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 observe the effect of Xipayimaizibizi oral liquid (XP) in an overactive bladder (OAB) experimental rat model and to explore its pharmacological mechanisms. Methods: Network pharmacology was used to explore the potential mechanisms of action of XP. The rats underwent bladder outlet obstruction surgery and were administered the corresponding drug concentrations by gavage for 4 weeks. The study observed the body weight, water intake, bladder and kidney indices (to evaluate their general status), urination behavior pattern (to observe frequency and urgency), and urodynamics (to measure bladder parameters). Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichome staining were used to observe changes in the bladder structure. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and acetylcholine in the urine. The key targets involved in these mechanisms were validated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blot in vivo/vitro experiments. Result: Network pharmacological analysis predicted that XP may alleviate OAB by affecting the cholinergic synapse and calcium signaling pathways. XP treatment significantly reduced the bladder index, improved urine behavior and urodynamic parameters, decreased the neurotransmitters in urine, and reduced the thickness of the bladder wall and collagen ratio. These results indicate that XP can alleviate OAB symptoms and improve the bladder structure. In vivo/vitro experiments further demonstrated that XP can inhibit targets, such as muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 2, and participate in cholinergic synapses to further regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. It can also reduce the overexpression of Ca2+ caused by agonists, inhibit targets such as transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1, and participate in calcium signaling pathways to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis. Conclusion These results suggest that XP inhibited bladder overactivity by maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis and regulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of water extract of Mori Folium （MLE） on oxidative stress in adipose tissue of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） mice and explore its mechanism. MethodTwenty-four male db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group， low-dose MLE （MLE-L） group， and high-dose MLE （MLE-H） group according to their body weight and blood glucose， with six mice in each group， and other six C57BLKS/JGpt wild littermate mice were selected as normal group. The mice in the metformin group were given 200 mg·kg^-1 metformin suspension， and the mice in the MLE-L and MLE-H groups were respectively given 2 g·kg^-1 and 4 g·kg^-1 MLE， while the mice in the normal group and model group were given the same dose of deionized water by daily gavage for eight weeks. Body weight， subcutaneous fat index， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， and oral glucose tolerance level （OGTT） of the mice were detected， and serum superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured. The expression levels of silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） and NADPH oxidase type 4 （NOX4） protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the mice were detected by Western blot. ResultThe FBG level， OGTT， and subcutaneous fat index of T2DM mice were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01） after administration of MLE compared with the blank group. The contents of serum SOD and GSH were significantly increased， while the level of oxidative stress damage marker MDA was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of SIRT1 protein in adipose tissue was significantly increased， while the expression of NOX4 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLE can ameliorate T2DM by alleviating oxidative stress in adipose tissue of T2DM mice and reducing blood glucose.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects of Mori Folium extract （MLE） on the kidney of db/db diabetic mice and its mechanism. MethodTwenty-four male C57BLKS/JGpt-Leprdb/Leprdb （db/db） mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group， low-dose group of MLE （MLE-L）， and high-dose group of MLE （MLE-H） according to their fasting blood glucose （FBG）， with six mice in each group， and other six C57BLKS/JGpt wild littermate （m/m） mice were selected as normal group. The mice in the drug administration groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage， and the mice in the normal group and model group were given the same dose of deionized water by gavage once a day for continuous eight weeks. Body weight， bilateral kidney weight， and FBG were measured， and an oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed. The pathological changes in the kidney tissue of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and periodic acid-silver （PAS） staining， and serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in serum and urinary microalbumin （U-mAlb） of mice. The expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 （NF-κB p65） protein in kidney tissue of mice were tested by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the body weight， absolute renal weight， FBG， and the area under the curve （AUC） of OGTT of mice in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of SCr， BUN， and U-mAlb， as well as TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The glomerular basement membrane in the kidney tissue of mice was thicker， with obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the kidney tissue of mice were increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， there was no statistical difference in the body weight of mice in each drug administration group. The absolute renal weight of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The FBG levels of mice in the metformin， MLE-L， and MLE-H groups started to decrease after treatment for four to eight weeks （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The AUC of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of SCr， BUN， and U-mAlb of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of SCr and U-mAlb of mice in the MLE-L group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The renal tissue pathology of mice in each drug administration group was improved to varying degrees， and the protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the MLE-H group were decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLE can improve