequences, a multilocus genotyping A1 was found. The findings of this study provide basic data for the development of prevention and control of G. duodenalis infections in pigs and humans in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Title: Premier rapport sur la prévalence et l'analyse des assemblages de Giardia duodenalis chez les porcs de la région autonome Zhuang du Guangxi, dans le sud de la Chine. Abstract: Giardia duodenalis est un protozoaire intestinal commun qui peut provoquer des diarrhées et des maladies intestinales chez les animaux et les humains. Cependant, la prévalence et les assemblages de G. duodenalis chez les porcs de la région autonome Zhuang du Guangxi n'ont pas été rapportés. Dans cette étude, un total de 724 échantillons fécaux (201 provenant de jeunes porcelets, 183 de porcelets, 175 de porcs reproducteurs et 165 de porcs à l'engrais) ont été obtenus dans quatre zones de la région (Nanning, Yulin, Hezhou et Guigang). Le gène de la petite sous-unité de l'ARN ribosomal (ARNr SSU) de G. duodenalis a été amplifié par PCR nichée. Les résultats ont montré que la prévalence de G. duodenalis chez les porcs était de 3,59 % (26/724), dont 14 échantillons appartenaient à l'assemblages A (53,85 %) et 12 échantillons à l'assemblage E (46,15 %). Les taux d'infection par G. duodenalis à Hezhou, Yulin, Nanning et Guigang étaient respectivement de 0, 0,7 %, 10,8 % et 1,1 % (χ2 = 45,616, p < 0,01), alors que 5,1 % des porcs reproducteurs, 6,0 % des porcelets, 2,4 % de porcs à l'engrais et 1,0 % des jeunes porcelets étaient infectés par G. duodenalis (χ2 = 8,874, p < 0,05). Les échantillons positifs pour l'ARNr SSU ont été amplifiés par PCR basée sur les gènes de la ß-giardine (bg), de la glutamate déshydrogénase (gdh) et de la triphosphate isomérase (tpi), et dix, huit et sept échantillons positifs ont été détectés, respectivement. Sur la base de l'analyse phylogénétique des trois séquences de loci génétiques, un génotypage multilocus A1 a été trouvé. Les résultats de cette étude fournissent des données de base pour le développement de la prévention et du contrôle des infections à G. duodenalis chez les porcs et les humains dans la région autonome Zhuang du Guangxi.

First Molecular Detection and Genotype Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in Chickens from Farmers' Markets in Fujian Province, Southeastern China.

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan that can infect all nucleated cells in almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. T. gondii infection has been reported in many food animals worldwide. However, the prevalence and genotypes of T. gondii in chickens from farmers' markets in Fujian province in southeastern China remain unreported. In the present study, four tissue samples from each of the 577 chickens (namely, the heart, liver, lungs, and muscles) were collected from farmers' markets in five regions of Fujian province (Zhangzhou, Sanming, Quanzhou, Fuzhou, and Longyan). We first analyzed the prevalence and genotypes of T. gondii using PCR targeting of the B1 gene of T. gondii. Of the 577 chickens, thirty-two (5.5%) tested positive for the B1 gene. Among the five regions, Sanming had the highest infection rate (16.8%, 16/95), followed by Quanzhou (8.0%, 8/100), Longyan (5.0%, 5/100), Zhangzhou (1.1%, 2/182), and Fuzhou (1.0%, 1/100). Among these thirty-two T. gondii-positive chickens, the infection rates of the lungs, heart, liver, and muscles were 68.8% (22/32), 34.4% (11/32), 28.1% (9/32), and 9.4% (3/32), respectively. Significant differences in prevalence were found among the different regions (χ2 = 35.164, p < 0.05) and tissues (χ2 = 25.874, p < 0.05). A total of 128 tissue and organ samples of the thirty-two T. gondii-positive chickens from the different regions were analyzed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on the basis of 10 genetic markers. Seven tissue samples (lung samples from five chickens, heart samples from one chicken, and liver samples from one chicken) underwent successful amplification at all the genetic markers, and all the T. gondii genotypes were identified as genotype I (ToxoDB #10). These findings serve as a foundation for evaluating the risk of T. gondii contamination in chicken products intended for human consumption and offer insight into preventing the transmission of the parasite from chickens to humans.

IGF2BP2-modified UBE2D1 interacts with Smad2/3 to promote the progression of breast cancer.

