OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the efficacy and mechanisms of Qingjie Fuzheng Granules (QFG) in inhibiting colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) development via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) correlation analysis. METHODS: CAC was induced in BALB/c mice using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and QFG was administered orally to the treatment group. The effects of QFG on CAC were evaluated using disease index, histology, and serum T-cell ratios. RNA-seq and 16S rRNA analysis assessed the transcriptome and microbiome change. Key pharmacodynamic pathways were identified by integrating these data and confirmed via Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The link between microbiota and CAC-related markers was explored using linear discriminant analysis effect size and Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: Long-term treatment with QFG prevented AOM/DSS-induced CAC formation, reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, and interferon γ (IFN-γ), and increased CD3⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells ratio, without causing hepatic or renal toxicity. A 16S rRNA analysis revealed that QFG rebalanced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and mitigated AOM/DSS-induced microbiota disturbances. Transcriptomics and Western blotting analysis identified the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway as key for QFG's treatment against CAC. Furthermore, QFG decreased the abundance of Bacilli, Bacillales, Staphylococcaceae, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillales, Aerococcus, Alloprevotella, and Akkermansia, while increasing Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Muribaculaceae, which were highly correlated with CAC-related markers or NOD2/NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSION By mapping the relationships between CAC, immune responses, microbiota, and key pathways, this study clarifies the mechanism of QFG in inhibiting CAC, highlighting its potential for clinical use as preventive therapy.

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of chronic apical periodontitis(CAP)on atherosclerosis in apoE-/-mice fed high-fat diet(HFD).This investigation focused on the gut microbiota,metabolites,and intestinal barrier function to uncover potential links between oral health and cardiovascular disease(CVD).In this study,CAP was shown to exacerbate atherosclerosis in HFD-fed apoE-/-mice,as evidenced by the increase in plaque size and volume in the aortic walls observed via Oil Red O staining.16S rRNA sequencing revealed significant alterations in the gut microbiota,with harmful bacterial species thriving while beneficial species declining.Metabolomic profiling indicated disruptions in lipid metabolism and primary bile acid synthesis,leading to elevated levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid(TCDCA),taurocholic acid(TCA),and tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TDCA).These metabolic shifts may contribute to atherosclerosis development.Furthermore,impaired intestinal barrier function,characterized by reduced mucin expression and disrupted tight junction proteins,was observed.The increased intestinal permeability observed was positively correlated with the severity of atherosclerotic lesions,highlighting the importance of the intestinal barrier in cardiovascular health.In conclusion,this research underscores the intricate interplay among oral health,gut microbiota composition,metabolite profiles,and CVD incidence.These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene as a potential preventive measure against cardiovascular issues,as well as the need for further investigations into the intricate mechanisms linking oral health,gut microbiota,and metabolic pathways in CVD development.

Objective: To observe the differential expression of miRNAs between human dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs) and stem cells from the apical papilla(SCAPs). Methods: DPSCs and SCAPs were isolated by immune-magnetic binding specific STRO-1 antibody separation system. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of DPSCs and SCAPs were tested by ALP assay, alizarin red staining(ARS) and Oil Red O staining. Differential miRNA expression of DPSCs and SCAPs was screened by the Next generation sequencing. Target genes and their possible roles of these differential miRNAs were predicted using biological information analysis. Results: The results revealed that 7 miRNAs(hsa-miR-224-5p, hsa-miR-1247-5p, hsa-miR-3065-3p, hsa-miR-452-5p, hsamiR-767-5p, hsa-miR-4284, hsa-miR-146a-5p) were downregulated while no miRNAs was upregulated in SCAPs compared with DPSCs. 27 target genes which mainly involved in the cell migration, differentiation and apoptosis were found. Conclusion: Downregulation of some specific miRNAs might be related to the stemness of SCAPs.

Objective To use the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technique for detecting the mutation gene of neonatal non-syndromic hereditary hearing impairment gene in Guangxi and to investigate its effectiveness and feasibility in clinical application.Methods A total of 7 100 newborns were performed the hearing preliminary screening and secondary screening by adopting AABR.The genomic DNA was extracted by the heel blood spot.Twenty mutation characteristics of 4 deaf predisposing genes were detected by MALDI-TOF-MS.Results The pass rate of hearing screening in 7 100 newborns was 97.11％ (6 895/7 100),the positive rate of neonatal gene mutation was 3.54％ (251/7 100),in which the GJB2 gene mutation was in 131 cases,the carrying rate was 1.84％,235delC heterozygous mutation was in 108 cases.SLC26A4 gene mutation was in 93 cases,which dominated by 1229C＞T heterozygous mutation and IVS7-2A＞G heterozygous mutation,mtDNA12SRNA gene mutation was in 16 cases and GJB3 gene mutation was in 11 cases.Conclusion Adopting the MALDI-TOF-MS screening technique can increase the detection rate of hot point mutation in common deaf related genes and discover neonatal genetic NSHI from molecular level and provides the corresponding geneticconsulting guidance for early finding and predicting deaf occurrence,and formulating the interventional measures.

We studied the status of parasite pollution in fish and shrimps in Fujian Province,and provided basis for prevention and control of parasite pollution and food safety in aquatic products.Stratified random sampling method was used,and Fujian Province was divide into Eastern,Southern,Western,Northern and Central five regions of Fujian province.Based on the data collected from the five regions between 2012 and 2016,digestion and compression methods were conducted to detect the levels of parasite metacercariae and larvae in both freshwater and marine products.Results showed that the total parasitoid infection rate was 5.15％ (130/2 524).The infection rate of trematode metacercariae and nematode larvae were 3.72％ (94/2524) and 1.43％ (36/2 524),respectively.Twenty-eight marine aquatic species were investigated and the infection rate was 17.25 ％ (88/510),in the form of Anisakis infection.The parasite infection rates in the five regions were 10.38％ (27/260) in Mindong,5.84％ (27/462) inMinnan,4.63％ (30/648) in Minxi,4.64％ (29/625) in Minbei and 9.91％ (103/1 039) in Minzhong.The freshwater products in Fujian Province have been polluted by parasites and are area-depended.The infection rate of marine aquatic products is kept in a high level.Fujian Province should strengthen the food safety and health publicity,take effective prevention and control strategies,and use early warning mechanisms to insure the food safety in province.