Objective:To develop a camelid single-domain antibody (SdAb) recognizing linear B-cell epitopes in glutamate dehydrogenase of Clostridium difficile(CD-GDH), and to apply it in Western blot and ELISA. Methods:Purified recombinant CD-GDH was used as bait to screen phage-displayed camelid SdAb library and obtain positive clones. Then those clones were confirmed by Western blot, and their variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibody(VHH) nucleotide sequence were determined. The VHH sequence was synthesized after codon optimization and cloned into the expression vector pET28a. The SdAb was then expressed and purified, and its ability to detect CD-GDH protein in multiple assays was further explored.Results:Six positive clones were obtained, among which clone GA4 was chosen for recombinant expression in Escherichia coli and further purification. The purified GA4 binded well with CD-GDH with a Kd value of 3 nmol/L. In Western blot and ELISA, GA4 was proven to be able to selectively detect both recombinant and endogenous CD-GDH. Conclusions:A camelid SdAb targeting a linear B-cell epitope in CD-GDH is successfully developed, which provides a very useful tool for detecting CD-GDH.

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*

Objective To investigate the mechanism of kaempferol(KPF)in the treatment of macular edema sec-ondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).Methods RVO model was established in SD rats using photocoagulation.Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into:Control group(normal rats,saline injection),Model group(RVO model rats,saline injection),Low KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(8 mg·kg-1·d-1)],High KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(16 mg·kg-1·d-1)],with 5 rats per group for 14 days.Fundus photography observed retinal vessels;HE staining evaluated retinal structural changes.HRMECs were randomly divided into:control group(no intervention),CoCl2 group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2),Low-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 KPF),High-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+30 μmol·L-1 KPF)and pathway inhibitor group(DAPT group)(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 DAPT),with 24-hour intervention.CCK-8 assay detected cell viability;Scratch test measured cell migration rate;ELISA quantified inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α];FITC-dextran assay evalu-ated endothelial monolayer permeability;Immunofluorescence detected zonula occludens(ZO)-1 expression;Western blot and RT-PCR measured protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Notch1,and Hes1.Results Fundus photography showed interrupted venous blood flow and retinal edema in Model group,alleviated by KPF.HE staining revealed disorder-ed retinal arrangement and severe edema in the Model group,improved by KPF.Compared with CoCl2 group,Low-and High-dose KPF groups showed reduced cell migration rate,increased cell vitality(both P＜0.05),IL-6 and TNF-α levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),permeability coefficient decreased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 expression increased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 and Occludin protein/mRNA levels increased;Notch1 and Hes1 protein/mRNA levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion KPF treat RVO-ME by inhibiting the Notch1/Hes1 pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and improving intercellular tight junctions.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of kaempferol(KPF)in the treatment of macular edema sec-ondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).Methods RVO model was established in SD rats using photocoagulation.Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into:Control group(normal rats,saline injection),Model group(RVO model rats,saline injection),Low KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(8 mg·kg-1·d-1)],High KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(16 mg·kg-1·d-1)],with 5 rats per group for 14 days.Fundus photography observed retinal vessels;HE staining evaluated retinal structural changes.HRMECs were randomly divided into:control group(no intervention),CoCl2 group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2),Low-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 KPF),High-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+30 μmol·L-1 KPF)and pathway inhibitor group(DAPT group)(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 DAPT),with 24-hour intervention.CCK-8 assay detected cell viability;Scratch test measured cell migration rate;ELISA quantified inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α];FITC-dextran assay evalu-ated endothelial monolayer permeability;Immunofluorescence detected zonula occludens(ZO)-1 expression;Western blot and RT-PCR measured protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Notch1,and Hes1.Results Fundus photography showed interrupted venous blood flow and retinal edema in Model group,alleviated by KPF.HE staining revealed disorder-ed retinal arrangement and severe edema in the Model group,improved by KPF.Compared with CoCl2 group,Low-and High-dose KPF groups showed reduced cell migration rate,increased cell vitality(both P＜0.05),IL-6 and TNF-α levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),permeability coefficient decreased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 expression increased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 and Occludin protein/mRNA levels increased;Notch1 and Hes1 protein/mRNA levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion KPF treat RVO-ME by inhibiting the Notch1/Hes1 pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and improving intercellular tight junctions.