Recent studies have suggested that ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2D1 (UBE2D1) is involved in tumor progression. In this study, we found that UBE2D1 expression was upregulated in breast cancer (BC) and was related to the prognosis of BC patients. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we demonstrated the aberrant expression of UBE2D1 promoted the proliferation and migration of BC cells, and the IGF2BP2-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification increased the stability of UBE2D1 mRNA. Mechanistically, UBE2D1 expression regulated the activity of TGF-ß signaling through modulating the expression and the phosphorylation level of Smad2/3. Furthermore, UBE2D1 directly bound to Smad2/3 and affected the subsequent binding of Smad2 and Smad3, which is a necessary step for TGF-ß signaling activation. Thus, our study reveals a pro-oncogenic role of UBE2D1 in the progression of BC and may provide novel strategies for BC treatment.

Mettl3 synergistically regulates TGF-ß/SMAD2/3 to promote proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer.

Transforming Growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)/Smad signaling is a complex regulatory network that both inhibits and promotes tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying the function of TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway remain to be fully elucidated. As a methyltransferase, METTL3 is closely related to tumor development, but the role of METTL3 in the proliferation and metastasis of TGF-ß/Smad-activated gastric cancer (GC) is unclear. In this study, we identified TGF-ß/Smad2/3 axis as an important carcinogenic pathway in GC, which significantly promoted the proliferation and metastasis of GC. Furthermore, we found that Smad3 mRNA could be modified by m6A, which was subsequently recognized and stabilized by IGF2BP2, thereby enhancing Smad3 protein expression and promoting the activation of TGF-ß/Smad pathway. Importantly, we also found that METTL3 could combine with p-Smad3 to regulate the transcription of downstream target genes. Therefore, this study revealed a novel mechanism by which METTL3 synergistically regulates TGF-ß/Smad2/3 signaling and provide a new potential therapeutic target for the treatment of GC.

A Preliminary Survey of Transfer RNA Modifications and Modifying Enzymes of the Tropical Plant Cocos nucifera L.

The coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a commercial crop widely distributed among coastal tropical regions. It provides millions of farmers with food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine, and building materials. Among these, oil and palm sugar are representative extracts. However, this unique living species of Cocos has only been preliminarily studied at molecular levels. Benefiting from the genomic sequence data published in 2017 and 2021, we investigated the transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications and modifying enzymes of the coconut in this survey. An extraction method for the tRNA pool from coconut flesh was built. In total, 33 species of modified nucleosides and 66 homologous genes of modifying enzymes were confirmed using a nucleoside analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) and homologous protein sequence alignment. The positions of tRNA modifications, including pseudouridines, were preliminarily mapped using a oligonucleotide analysis, and the features of their modifying enzymes were summarized. Interestingly, we found that the gene encoding the modifying enzyme of 2'-O-ribosyladenosine at the 64th position of tRNA (Ar(p)64) was uniquely overexpressed under high-salinity stress. In contrast, most other tRNA-modifying enzymes were downregulated with mining transcriptomic sequencing data. According to previous physiological studies of Ar(p)64, the coconut appears to enhance the quality control of the translation process when subjected to high-salinity stress. We hope this survey can help advance research on tRNA modification and scientific studies of the coconut, as well as thinking of the safety and nutritional value of naturally modified nucleosides.

Investigation of the mechanical and transport properties of InGeX3 (X = S, Se and Te) monolayers using density functional theory and machine learning.

Recently, novel 2D InGeTe3 has been successfully synthesized and attracted attention due to its excellent properties. In this study, we investigated the mechanical properties and transport behavior of InGeX3 (X = S, Se and Te) monolayers using density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning (ML). The key physical parameters related to mechanical properties, including Poisson's ratio, elastic modulus, tensile strength and critical strain, were revealed. Using a ML method to train DFT data, we developed a neuroevolution-potential (NEP) to successfully predict the mechanical properties and lattice thermal conductivity. The fracture behavior predicted using NEP-based MD simulations in a large supercell containing 20 000 atoms could be verified using DFT. Due to the effects of size, these predicted physical parameters have a slight difference between DFT and ML methods. At 300 K, these monolayers exhibited a low thermal conductivity with the values of 13.27 ± 0.24 W m-1 K-1 for InGeS3, 7.68 ± 0.30 W m-1 K-1 for InGeSe3, and 3.88 ± 0.09 W m-1 K-1 for InGeTe3, respectively. The Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) including all electron-phonon interactions was used to accurately predict the electron mobility. Compared with InGeS3 and InGeSe3, the InGeTe3 monolayer showed flexible mechanical behavior, low thermal conductivity and high mobility.

