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Lactobacillus helveticus strain H10 was isolated from traditional fermented milk in Tibet, China. We sequenced the whole genome of strain H10 and compared it to the published genome sequence of Lactobacillus helveticus DPC4571. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing and maintaining beneficial interactions between the host and associated gut microbiota are pivotal requirements for host health. Autophagy is an important catabolic recycling pathway that degrades long-lived proteins and some organelles by lysosome to maintain cellular homeostasis. Although impaired autophagy is thought to be closely correlated with Crohn's disease (CD), the functional role of autophagy in the maintenance of gut microbiota is poorly understood. As autophagy-related 5 (Atg5) is a key gene associated with the extension of the phagophoric membrane in autophagic vesicles, we established a gut-specific Atg5 knockout mouse model, and we found that the disruption of autophagic flux in the intenstinal epithelium cells dramatically altered the composition of the gut microbiota and reduced alpha diversity. Microbial function prediction indicated that the pathway allocated for infectious diseases was enriched in Atg5-/- mice. "Candidatus Arthromitus" and the Pasteurellaceae family were increased in Atg5-/- mice, whereas Akkermansia muciniphila and the Lachnospiraceae family were reduced. Transcriptome analysis revealed that two key inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related transcription factors, RORC and TBX21, of host cells were upregulated in Atg5-/- mice, thus elevating the Muc2-related immunological response. The findings suggest that intestinal autophagy plays a vital role in modulating the diversity and composition of gut microbiota. IMPORTANCE The homeostasis of host-microbiota interactions is of great importance to host health. Previous studies demonstrated that disruption of autophagy was linked to inflammatory bowel disease. However, the interaction mechanism of gut microbiota regulated by autophagy was obscure. In an intestinal epitheliumspecific autophagy-related 5 (Atg5) knockout mouse model, we observed a significant alteration and decreased diversity in the gut microbiota of Atg5-deficient mice compared with that of wild-type mice. Although the numbers of some organisms (e.g., Akkermansia muciniphila and members of the Lachnospiraceae family) associated with the control of inflammation decreased, those of proinflammationory bacteria (e.g., "Candidatus Arthromitus") and potential pathogens (the Pasteurellaceae family) increased in Atg5-/- mice. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that two key genes, RORC and TBX21, involved in inflammatory bowel disease were upregulated in Atg5-/- mice. Our study suggests that Atg5 deficiency results in an imbalance of the host-microbe interaction and deterioration of the gut microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is considered a lethal and treatment-refractory disease. To obtain a potent anticancer drug, the cytotoxic effect of 2-(benzo[d]oxazol-3(2H)-ylmethyl)- 5-((cyclohexylamino)methyl)benzene-1,4-diol, dihydrochloride (NSC48693) on human pancreatic cancer cells CFPAC-1, MiaPaCa-2, and BxPC-3 was assessed in vitro. The proliferation of CFPAC-1, MiaPaCa-2, and BxPC-3 is inhibited with IC50 value of 12.9±0.2, 20.6±0.3, and 6.260.6 μM at 48 h, respectively. This discovery is followed with additional analysis to demonstrate that NSC48693 inhibition is due to induction of apoptosis, including Annexin V staining, chromatins staining, and colony forming assays. It is further revealed that NSC48693 induces the release of cytochrome c, reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, generates reactive oxygen species, and activates caspase. These results collectively indicate that NSC48693 mainly induces apoptosis of CFPAC-1, MiaPaCa-2, and BxPC-3 cells by the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway. Excitingly, the study highlights an encouraging inhibition effect that human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) and liver (HL-7702) cells are more resistant to the antigrowth effect of NSC48693 compared to the three cancer cell lines. From this perspective, NSC48693 should help to open up a new opportunity for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three kinds of pore-forming agents (corn flour, starch, and biochar) were selected to prepare dolomite-based porous ceramic catalyst carriers with good mechanical properties. Pore-forming agents occupy space within preformed agglomerates, such that after the pyrolysis and sintering have been completed there are spaces within the resulting ceramic material. Porous ceramic samples prepared with biochar exhibited high apparent porosity and water absorption. By contrast, the apparent porosity of the porous ceramic samples prepared with starch as the pore-forming agent was low. When the ratio of the dolomite to quartz sand in the ceramic aggregate was changed from 4:6 to 3:7, the change of the apparent porosity of the porous ceramic samples made with starch as a poreforming agent was very small, with high bulk density and compressive strength. Compared with corn flour and biochar, starch was less suitable as a pore-forming agent for porous ceramics. The apparent porosity and water absorption of the porous ceramics prepared with biochar as a poreforming agent decreased slightly. But its bulk density and thermal conductivity were increased. This is mainly attributable to the fact that biochar is lighter, but it performs well in terms of mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To detect the antifungal effect of the novel imidazoles 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 and 44 on Candida albicans, and explore the mechanism of the antifungal effect preliminarily. Methods: The inhibitory effects of 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 and 44 on Candida albicans standard strains SC5314, ATCC90028 and clinical isolates were observed through susceptibility test in vitro (the