the renal structure and function of db/db diabetic mice， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Mori Folium， the dried leaves of Morus alba， is widely used in clinical practice for dispersing wind and heat， clearing the lung and moistening dryness， soothing the liver and improving vision， and cooling blood and stopping bleeding. It has been used to regulate blood glucose since ancient times， and modern studies have shown that the active components of Mori Folium for lowering blood glucose mainly include flavonoids， alkaloids， polysaccharides， and phenols. These components are mainly extracted by solvents such as water and alcohols with the assistance of ultrasound and microwave. In addition， new extraction methods are emerging， such as CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction， enzymatic hydrolysis， and cloud point extraction. Mori Folium lowers blood glucose via multiple components， pathways， and targets. Specifically， it can improve glucose and lipid metabolism， protect pancreatic β cells， and alleviate insulin resistance to reduce the damage caused by hyperglycemia and restore normal physiological functions. Although a large number of studies have been carried out on diabetes， the causes and radical treatment methods remain to be explored， and diabetes is still a major disease that endangers human health and needs to be solved urgently. The articles about extraction process and mechanism of active components in Mori Folium for lowering blood glucose were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Web of Science， and PubMed. We analyzed the applicable extraction methods for the blood glucose-lowering components such as flavonoids， polysaccharides， and alkaloids in Mori Folium， and compared the conventional and emerging methods. Furthermore， we summarized our research achievements in the extraction of active components from Mori Folium and the blood glucose-lowering effect and mechanisms. This review aims to provide theoretical support for the optimization of the extraction process， the research on the blood glucose-lowering components and mechanism， and the development of new drugs and clinical application of Mori Folium.

BACKGROUND:With the increasing number of tendon transplantation surgeries for tendon injuries,the demand for tendon tissue engineering scaffolds is increasing.Research has found that good pore size and porosity of implants contribute to tissue healing. OBJECTIVE:To review the types of materials currently published for tendon tissue engineering scaffolds and investigate the correlation between various tendon tissue engineering scaffold materials and pores. METHODS:Articles were retrieved on PubMed,Embase,and Web of Science databases,using keywords"tendon"or"ligament"and"tissue scaffold"as well as"porosity"or"permeability".A total of 84 articles meeting the criteria were included to summarize,discuss and anticipate future development directions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The materials used in the research of tendon tissue engineering are mainly divided into two categories:natural tendon scaffold materials and artificial synthetic tendon scaffold materials.Natural scaffold materials include autologous tendons,allogeneic tendons,and xenogeneic tendons.Autogenous tendons and allogeneic tendons have been used in clinical practice for many years.During the preparation of allogeneic tendons and animal experiments,it was found that the process of acellular disinfection resulted in an increase in the pore size and porosity of both types of tendons,but the specific reasons and mechanisms have not been further studied.There are many types of artificial tendon scaffold materials currently being studied,among which artificial ligament products such as Leeds Keio and LARS(Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System)are still in use in some countries.Other materials have not been promoted in clinical practice due to immature technology and other issues.The pores and porosity of artificial tendon scaffold materials also show different trends due to their different materials and preparation techniques.

As people's living standards improve， the development trend of diabetes has gradually become severe. Diabetes is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with abnormal expression of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in patients. NF-κB exists in various tissue cells and participates in the regulation of a variety of genes related to immune function and inflammation. Varieties of factors can activate NF-κB when the body is stimulated by external factors， so as to produce inflammation and other reactions. Previous studies on NF-κB mainly focus on cancer， and the pathological mechanism of the treatment of diabetes by related signaling pathways and the progress of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment have not been systematically elaborated on. By referring to the relevant literature in China and abroad， it was found that NF-κB is not isolated in the development and progression of diabetes but is associated with signal molecules related to inflammation， oxidative stress， and energy metabolism， and it is involved in mediating inflammation， pancreatic β cell apoptosis， insulin signal transduction， and other physiological functions. Therefore， blocking the transmission of NF-κB signaling pathway is beneficial to the treatment of diabetes. At present， Western medicine for the treatment of diabetes mainly includes oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin injections， but the adverse reactions are obvious. TCM has been characterized by multi-target， extensive action， and excellent curative effects in the treatment of diabetes. TCM and its compounds with functions of tonifying Qi and promoting blood circulation， regulating qi and eliminating phlegm， clearing heat and detoxifying， and nourishing Yin and moistening dryness can effectively intervene in the abnormal expression of NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo through anti-inflammatory effects. In this paper， the association between NF-κB signaling pathway and diabetes was summarized， and the modern research progress of TCM intervention of NF-κB signaling pathway in the treatment of diabetes in the past five years was reviewed， so as to lay a laboratory foundation for the study of a new pathological mechanism of diabetes based on NF-κB signaling pathway and provide new targets and research direction for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and development of related TCM.

