Objective To investigate the dietary structure and nutritional metabolism indicators in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and to analyze the relationship with renal injury. Methods From January 2022 to February 2024, 296 patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy were included in the hospital for investigation. According to the measurement results of 24h urinary protein quantification, these patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe renal injury groups. The diet, nutritional metabolism and renal injury indicators were compared, and the correlation was analyzed. Results The total energy intake, protein, fat and carbohydrate energy supply ratio were decreased with the aggravation of renal injury while the levels of hemoglobin (Hgb), total protein (TP), globulin (GLB), albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were enhanced (P<0.05), and the total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were manifested as severe injury group>moderate injury group>mild injury group (P<0.05). Total intake, carbohydrate energy supply ratio, Hgb, TP, GLB, ALB, TG and HDL-C were positively correlated with 24h urinary protein quantification, and the other indicators were negatively correlated with 24h urinary protein quantification (P<0.05). Conclusion The patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy generally have unreasonable dietary structure and poor nutritional metabolism, both of which are associated with the degree of renal injury. It is recommended to strengthen the diet management, optimize the energy supply ratio, monitor the biochemical indicators and adjust the treatment regimen.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and cognitive dysfunction, and its mediating role between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive dysfunction. MethodsA case-control study was conducted from May 2019 to April 2021 at the Shanghai Yangpu District Central Hospital, China. A total of 193 subjects were recruited and divided into two groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): normal control (NC) group (n=95) and cognitive impairment group (n=98). The prevalence of T2DM was determined on the basis of medical history, while mtDNAcn in peripheral blood samples was quantified using realtime fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ResultsUnivariate analyses revealed that the mean mtDNAcn in the cognitive impairment group was 0.76±0.37, significantly lower than that in the NC group (1.06±0.45) (P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that higher mtDNAcn was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (OR=0.315, 95%CI: 0.125‒0.795). Additionaly, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between mtDNAcn and the total MoCA score (r=0.381, P<0.01). Morever, T2DM history (OR=2.741, 95%CI: 1.002‒7.497) and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (OR=1.796, 95%CI: 1.190‒2.711) were identified as risk factors for cognitive impairment. Mediation analyses indicated that mtDNAcn served as a mediator between T2DM/HbA1c and the risk of cognitive impairment, with proportions of mediating effect of 9.04% and 9.18%, respectively. ConclusionPatients with mild and moderate cognitive impairment have significantly lower mtDNAcn than those with normal cognitive function. Reduced mtDNAcn is an influencing factor for cognitive dysfunction and may play a mediating role in the association between T2DM and mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors for cognitive function among aluminum workers, so as to provide the basis for intervention and prevention of cognitive function among aluminum-exposed populations. Methods: From July to August 2019, male aluminum workers in the electrolytic aluminum workshop of an aluminum factory in Shanxi Province were selected using the cluster sampling method. Demographic information, prevalence of chronic diseases, lifestyle behaviors, night shifts, and sleep quality were collected through questionnaire surveys. Blood aluminum levels were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Cognitive function was investigated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Factors affecting cognitive function among aluminum workers were analyzed by a quantile regression model. Results: A total of 142 aluminum workers were surveyed, including 57 workers aged 20 to <40 years (40.14%) and 85 workers aged 40 to 60 years (59.86%). The median blood aluminum level was 38.23 (interquartile range, 21.82) μg/L. The median cognitive function score was 24.00 (interquartile range, 3.00) points. Quantile regression analysis revealed that older age (βQ5=-0.186, 95%CI: -0.269 to -0.102), lower educational level (βQ5=1.933, 95%CI: 1.029 to 2.838; βQ10=1.743, 95%CI: 0.480 to 3.006; βQ50=1.038, 95%CI: 0.141 to 1.935; βQ75=1.006, 95%CI: 0.437 to 1.575; βQ90=1.111, 95%CI: 0.291 to 1.930), smoking (βQ5=-2.056, 95%CI: -3.264 to -0.849), alcohol consumption (βQ5=-1.821, 95%CI: -3.247 to -0.396) and higher blood aluminum level (βQ5=-0.075, 95%CI: -0.110 to -0.040; βQ10=-0.078, 95%CI: -0.127 to -0.029; βQ50=-0.075, 95%CI: -0.110 to -0.040; βQ75=-0.057, 95%CI: -0.079 to -0.035; βQ90=-0.067, 95%CI: -0.099 to -0.035) were associated with cognitive function decline among aluminum workers. Conclusions Educational level and blood aluminum level are the main factors affecting the cognitive function among aluminum workers. Among those with lower cognitive function scores, age, smoking and alcohol consumption are also associated with cognitive function.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), describe a group of nanoparticles released by plants. These particles are characterized by a lipid bilayer structure containing various proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and unique metabolites. Although the study on PDEVs is relatively new, having only been around for ten years, they have shown promising development prospects in both basic research and clinical transformation areas. Evidence suggests that PDEVs have excellent application prospects in regulating inflammation and treating tumors. Their distinctive, vesicle-mimicking architecture and stellar biocompatibility render them prime candidates for ferrying various anti-cancer agents, including RNA, proteins, and conventional chemotherapy drugs. Increasingly, studies have shown that PDEVs can be engineered as an innovative platform for combination cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, this paper provides an extensive summary of current developments in engineering methods and strategies for PDEVs in cancer treatment and combined cancer immune therapeutics. The essential characteristics of PDEVs, including the biogenesis process and components, as well as their anti-tumor activity and mechanism, are summarized. Finally, the in vivo safety of PDEVs as delivery vectors and the challenges of scale-up production and clinical transformation are discussed.

