Objective This study investigated the regulatory effect of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) on myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and Th17/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance. Methods The study enrolled 30 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 30 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of mDC, Th17, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of ITP patients and healthy controls. ELISA was conducted to quantify the serum levels of HMGB1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-23, IL-17, and transforming growth factor β(TGF-β). The mRNA levels of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) and forehead box P3(FOXP3) were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between the abovementioned cells, cytokines, and platelet count was assessed using Pearson linear correlation analysis. Results The proportion of Th17 cells and the expression levels of HMGB1, IL-6, IL-23, IL-17 and the level of RORγt mRNA in the peripheral blood of ITP patients were higher than those in healthy controls. However, the Treg cell proportion and TGF-β level were lower in ITP patients than those in healthy controls. In patients with ITP, the proportion of mDC and the level of FOXP3 mRNA did not show significant changes. The proportion of mDC cells was significantly correlated with the expression of IL-6 and IL-23. Moreover, the expression of HMGB1 showed a significant correlation with the expression of mDC, IL-6, IL-23, RORγt mRNA, and IL-17. Notably, both the proportion of mDC cells and the expression of HMGB1 were negatively correlated with platelet count. Conclusion The high expression of HMGB1 in peripheral blood of ITP patients may induce Th17/Treg imbalance by promoting the maturation of mDC and affecting the secretion of cytokines, thereby potentially playing a role in the immunological mechanism of ITP.
Humans ; Th17 Cells/cytology* ; HMGB1 Protein/genetics* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology* ; Female ; Male ; Dendritic Cells/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/genetics* ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/genetics* ; Young Adult ; Interleukin-23/blood* ; Interleukin-17/blood* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Myeloid Cells/cytology* ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of various types of diabetes. However, the causal relationship between them has yet to be systematically elucidated. This study aims to explore the potential causal associations between gut microbiota and diabetes using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, based on multiple taxonomic levels. METHODS: Eligible instrumental variables were extracted from the selected genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on gut microbiota. These were combined with GWAS datasets on type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to conduct forward MR analysis, sensitivity analysis, reverse MR analysis, and validation of significant estimates. Microbial taxa with causal effects on T1D, T2D, and GDM were identified based on a comprehensive assessment of all analytical stages. RESULTS: A total of 2 179, 2 176, and 2 166 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were included in the MR analyses for gut microbiota with T1D, T2D, and GDM, respectively. MR results indicated causal associations between: Six microbial taxa (Eggerthella, Lachnospira, Bacillales, Desulfovibrionales, Parasutterella, and Turicibacter) and T1D; 9 microbial taxa (Verrucomicrobia, Deltaproteobacteria, Actinomycetales, Desulfovibrionale, Actinomycetaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Actinomyces, Alcaligenaceae, and Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group) and T2D; 10 microbial taxa (Betaproteobacteria, Coprobacter, Ruminococcus2, Tenericutes, Clostridia, Methanobacteria, Mollicutes, Methanobacteriales, Methanobacteriaceae, and Methanobrevibacter) and GDM. CONCLUSIONS This study identified specific gut microbial taxa that may significantly increase or decrease the risk of developing diabetes. Some findings were fully replicated in independent validation datasets. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of these causal relationships warrant further investigation through mechanistic studies and population-based research.
