Search

Abstract Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. This study investigates the differences in the gut microbiota between preterm neonates born to mothers with PE and those born to mothers without PE (PR), aiming to understand how maternal health conditions like PE influence neonatal gut microbiota. The early gut microbiota plays a crucial role in neonatal health, and disturbances in its development can have long-term consequences. Fecal samples were collected from preterm neonates of PE and PR mothers at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum and analyzed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We found that PE significantly affected the gut microbial composition of preterm neonates, particularly at 2 weeks postpartum. The gut microbial diversity in the PE_2 group was notably lower compared to the PR_2 group, with no significant difference observed between the PR_6 and PE_6 groups. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were predominant, with significant differences observed, particularly a lower abundance of Actinobacteria in the PE_2 group. At the genus level, Escherichia, Enterococcus, and Klebsiella were more prevalent in the PE_2 group, whereas Bifidobacterium and Cutibacterium dominated the PR_2 group. The gut virome analysis showed no significant differences among the groups. Functional analysis revealed distinct metabolic pathway activities across the groups, suggesting that early disturbances due to PE impact the establishment of healthy gut microbiota. These findings underscore the substantial influence of maternal health on the early development of the neonatal gut microbiota and highlight the potential long-term health consequences. Additionally, the differences in metabolic pathways further emphasize the impact of preeclampsia on gut microbiota functionality.

Abstract Background/purpose(s) The gut microbiota and its metabolites play crucial roles in pathogenesis of arthritis, highlighting gut microbiota as a promising avenue for modulating autoimmunity. However, the characterization of the gut virome in arthritis patients, including osteoarthritis (OA) and gouty arthritis (GA), requires further investigation. Methods We employed virus-like particle (VLP)-based metagenomic sequencing to analyze gut viral community in 20 OA patients, 26 GA patients, and 31 healthy controls, encompassing a total of 77 fecal samples. Results Our analysis generated 6819 vOTUs, with a considerable proportion of viral genomes differing from existing catalogs. The gut virome in OA and GA patients differed significantly from healthy controls, showing variations in diversity and viral family abundances. We identified 157 OA-associated and 94 GA-associated vOTUs, achieving high accuracy in patient-control discrimination with random forest models. OA-associated viruses were predicted to infect pro-inflammatory bacteria or bacteria associated with immunoglobulin A production, while GA-associated viruses were linked to Bacteroidaceae or Lachnospiraceae phages. Furthermore, several viral functional orthologs displayed significant differences in frequency between OA-enriched and GA-enriched vOTUs, suggesting potential functional roles of these viruses. Additionally, we trained classification models based on gut viral signatures to effectively discriminate OA or GA patients from healthy controls, yielding AUC values up to 0.97, indicating the clinical utility of the gut virome in diagnosing OA or GA. Conclusion Our study highlights distinctive alterations in viral diversity and taxonomy within gut virome of OA and GA patients, offering insights into arthritis etiology and potential treatment and prevention strategies. Graphical Abstract

It is important to identify atmospheric environmental drivers of childhood asthma because asthma is the most common chronic disease in children globally. We provided an overview of the impacts of exposure to atmospheric environmental factors (e.g., meteorological factors and air pollutants) on childhood asthma, based on a series of studies with the cutting-edge environmental epidemiological methodology in Shanghai, China. Overall, we found that the prevalence of asthma among the children aged 3–7 years had increased by approximately 7 fold, from 2.1% in 1990 to 14.6% in 2019. Most meteorological factors (i.e. daily mean temperature, temperature difference, air pressure, air pressure difference, precipitation, relative humidity, sunshine and wind speed) and air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and O3) were significantly associated with childhood asthma (p

ABSTRACTPreeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-specific syndrome, has been associated with the gut bacteriome. Here, to investigate the impact of the gut virome on the development of PE, we identified over 8,000 nonredundant viruses from the fecal metagenomes of 40 early-onset PE and 37 healthy pregnant women and profiled their abundances. Comparison and correlation analysis showed that PE-enriched viruses frequently connected to Blautia species enriched in PE. By contrast, bacteria linked to PE-depleted viruses were often the Bacteroidaceae members such as Bacteroides spp., Phocaeicola spp., Parabacteroides spp., and Alistipes shahii. In terms of viral function, PE-depleted viruses had auxiliary metabolic genes that participated in the metabolism of simple and complex polysaccharides, sulfur metabolism, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, while PE-enriched viruses had a gene encoding cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate synthase, which seemed to be special, that participates in the biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor. Furthermore, the classification model based on gut viral signatures was developed to discriminate PE patients from healthy controls and showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.922 that was better than that of the bacterium-based model. This study opens up new avenues for further research, providing valuable insights into the PE gut virome and offering potential directions for future mechanistic and therapeutic investigations, with the ultimate goal of improving the diagnosis and management of PE.IMPORTANCEThe importance of this study lies in its exploration of the previously overlooked but potentially critical role of the gut virome in preeclampsia (PE). While the association between PE and the gut bacteriome has been recognized, this research takes a pioneering step into understanding how the gut virome, represented by over 8,000 nonredundant viruses, contributes to this condition. The findings reveal intriguing connections between PE-enriched viruses and specific gut bacteria, such as the prevalence of Blautia species in individuals with PE, contrasting with bacteria linked to PE-depleted viruses, including members of the Bacteroidaceae family. These viral interactions and associations provide a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play in PE.