S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO) is a non-protein sulfur-containing amino acid with a variety of functions. There are few reports on the enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of SMCO from S-methyl-L-cysteine (SMC). In this study, the flavin-containing monooxygenase gene derived from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (spfmo) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and the enzymatic properties of the expressed protein were analyzed. The optimum catalytic conditions of the recombinant SpFMO were 30 ℃ and pH 8.0, under which the enzyme activity reached 72.77 U/g. An appropriate amount of Mg²⁺ improved the enzyme activity. The enzyme kinetic analysis showed that the K_m and k_cat/K_m of SpFMO on the substrate SMC were 23.89 μmol/L and 61.71 L/(min·mmol), respectively. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the yield of SMCO synthesized from SMC catalyzed by SpFMO was 12.31% within 9 h. This study provides reference for the enzymatic synthesis of SMCO.
Schizosaccharomyces/genetics* ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism* ; Cysteine/biosynthesis* ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism* ; Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Kinetics

Bacillus velezensis DJ1 exhibits broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against diverse phytopathogenic fungi, while its biocontrol mechanisms against Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of maize stalk rot, remain poorly characterized. In this study, we integrated genomics and transcriptomics to elucidate the antifungal mechanisms of strain DJ1. The results demonstrated that DJ1 inhibited F. graminearum with the efficacy of 64.4%, while its polyketide crude extract achieved the control efficacy of 55% in pot experiments against this disease. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a single circular chromosome (3 929 792 bp, GC content of 47%) harboring 12 biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, six of which encoded known antimicrobial compounds (macrolactin H, bacillaene, difficidin, surfactin, fengycin, and bacilysin). Transcriptomic analysis identified 243 differentially expressed genes (152 upregulated and 91 downregulated, P < 0.05), which were potentially associated with the antagonistic activity against F. graminearum. KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted activation (P < 0.05) of cysteine/methionine metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and polyketide biosynthesis pathways, indicating that DJ1 employed synergistic strategies involving antimicrobial compound synthesis, energy metabolism enhancement, and nutrient competition to suppress pathogens. This study provides a theoretical foundation for developing novel microbial resources and application technologies to combat phytopathogenic fungi.
Fusarium/drug effects* ; Bacillus/metabolism* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology* ; Genomics ; Zea mays/microbiology* ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Antibiosis ; Multigene Family ; Multiomics

Objective:To analyze the blood-transition prototype components and metabolites of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor.Methods:Ultra-high performance liquid chromatographyquadrupole/electrostatic field orbital trap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS) technique was used to compare the chromatogram differences of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor extract, blank serum and drug-containing serum. According to the retention time, relative molecular weight and the ratio with primary and secondary ion fragments provided by MS, the prototype components and metabolites of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor extract were analyzed in serum of rats after oral administration. The detection conditions were as follows: the mobile phase of methanol (A)-0.1% formic acid solution (B) for elution gradient (0-5 min, 5%A; 5-60 min, 5%-95%A; 60-65 min, 95%A), the flow rate of 0.3 ml/min, heated electrospray ionization, detection range of m/z 80-1 200, positive and negative ion scanning modes.Results:A total of 31 transitional components were detected in the serum, of which 9 were prototype components and 22 were metabolites. The 9 prototype components were identified as phenylacetaldehyde, baogongteng C/ erycibellin, p-coumaric acid, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, quinic acid, paeonol, 3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, salicylic acid, and isourecumenol. The 22 metabolites mainly consist of 11 organic acid components, 3 indole components, 2 organic phenolic components, 2 alkaloid components, 1 nucleoside component, 1 amino acid component, 1 lactone component, and 1 sulfonic component. The metabolic pathways were mainly glucuronidation, sulfation and others, which by phase Ⅱ metabolism.Conclusion:Organic phenols and organic acids are the main components that enter the body of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda Medicinal Liquor, while alkaloid compounds and organic acid components may be potential active ingredients for its pharmacological effects.

