Glucan polysaccharides isolated from Lactarius hatsudake Tanaka mushroom: Structural characterization and in vitro bioactivities.

Commercially available mushroom polysaccharides have found widespread use as adjuvant tumor treatments. However, the bioactivity of polysaccharides in Lactarius hatsudake Tanaka (L. hatsudake), a mushroom with both edible and medicinal uses, remains relatively unexplored. To address this gap, five L. hatsudake polysaccharides with varying molecular weights were isolated, named LHP-1 (898 kDa), LHP-2 (677 kDa), LHP-3 (385 kDa), LHP-4 (20 kDa), and LHP-5 (4.9 kDa). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and atomic force microscopy, etc., were employed to determine their structural characteristics. The results confirmed that spherical aggregates with amorphous flexible fiber chains dominated the conformation of the LHP. LHP-1 and LHP-2 were identified as glucans with α-(1,4)-Glcp as the main chain; LHP-3 and LHP-4 were classified as galactans with varying molecular weights but with α-(1,6)-Galp as the main chain; LHP-5 was a glucan with ß-(1,3)-Glcp as the main chain and ß-(1,6)-Glcp connecting to the side chains. Significant differences were observed in inhibiting tumor cell cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity of the LHPs, with LHP-5 and LHP-4 identified as the principal bioactive components. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the valuable use of L. hatsudake and emphasize the potential application of LHPs in therapeutic tumor treatments.

Single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy in early breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in female patients. In recent years, more and more studies have focused on how to improve the appearance and the quality of life for patients. This study aimed to compare the oncologic safety, aesthetic results, and upper extremity function between single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (SIE-NSM) and conventional open mastectomy (C-OM) in early-stage breast cancer treatment. Methods: In our retrospective cohort, 285 patients with stage I and II breast cancer were categorized into the SIE-NSM group (n=71) and the C-OM group (n=214). We assessed local recurrence, distant metastasis, and upper extremity function across the two groups. The BREAST-Q scale was employed to analyze differences in aesthetic results, psychosocial well-being, and sexual health. The risk of local recurrence was evaluated using multivariable binary logistic regression, while a multivariable linear regression model gauged upper extremity function and aesthetic outcomes. Results: Local recurrence rates between the two groups were statistically similar (1/71, 1.4% for SIE-NSM vs. 2/214, 0.9% for C-OM, P=0.735), as confirmed by the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Neither group exhibited distant metastases. The SIE-NSM group demonstrated higher scores in satisfaction with breasts, chest wellness, psychosocial health, and sexual well-being (P<0.001). The SIE-NSM group also exhibited superior outcomes regarding chest wall/breast pain, shoulder mobility, and daily arm usage (P<0.001). No subcutaneous effusion was reported in the SIE-NSM group, whereas the C-OM group had a 10.7% incidence rate (P=0.004). Conclusions: SIE-NSM offers comparable oncologic safety to C-OM but provides enhanced satisfaction regarding breast appearance, physical comfort, psychosocial health, sexual health, and improved upper extremity functionality. Consequently, this innovative approach is a suitable surgical alternative for treating early-stage breast cancer.

[Protective effects of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice on alcoholic liver injury in rats].

