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*

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar crop. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as diseases, cold, and drought are major factors limiting sugarcane production. β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family, plays an essential role not only in the plant defenses against pathogens but also in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. To systematically investigate the sugarcane β-1,3-glucanase gene family, 132 glycoside hydrolase (GH) 17 family members were identified in the genomes of the sugarcane wild species Saccharum spontaneum 'Np-X', the tropical species S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', and the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570'. The results of the phylogenetic analysis categorized them into four subfamilies, of which subfamily Ⅳ had the largest proportion of members (102). The members of the sugarcane GH17 gene family contained five conserved motifs and 0-16 introns. The majority of the GH17 genes exhibited a genome-wide replication pattern, with 89.50% originating from S. spontaneum 'Np-X' and S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', while 58.10% of them in the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570' belonged to the discrete replication type. Four major classes of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters, including the elements related to plant growth, development, and tissue-specific expression (14.21%), light-responsive elements (38.24%), biotic or abiotic stress-responsive elements (9.18%), and hormone-responsive elements (38.37%), which suggested that this gene family was involved in plant growth, development, hormone responses, and stress responses. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that the sugarcane GH17 genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and were differentially expressed under low temperature, drought, and hormone treatments, as well as during the interactions between different sugarcane genotypes and Sporisorium scitamineum, suggesting their potential roles in plant defenses. In addition, some SsGlu genes (SsGlu5, SsGlu20, SsGlu21, SsGlu25, SsGlu28, and SsGlu39) were expected to serve as candidate stress-related genes. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the molecular mechanisms of the stress resistance of sugarcane via β-1,3-glucanase genes.
Saccharum/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

Objective To analyze the risk factors for the development of chronic critical illness(CCI)in septic shock patients in the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 102 sepsis shock patients admitted to the ICU of the hospital from August 2018 to May 2023.According to their clinical dates,they were divided into CCI group(n=60)and rapid recovery(RR)group(n=42).Multi-ple logistic regression analysis was perform to identify independent risk factors for developing CCI in septic shock patients,and construct their receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves to evaluate their predictive value for CCI.Results The prolonged duration of hypernatremia(OR=1.770,95％CI:1.147-2.731,P=0.010)and low acute physiology and chronic health(APACHEⅡ)scores(OR=1.212,95％CI:1.025-1.433,P=0.025)were independent risk factors for CCI in ICU septic shock patients.The occurrence of acute gastrointestinal injury(OR=0.060,95％CI:0.011-0.341,P=0.002)and peak blood sodium levels during ICU(OR=0.812,95％CI:0.662-0.995,P=0.044)were protective factors.Conclusion For septic shock pa-tients,special attention should be paid to its related independent risk factors and protective factors to improve the prognosis of septic shock patients.

Objective To investigate the value of radiomics model based on multiple sequences MR in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)among different breast cancer subtypes.Methods Two hundred breast cancer patients undergoing NAC treatment were retrospectively selected,and then randomly divided into training group and validation group at a ratio of 7:3,as well as divided into responsive and non-responsive according to the therapeutic response.Radiomics features were selected and filtered from multiple sequences MR.The model was established by using machine learning,and validated in the validation group.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the clinical application value of the model was assessed by clinical decision curve analysis(DCA).Results The area under the curve(AUC)of hormone receptor(HR)-positive with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER-2)-negative breast cancer patients in training and validation groups were 0.881 and 0.682,respectively,while the AUC of HER-2-positive breast cancer patients were 0.831 and 0.636,respectively.The AUC of triple-negative breast cancer patients were 0.969 and 0.708,respectively.The clinical DCA showed significant clinical benefits.Conclusion The MR radiomics model can predict the efficacy of NAC among different breast cancer subtypes.