Objective:To develop a camelid single-domain antibody (SdAb) recognizing linear B-cell epitopes in glutamate dehydrogenase of Clostridium difficile(CD-GDH), and to apply it in Western blot and ELISA. Methods:Purified recombinant CD-GDH was used as bait to screen phage-displayed camelid SdAb library and obtain positive clones. Then those clones were confirmed by Western blot, and their variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibody(VHH) nucleotide sequence were determined. The VHH sequence was synthesized after codon optimization and cloned into the expression vector pET28a. The SdAb was then expressed and purified, and its ability to detect CD-GDH protein in multiple assays was further explored.Results:Six positive clones were obtained, among which clone GA4 was chosen for recombinant expression in Escherichia coli and further purification. The purified GA4 binded well with CD-GDH with a Kd value of 3 nmol/L. In Western blot and ELISA, GA4 was proven to be able to selectively detect both recombinant and endogenous CD-GDH. Conclusions:A camelid SdAb targeting a linear B-cell epitope in CD-GDH is successfully developed, which provides a very useful tool for detecting CD-GDH.

Objective To propose strategies for developing clinical predictive models,aiming to assist researchers in conducting standardized clinical prediction model studies.Methods Literature review was conducted to summarize the operational steps and content for developing clinical predictive models.Then,a methodological framework was summarized and refined through expert consultation.Results The 11-step methodological framework for developing clinical predictive models was obtained by synthesizing the experience of 456 clinical predictive modeling studies and expert consultation,and the details were analyzed and elaborated.Conclusions This study presents methodological strategies and recommendations for the development of clinical predictive models,intended to serve as a guide for researchers.

Podocyte infolding glomerulopathy (PIG) is a pathologic type of podocyte glomerulopathy reported recently. The characteristic is that the ultrastructure related to podocytes, such as microspheres and microtubules, are folded into the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) under electron microscope. At present, there are few reports about this disease at home and abroad, and most of them are concentrated in Japan. The clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of PIG are still unclear. In this paper, we report a case of clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome, renal biopsy indicated PIG, after the treatment of glucocorticoid, hydroxychloroquine and tacrolimus, the patient's clinical symptoms were relieved and urinary protein decreased.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Cinnamomi Cortex in the treatment of depression based on the network pharmacology method, and to verify the experimental results according to the results. METHODS The potential active components of Cinnamomi Cortex were screened by using the Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and literatures related to the active components of Cinnamomi Cortex. The target of action of the active ingredients obtained by screening was predicted; the disease targets of depression were obtained from the DisGeNet database; the STRING database protein-protein interaction was used to construct PPI network; Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for key targets through DAVID database. Based on the results of network pharmacology, the solid self-microemulsion of Cinnamomi Cortex oil was used as a reagent to establish a chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) depression mice model, and the experimental verification was carried out by measuring the expression levels of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors in mice. RESULTS A total of 22 active ingredients and 186 potential targets were obtained through screening. A total of 275 GO items were obtained by GO enrichment analysis, including 222 for biological processes, 18 for cellular composition, and 35 for molecular functions. A total of 96 signaling pathways were obtained from KEGG enrichment. The results of network pharmacology indicated that the antidepressant mechanism of Cinnamomi Cortex was related to neurotransmitter components and inflammatory response. The results of animal experiments indicated that Cinnamomi Cortex oil solid self-microemulsion could improve hippocampal damage caused by CUMS, and make neurons in the hippocampus neatly arranged and cell structure intact. At the same time, it could effectively increase the expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), NE and DA in the brain of CUMS mice(P<0.05), and reduce the expression levels of serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05). The results of animal experiments were consistent with the results of network pharmacology. CONCLUSION The antidepressant activity of Cinnamomi Cortex has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway. Regulating the expression levels of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors is an important way of its action, which provides a basis for the in-depth study of the antidepressant mechanism of Cinnamomi Cortex.