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics* ; Female ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Diabetes, Gestational/genetics* ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into control group, DSS group and DMQ treatment group. In DSS and DMQ groups, the mice were treated with DSS in drinking water to induce UC, and received intraperitoneal injections of sterile PBS or DMQ (20 mg/kg) during modeling. The changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, and colon histological scores of the mice were examined, and the percentages of Th17 and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), proteins associated with inflammasome activation (caspase-1 and p20), IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissues were detected using Western blotting or ELISA. In the cell experiment, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with DMQ, followed by stmulation with nigericin to activate the classical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with either LPS alone or LPS plus nigericin, the effects of DMQ on inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and cytokine release were evaluated via Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In DSS-treated mice, DMQ treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, spleen enlargement, and colon inflammation. The DMQ-treated mice showed significantly reduced percentages of Th17 cells and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, with increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions and decreased caspase-1 expression in the colon tissue. DMQ obviously inhibited classical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and both the classical and alternative pathways of NLRP3 activation in human PBMCs, causing also suppression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS DMQ ameliorates DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects* ; Male ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Bacteriophages/physiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Bacteria/virology*

As an important strategy in antiviral drug development, nucleoside analogs (NAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their unique mechanisms of action and favorable safety profile. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the mechanisms of action of NAs, focusing on the following four aspects: (1) Targeting viral polymerases, inhibiting viral replication through mechanisms such as non-absolute termination, delayed chain termination and induction of viral RNA mutations in addition to classical chain termination, which has been newly discovered; (2) Regulating RNA methylation modifications—for instance, competitively inhibiting methyltransferases, which significantly reduces viral replication efficiency; (3) Depleting nucleotide pools—by affecting host cell purine nucleotide synthesis pathways, thereby indirectly inhibiting viral replication; and (4) Immunomodulatory functions—including activation of the STING pathway to promote interferon production. Furthermore, this review systematically discusses the breakthrough progress in prodrug technologies for addressing key clinical challenges such as drug resistance and off-target toxicity of NAs. These advances provide crucial technical support for the clinical translation of NAs. These advances provide key technical support for the clinical translation of NAs. This review clarifies the multi-target action rules of NAs and provides a theoretical framework for the design of next-generation broad-spectrum antiviral agents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Ganmai Dazao Tang on breast cancer-related depression and explore the mechanism of the decoction in regulating immune inflammation and neurotransmitters via the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） pathway. MethodBALB/c mice were randomized into control， model， fluoxetine （5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low- and high-dose （crude drug 20 and 40 g·kg^-1， respectively） Ganmai Dazao Tang groups （n=10）. The mouse model of 4T1 orthotopic transplantation-induced breast cancer-related depression-like behavior was established. The depression-like behavior of mice was assessed by the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. RT-qPCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of interleukin （IL）-17A， forkhead box P3 （FoxP3），IL-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the cerebral cortex. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the proportions of immune cell subsets in the spleen and thymus. HPLC-MS/MS was employed to measure neurotransmitter levels in the cerebral cortex. Western blotting was employed to detect the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. ResultCompared with the model group， administration of Ganmai Dazao Tang at a dose of 40 g crude drug·kg^-1 continuously for 4 weeks shortened the immobility time of modeled mice in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests （P<0.05）， down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β， IL-17A， and TNF-α （P<0.05）， increased the proportions of T cells， CD4⁺ T cells， B cells， helper T 17 （Th17） cells， and regulatory T （Treg） cells， and reduced the proportion of CD8⁺ T cells （P<0.05）. Furthermore， it lowered the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid （5-HIAA） and kynurenine （Kyn）， decreased the kynurenine/tryptophan （Kyn/Trp） ratio （P<0.05）， increased the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and down-regulated the protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase （p-ERK）， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 （P<0.05）. ConclusionGanmai Dazao Tang can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β， IL-17A， and TNF-α， restore 5-HT metabolism and Kyn/Trp balance， increase the 5-HT content， and reduce the activation of p38 MAPK， ERK， and the MAPK-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce neuroinflammation in the treatment of cancer-related depression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of health distress on depression and anxiety among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people, and to explore the mediating effect of social capital, so as to provide an evidence for the implementation of appropriate interventions. MethodsA face-to-face self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted on 271 middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people aged 50 years and above in Shanghai from September 2021 to February 2022, including the general information of the subjects, social capital scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and health distress scale. The higher the total scores of the social capital scale, the higher level of social capital. Higher scores on the hospital anxiety and depression scale indicate more severe anxiety and depression, and scores >7 points were used to define an anxiety or depression status. The higher scores of the health distress scale, the worse the health condition of the respondents. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the effects of health distress on depression and anxiety, and the mediating effects were used to test the mediating role of social capital between health distress and depression and anxiety. ResultsThe mean scores of depression, anxiety, social capital and health distress among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people aged 50 years and above were (11.063±5.892), (58.391±15.273) and (6.384±4.787) points, respectively. Health distress scores were positively correlated with social capital scores, health distress was positively correlated with depression and anxiety, while social capital was negatively correlated with depression and anxiety (all P<0.05). Social capital had masking effects on the relationship between health distress, depression and anxiety (all P<0.05), which accounted for 24.11% and 18.93% in the effects of depression and anxiety, respectively. ConclusionThe levels of depression and anxiety are higher among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people aged 50 years and above, and health distress can affect the levels of depression and anxiety through social capital. Health workers should take measures to reduce health distress and improve social capital among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people, so as to further alleviate the occurrence and development of depression and anxiety.

