Protection against DSS-induced colitis in mice through FcεRIα deficiency: the role of altered Lactobacillus.

The role of mast cells (MCs) in ulcerative colitis (UC) development is controversial. FcεRI, the IgE high-affinity receptor, is known to activate MCs. However, its role in UC remains unclear. In our study, Anti-FcεRI showed highly diagnostic value for UC. FcεRIα knockout in mice ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. Increased Lactobacillus abundance in FcεRIα deficient mice showed strongly correlation with the remission of colitis. RNA sequencing indicated activation of the NLRP6 inflammasome pathway in FcεRIα knockout mice. Additionally, Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation protected against inflammatory injury and goblet cell loss, with activation of the NLRP6 inflammasome during colitis. Notably, this effect was absent when the strain is unable to produce lactic acid. In summary, colitis was mitigated in FcεRIα deficient mice, which may be attributed to the increased abundance of Lactobacillus. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between allergic reactions, microbiota, and colitis.

The role of gut microbiome and its metabolites in pancreatitis.

Gut microbiome plays a vital role in the intestinal ecosystem and has close association with metabolites. Due to the development of metabolomics and microbiomics, recent studies have observed that alteration of either the gut microbiome or metabolites may have effects on the progression of pancreatitis. Several new treatments based on the gut microbiome or metabolites have been studied extensively in recent years. Gut microbes, such as Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus, and metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, vitamin, hydrogen sulfide, and alcohol, have different effects on pancreatitis. Some preliminary studies about new intervention measures were based on the gut microbiome and metabolites such as diet, prebiotic, herbal medicine, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This review aims to summarize the recent advances about the gut microbiome, metabolites, and pancreatitis in order to determine the potential beneficial role of the gut microbiome and metabolites in pancreatitis.

The effects of caffeine on pancreatic diseases: the known and possible mechanisms.

Caffeine, a controversial substance, was once known to be addictive and harmful. In recent years, new effects of caffeine on the human body have been confirmed. Recent research over the past few decades has shown the potential of caffeine in treating pancreas-related diseases. This review aims to analyze the known and possible mechanisms of caffeine on pancreatic diseases and provides an overview of the current research status regarding the correlation between caffeine and pancreatic disease, while enhancing our understanding of their relationship.

An Innovative High-Strength Double-Network Hydrogel for Use as a Drilling Fluid Plugging Agent.

The problem of wellbore leakage is a key challenge in the petroleum industry, limiting drilling progress and increasing drilling costs. Plugging agents play a role in repairing leaks and fractures; however, traditional plugging materials generally have low mechanical strength, poor adaptability to permeable strata, limited water absorption and expansion capabilities, and poor temperature and salt resistance. To address these limitations, a pioneering polyacrylic acid-polyacrylamide (PAA/PAM) double-network hydrogel was synthesized through aqueous solution polymerization in this study. Its strength, water absorption, expansion, temperature resistance, salt resistance, and plugging effectiveness were comprehensively evaluated. The results demonstrate that good mechanical performance is exhibited by the synthesized hydrogel, capable of withstanding a maximum stress of approximately 3.5 MPa at a 90% strain. Excellent water absorption and expansion are observed in the synthesized double-network hydrogel, with a maximum expansion of 6 times within 30 min and 8 times after 2 h. Test results show that the hydrogel had good temperature resistance and salt resistance, maintaining a strength grade E within the experimental range. The simulated evaluation of the plugging experiment indicates that, under conditions of 130 °C and 6 MPa, the leakage rate of the drilling fluid is maintained below 5 mL/min when the double-network hydrogel is utilized. From the above experimental results, it can be illustrated that excellent mechanical properties, impressive water absorption, and expansion capabilities are exhibited by the synthesized double-network hydrogel. Furthermore, the high-temperature resistance and salt resistance of the double-network hydrogel were also demonstrated. Therefore, In comparison to traditional plugging materials, significant promise is held by this newly synthesized double-network hydrogel material as a plugging agent in drilling fluids.

Risk factors associated with the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain among high school students: a cross-sectional survey in China.

BACKGROUND: After the COVID-19 outbreak, many Chinese high school students have increased their dependence on electronic devices for studying and life, which may affect the incidence of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: To evaluate the prevalence of NSP in high school students and its associated risk factors during COVID-19, a survey was conducted among 5,046 high school students in Shanghai, Qinghai, Henan and Macao during the second semester and summer vacation of the 2019-2020 academic year. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographic characteristics, the prevalence of NSP and lifestyle factors such as sedentary behavior, poor posture and electronic device usage. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the possible influencing factors for neck and shoulder pain. RESULTS: A total of 4793 valid questionnaires (95.0%) were collected. The results indicated that the prevalence of NSP was 23.7% among high school students. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender (P < 0.05, OR = 1.82), grade (P < 0.05, range OR 1.40-1.51) and subject selection (P < 0.05, range OR 0.49-0.68) were risk factors for NSP in high school students. Sedentary behavior (P < 0.05, range OR 1.74-2.36), poor posture (P < 0.05, range OR 1.19-2.56), backpack weight (P < 0.05, range OR 1.17-1.88), exercise style and frequency (P < 0.05, range OR 1.18-1.31; P < 0.05, range OR 0.76-0.79, respectively), and the time spent using electronic devices (P < 0.05, range OR 1.23-1.38)had a significant correlation with NSP in high school students. CONCLUSIONS: NSP is currently very common among high school students during the outbreak of COVID-19. Sedentary behavior, poor posture and other factors have a great impact on the occurrence of NSP in high school students. Education regarding healthy lifestyle choices should be advocated for to decrease NSP among high school students, such as more physical activity, changing poor postures and reducing the amount of time spent using electronic devices.