OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids. RESULTS: Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Metformin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Male ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the regulatory role of the NLRP3 signaling pathway in hepatocyte pyroptosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) under hypoxia. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized equally into hypoxic control (A), hypoxic NASH model (B), hypoxic NASH+NLRP3 inhibitor (C), and hypoxic NASH+caspase-1 inhibitor (D) groups. In groups B-D, the mice were fed a methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet under hypoxic conditions (to simulate a 5000 m altitude) for 6 weeks; the mice in groups C and D received intraperitoneal injections of the respective inhibitors every other day. RESULTS: Compared with those in group A, the mice in group B showed significantly elevated serum levels of FBG, TC, TG, ALT and AST, increased liver lipid content, inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, and enhanced hepatic expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and GSDMD proteins, with obvious swelling, cristae breakage, vacuolization, and outer membrane disruption of the mitochondria, ribosome loss in the cytoplasm, destruction of the nuclear membrane, and pathological changes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Treatment with NLRP3 inhibitor and caspase-1 inhibitor both significantly lowered serum levels of TC, TG, ALT and AST (but without significantly affecting FBG) in the mouse models, and reduced liver lipid content, inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition, and expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD and IL-1β. The treatments also significantly improved pathological changes in the mitochondria, ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum in liver tissues of the mice. CONCLUSIONS NLRP3 signaling pathway plays a key role in promoting hepatocyte pyroptosis in NASH mice under hypoxic condition, and inhibiting this pathway can effectively reduce liver inflammation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for NASH treatment.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Hepatocytes/pathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Mice ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the current occupational health literacy (OHL) level and its influencing factors among manufacturing workers in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City. Methods The front-line workers of manufacturing enterprises from seven key industries in two streets of Bao'an District were selected as the research subjects using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire of National Key Populations was used to online investigate their OHL level. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of OHL. Results A total of 633 front-line workers of manufacturing enterprises were surveyed, and 283 had OHL, with an overall OHL level of 44.7%. The levels of literacy across different dimensions, from high to low, were basic knowledge of occupational health protection (84.5%), legal knowledge of occupational health (41.5%), health behaviors and practices (41.2%), and basic skills for occupational health protection (22.0%). The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger age, higher educational level, and higher personal monthly income, were related to higher OHL level among the workers (all P<0.05). Conclusion The OHL level of manufacturing workers in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City still has room for improvement. Efforts should focus on workers with low education levels, low incomes, and older ages, with targeted training in theoretical knowledge to improve the practical application of basic skills for occupational health protection, to improve their OHL.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) on the radiosensitivity in breast cancer cells by regulating the miR-149-5p/ glutamic pyruvic transaminase 2 (GPT2) axis.Methods:Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect NEAT1, miR-149-5p and glutamic pyruvic transaminase 2 (GPT2) mRNA levels in human breast cells MCF-10A, and human breast cancer cells MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, respectively. MCF-7 cells were divided into 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy irradiation groups. MCF-7 cells were divided into NEAT1 knockdown (si-NEAT1) group and control (si-NC) group, NEAT1 knockdown +miR-149-5p knockdown (si-NEAT1+anti-miR-149-5p) group and control (si-NEAT1+anti-miR-NC) group, NEAT1 knockdown + GPT2 overexpression (si-NEAT1+GPT2) group and control (si-NEAT1+NC) group. On the basis of the above grouping, irradiate each group of cells with 4 Gy radiation for 2 h, denoted as IR+si-NEAT1, IR+si-NC, IR+si-NEAT1+anti-miR-149-5p, IR+si-NEAT1+anti-miR-NC, IR+si-NEAT1+GPT2, IR+si-NEAT1+NC groups. Subsequently, MCF-7 cells were irradiated at a dose of 4 Gy and divided into the IR+si-NEAT1, IR+si-NC, IR+si-NEAT1+anti-miR-149-5p, IR+si-NEAT1+anti-miR-NC, IR+si-NEAT1+GPT2 and IR+si-NEAT1+NC groups. RT-qPCR was used to detect NEAT1, miR-149-5p, GPT2 mRNA levels in cells. Colony formation assay was used to detect cell radiosensitivity. CCK-8 assay was adopted to detect cell proliferation ability. The binding sites of NEAT1 and miR-149-5p were predicted by StarBase database. The binding sites of miR-149-5p and GPT2 were predicted by Targetscan database, and validated by dual luciferase assay. Single factor ANOVA was used for inter-group comparisons. LSD- t test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:Compared with MCF-10A cells, NEAT1 and GPT2 mRNA levels in cell lines were up-regulated, whereas miR-149-5p level was down-regulated (all P<0.05). Compared with the 0 Gy dose group, NEAT1 and GPT2 mRNA levels were down-regulated, while miR-149-5p levels were up-regulated in the 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy dose groups (all P<0.05). Knockdown of NEAT1 expression or radiation alone could enhance cell radiosensitivity, and reduce cell proliferation ability (all P<0.05). Simultaneous radiation treatment with knockdown of NEAT1 expression could strengthen the above effects upon cells (all P<0.05). Knockdown of miR-149-5p expression or overexpression of GPT2 could partially reverse the aforementioned effects of knockdown of NEAT1 expression (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Knockdown of NEAT1 expression enhances breast cancer cell radiosensitivity, and reduces cell proliferation ability by regulating the miR-149-5p/GPT2 signal axis.