By-Product of the Red Ginseng Manufacturing Process as Potential Material for Use as Cosmetics: Chemical Profiling and In Vitro Antioxidant and Whitening Activities.

Red ginseng (RG), which is obtained from heated Panax ginseng and is produced by steaming followed by drying, is a valuable herb in Asian countries. Steamed ginseng dew (SGD) is a by-product produced in processing red ginseng. In the present study, phytochemical profiling of extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis. Additionally, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ·OH, and ABTS scavenging ability) and whitening activities (tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activity) were analyzed. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of 66 and 28 compounds that were non-saponin components in chloroform extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew (RG-CE and SGD-CE), respectively. Meanwhile, there were 20 ginsenosides identified in n-butanol extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew (RG-NBE and SGD-NBE). By comparing the different polar extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew, it was found that the ethyl acetate extract of red ginseng (RG-EAE) had the best antioxidant capacity and whitening effect, the water extract of steamed ginseng dew (SGD-WE) had stronger antioxidant capacity, and the SGD-NBE and SGD-CE had a better whitening effect. This study shows that RG and SGD have tremendous potential to be used in the cosmetic industries.

The epidemic of stroke mortality attributed to high body mass index in mainland China: Current trends and future prediction.

Background: High body mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term trend of high BMI-attributed stroke mortality and make projections through 2030. Methods: Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and World Population Prospects 2019. An age-period-cohort framework was used in the analysis. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of high BMI-attributed stroke among females decreased by 15.2%, while among males, it increased by 31.1%. All of the age groups studied showed an increasing pattern over the last 30 years in males, and in female, the age groups encompassing participants who were 25-69 years old showed a decreasing pattern. In the same birth cohort, high BMI-attributable stroke mortality rates increased exponentially with age in both sexes. For females, the period rate ratios (RR) showed a downward trend after 2000-2004, and the cohort RR also showed a downward trend after the birth cohort 1930-1934. For males, the period RR showed an upward trend, but this increase was halted in the most recent period, and the cohort RRs showed a monotonic increasing pattern. It was projected that the ASMR of high BMI-attributed stroke would decrease among females and increase among males in the near future and that the proportion of elderly individuals with death due to high BMI-attributed stroke was projected to increase. Conclusions: Over the last three decades, the high BMI-attributed stroke mortality rate decreased among females and increased among males, and these trends are projected to continue in the future. In addition, the proportion of elderly individuals with high BMI-attributed stroke mortality was projected to increase gradually in both men and women. More health-promoting efforts are needed, especially for elderly individuals and males.

Effects of Ilisha elongata protein, soy protein and whey protein on growth characteristics and adhesion of probiotics.

The effects of different food source proteins on the growth characteristics and intestinal adhesion of Lactobacillus plantarum 45 (LP45) were investigated by adding Ilisha elongata protein, soy protein and whey protein to the probiotic bacteria in vitro and using a probiotic adhesion model based on mouse intestinal tissues. Ilisha elongata protein and soy protein significantly reduced the growth time of LP45 and increased the total number of colonies fermented by LP45; whey protein only reduced the growth time of LP45; the effect of the three food source proteins on the acid production capacity of LP45 was small. These showed that the three food-derived proteins promoted the proliferation and adhesion of probiotics in the intestine, which were beneficial to the active role of intestinal probiotics and improved the intestinal microenvironment.

Effects of a Smoke-Free Policy in Xi'an, China: Impact on Hospital Admissions for Acute Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke.

Background: Smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure rates are much higher in China than in other countries. A smoke-free policy was implemented in Xi'an, a city in Shaanxi Province, China, on November 1, 2018. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the smoke-free policy on changes in hospital admissions for acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD) and stroke in Xi'an. Methods: All subjects had been hospitalized for AIHD or stroke from February 9, 2017 to December 25, 2019 (study period: 150 weeks) in six randomly selected public hospitals out of 36 tertiary hospitals in Xi'an. A generalized additive model developed using an interrupted time series design was used to compare immediate and annual percent changes in hospital admissions before and after policy implementation. Results: The study included 31,400 cases (16,656 cases of AIHD and 14,744 cases of stroke) from 6 hospitals in Xi'an. Immediately after implementation of the smoke-free policy, AIHD admissions were reduced significantly (-31.66%, 95% CI: - 39.45 to -22.86%), but stroke admissions were not (-4.94%, 95% CI: -13.26 to 4.17%). The annual reduction in stroke-related admissions (-14.54%, 95% CI: -23.53 to -4.49%) and the annual increase in AIHD-related admissions (40.58%, 95% CI: 22.08 to 61.87%) were significant. Although there was no significant reduction in AIHD admissions, stroke admissions were significantly reduced by -15.73% (from 7,350 to 6,194) after implementation of the smoke-free policy in Xi'an. Conclusion: The smoke-free policy had different effects on hospital admissions for AIHD and stroke in Xi'an. Xi'an should improve its smoke-free legislation and expand the measures to maintain or achieve additional significant health benefits. These findings can guide the formulation and implementation of regional and national smoke-free policies.