Abstract Men demonstrate higher incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) than women. This study aims to explain the potential causes of such sexual dimorphism in CRC from the perspective of sex‐biased gut microbiota and metabolites. The results show that sexual dimorphism in colorectal tumorigenesis is observed in both ApcMin/+ mice and azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐treated mice with male mice have significantly larger and more tumors, accompanied by more impaired gut barrier function. Moreover, pseudo‐germ mice receiving fecal samples from male mice or patients show more severe intestinal barrier damage and higher level of inflammation. A significant change in gut microbiota composition is found with increased pathogenic bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and deplets probiotic Parabacteroides goldsteinii in both male mice and pseudo‐germ mice receiving fecal sample from male mice. Sex‐biased gut metabolites in pseudo‐germ mice receiving fecal sample from CRC patients or CRC mice contribute to sex dimorphism in CRC tumorigenesis through glycerophospholipids metabolism pathway. Sexual dimorphism in tumorigenesis of CRC mouse models. In conclusion, the sex‐biased gut microbiome and metabolites contribute to sexual dimorphism in CRC. Modulating sex‐biased gut microbiota and metabolites could be a potential sex‐targeting therapeutic strategy of CRC.

Background: The purpose of this Mendelian randomization (MR) study was to assess the causal relationship between circulating cytokines and periodontitis.Materials and methods: Based on the aggregated statistics of the largest publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS), we applied a bidirectional two-sample MR. MR analyses were conducted using Inverse variance weighted (IVW), Robust Adjusted Profile Score (RAPS), Maximum likelihood (ML), Weighted median and MR-Egger, and results obtained from IVW served as the primary outcome. Cochran Q test was used to test the heterogeneity. MR-Egger intercept test and MR polymorphism residual and outlier test (MR-PRESSO) were used for polymorphism analysis. Leave-one-out sensitivity and funnel plots were used for sensitivity analysis.Results: The IVW method indicated that interleukin 9 (IL9) had a positive causal relationship with periodontitis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.199, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.049–1.372, p = 0.008], and interleukin 17 (IL17) had a negative causal relationship with periodontitis (OR = 0.847, 95% CI = 0.735–0.976, p = 0.022). In bidirectional MR, periodontitis was not causally related to any of the cytokines in our study.Conclusion: Our findings provided evidence in support of potential causal associations between circulating IL9/IL17 and periodontitis.

ABSTRACT Most microbiome studies regarding the ruminant digestive tract have focused on the rumen microbiota, whereas only a few studies were performed on investigating the gut microbiota of ruminants, which limits our understanding of this important component. Herein, the gut microbiota of 30 Caprinae animals (sheep and goats) from six provinces in China was characterized using ultradeep (>100 Gbp per sample) metagenome shotgun sequencing. An inventory of Caprinae gut microbial species containing 5,046 metagenomic assembly genomes (MAGs) was constructed. Particularly, 2,530 of the genomes belonged to uncultured candidate species. These genomes largely expanded the genomic repository of the current microbes in the Caprinae gut. Several enzymes and biosynthetic gene clusters encoded by these Caprinae gut species were identified. In summary, our study extends the gut microbiota characteristics of Caprinae and provides a basis for future studies on animal production and animal health. IMPORTANCE We constructed a microbiota catalog containing 5,046 MAGs from Caprinae gut from six regions of China. Most of the MAGs do not overlap known databases and appear to be potentially new species. We also characterized the functional spectrum of these MAGs and analyzed the differences between different regions. Our study enriches the understanding of taxonomic, functional, and metabolic diversity of Caprinae gut microbiota. We are confident that the manuscript will be of utmost interest to a wide range of readers and be widely applied in future research.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication characterized by severe hypertension and multiple organ damage. Gut microbiota has been linked to PE by previous amplicon sequencing studies. To resolve the PE gut microbiota in a higher taxonomy resolution, we performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing on the fecal samples from 40 early-onset PE and 37 healthy pregnant women. We recovered 1,750 metagenome-assembled genomes (representing 406 species) from the metagenomic dataset and profiled their abundances. We found that PE gut microbiota had enriched in some species belonging to Blautia, Pauljensenia, Ruminococcus, and Collinsella and microbial functions such as the bacitracin/lantibiotics transport system, maltooligosaccharide transport system, multidrug efflux pump, and rhamnose transport system. Conversely, the gut microbiome of healthy pregnant women was enriched in species of Bacteroides and Phocaeicola and microbial functions including the porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, pyridoxal-P biosynthesis, riboflavin metabolism, and folate biosynthesis pathway. PE diagnostic potential of gut microbial biomarkers was developed using both species and function profile data. These results will help to explore the relationships between gut bacteria and PE and provide new insights into PE early warning.