With the development of clinical related disciplines, the update and establishment of relevant standards/guidelines at home and abroad, GBZ 185-2006 Diagnostic Criteria for Occupational Medicamentose-like Dermatitis due to Trichloroethylene (hereinafter referred to as “GBZ 185-2006”) was unable to meet clinical needs. Therefore, the GBZ 185-2006 was revised based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, in accordance with relevant laws/regulations and relevant standards/guidelines in combination with review of research data on occupational medicamentose-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene (OMDT) home and abroad, and the development of clinical practice and clinical related disciplines. The main modifications include: adding terms and definitions of OMDT, modifying the description of clinical manifestations of the diagnostic principles, adjusting the description of latency, deleting the diagnostic requirement of the incidence probability, adding the specific allergen patch test as the etiological diagnostic index, standardizing the application scope, operating procedure and precautions of the specific allergen patch test. In addition, the relevant content of “Basic Characteristics and Clinical Types of Skin Damage of Medicamentose-like Dermatitis due to Trichloroethylene” in Appendix A is improved, the treatment principles are revised, and the content of new progress in treatment, artificial liver application, are added. The revised GBZ 185-2024 Diagnostic Standard for Occupational Medicamentose-like Dermatitis due to Trichloroethylene is more scientific and practical, and can provide technical basis for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of OMDT in medical and health institutions.

Objective To establish high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin Granules(composed of Taraxaci Herba,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Chrysanthemi Indici Flos,etc.)and content determination of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid,and to optimize the preparation process of Xinqingduyin Granules.Methods Using the characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin and the retention rate of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid as indexes,we carried out orthogonal experiment to optimize the extraction process of Xinqingduyin,and studied the concentration process.The molding process of Xinqingduyin Granules was conducted by screening the types and dosage of auxiliary materials,then three batches of pilot experiments were carried out.Results HPLC characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingshuyin Granules and the determination methods of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid were established.The optimal preparation technology was as follows:8 times amount of water was added,the drug was decocted for 3 times,with 1 hour per time.After the extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 80℃,the appropriate amount of steviol glycoside and lactose was added into the extract and mixed.One-step granulation and packaging were adopted.The retention rates of chicoric acid and glycyrrhizic acid in the 3 batches of Xinqingduyin Granules,which were prepared on the pilot scale,were(54.56±1.63)%and(54.96±1.08)%,and the rate of finished product was(87.47±0.49)%,respectively.The quality is uniform,and the characteristic map of Xinqingduyin Granules showed high similarity with that of decoction prepared from the same batch of slices.Conclusion The optimized preparation technology is reasonable,feasible and reproducible.This preparation can be used to obtain the granule with similar materials of Xinqingduyin decoction.

Objective To investigate the level of finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP) in healthy young adults. Methods A total of 28 healthy young adults were selected as the study subjects by convenient sampling method. The FSBP of the study subjects was detected at 30 and 10 ℃, and the FSBP index (F_i) was calculated. Results The FSBP of the study subjects at 30 and 10 ℃ were (102.0±16.5) and (104.4±15.2) mmHg, respectively. The FSBP in male group at 30 and 10 ℃ was (99.6±18.6) and (107.2±17.0) mmHg, respectively. The FSBP in female group at 30 and 10 ℃ was (104.4±13.9) and (101.5±2.8) mmHg, respectively. The results of factorial analysis showed that the interaction between gender and temperature on FSBP was statistically significant (P<0.05). FSBP in male group was higher at 10 than 30 ℃ (P<0.05) and higher than female group at 10 ℃ (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance for the main effect of gender, temperature, finger, or the interaction effect of gender and finger, temperature and finger for FSBP (all P>0.05). The average F_i of the study subjects was (98.0±16.6)%, with males and females having the average F_i of (100.7±20.7) % and (95.2±10.6) % respectively. The results of factorial analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference on F_i in the main effect gender and fingers or the interaction effect between them(all P>0.05). Conclusion The FSBP test could be used as a detection method for assessing peripheral microcirculation function in Chinese population. However, further research is needed to establish reference ranges and influencing factors.