Objective: To construct a nonsuicidal selfinjury (NSSI) risk prediction model for middle school students using different machine learning algorithms and evaluate the models effectiveness, so as to provide guidance for the prevention and control of NSSI in campus. Methods: In March 2023, a total of 3 372 middle and high school students from schools in Nanchang, Fuzhou and Shangrao cities in Jiangxi Province were selected by combining stratified random cluster sampling and convenient sampling methods. Questionnaire surveys were conducted using various instruments including general information questionnaire, Selfesteem Scale, Ottawa Selfinjury Scale, Social Support Assessment Scale, Chinese Version of the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, Event Attribution Style Scale, Adolescent Resilience Scale, and Adolescent Life Events Scale. Data were divided into training set (n=2 361) and test set (n=1 011) at a ratio of 7∶3, and variables were selected based on univariate and LASSO regression results. Four machine learning algorithms including namely random forest, support vector machine, Logistic regression and XGBoost, were used to construct NSSI risk prediction models, and the models performance was evaluated and compared using metrics including area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and F1 score. Results: The detection rate of NSSI among middle school students was 34.4%. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in NSSI detection rates among middle school students of different grades, genders, registered residence locations, whether they were class cadres and four types of bullying (physical, verbal, relational bullying and cyberbullying) (χ2=27.17, 15.81, 11.54, 4.63；68.22, 140.63, 77.81, 13.95, P<0.05). NSSI was included as the dependent variable in the LASSO regression model for variable screening, and the results regression identified 10 predictive variables including grade level, selfesteem, subjective support, support utilization, verbal bullying, emotional control, interpersonal relationships, punishment, loss of relatives and property, and health and adaptation issues. The AUC values of random forest, support vector machine, Logistic regression, and XGBoost algorithms were 0.76, 0.76, 0.76 and 0.77, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between pairwise comparisons (Z=-0.59-0.82, P>0.05). Sensitivity values were 0.62, 0.61, 0.62 and 0.61, respectively. Specificity values were 0.74, 0.78, 0.78 and 0.78, respectively. Positive predictive values were 0.56, 0.59, 0.60 and 0.59, respectively. Negative predictive values were 0.79, 0.79, 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. F1 scores were 0.59, 0.60, 0.61 and 0.60, respectively. Conclusions All four nonsuicidal selfinjury risk prediction models perform well, with the Logistic regression model slightly outperforming the others. Schools and parents should pay attention to the predictive factors corresponding to NSSI, so as to reduce the occurrence of NSSI among middle school students.

Background Quartz dust cannot be degraded in the lungs, and inhalation of a large amount of quartz dust in the occupational production process will lead to the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis, and then develop into silicosis. In recent years, studies have found that exosomes may be involved in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases by carrying microribonucleic acid (miRNA), but the mechanism of their actions in silicosis still needs to be studied. Objective To investigate the role of exosome-derived miRNA-21-5p/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (Smad7) in quartz dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (six rats in each group): control 4-week group, control 16-week group, quartz 4-week group, and quartz 16-week group. At the beginning of the experiment, 1 mL of quartz suspension (50 mg·mL⁻¹) and 1 mL of normal saline were injected into the trachea of rats in the quartz group and the control group, respectively, by means of one-time non-exposure intratracheal dust staining. Alveolar lavage was performed at the 4th and 16th weeks after dust staining, the exosomes in lavage solution were extracted by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, morphological identification was conducted by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size of exosomes was detected by nano-tracking analysis (NTA), and the marker proteins CD9 and CD63 of exosomes were detected by Western blotting (WB). The expression of miRNA-21-5p in exosomes was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The degree of lung tissue injury and fibrosis was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and Masson staining. The collagen content of lung tissue was detected by hydroxyproline (HYP) method. The expression of Smad7 protein in lung tissue was detected by WB. Results The results of pathological staining showed that compared with the control group, lung inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar wall thickening, and collagen increase were observed after 4 weeks of dusting, and collagen deposition and silicon nodules appeared after 16 weeks of dusting. Compared with the control group, the expression level of HYP in the lung tissue of the quartz group was increased after 4 weeks and 16 weeks of dust staining (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that exosomes were saucer-shaped, and the average particle size of exosomes was 95.8 nm by NTA. Positive expression of exosome marker proteins CD9 and CD81 was found by WB. Compared with the control group, the expression of exosome-derived miRNA-21-5p in alveolar lavage fluid in the quartz group increased in the 4th week and the 16th week (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad7 protein in lung tissue decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Exosome-derived miRNA-21-5p and Smad7 may be involved in the mechanism of quartz dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.