Objective To investigate the effect of palmitoleic acid(POA)on pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes after hy-poxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in the human myocardium.Methods The experiment comprised a control group(Control,normal culture),a hypoxia/reoxygenation group(HR),a palmitoleic acid-treated group(HR+POA),and an anhydrous ethanol control group(HR+ET).Cardiomyocytes viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay,and the level of pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes was measured through the double staining with Hoechst33342/PI and LDH assay.ELISA was employed to detect the release of inflammatory factors IL-1 β and IL-18 in the cell culture supernatant.qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to determine the relative expression levels of mRNA and protein of pyroptosis-related genes,namely NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1 β and IL-18,respective-ly.Results CCK-8 assay showed that the survival of hypoxic/reoxygenated cardiomyocytes increased with the ad-dition of POA at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 μmol/L,as compared to the HR group;a hypoxia/reoxy-genation model of cardiomyocyte was established.The expression of protein and mRNA increased in NLRP3,ASC,Cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-Iβ and IL-18 vs the control group(P＜0.05),the positive percentage of Ho-echst33342/PI staining in cardiomyocytes increased significantly(P＜0.05),the release of LDH,IL-Iβ,and IL-18 increased(P＜0.05).After intervention with 100 μmol/L POA,the protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,Cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-Iβ,and IL-18 were significantly reduced in the HR+POA group vs HR+ET group(P＜0.05).The positive percentage of Hoechst33342/PI staining in cardiomyocytes de-creased significantly,and the levels of LDH,IL-Iβ and IL-18 significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Palmitoleic acid may alleviate hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury of cardiomyocytes by inhibiting pyroptosis and inflammatory response after hypoxia/reoxygenation in human myocardium.

Objective:From the perspective of patients'emotions,to compare and study the effectiveness between experiential communication and GLTC communication of outpatient doctors,understand the main communication details that affect patients'emotions,and provide a reference for improving patient emotions and enhancing doctor-patient communication skills in the future.Methods:From July 2021 to January 2022,a pilot study of GLTC communication program in outpatient settings was conducted in a total of 24 departments from 4 tertiary comprehensive hospitals in Jiangsu Province.Descriptive analysis,independent sample t-test,multiple linear regression and other analyses were conducted on the relevant data.Results:After experiential communication in outpatient settings,patients showed improvements in dimensions of emotion such as anxiety,fatigue,confusion,and depression,but there was a decrease in patient vitality(P<0.05).After GLTC communication in outpatient settings,patients'emotions in all six dimensions improved(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the GLTC group had better emotions than the experiential group after communication(P<0.05).After training,the completion rate of relevant communication details of doctors in the GLTC group was mostly significantly higher than that in the experiential within the same unit time(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression showed that smiling,comforting language,and kind gaze were the main factors affecting patients'overall emotions.Conclusion:Experiential communication in outpatient settings has certain communication effects,but there is still a lot of room for improvement compared to GLTC communication in outpatient settings.GLTC communication in outpatient settings can improve patients'emotions,and doctors'smiles,comforting language,and other communication details need to be emphasized in outpatient settings.How to improve the execution of GLTC communication in outpatient settings plans is an important direction for future research.

Objective:To investigate the annual growth rate of obesity prevalence of residents aged 18 and above in China and prevention keypoints for target populations from 2013 to 2018.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Subjects from China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance project in 2013 and 2018 were included. The prevalence of obesity and growth rate in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China were collected through survey questionnaires and on-site measurements. Other demographic data such as the proportion of obesity control measures, diet, exercise and drug use was also analyzed. Obesity among adults was defined as body mass index≥28.0 kg/m2.Results:A total of 174 736 residents, aged (51.5±14.2) years, which included 74 704 (42.8%) males were recruited in 2013, and 179 125 residents, aged (55.1±13.8) years, which included 79 337 (44.3%) males were included in 2018. The average annual increase rate of adult obesity prevalence in China from 2013 to 2018 was 3.2% (uncertainty interval ( UI) 2.7%-3.6%), and the average increase rate of obesity prevalence among men (5.2% ( UI 4.6%-5.9%)) was higher than that of women (0.9% ( UI 0.5%-1.3%)). For subgroups analysis, the average increase rate of obesity prevalence among residents aged 18 to 29 (7.4% ( UI 6.9%-7.9%)), education level beyond college degree (6.3% ( UI 5.5%-7.1%)), and unmarried population (11.2% ( UI 10.2%-12.1%)) were higher than that of other subgroups between 2013 and 2018. The residents in Hainan province showed the highest average annual growth rate of obesity. With the exception of Shanxi, Hunan, Gansu and Ningxia province, the annual growth rate of obesity prevalence among adults increased in all other provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) from 2013 to 2018. For the obese population, the proportion of people who took weight control measures increased from 22.6% in 2013 to 32.7% in 2018. Conclusions:The prevalence of obesity growth characteristics in subpopulations and regions in China are obviously different. Accordingly the focus points of obesity prevention and control in different regions should have their own emphasis.