Objective:Compared to imprecisely repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), this study aimed to explore whether localizing the DLPFC precisely or targeting on the right orbital frontal cortex (rOFC) can improve the rTMS efficacy for the treatment of depressive disorder.Methods:From January 2018 to March 2021, this study recruited patients who met the DSM-Ⅳ diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder in Shanghai Mental Health Center. Nineteen patients were located in the imprecise DLPFC group, 19 patients in the precise DLPFC group, and 14 patients in the rOFC group. All patients were assessed by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD 17) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) at baseline and after 10-session rTMS treatments. The primary outcome of this study was the HAMD 17 response rate, and the second outcome included the reduction score and reduction ratio of the HAMD 17/HAMA. Results:At baseline, there was no significant group difference in HAMD 17 or HAMA scores among the three groups. After the rTMS treatment, the HAMD 17 response rate was significantly different among the three groups (χ2=6.86, P=0.032). The HAMD 17 response rate in the precise DLPFC group (74%) was significantly higher than that in the imprecise DLPFC group (32%, χ2=6.76, P=0.011), but was comparable with that in the rOFC group (57%, χ2=2.16, P=0.133). HAMD 17 response rate did not significantly differ between the precise DLPFC group and the rOFC group (χ2=0.99, P=0.266). The HAMD 17 reduction score tended to be significantly different among the three groups ( F=2.95, P=0.062), with the precise DLPFC group presented the highest HAMD 17 reduction score. There were no significantly differences in the reduction score of HAMD and the reduction ratio of HAMA and HAMD 17 among the three groups. Conclusions:Precisely localizing the DLPFC target may be helpful to improve the rTMS efficacy for the treatment of depressive disorder, while rOFC may be a candidate target for rTMS treatment of the depressive disorder.

Objective:Compared to imprecisely repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), this study aimed to explore whether localizing the DLPFC precisely or targeting on the right orbital frontal cortex (rOFC) can improve the rTMS efficacy for the treatment of depressive disorder.Methods:From January 2018 to March 2021, this study recruited patients who met the DSM-Ⅳ diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder in Shanghai Mental Health Center. Nineteen patients were located in the imprecise DLPFC group, 19 patients in the precise DLPFC group, and 14 patients in the rOFC group. All patients were assessed by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD 17) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) at baseline and after 10-session rTMS treatments. The primary outcome of this study was the HAMD 17 response rate, and the second outcome included the reduction score and reduction ratio of the HAMD 17/HAMA. Results:At baseline, there was no significant group difference in HAMD 17 or HAMA scores among the three groups. After the rTMS treatment, the HAMD 17 response rate was significantly different among the three groups (χ2=6.86, P=0.032). The HAMD 17 response rate in the precise DLPFC group (74%) was significantly higher than that in the imprecise DLPFC group (32%, χ2=6.76, P=0.011), but was comparable with that in the rOFC group (57%, χ2=2.16, P=0.133). HAMD 17 response rate did not significantly differ between the precise DLPFC group and the rOFC group (χ2=0.99, P=0.266). The HAMD 17 reduction score tended to be significantly different among the three groups ( F=2.95, P=0.062), with the precise DLPFC group presented the highest HAMD 17 reduction score. There were no significantly differences in the reduction score of HAMD and the reduction ratio of HAMA and HAMD 17 among the three groups. Conclusions:Precisely localizing the DLPFC target may be helpful to improve the rTMS efficacy for the treatment of depressive disorder, while rOFC may be a candidate target for rTMS treatment of the depressive disorder.