concentration gradients of fluconazole, 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 and 44 were all set in 0.25-128.00 μg/mL), hyphal inhibition test (the concentration gradients of fluconazole, 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 and 44 were all set in 0, 2.00, 8.00, 16.00 μg/mL) and crystal violet staining cell coun-ting test (the concentration gradients of fluconazole, 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 and 44 were all set 2.00, 8.00, 16.00, 64.00 μg/mL). The morphological changes of membrane and organelles in Candida albicans were observed by transmission electron microscopy when they were cultured with 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 (0.50 μg/mL) and 44 (2.00 μg/mL). Results: The susceptibility test in vitro showed that the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of fluconazole, new drug 19, and new drug 44 on Candida albicans SC5314 were 1.00, 0.50, and 2.00 μg/mL, respectively. The clinical isolates of Candida albicans 21897, 210 and 141 were all fluconazole-resistant strains (MIC>128.00 μg/mL). The MICs of new drug 19 on three type isolates were 64.00 μg/mL,> 128.00 μg/mL and 64.00 μg/mL, and the MICs of new drug 44 on them were 8.00 μg/mL, 16.00 μg/mL and 16.00 μg/mL, respectively. The mycelial inhibition experiment showed that the mycelial growth of Candida albicans SC5314 was significantly inhibited in the culture medium containing fluconazole and the novel drugs 19 and 44, and the higher the drug concentration (≤64.00 μg/mL). The inhibitory effects of new drugs 19 and 44 were better than fluconazole as the drug concentrations were 8.00 μg/ml or 64.00 μg/mL. Transmission electron microscopy showed that fluconazole and the novel drugs 19 and 44 led the cell membrane of SC5314 to become uneven and coarse in texture, which was obviously different from that of drug-free control. Conclusions: The new imidazoles 2-imidazole-2, 4-pentadienone 19 and 44 show strong inhibitory effects on Candida albicans by changing the structure of cell membrane.

The host-guest type molecular size matching strategy, which embodied intramolecular hydrogen bond, aromatic nucleophilic substitution and nucleophilic addition, was utilized to develop a fluorescent probe for GSH specific detection and in situ imaging in organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Life Microscope is a new wristband-based life recorder system that can identify various human movements. We aimed to compare physical activity data captured using the Life Microscope with data from a commonly used accelerometer. Results: Twenty-nine participants (34.6 ± 12.5 years) wore both the Life Microscope and an Active Style Pro accelerometer for 7 days. Physical activity categories were calculated by converting daily accelerometer data output into time spent at sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. Correlations between the physical activity category and step count data obtained from the two accelerometers were assessed using Pearson correlations, paired t-tests, intra-class coefficients, and the Bland–Altman method. Our results showed good reliability between the physical activity patterns and daily step counts obtained using both devices. Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement between data from both accelerometers. In conclusion, both accelerometers were comparable in their measurement of step counts and time spent in different physical activity intensities under free-living conditions, and either could be used for population studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in hydrologic optics provide a potential tool for extracting maps of optical properties of optically significant constituents. During summer experiments in the northern South China Sea, a procedure for inverting optical properties in optically complex coastal upwelling waters was performed. We tested an optical inversion model (OIM) that provides estimates of the absorption attributable to optically significant constituents (including phytoplankton, non-algal particles (NAP), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM)), as well as the chlorophyll a concentration and the phytoplankton size class, from the total spectral absorption. The OIM provided reasonable estimates of these bio-optical products, and attempts to invert the bio-optical properties in the coastal upwelling were successful. Several bio-optical parameters displayed robust relationships to the hydrologic characteristics. The biomass was strongly enhanced in the upwelling, where the phytoplankton population was dominated by the microphytoplankton. The inherent optical properties in the surface waters delivered distinct responses to the coastal upwelling. The distribution of backscattering ratios and particulate size distribution slopes indicated that the offshore surface waters were mainly dominated by small organic NAP, while the upwelling surface water was characterized by larger particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soy milk is regarded as a substitute for milk and has become popular in varied diets throughout the world. It has been shown that a newly characterized probiotic bacterium (Lactobacillus casei Zhang) actually grows faster in soy milk than in bovine milk. To elucidate the mechanism involved, we carried out a proteomic analysis to characterize bacterial proteins that varied upon growth in soy milk and bovine milk at 3 different growth phases, and compare their expression under these conditions. A total of 104 differentially expressed spots were identified from different phases using a peptide mass fingerprinting assay. Functional analysis revealed that a major part of these identified proteins is associated with transport and metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides, and amino acids as well. The results from our proteomic analysis were clarified by real-time quantitative PCR assay, which showed that Lb. casei Zhang loci involved in purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis were transcriptionally enhanced during growth in soy milk at lag phase (pH 