Objective: To study the protective effects of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice on alcoholic liver injury in rats and explore the regulatory mechanism of toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway in this process. Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (C), model group (M), low-dose Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice group (LLM), medium-dose Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice group (MLM) and high-dose Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice group (HLM), 12 rats in each group. The group M, LLM, MLM and HLM were treated with 20 ml/kg (8 g/(kg·d)) ethanol (400 g/L) intragastrically and the gavage was divided into two sessions, group C was treated with an equal volume of distilled water at the same time point. Four hours before the first alcohol gavage session, rats in each dose group of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice were administered with 2.4, 4.8, 9.6 ml/(kg·d) Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice respectively, and the other groups were given equal volume of distilled water at the corresponding time points. Four weeks later, the rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the end of the last experiment, blood and liver were collected. The liver index was calculated. The morphology of the liver was observed by HE staining. The expressions of hepatic TLR4, p38 MAPK and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by colorimetry. The levels of hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with group C, the alcoholic liver injury model was established successfully in Group M. Compared with group M, related indicators in each dose group of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice were improved, the improvement of hepatic morphology in group HLM was the most significant, the liver index, the levels of serum ALT, AST and hepatic TLR4, p38 MAPK/p-p38 MAPK ratio, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-18 were decreased (P＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01), while the level of hepatic IL-10 was increased (P＜0.01). Comparison among the dose groups of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice, the levels of liver index, serum AST and hepatic TLR4, p38 MAPK/p-p38 MAPK ratio, TNF-α, IL-18 in HLM were lower than those in LLM (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); the level of hepatic IL-10 in HLM was higher than that in LLM and MLM (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); the other indicators in each dose group had no statistical difference (P＞0.05). Conclusion: Lycium ruthenicum Murr. juice can improve the inflammatory stress by regulating TLR4/p38 MAPK signaling pathway, relieve alcoholic liver injury in rats, and the effect of high-dose group is better than the others.

Whole genome sequence of Proteus mirabilis ChSC1905 strain harbouring a new SXT/R391-family ICE.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterise the whole genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Proteus mirabilis strain ChSC1905 isolated from a swine farm in China. METHODS: The genome was sequenced by Illumina NovaSeq and Oxford Nanopore platforms, and it was assembled via Canu v.1.5. The acquired antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were identified by ResFinder. A conjugation experiment was carried out to determine the mobilisation of integrative and conjugative element. RESULTS: Strain ChSC1905 exhibited a MDR phenotype. The genome of strain ChSC1905 was 4 038 038 bp in length with a GC content of 39.1%, which contained 3645 coding sequences and 110 RNA genes. A total of 23 acquired ARGs were identified, among which 21 ARGs including the clinically important resistance genes blaCTX-M-65, cfr, fosA3, and aac(6')-Ib-cr were located on a SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element (ICE). BLAST analysis showed that this new SXT/R391-family ICE (ICEPmiChnChSC1905 of 143 689 bp) was involved in sequence inversion mediated by ISVsa3 and genetic rearrangement mediated by IS26, and it could be transferred to E. coli EC600. CONCLUSION: In this study, we report the genome sequence of MDR P. mirabilis strain ChSC1905 that harboured a novel SXT/R391-family ICE (ICEPmiChnChSC1905) involved in genetic rearrangement in China, which promotes the diversity of ICE and should receive more attention.

Application of 3-Alkyl-2-vinylindoles in Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomative (2+3) Cycloadditions.

The first application of 3-alkyl-2-vinylindoles in catalytic asymmetric dearomative cycloadditions was established by chiral phosphoric acid (CPA)-catalyzed (2+3) cycloaddition with azoalkenes, leading to the generation of chiral pyrroloindolines bearing two tetrasubstituted stereogenic centers in good yields (61-96%) and excellent stereoselectivities (all >95:5 dr, 86-99% ee). This reaction has realized the first enantioselective dearomative cycloaddition of 3-alkyl-2-vinylindoles, which brings a new reactivity to this class of vinylindoles and will enrich the chemistry of 3-alkyl-2-vinylindoles. In addition, this approach has provided a useful strategy for the construction of enantioenriched pyrroloindoline skeletons bearing two tetrasubstituted stereogenic centers. More importantly, the bioassay of these chiral pyrroloindolines has revealed that some compounds exhibit strong anti-cancer activity against Hela and MCF-7 cell lines, which will be helpful for discovering anti-cancer drug candidates.

The "hyper-triglyceridemic waist phenotype" is a reliable marker for prediction of accumulation of abdominal visceral fat in Chinese adults.