Associations Between Different Cortisol Measures and Adiposity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study examined associations between hair, salivary, serum, and urinary cortisol concentration with adiposity-related indicators in children, and explored their potential effects modification by age, sex, cortisol measurement method, and country developmental context. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for studies examining at least one of the four aforementioned cortisol with objectively measured adiposity-related outcomes in children. Meta-analyses of cross-sectional studies revealed that hair cortisol concentration was associated with fat mass index (FMI)-standard deviation score (SDS)/FMI z-score (pooled-ß = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.08) and BMI/BMI z-score (pooled-ß = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.25), and these associations were significant among children aged ≤ 12 years (pooled-ß = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.26) and >12 years (pooled-ß = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.22), children from developed countries (pooled ß = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21) and developing countries (pooled-ß = 0.193, 95% CI: 0.188, 0.198), and in studies extracting cortisol via LC-MS/MS (pooled-ß = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.29) but not ELISA (pooled-ß = 0.08, 95% CI: -0.06, 0.22). Meta-analyses of both cohort and cross-sectional studies revealed non-significant associations of morning salivary cortisol concentration and total daily cortisol output with BMI/BMI z-score. Serum cortisol concentration was not associated with BMI or waist circumference. Meta-analysis of urinary cortisol concentration and adiposity was hindered by insufficient data. These findings further corroborate understanding of chronic stress' physiological contribution to increased pediatric obesity risk. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails], identifier [CRD42020215111].

An integrated study of Shenling Baizhu San against hyperuricemia: Efficacy evaluation, core target identification and active component discovery.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZ) is a famous Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that strengthens the spleen for replenishing qi, removing dampness, and inducing diuresis to relieve diarrhea. Combining the TCM interpretation that dampness is a vital pathogenesis factor in hyperuricemia occurrence and development, SLBZ has excellent potential against hyperuricemia from the perspective of TCM theories. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of SLBZ against hyperuricemia and its possible mechanism with emphasis on the active components and the core targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, we employed meta-analysis and a hyperuricemia quail model to evaluate the uric acid-lowering effect of SLBZ. Bodyweight, serum uric acid, and excreta uric acid levels in quails were assessed. Subsequently, we analyzed the potential active components and core targets of SLBZ against hyperuricemia by network pharmacology and calculated their interaction using molecular docking. Furthermore, the hyperuricemia rats treated with interfering agents of core targets were established to determine the central role of selected targets in hyperuricemia progression. Besides, we isolated and characterized the primary renal tubular epithelial cells of quails to verify the active components and core targets of SLBZ against hyperuricemia. Western blotting was used to observe the expression of core targets treated with active components under the stimulation of interfering agents. RESULTS: Data from meta-analysis and animal experiments showed that SLBZ could work effectively against hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia quails treated with SLBZ displayed significantly reduced serum uric acid levels accompanied by increased excretion of uric acid. According to network pharmacology and molecular docking results, 34 potential active components and the core target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) for SLBZ against hyperuricemia were identified. The decreased serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemia rats treated with rosiglitazone, an agonist of PPARγ, confirms the essential role of PPARγ in the pathological process of hyperuricemia. Moreover, we first successfully isolated and characterized the primary renal tubular epithelial cells of quails and observed enhanced phosphorylation of PPARγ at Ser273 in cells handled with high-level uric acid. Whereas, the enhanced expression of p-PPARγ Ser273 could be down-regulated by luteolin and naringenin, two active components of SLBZ against hyperuricemia. CONCLUSION: In summary, SLBZ is a promising anti-hyperuricemia agent, and luteolin and naringenin are the active components for SLBZ against hyperuricemia by down-regulating phosphorylation of PPARγ at Ser273.

Generation of a human iPSC line CIBi010-A with a reporter for ASGR1 using CRISPR/Cas9.

ASGR1 is a liver-specific surface marker that has been used to purify human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived hepatocytes (iHeps). Furthermore, ASGR1+ iHeps represents a more mature subpopulation of iHeps. To utilize this marker for optimizing iHep differentiation and purification, we substituted the stop coden of ASGR1 with a fluorescent reporter protein mCherry in a human iPSC line iPSN0052 via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologus recombination. The generated CIBi010-A enableds us to monitor ASGR1 expression during hepatic differentiation and thus can be used to optimize our hepatic differentiation procedures.

