Alterations of the gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids in necrotizing enterocolitis and food protein-induced allergic protocolitis infants: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Even though presenting with similar clinical manifestations, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and food protein-induced allergic protocolitis (FPIAP) have completely different treatments and prognosis. Our study aimed to quantify and evaluate differences in gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) between infants with NEC and FPIAP to better identify these two diseases in clinical settings. Methods: A total of 43 infants with NEC or FPIAP in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China between December 2020 and December 2021 were enrolled. Stool samples were prospectively collected and froze. Infants defined as NEC were those who presented with clinical courses consistent with NEC and whose radiographs fulfilled criteria for Bell's stage 2 or 3 NEC, while those who were healthy in appearance and had blood in the stool (visible or may be microscopic), had normal bowel sounds in physical examination, were resolved after eliminating the causative food, and/or had recurrence of symptoms after oral food challenge (OFC) were defined as FPIAP. Primers specific for bacterial 16S rRNA genes were used to amplify and pyrosequence fecal DNA from stool samples. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technology was used to determine the concentrations of SCFAs. Results: Among the 43 infants, 22 were diagnosed with NEC and 21 were diagnosed with FPIAP. The microbial community structure in NEC infant stools differed significantly from those in FPIAP infant stools. NEC infants had significantly higher proportion of Actinobacteria and reduced proportion of Bacteroidetes compared with FPIAP infants, and the proportions of Halomonas, Acinetobacter, Bifidobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas in NEC infants were significantly higher than that of FPIAP infants. In addition, infants with NEC had significantly lower levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, and total SCFAs, and higher level of hexanoic acid as compared to the infants of the FPIAP group. Conclusions: The differences of gut microbiota composition and concentrations of SCFAs might represent suitable biomarker targets for early identification of NEC and FPIAP.

High Expression of Fibronectin 1 Predicts a Poor Prognosis in Glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most malignant intracranial neoplasm, is associated with a high mortality and recurrence rate due to the aggressive nature and heterogeneity of the tumor. Some of the molecular markers involved in the tumorigenesis of GBM are essential in prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. Due to the limitations of therapeutic effects, this study aims to explore novel biomarkers with prognostic value and to provide new insights into therapeutic targets. METHODS: The expression profile of mRNAs in GBM was detected by RNA-sequencing, and differentially expressed genes were identified by integrating the data from RNA-seq results and the GEPIA2 database. Of the total 40 hub genes, FN1, P4HB, and PPIB showed prognostic significance based on both GEPIA2 and CGGA databases. The validation of FN1, P4HB, and PPIB expression by qPCR and correlation analysis with clinicopathological features were performed in 41 GBM tissues from our institution. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that FN1 and P4HB expressions levels were related to the overall survival (OS) of GBM patients (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that FN1 overexpression (HR=9.199, P=0.002) was an independent and unfavorable prognostic factor for GBM patients. The median survival time was 8.5 months and 21 months for high and low expressions of FN1, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that FN1 could be an ideal target for prognosis and a potential therapeutic target in GBM.

Identification of Dysregulated microRNAs in Glioma Using RNA-sequencing.

Glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor in central nervous system. Despite advances in the treatment of glioma such as surgery and chemoradiotherapy, most patients are easy to relapse, resulting in adverse clinical outcomes. Hence, effective molecular-targeting treatment may be one of attractive strategies for glioma therapy. The dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), one of the candidates of therapeutic targets, are believed to play an important role in the progression of glioma. In this study, we aimed to examine the expression profile of miRNAs in glioma and provide a reference for glioma therapy. Firstly, expression profile of miRNAs in 5 normal brain tissues, 5 low-grade glioma (LGG) tissues and 5 glioblastoma (GBM) tissues was detected by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Next, the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were predicted and then GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis performed by bioinformatics. Finally, 10 miRNAs which were significantly up- or down-regulated both in GBM and LGG were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). RNA-seq results indicated a number of DEmiRNAs in glioma. There were 64 up-regulated miRNAs and 17 down-regulated miRNAs in LGG, and 181 up-regulated miRNAs and 124 down-regulated miRNAs in GBM, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the target genes of these DEmiRNAs were enriched in various biological processes and signaling pathways such as cell metabolic and developmental process. Selected DEmiRNAs were further confirmed by qRT-PCR. miRNA-10b-5p, miRNA-92b-3p and miRNA-455-5p were significantly up-regulated in both GBM and LGG; while miRNA-542-3p was significantly up-regulated in LGG; miRNA-184 and miRNA-206 were significantly down-regulated in both GBM and LGG; miRNA-766-5p and miRNA-1-3p were significantly down-regulated in GBM. The subject of our study demonstrated several dysregulated miRNAs may serve as a potential therapeutic target for glioma.