Objective To investigate whether Andrographolide(AG)can alleviate intestinal injury in sepsis by ac-tivating the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in ferroptosis.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into sham group(sham group),sepsis group(CLP group),AG low,medium and high dose groups(5,10 and 20 mg/kg).HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of Intestinal tract.ELISA method was used to determine Inter-leukin 6(IL-6),tumour necrosis factor α(TNF-α),intestinal fatty acid binding protein(I-FABP),D-lactate content.The mechanism of ferroptosis was explored with AG high dose group(AG20 group),forty rats were ran-domly divided into sham group,CLP group,ferroptosis inhibitor(Fer-1)group,AG20+Fer-1 group.HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathological changes of Intestinal tract.The kits were used to determine oxidative stress MDA,GSH levels and Fe3+content.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),and ferritin heavy poly-peptide 1(FTH-1).Results Compared with the sham group,the CLP group showed severe morphological damage to the small intestine,with significantly higher levels of inflammation,I-FABP and D-lactate(all P＜0.05),the AG group reversed these changes in a concentration-dependent manner(all P＜0.05).Compared with the CLP group,the AG20 and Fer-1 groups showed improved pathological damage to the small intestine,with lower levels of MDA and Fe3+and higher levels of GSH,SLC7A11,GPX4 and FTH-1 protein expression increased(all P＜0.05),and pathological injury and oxidative stress were reduced in the AG20+Fer-1 group,and SLC7A11,GPX4 and FTH-1 protein expression increased more significantly(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which AG attenuates intestinal injury in sepsis may be related to SLC7A11/GPX4 axis activation in ferroptosis.

H 1-antihistamines are widely used in the treatment of various allergic diseases, but there are still many challenges in the safe and rational use of H 1-antihistamines in pediatrics, and there is a lack of guidance on the prescription review of H 1-antihistamines for children.In this paper, suggestions are put forward from the indications, dosage, route of administration, pathophysiological characteristics of children with individual difference and drug interactions, so as to provide reference for clinicians and pharmacists.

Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are the main therapy for epilepsy.There are many kinds of ASMs with complex mechanism of action, so it is difficult for pharmacists to examine prescriptions.This paper put forward some suggestions on the indications, dosage forms/routes of administration, appropriateness of usage and dosage, combined medication and drug interaction, long-term prescription review, individual differences in pathophysiology of children, and drug selection when complicated with common epilepsy, for the reference of doctors and pharmacists.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab in the treatment of patients with inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 503 patients with inoperable ESCC who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from 2014 to 2020. Among these patients, 69 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab (the combined therapy group) and 434 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone (the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group). Patients of both groups were matched at a ratio of 1∶2 using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. As a result, 168 patients were determined for clinical analysis, including 61 in the combined therapy group and 107 in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group. The short-term efficacy and adverse reactions of both groups were compared. The overall survival (OS) curves and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method for the Log-rank test.Results:The two groups showed no statistical difference ( P > 0.05) in clinical baseline characteristics after the PSM. The objective response rate (ORR) of the combined therapy group was significantly higher than that of the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group with statistically significant differences (85.2% vs. 71.0%, χ2 = 4.33, P = 0.037). There was no statistical difference (98.4% vs. 91.6%, P > 0.05) in the disease control rate (DCR) between the two groups. The combined therapy group had median PFS of 28.07 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS ratios of 78.2%, 37.5% and 29.1%, respectively. The concurrent chemoradiotherapy group had mPFS of 19.54 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS ratios of 72.9%, 28.3% and 21.3%, respectively. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in PFS ( χ2 = 4.49, P = 0.034). The combined group had median OS of 34.93 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS ratios of 88.5%, 46.8% and 37.4%, respectively. The concurrent chemoradiotherapy group had mOS of 24.30 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS ratios of 81.3%, 35.2% and 28.0%, respectively. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in OS (χ 2= 5.11, P = 0.024), but did not show statistical differences ( P > 0.05) in the severity degree of each adverse effect during the treatment. Conclusions:Concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab can improve the ORR and prolong the PFS and OS of patients with inoperable ESCC compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone. Furthermore, combining with nimotuzumab does not increase adverse effects and can be tolerated by patients with high safety.