6.4), whereas the loci involved in carbohydrate metabolism were upregulated in bovine milk. Particularly, our results showed that L-glutamine might play an important role in the growth of Lb. casei Zhang in soy milk and bovine milk, perhaps by contributing to purine, pyrimidine, and amino sugar metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus thermophilus strain ND03 is a Chinese commercial dairy starter used for the manufacture of yogurt. It was isolated from naturally fermented yak milk in Qinghai, China. We present here the complete genome sequence of ND03 and compare it to three other published genomes of Streptococcus thermophilus strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain ND02 is a Chinese commercial dairy starter used for the manufacture of yoghurt. It was isolated from naturally fermented yak milk in Qinghai, China. Here, we report the main genome features of ND02 and several differences with two other published genomes of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a significant factor contributing to postoperative occurrences, and patients diagnosed with depression have a higher risk for postoperative complications. Studies on cardiovascular surgery extensively addresses this concern. Several studies report that people who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery have a 20% chance of developing postoperative depression. A retrospective analysis of medical records spanning 21 years, involving 817 patients, revealed that approximately 40% of individuals undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were at risk of perioperative depression. Patients endure prolonged suffering from illness because each attempt with standard antidepressants requires several weeks to be effective. In addition, multi-drug combination adjuvants or combination medication therapy may alleviate symptoms for some individuals, but they also increase the risk of side effects. Conventional antidepressants primarily modulate the monoamine system, whereas different therapies target the serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine systems. Esketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant with high efficacy. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine developed in 1956. Esketamine exerts its effect by targeting the glutaminergic system the glutaminergic system. In this paper, we discuss the current depression treatment strategies with a focus on the pharmacology and mechanism of action of esketamine. In addition, studies reporting use of esketamine to treat perioperative depressive symptoms are reviwed, and the potential future applications of the drug are presented., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation approach combining Traditional Chinese Medicine Daoyin with lower limb robotics during the recovery phase of stroke patients., Methods: Stroke patients meeting the specified criteria were randomly assigned to one of four groups using a random number table: Control group, Daoyin group, lower limb robot group (LLR group), and Daoyin and lower limb robot group (DLLR group). Each group received distinct treatments based on conventional rehabilitation training. The treatment duration spanned two weeks with two days of rest per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included various scales: Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg balance scale (BBS), Barthel index (BI), Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD)., Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the lower limb function measured by FAM between the Control group (15 ± 5) and the DLLR group (18 ± 5) ( P = 0.049). In the Barthel index, a statistically significant difference was noted between the Control group (54 ± 18) and the DLLR group (64 ± 11) ( P = 0.041). Additionally, significant differences were found in the Berg balance scale between the Control group (21 ± 10) and the DLLR group (27 ± 8) ( P = 0.024), as well as between the Control group (21 ± 10) and the LLR group (26 ± 10) ( P = 0.048)., Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the combined use of Daoyin and robotics not only enhances motor function in stroke patients but also has a positive impact on fatigue, sleep quality, and mood. This approach may offer a more effective rehabilitation strategy for stroke patients.

Background: The incidence and mortality rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are increasing worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need to elucidate the molecular drivers of HCC for potential early diagnosis and individualized treatment. Whether c-Myc expression plays a role in the clinicopathology and prognosis of patients with HCC remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to survey the prognostic role of c-Myc in HCC. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for studies published through March 2020 that examined the association between c-Myc expression and clinicopathology or prognosis in HCC patients. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to investigate the prognostic significance of c-Myc expression. Odds ratios were calculated to evaluate the association between c-Myc expression and clinicopathologic features. We also tested for publication bias. Results: Our meta-analysis included nine studies with 981 patients with HCC published between 1999 and 2016. A meta-analysis of these studies demonstrated that high c-Myc expression indicated a poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.260, 95% CI: 1.660-3.080, and p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.430-2.450, and p < 0.001) in patients with HCC. However, high c-Myc expression was not associated with HBsAg, pathological type, TNM stage, or cirrhosis. We did not find any significant publication bias among the included studies, indicating that our estimates were robust and reliable. Conclusion: c-Myc overexpression could predict poor OS and DFS in HCC patients. c-Myc could be a useful prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Min, Xunlei, Haizhen, Wenjing, Haiyan, Xiaoyun, Jianyun, Xudong and Aiguo.)