Characterization and mechanism of lead and zinc biosorption by growing Verticillium insectorum J3.

Verticillium insectorum J3 was isolated from a local lead-zinc deposit tailing, and its biosorption characteristics and reaction to the toxicities of different Pb(II) and Zn(II) concentrations were investigated. SEM, FTIR, a pH test and a desorption experiment were carried out to identify a possible mechanism. The biosorption of J3 presented an inhibition trend at low concentrations (25-75 mg L-1) and promotion at high concentrations (100-300 mg L-1). J3 absorbed Pb(II) prior to Zn(II) and produced alkaline substances, while mycelial and pellet morphology modifications were important for the removal of Pb(II) and Zn(II) under different stressful conditions (SEM results). Both intracellular accumulation and extracellular absorption may contribute to the removal of Pb(II) at lower concentrations (25-50 mg L-1), although mainly extracellular biosorption occurred at higher concentrations (75-300 mg L-1). However, Zn(II) bioaccumulation occurred at all concentrations assayed. Verticillium insectorum J3 may have evolved active defenses to alleviate the toxicity of heavy metals and proved to be a highly efficient biosorbent, especially for Pb(II) at high concentrations. This study is a useful reference for the development of biotreatment technologies to mitigate heavy metal waste.

Involvement of X-chromosome Reactivation in Augmenting Cancer Testis Antigens Expression: A Hypothesis.

Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are attractive targets for tumor immunotherapy because of their tumor-specific expression. Since more than half of confirmed CTAs are located on the X-chromosome, we asked whether there is a link between CTA expression and X-chromosomes. Recent reports have shown that reactivation of the inactive X-chromosome, known as X-chromosome reactivation (XCR), a unique phenomenon that exists in many high-risk tumors in women, can transform the expression of many X-linked genes from monoallelic to biallelic. In this review, we discuss the link between CTA and XCR with the hopes of providing some novel insights into tumor biology.

Nonmissile Penetrating Head Injuries: Surgical Management and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Nonmissile penetrating head injuries (NPHIs) in the civilian population are rare but potentially fatal. Although numerous cases have been reported in the literature, the surgical management of such injuries is still ambiguous, especially with development of surgical techniques. Here, we report 5 cases of NPHIs managed with different surgical techniques and review the literature on surgical treatment of these injuries to outline the appropriate management for these patients from a neurosurgical perspective. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 5 cases of NPHIs managed surgically in our department. The clinical data were collected, including cause, type of objects, way of penetration, initial clinical evaluation, imaging, surgical intervention, postoperative care, complication, follow-up, and outcome. In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed in the PubMed database to search for articles on surgical treatment of these injuries. RESULTS: These 5 cases were caused by twisted steel bar, electric welding rod, and sewing needle, respectively. Preoperative imaging, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital subtraction angiography, was selectively performed to assist the operative plan. Foreign objects were removed surgically in all cases. Postoperative prophylactic administration of antibiotics and anticonvulsants was used to prevent infectious and epileptic complications. Most of the patients achieved a better outcome except for one. CONCLUSIONS: NPHIs can be fatal but they can be managed with satisfactory results by proper preoperative imaging evaluation, rapid appropriate surgical management, and accurate postoperative care. Personalized surgical intervention should be undertaken depending on the mechanism and extent of the NPHI.

Effect of Calcium Ions on Dewaterability of Enzymatic-Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion Sludge.

Waste-activated sludge (WAS) solubilized remarkably after enzymatic-enhanced anaerobic digestion, but its dewaterability was deteriorated. In this study, a novel method was performed to improve the dewaterability of enzymatic-enhanced anaerobic digestion sludge by adding CaCl2 (0.01~1.00 g/g total sludge). The capillary suction time (CST), moisture content, and filtrate turbidity were employed to characterize the dewaterability of WAS, and the possible mechanisms involved were clarified. The results showed the dewaterability did not worsen when CaCl2 was added before sludge digestion, and the CST, moisture content, and filtrate turbidity were notably reduced with the increase of CaCl2 dosage. It also shown that calcium ions played an important role in the bioflocculation of digested sludge by neutralizing negative charges on the surface of sludge. In addition, soluble protein initially lowered a little and then observably improved with the addition of CaCl2, while soluble carbohydrate was reduced sharply first and then bounced back afterwards. The interactions between calcium ions and the biopolymer further enhanced the dewatering of sludge through bridging of colloidal particles together.