Objective:To delineate the surgical methodology and therapeutic paradigm of proximal tibial notch retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for ameliorating deformities due to osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) in a pediatric population.Methods:A retrospective assessment was conducted on the medical records of individuals undergoing orthopedic osteotomy complemented by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for OFD of the tibia from January 2016 to December 2019. The cohort comprised 15 patients, with a follow-up exceeding three years, documenting complete data sets. The patient profile included 8 males and 7 females, with 8 left-side and 7 right-side afflictions. The mean age at the time of surgery was 10.1±2.5 years, ranging from 7.1 to 12.6 years. Parameters measured were preoperative and postoperative imaging findings, which encompassed the scope of the lesion (longitudinal lesion length relative to tibial length), coronal and sagittal limb alignments, and lower limb length discrepancies.Results:The mean follow-up duration was 3.4±1.3 years, ranging from 3 to 6.6 years. Preoperatively, prominent anterior tibial arch deformities and limping were present, with 7 cases reporting fatigue-induced pain and 3 instances of pathological fractures. Post-surgery, pain symptoms were resolved, gait disturbances were improved in 9 patients, and completely resolved in 6. Tibial osteotomy or fracture healing of 15 patients averaged 3.9±0.7 months (range 3-5 months). The lesion range before surgery was 0.41±0.17, immediately after surgery was 0.38±0.17, and at the last follow-up was 0.30±0.16, with no statistical significance ( F=0.101, P=0.904). Lesion range showed no significant change throughout treatment, but radiographic density within the lesion notably increased post-surgery, suggesting bone improvement. The anterior tibial arch Angle was 28.30°±6.62° (range 20°-45°) before surgery, 4.73°±1.53° immediately after surgery, and 6.87°±1.36° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( F=159.739, P<0.001). A significant correction in the anterior tibial arch deformity was achieved and maintained postoperatively. There was no significant angular deformity of the tibia in the coronal plane before operation, and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) were 87.50°±1.46° and 88.30°±1.62°, 88.40°±1.46° and 88.70°±1.45° immediately after surgery, and 88.00°±1.39° and 89.10°±1.53° at the last follow-up, the differences were statistically significant ( F=1.741, P=0.188; F=1.016, P=0.371), there was no coronal deformity of tibia. The limb length discrepancy (LLD) was 0.60±0.98 cm before surgery, 0.18±0.93 cm at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( t=0.096, P=0.761). There were no incidents of postoperative complications such as infection. Conclusion:In pediatric cases of tibial deformities attributed to osteofibrous dysplasia, a therapeutic strategy involving osteotomy for lower limb realignment, sans curettage or bone grafting of the lesion, followed by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing, yields favorable outcomes. Importantly, this implantation technique does not compromise the integrity of the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate in children and adolescents.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of plating after lengthening to assist the consolidation of tibial shortening deformity in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 children with tibial shortening who were treated with circular external fixator lengthening and replacement with plate-assisted internal fixation (study group) in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics of Tianjin Hospital from November 2019 to October 2022, and 16 children who were treated by circular external fixator only during the same period were enrolled as the external fixator group (control group). Among the 26 cases, there were 15 males and 11 females, 10 left knees and 16 right knees. The average age at the time of surgery was 8.8±4.7 years (range 5.1-13.8 years). The gender, side, age at the time of surgery were compared between the two groups. The extension length, external fixator index, healing index, Kolcaba comfort scale score, knee and ankle joint range of motion, complications and average total hospitalization costs were recorded.Results:There were no significant differences in gender, side, age at the time of surgery between the study group and control group. The extended lengths were 5.44±1.25 cm and 5.78±1.11 cm respectively without significant difference ( t=0.096, P=0.096). The external fixator index and healing index were 17.86±2.94 d/cm vs. 50.97±7.03 d/cm and 40.94±6.63 d/cm vs. 45.24±5.98 d/cm in study group and the control group with significant differences ( t=13.299, P<0.001; t=1.289, P=0.033). The Kolcaba comfort scale score of the children in the study group was higher than that of the control group, with significant difference ( t=6.821, P=0.001). Comparing the range of motion of the knee and ankle joints between the two groups, there were no significant differences before surgery, at the end of extension surgery, and at the final follow-up. When the extension end was healed, the range of motion of the knee joint was137.89°±4.40° vs. 114.09°±13.60° and ankle joint was 64.35°±5.50° vs. 56.65°±8.86° in the study group and control group with significant difference ( t=17.235, P<0.001; t=7.821, P=0.002). In the study group, 4 cases had pin tract infection, but no refracture occurred; in the control group, pin tract infection occurred in 13 cases, and refracture occurred in 2 cases after removal of the external fixator. The average total hospitalization cost of the study group was higher than that of the control group with significant difference ( t=3.745, P=0.036). Conclusion:The clinical effect of replacing plate-assisted internal fixator during the mineralization period of tibial shortening in children is reliable, and can significantly shorten the time for using external fixator. It is beneficial to the healing of the extended end of the osteotomy and the functional recovery of the knee and ankle joints. Being more comfortable for children with fewer complications, it is applicable for children who need long-distance extension, multiple extensions with limited joint function, poor tolerance for external fixators and low treatment compliance.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for 1-year survival rate in patients with spinal metastasis secondary to lung cancer.Methods:The data of 343 patients with spinal metastases secondary to lung cancer from January 2011 to December 2018 were retrospectively studied. There were 188 males (54.8%) and 155 females (45.2%) with an average age of 59.47±10.21 years old (range 23-91 years). The patients were divided into operation group (150 cases, 43.7%) and non operation group (193 cases, 56.3%). The demographics, types of primary tumor, non spinal metastasis, visceral metastasis, spinal metastasis and segments, pathological fractures of vertebra, Frankel classification, physical function status (Karnofsky performance scale, KPS), visual analogue score (VAS), the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) were recorded and analyzed. The impact of different treatments on the survival prognosis of patients with spinal metastasis was evaluated. The independent factors affecting survival in those patients were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model.Results:The peak incidence of spinal metastases was found in the age group of 46-60 years (43.7%, 150/343). 38.5% (132/343) of the patients had pathological fractures of the involved vertebral body. 58.3% (200/343) of the patients had extraspinal bone metastasis. 36.2% (124/343) of the patients had visceral metastasis. Among the primary tumors, adenocarcinoma was the most common tpye (61.5%, 211/343), followed by large cell lung cancer (12.5%, 43/343), small cell lung cancer (6.4%, 22/343), squamous cell cancer (6.1%, 21/343) and mixed cell lung cancer (5.3%, 18/343). The type of lung cancer cells in about 8.2 (28/343) patients was unknown. Among the surgical patients, 21 patients underwent minimally invasive surgery (14.0%), 28 patients underwent simple decompression surgery (18.7%), 76 patients underwent separation surgery (50.7%), and 25 patients underwent radical surgery (16.6%). 59.3% (89/150) of the patients had a better neurological function than before surgery. The average survival time of all patients was 9.88 months with the median survival time of 8 (5,14) months. The survival rates were 62.1% (213/343), 30.0% (103/343), and 3.8% (13/343) at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The average survival time of patients in the operation group was 10.24 months with the median survival time of 9 (5, 15) months, and the average survival time of patients in the non operation group was 9.41 months with the median survival time of 7 (5, 13) months with no significant difference between the groups (χ 2=0.300, P=0.584). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that radiotherapy [ HR=1.913, 95% CI(1.471, 2.488), P<0.001], chemotherapy [ HR=1.313, 95% CI(1.040, 1.658), P=0.022], targeted drug therapy [ HR=1.683, 95% CI(1.221, 2.319), P=0.001], KPS [ HR=1.593, 95% CI(1.140, 2.225), P=0.006] and pathological type (non-small cell lung cancer) were independent factors affecting the 1-year survival rate of patients with spinal metastasis secondary to lung cancer [ HR=0.322, 95% CI(0.225, 0.460), P<0.001] with significant difference. Conclusion:Surgical treatment can improve both the neurological function and general status of patients with spinal metastasis. Treatments of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy can significantly improve 1-year survival rate, while a KPS less than 50 points and a primary lung cancer other than adenocarcinoma were independent risk factors reducing 1-year survival rate.