PURPOSE: The "hyper-triglyceridemic waist (HTW) phenotype" is relatively convenient to identify, acquired readily, and is inexpensive. We explored the relationship between the HTW phenotype and abdominal-fat accumulation in Chinese adults. METHODS: The study cohort comprised 195 adults divided into four groups according to triglyceride (TG) concentration and waist circumference (WC): normal (A), "hyper-TG" (B), "hyper-WC" (C) and the HTW phenotype (D). The abdominal-fat compartment was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered after an overnight fast. Clinical, anthropometric and laboratory data were analyzed. RESULTS: Individuals with the HTW phenotype had the highest WC, Conicity Index, waist:hip ratio and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) area, and the highest TG and uric-acid concentrations among the four groups. People with the HTW phenotype were older, had higher blood pressure than those with normal WC (groups A and B). In the OGTT, participants with the HTW phenotype had the highest insulin resistance and lowest insulin sensitivity. In binary logistic regression analysis, age, sex, Body Mass Index, high concentrations of density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and the HTW phenotype were independent risk factors for predicting AVF accumulation with a sensitivity of 81.08% and specificity of 90.91%. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese adults with the HTW phenotype had the highest AVF area and insulin resistance, and were associated with higher blood pressure than individuals with normal WC. The HTW phenotype is a reliable marker for prediction of AVF accumulation associated with insulin resistance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The correlation between oxidative stress level and intra-abdominal fat in obese males.

This study aims to investigate the correlation between oxidative stress and intra-abdominal fat (IAF) in obese young and middle-aged males.The present study included 136 male examinees in the Examination Center of the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from October 10, 2015 to December 10, 2015. Then, clinical data, oxidative stress indices (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α [8-iso-PGF2α], malondialdehyde [MDA], and superoxide dismutase [SOD]), and IAF area were recorded. All subjects were assigned into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI): obese group (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m, 43 subjects), overweight group (24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m, 46 subjects), and control group (BMI < 24 kg/m, 47 subjects). Then, statistical analysis was performed.There were significant differences in IAF area, leptin, adiponectin, 8-iso-PGF2α, MDA, SOD, fasting insulin (FINS), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) among these 3 groups (P < .05). Male subjects in the obese group had higher leptin, 8-iso-PGF2α, MDA, FINS, and HOMA-IR levels, compared to subjects in the overweight and control groups. Furthermore, subjects in the overweight group had a larger IAF area and higher 8-iso-PGF2α, MDA, and FBG levels, when compared to controls. In addition, SOD was significantly lower in the obese and overweight groups than in the control group. However, there were no statistical differences in age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipids, and islet ß-cell secretion function (homeostasis model assessment-ß) among these 3 groups (P ≥ .05). Moreover, the IAF area was positively correlated to 8-iso-PGF2α and MDA, and negatively correlated to SOD.Oxidative stress is significantly associated with the IAF area in obese males, and abdominal obesity could increase oxidative stress level and insulin resistance.

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from cats in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Cats are the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii. The distribution of genetic diversity of T. gondii in cats is of importance to understand the transmission of this parasite. The objective of this study was to genetically characterize T. gondii isolates from cats in Yunnan province, southwestern China. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from 5-10 g cat tissue samples (brain, tongue, heart, and liver). Using multilocous polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology, we determined genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from cats in Yunnan province. RESULT: In total, 175 stray cats were tested for T. gondii DNA, respectively, 44 (25.14%) of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. The positive DNA samples were typed at 11 genetic markers, including 10 nuclear markers, namely, SAG1, 5'-3'SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, BTUB, c22-8, c29-2 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of these, 16 isolates from cats were genotyped with data for more than 9 loci, revealed 5 genotypes in total, of which 11 of 16 samples were identified as ToxoDB#9, two samples may belong to genotye #225, one was Type II, one was ToxoDB#3, and one was ToxoDB#20 (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated a wide distribution of T. gondii infection in cats in Yunnan province, which may pose significant public health concerns. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of T. gondii prevalence and genotypes in cats in southwestern China, and the first report of Type II T. gondii from cats in China.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia infection in dogs in Southwestern China.