Objective : To investigate whether NaHS，a hydrogen sulfide donor，can improve myocardial injury in sepsis by inhibiting oxidative stress and activating the Xc －/ GPX4 signaling pathway in ferroptosis． Methods : Lipopolysacc-haride(LPS) induced H9c2 in rat cardiomyocytes to form an in vitro model of myocardial injury in sep- sis，which was divided into Control group，LPS group and LPS + NaHS group．The kits were applied to detect the changes of cardiomyocyte viability，Fe2 + ，LDH and CK-MB，determine the levels of oxidative stress indexes GSH and MDA，detect the changes of cellular ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential levels by fluorescent probes， and detect the expression levels of ferroptosis regulatory proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 by Western blot. Results: Compared with the Control group，H9c2 cell viability decreased，Fe2 + concentration increased ，GSH ，MDA and ROS levels increased，mitochondrial JC-1 monomer increased ，expression levels of ferroptosis regulatory proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 decreased，and cell damage increased after LPS stimulation (P＜0. 05) ．Compared with the LPS group，NaHS attenuated LPS-induced H9c2 cell injury and elevated Fe2 + concentration，decreased the level of LPS-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cells ，and increased the expression levels of ferroptosis regulatory proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 (P＜0. 05 ) ． Conclusion The mechanism by which NaHS attenuates myocardial injury in sepsis may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress and activation of the Xc －/ GPX4 signaling pathway in fer- roptosis.

Background The increasing threats of air pollution and extreme weather have been widely recognized in recent years in China, but their individual and joint effects on cardio-cerebrovascular mortality are unclear. Objective This study aims to investigate the individual effects of and potential interactions between oxidant pollutants and ambient temperature on cardio-cerebrovascular mortality risks. Methods We collected daily data on death counts of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, concentrations of ambient air pollutants, and meteorological parameters in Guangzhou, Chinabetween 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016. A generalized additive model with a Poisson distribution was conducted to assess the associations of oxidant pollutants and ambient temperature with cardio-cerebrovascular mortality risks. Bivariate response surface models and stratified analyses were further adopted to qualitatively and quantitatively examine the potential interactions between oxidant pollutants and ambient temperature on cardio-cerebrovascular mortality risks. Results During the study period, the daily averages were 60.3 μg·m⁻³ for ozone (O₃), 50.9 μg·m⁻³ for combined atmospheric oxidant capacity (O_x), 32.5 μg·m⁻³ for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and 22.3℃ for ambient temperature. The average daily death counts of coronary and stroke diseases were 20 and 15, respectively. Per 10 μg·m⁻³ increment in O₃, O_x, and NO₂ were associated with increased coronary mortality risks (excess risk, ER) of 1.26% (95%CI: 0.79%-1.74%), 1.61% (95%CI: 0.99%-2.23%), and 1.33% (95%CI: 0.59%-2.07%), and with increased stroke mortality risks of 1.56% (95%CI: 1.04%-2.09%), 2.30% (95%CI: 1.60%-3.01%), and 2.93% (95%CI: 2.07%-3.79%) over cumulative lags of 2-5 days, respectively. The exposure-response relationships between ambient temperature and coronary and stroke mortality risks exhibited an inverse "J" shape, with the minimum mortality at temperatures of 25.7℃ for coronary disease and 27.3℃ for stroke. Our results further showed potentially synergic effects of higher temperatures and higher levels of O₃ and O_x exposures on coronary mortality risks, and the relative ER due to interactions was 0.103 (95%CI: 0.028-0.178) for O₃ and 0.079 (95%CI: 0.004-0.154) for O_x. We didn't find evidence of an interaction between oxidant pollutants and low temperature. Conclusion Short-term exposures to oxidant pollutants are associated with increased cardio-cerebrovascular mortality risks, and the interactive effects of high temperature and oxidant pollutants are synergistic in relation to cardio-cerebrovascular mortality risks.