Objective:To investigate the effects of breast milk to total milk intake ratio during hospitalization on the duration of antibiotic therapy in preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation.Methods:Clinical data of preterm infants ( n=1 792) less than 34 gestational weeks were retrospectively collected in 16 hospitals of Jiangsu Province Neonatal-Perinatal Cooperation Network from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The days of therapy (DOT) were used to evaluate the duration of antibiotic administration. The median DOT was 15.0 d (7.0-27.0 d). The patients were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of DOT: Q 1 (DOT≤7.0 d), Q 2 (7.0 d27.0 d) groups. According to the breast milk intake ratio (breast milk intake to total milk intake during hospitalization×100%), they were also divided into four groups: very-low-ratio breastfeeding group (breast milk intake ratio≤25%), low-ratio breastfeeding group (25%75%). Univariate analysis ( Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test) was used to analyze the factors influencing DOT. Spearman correlation analysis and trend Chi-square test were used to explore the relationship between breast milk intake ratio and DOT. After using multiple imputations to address missing data, two models were constructed after adjusting for different factors, and multinomial logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of the breast milk intake ratio on DOT. Finally, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the models. Results:(1) Of the 1 792 preterm infants, there were 507 (28.3%) in the Q 1 group, 422 (23.5%) in the Q 2 group, 438 (24.4%) in the Q 3 group and 425 (23.7%) in the Q 4 group. (2) The median values of DOT in the very-low-ratio, low-ratio, medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups were 20.0 d (11.0-31.0 d), 20.0 d (11.0-32.0 d), 13.0 d (6.0-25.8 d) and 10.0 d (4.0-21.0 d), respectively. Compared with the very-low-ratio and low-ratio breastfeeding groups, the medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups had shorter DOT (all P<0.05). (3) After adjusting for factors with P<0.1 (prenatal glucocorticoid exposure, antimicrobial use within 24 h before delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar score≤7 at 1 min, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, infectious pneumonia and early-onset neonatal sepsis) between the DOT quartile groups, it showed that medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding were protective factors in contrast to very-low-ratio breastfeeding in the Q 2, Q 3 and Q 4 groups as compared with the Q 1 group [Q 2 group: OR=0.50 (95% CI: 0.30-0.85) and OR=0.36 (95% CI: 0.26-0.51); Q 3 group: OR=0.31 (95% CI: 0.18-0.55) and OR=0.20 (95% CI: 0.14-0.29); Q 4 group: OR=0.22 (95% CI: 0.12-0.42) and OR=0.17 (95% CI: 0.12-0.26)]. Conclusion:Breast milk intake accounting for over 50% of total milk intake has a positive impact on reducing DOT in premature infants requiring antibiotics, which suggests that breastfeeding should be actively encouraged.

Objective This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of [18F] fiuorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG PET-CT) in detection of pelvic nodal metastases in endometrial cancer.Methods Patients with endometrial cancer from January 2015 to June 2017 confirmed by the postoperative pathology were retrospectively analyzed.30 patients finished PET-CT before operation.The findings on histopathology were compared with 18FDG-PET/CT findings to calculate the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV),and accuracy of 18FDG-PET/CT.To analyze the efficacy of maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) and lymph node maximum standardized uptake (LN-SUVmax) of PET-CT in the diagnosis of pelvic lymph node metastasis.Resuits For detection of pelvic nodes,based on patient analysis,18FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 75.0％,specificity of 88.5％,PPV of 50.0％,NPV of 95.8％ and accuracy of 86.7％.Based on a nodal region analysis,18FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 83.3％,specificity of 98.3％,PPV of 55.0％,NPV of 99.6％,and accuracy of 98.3％.When maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) ＞ 8,area under curve (AUC) =0.64,Yonden Index =0.42.When maximum standardized uptake values of lymphonodus (LN-SUVmax) ＞ 3 (AUC =0.79,Yonden Index =0.63),the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of lymph node metastasis were 100％,42.31％,and 75.0％,88.5％,but without statistically significant difference.Although AUC of LN-SUVmax was higher than SUVmax of primary lesion,but the difference was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions 18 FDG-PET/CT has high specificity,NPV for detection of pelvic LN metastasis area in endometrial cancer,which can provide preoperative basis for patients with endometrial cancer to avoid lymph node resection,thereby reducing the risk of early endometrial cancer surgery and improving the quality of life after surgery.We concluded that,there were no exact cutoffs of SUVmax for the prediction of lymph node metastases,neither primary lesion,nor lymph node.There is clearly a need for multicenter,large-scale trials to find out better parameters in judging metastasis of lymphnodes.

Brain science accelerates the study of intelligence and behavior, contributes fundamental insights into human cognition, and offers prospective treatments for brain disease. Faced with the challenges posed by imaging technologies and deep learning computational models, big data and high-performance computing (HPC) play essential roles in studying brain function, brain diseases, and large-scale brain models or connectomes. We review the driving forces behind big data and HPC methods applied to brain science, including deep learning, powerful data analysis capabilities, and computational performance solutions, each of which can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy and research output. This work reinforces predictions that big data and HPC will continue to improve brain science by making ultrahigh-performance analysis possible, by improving data standardization and sharing, and by providing new neuromorphic insights.