BackgroundSeveral existing studies have shown a correlation between some of the blood and urine biomarkers and oral leukoplakia (OLK). However, the causality of this relationship remains uncertain. Thus, this study aimed to examine the causal association between 35 blood and urine biomarkers and OLK.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with 35 blood and urine biomarkers were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR) study to assess the causal relationship between the biomarkers and the risk of oral leukoplakia. We used the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the main analysis. Furthermore, several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and stability.ResultsBased on the selection criteria of the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method, the analysis found that 5 blood and urine biomarkers were significantly associated with the development of leukoplakia, of which the results of IVW showed that abnormalities of Apolipoprotein B (Apo B), Cholesterol, Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides (TG) promoted the development of oral leukoplakia, and Non Albumin Protein (NAP) had a protective effect on the development of oral leukoplakia. We then performed a Bonferroni correction for these results, and after correction Apo B was still causally associated with the development of oral leukoplakia (IVW P

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early lens extraction during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) compared to those of PPV with subsequent cataract surgery. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in three Chinese hospitals on patients with PDR, aged >45y, with mild cataracts. The participants were randomly assigned to the combined (PPV combined with simultaneously cataract surgery, i.e., phacovitrectomy) or subsequent (PPV with subsequent cataract surgery 6mo later) group and followed up for 12mo. The primary outcome was the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 6mo, and the secondary outcomes included complication rates and medical expenses. RESULTS: In total, 129 patients with PDR were recruited and equally randomized (66 and 63 in the combined and subsequent groups respectively). The change in BCVA in the combined group [mean, 36.90 letters; 95% confidence interval (CI), 30.35–43.45] was significantly better (adjusted difference, 16.43; 95%CI, 8.77–24.08; P

Superior capsular reconstruction is a common treatment option for irreparable rotator cuffs. Arthroscopic surgery procedures mostly use anchor-based methods. However, difficulty in preoperative graft measurement and intra-articular knot-tying present an obstacle for most sport surgeons. Complementing the known advantages of the transosseous technique in rotator cuff repair, a feasible, economical arthroscopic transosseous superior capsular reconstruction technique is described in this Technical Note. This procedure results not only in similar fixation strength and stability and greater bone stock but also in greater cost effectiveness due to using fewer anchors. This Technical Note describes the procedure in detail and compares it with conventional procedures.

Abstract Background For treating distal femur fractures, minimally invasive plating techniques with indirect reduction of the metadiaphysis while minimizing the damage to the peripheral soft tissue has gradually become the standard. However, all the current approaches use a straight or lazy curved incision adjacent to the patella or along the lateral side of the femur, which allows for easier proximal extension but increases the incision length. Methods In order to achieve a more physiological and esthetic outcome while leaving the metadiaphysis untouched, we developed an approach using a lambda-shaped incision, which sacrifices the potential for proximal extension but preserves much more peripheral soft tissue. Here, we describe our technique and our experience with it in 19 patients (12 men and 7 women). Results Fractures healing by first intention was observed in all patients. The postoperative knee range of motion can reach up to 90° in most of the patient. Clinically, 9 patients had excellent results, 6 had good results, 3 had fair results, and 2 had loss of follow-up. Conclusions Our minimally invasive lambda-incision approach allows sufficient visual access to almost the entire joint surface, including the entire lateral femoral condyle, trochlear surface, and distal medial condyle, where reduction is required. The lambda incision provides a much larger window than that offered by a same-length straight incision. The vertical turn at the mid-patellar level parallels the skin crease and geniculate artery, reducing soft tissue damage and resulting in a smooth healing wound. Moreover, plate and distal screw insertion is easier than that through a straight incision. Because the metadiaphysis region is mostly left untouched, ideal fracture-healing environment is preserved.