Mycobiome Study Reveals Different Pathogens of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Shape Characteristic Vaginal Bacteriome.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) can alter the vaginal microbiome composition and structure, and this may be correlated with its variable treatment efficacy. Integrated analysis of the mycobiome and bacteriome in VVC could facilitate accurate diagnosis of infected patients and further decipher the characterized bacteriome in different types of VVC. Our mycobiome analysis determined two common types of VVC, which were clustered into two community state types (CSTs) featured by Candida glabrata (CST I) and Candida albicans (CST II). Subsequently, we compared the vaginal bacteriome in two CSTs of VVC and two other types of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection. The vaginal bacteriome in VVC patients was between the healthy and other RTIs (BV and UU) status, it bore the greatest resemblance to that of healthy subjects. While BV and UU patients have the unique vaginal microbiota community structure, which very different with healthy women. Compared with CST II, the vaginal bacteriome of CST I VVC was characterized by Prevotella, a key signature in BV. In comparison, CST II was featured by Ureaplasma, the pathogen of UU. The findings of our study highlight the need for co-analysis and simultaneous consideration of vaginal mycobiome and bacteriome in the diagnosis and treatment of VVC to solve common clinical problems, such as unsatisfactory cure rates and recurrent symptoms. IMPORTANCE Fungi headed by C. albicans play a critical role in VVC but are not sufficient for its occurrence, indicating the involvement of other factors, such as the vaginal bacteriome. We found that different CST correspond to different bacterial composition in patients with VVC, and this could underlie the alteration of vaginal microorganism environment in VVC patients. We believe that this correlation should not be ignored, and it may be related to the unsatisfactory treatment outcomes and high recurrence rate of VVC. Here, we provided evidence for associations between vaginal bacteriome patterns and fungal infection. Screening specific biomarkers for three common RTIs paves a theoretical basis for further development of personalized precision treatment.

Nano-particle engineered atorvastatin delivery to support mesenchymal stem cell survival in infarcted myocardium.

Atorvastatin (ATV) may support mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) survival in post-infarct myocardium (MI) as inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress and hypoxia condition get started in such tissues after damage. However, limited aqueous insolubility and rapid first-pass metabolism reduce the systemic availability of ATV. The aim of the present investigation was to develop ATV loaded nanoparticles (ATVNPs) which might ensure the maximum availability of ATV in systemic circulation for longer duration and to strengthen the support to MSC survival. ATVNPs were synthesized using double emulsion solvent evaporation method and characterized as spherical shape, positive charged, nanoparticles of uniform size distribution and higher entrapment efficiency. ATVNPs were non-cytotoxic and showed sustained release (up to 28 days). Assessment of cardiac function (in terms of echocardiographic and left heart catheterization parameters) and cytokines estimation revealed efficient improvement in post-infarct myocardium condition of rat. In conclusion, ATVNP was developed successfully that may ensure safe, cost effective, and efficacious treatment of post-infarct myo-cardium when compared with that of MSC alone and MSC supplemented with ATV solution.

Comprehensive virome analysis reveals the complexity and diversity of the viral spectrum in pediatric patients diagnosed with severe and mild hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

The management of hand-foot-and-mouth disease(HFMD) epidemic is difficult due to the frequent emergence of non-EV71 and non-CVA16 enteroviruses and some cases testing negative for HFMD-associated causative agents. To clarify the virus spectrum of mild and severe HFMD, a comprehensive virome analysis of 238 samples was performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The data revealed total thirteen mammalian- and plant- virus families and diverse viral populations including enteroviruses, common respiratory viruses, diarrhea-related viruses, plant viruses and anelloviruses. A total of 18 viruses from 7 virus families were identified in severe cases, versus 37 viruses from 12 virus families in mild cases. Moreover, complicated mixed-infections of enteroviruses with common respiratory viruses were mainly found in severe cases(P = 0.013), while diarrhea-related viruses were mainly found in mild cases(P < 0.001). This study provides the preliminary understanding of viromes both in mild and severe cases, which may benefit the detection of etiologic agents and prevention of HFMD.

Nickel-catalyzed one-pot tandem 1,4-1,2-addition of P(O)H compounds to 1,10-phenanthrolines.

A novel and efficient nickel-catalyzed tandem 1,4-1,2-addition of P(O)H compounds to 1,10-phenanthrolines forming various 2,4-diphosphono-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,10-phenanthrolines has been developed. This reaction breaks up the aromatic stabilization and directly introduces two phosphorus moieties in one single step. This finding is the first example of transition-metal-catalyzed double hydrophosphonylation of 1,10-phenanthrolines.