Effects of Ilisha elongata proteins on proliferation and adhesion of Lactobacillus plantarum.

The effects of aquatic proteins on the proliferation and adhesion of intestinal probiotic bacteria were investigated by in vitro fermentation and mouse in vitrointestinal tissue models. Compared with the control group, the Illisha elongata protein reduced the growth time of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP45) by 34.25% and increased the total number of colonies by 6.61%. The Ilisha elongata salt-solubale protein performed better than water-soluble protein in vitro proliferation of LP45. Ilisha elongata salt-soluble protein significantly increased the number of viable bacteria adhering to intestinal, and caused changes in the amount of polysaccharides, proteins and biofilms in the intestinal tissue model. These results indicate that the Ilisha elongata protein is beneficial to the proliferation and adhesion of probiotics in the intestinal, and can be used as an active protein beneficial to intestinal health.

Generation of a human iPSC line CIBi011-A from amniocytes of a healthy fetus.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) resemble human embryonic stem cells with potential to differentiate into cells of all adult tissues. Nonetheless human iPSCs may have an epigenetic memory of their donor tissue origin, are easier to differentiate to those lineages, and their potential to other cell fates can be controlled. We generated a human iPSC line CIBi011-A from amniocytes of a healthy fetus. CIBi011-A serves as a useful source to investigate the epigenetic memory of iPSCs. As an iPSC line from a healthy donor, this line can also serve as a potential cell source from which to develop stem cell-based cell therapies.

Tyrosine Hydroxylase-Immunopositive Cells and Melanin in the Mesencephalon of Yugan Black-Bone Fowl.

Background: The Yugan blackbone fowl (YBF) is a special poultry with hyperpigmentation in various organs, including feather. However, the mechanism of hyperpigmentation is limited, and the melanic information of other organs except skin is rare. Aims and Objectives: In this study, we attempt to get an insight of the mechanism of melanogenesis of birds. Materials and Methods: The mesencephalon of YBF was observed by light microscopy with hematoxylineosin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. Results: The TH immunopositive cells were found in the mesencephalon. Moreover, the melanin was also observed in the connective tissue of the mesencephalon. Conclusion: Our results confirmed the existence of melanin andTH immunopositive cells in the mesencephalon of YBF. These results provide a reference for further study on the mechanism of melanogenesis/hyperpigmentation in birds.

Schiff base tetranuclear Zn2Ln2 single-molecule magnets bridged by hydroxamic acid in association with near-infrared luminescence.

A series of Zn-Ln heteronuclear SMMs constructed by using a hexadentate compartment Schiff base Zn-precursor and lanthanoid ions were structurally and magnetically characterized, in which the two [Zn-Ln] moieties are bridged by a series of hydroxamic acids, resulting in double-decker tetranuclear complexes with the molecular formulae [ZnL1Ln(C2H5O)(qua)]2(CF3SO3)2·2C2H5OH ((1) Ln = Dy; (7) Ln = Yb), [ZnL1Ln(CH3O)(bnz)]2(CF3SO3)2·2CH3OH ((2) Ln = Dy), [ZnL1Ln(CH3O)(aca)]2(CF3SO3)2·2CH3OH ((3) Ln = Dy; (8) Ln = Yb), [ZnL2Dy(CH3O)(bnz)]2(CF3SO3)2·2CH3OH (4), [ZnL2Dy(CH3O)(aca)]2(CF3SO3)2·2CH3OH (5), and [ZnL3Dy(CH3O)(bnz)]2(CF3SO3)2·2CH3OH (6) (HL1 = N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine, HL2 = N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-propane-1,2-diamine, HL3 = N,N'-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine, qua = 2-quinolinecarboxylic acid, bnz = benzhydroxamic acid and aca = acetohydroxamic acid). Strikingly, the slow magnetic relaxation can be tuned by modifying the steric hindrance and/or electronic effect on the backbone of the Shiff base and the terminal substituents of hydroxamic acid, as well the magneto-structural correlations are studied. Furthermore, Yb congeners 7 and 8 were synthesized to explore dual-functional materials with both magnetic and fluorescence properties, and they displayed both slow magnetic relaxation and near-infrared (NIR) properties; the low temperature NIR spectroscopic data were correlated with the corresponding slow magnetic relaxation mechanism involving thermally activated ground states to the excited state.