Chlamydia spp. are obligate intracellular bacteria distributed globally, known to cause various forms of diseases in animals and humans. To date, there is limited information about the seroprevalence of Chlamydia and the risk factors associated with Chlamydia infection in dogs in the world. In the present study, a serological survey was undertaken to examine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with dog chlamydiosis in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. A total of 591 dogs were sampled, antibodies to Chlamydia were determined by indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). The overall seroprevalence was estimated at 17.6%. The risk factors associated with seroprevalence were determined by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Gender and age of dogs were not significant in the logistic regression analysis (P>0.05) and left out of the final model. Type and geographical origin of dogs were considered as main risk factors associated with Chlamydia infection, stray dogs (31.37%) were more than 16 times (OR=16.167, 95% CI=6.283-41.599, P<0.01) at risk of acquiring the infection compared to the police dogs (7.62%), while pet dogs (14.41%) had a 3 times (OR=2.968, 95% CI=1.349-6.529, P=0.007) higher risk. Positive dogs were found in 5 districts of Yunnan Province with prevalence ranging from 2.56% to 31.67% except Diqing (0/56). Dogs in Kunming (20.21%) had a 9 times higher risk of being seropositive compared to dogs in Lijiang (2.56%) (OR=9.057, 95% CI=1.211-67.714, P=0.032), although no regional differences were found in other 4 administrative divisions compared to Lijiang (P>0.05). Our study revealed a widespread and high prevalence of Chlamydia infection in dogs in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, with higher exposure risk in stray dogs and distinct geographical distribution. These findings suggest the potential importance of dogs in the transmission of zoonotic Chlamydia infection, and thus Chlamydia should be taken into consideration in diagnosing dog diseases.

First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in peafowls in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded animals, including birds, with a worldwide distribution. Surveys of T. gondii infection in wild birds have been reported extensively in the world, but little is known of T. gondii infection in peafowls worldwide. This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in peafowls in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. METHODS: Sera from 277 peafowls, including 272 blue peafowls (Pavo cristatus) and 5 green peafowls (Pavo muticus) originated from two geographic areas in Yunnan Province were assayed for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). RESULTS: Specific T. gondii antibodies were detected in 35 of 277 (12.64%) peafowls (MAT titer ≥ 1:5). Seropositive birds were found in both species, 33 in 272 blue peafowls and 2 in 5 green peafowls. There was no significant difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between the adolescent birds (6.74%) and the adult birds (6.67%) (P > 0.05). The geographical origins of peafowls was found to be highly associated with T. gondii infection in the present study, a statistically significant difference in T. gondii seropositivity was observed between peafowls from Kunming (31.08%) and those from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (5.91%) (OR = 10.956, 95% CI = 1.632-73.545, P = 0.014). Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant interactions between ages and geographical origins of peafowls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present survey indicated that infection of peafowls with T. gondii is widespread in Yunnan Province, which has significant public health concerns and implications for prevention and control of toxoplamosis in this province. To our knowledge, this is the first seroprevalence report of T. gondii infection in China's southwestern Yunnan Province.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet dogs in Kunming, Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, with a worldwide distribution. However, little is known of T. gondii seroprevalence in pet dogs in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, southwest China. The objective of this investigation was to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pet dogs in this area. METHODS: A total of 611 serum samples were collected from 7 pet hospitals in Kunming, and assayed for T. gondii antibodies by the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) using a commercially-marked kit. RESULTS: 132 (21.6%) pet dogs were positive for T. gondii antibodies, and the seroprevalence ranged from 17.3% to 34.7% among different sampling regions, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The T. gondii seroprevalence in female and male dogs were 20.8% and 22.4%, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The seroprevalence ranged from 17.5% to 23.6% among different age groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), and there were no interactions in statistics (P > 0.05) between gender and age of pet dogs in the region. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present survey indicate high T. gondii seroprevalance in pet dogs in Kunming, southwest China, posing significant public health concern. It is necessary to enhance integrated strategies and measures to prevent and control T. gondii infection in pet dogs in this area.