Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a serious disorder,and exploration of active compounds to treat it is necessary.An acidic polysaccharide named SUSP-4 was purified from Selaginella uncinata(Desv.)Spring,which contained galacturonic acid,galactose,xylose,arabinose,and rhamnose with the main chain structure of →4)-α-D-GalAp-(1 → and →6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → and the branched structure of →5)-α-L-Araf-(1 →.Animal experiments showed that compared with Model group,SUSP-4 significantly improved body weight status,disease activity index(DAI),colonic shortening,and histopathological damage,and elevated occludin and zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1)expression in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium salt(DSS).16S ribosomal RNA(rRNA)sequencing indicated that SUSP-4 markedly downregulated the level of Akkermansia and Alistipes.Metabolomics results confirmed that SUSP-4 obviously elevated thiamine levels compared with Model mice by adjusting thiamine metabolism,which was further confirmed by a targeted metabolism study.Fecal transplantation experiments showed that SUSP-4 exerted an anti-IBD effect by altering the intestinal flora in mice.A mechanistic study showed that SUSP-4 markedly inhibited macrophage activation by decreasing the levels of phospho-nuclear factor kappa-B(p-NF-κB)and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and elevating NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)levels compared with Model group.In conclusion,SUSP-4 affected thiamine metabolism by regulating Akker-mania and inhibited macrophage activation to adjust NF-κB/Nrf2/COX-2-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress against IBD.This is the first time that plant polysaccharides have been shown to affect thiamine metabolism against IBD,showing great potential for in-depth research and development applications.

Nine major cell populations among 46,716 cells were identified in mouse intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(Ⅱ/R)injury by single-cell RNA sequencing.For enterocyte cells,11 subclusters were found,in which enterocyte cluster 1(EC1),enterocyte cluster 3(EC3),and enterocyte cluster 8(EC8)were newly discovered cells in ischemia 45 min/reperfusion 720 min(I 45 min/R 720 min)group.EC1 and EC3 played roles in digestion and absorption,and EC8 played a role in cell junctions.For TA cells,after ischemia 45 min/reperfusion 90 min(I 45 min/R 90 min),many TA cells at the stage of proliferation were identified.For Paneth cells,Paneth cluster 3 was observed in the resting state of normal jejunum.After I45 min/R 90 min,three new subsets were found,in which Paneth cluster 1 had good antigen presentation activity.The main functions of goblet cells were to synthesize and secrete mucus,and a novel subcluster(goblet cluster 5)with highly proliferative ability was discovered in I 45 min/R 90 min group.As a major part of immune system,the changes in T cells with important roles were clarified.Notably,enterocyte cells secreted Guca2b to interact with Gucy2c receptor on the membranes of stem cells,TA cells,Paneth cells,and goblet cells to elicit intercellular communication.One marker known as glutathione S-transferase mu 3(GSTM3)affected intestinal mucosal barrier function by adjusting mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling during Ⅱ/R injury.The data on the heterogeneity of intestinal cells,cellular communication and the mechanism of GSTM3 provide a cellular basis for treating Ⅱ/R injury.

It is necessary to explore potent therapeutic agents via regulating gut microbiota and metabolism to combat Parkinson's disease(PD).Dioscin,a bioactive steroidal saponin,shows various activities.How-ever,its effects and mechanisms against PD are limited.In this study,dioscin dramatically alleviated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress,and restored the disorders of mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP).16 S rDNA sequencing assay demonstrated that dioscin reversed MPTP-induced gut dysbiosis to decrease Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and the abundances of Enterococcus,Streptococcus,Bacteroides and Lactobacillus genera,which further inhibited bile salt hy-drolase(BSH)activity and blocked bile acid(BA)deconjugation.Fecal microbiome transplantation test showed that the anti-PD effect of dioscin was gut microbiota-dependent.In addition,non-targeted fecal metabolomics assays revealed many differential metabolites in adjusting steroid biosynthesis and pri-mary bile acid biosynthesis.Moreover,targeted bile acid metabolomics assay indicated that dioscin increased the levels of ursodeoxycholic acid,tauroursodeoxycholic acid,taurodeoxycholic acid and β-muricholic acid in feces and serum.In addition,ursodeoxycholic acid administration markedly improved the protective effects of dioscin against PD in mice.Mechanistic test indicated that dioscin significantly up-regulated the levels of takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5(TGR5),glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R),GLP-1,superoxide dismutase(SOD),and down-regulated NADPH oxidases 2(NOX2)and nu-clear factor-kappaB(NF-κB)levels.Our data indicated that dioscin ameliorated PD phenotype by restoring gut dysbiosis and regulating bile acid-mediated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation via targeting GLP-1 signal in MPTP-induced PD mice,suggesting that the compound should be considered as a prebiotic agent to treat PD in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of recurrent hydatidiform mole (RHM) and provide accurate guidance for reproduction. METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples of the probands with RHM and members from 5 unrelated pedigrees were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted by using routine method, and whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect variants of RHM-associated genes including NLRP7 and KHDC3L. Sanger sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to validate the candidate variants and delineate their parental origin. RESULTS: Homozygous or compound heterozygous variants of the NLRP7 gene were identified in four patients from three pedigrees, which included a homozygous deletion of exon 1 to 4 of NLRP7 in patient P1 and her elder sister, compound heterozygous variants of NLRP7 c.939delG (p.Q314Sfs*6) pat and c.1533delG (p.N512Tfs*4) mat in patient P2, and compound heterozygous variants of NLRP7 c.2389_2390delTC (p.A798Qfs*6) pat and c.2165A>G (p.D722G) mat in patient P4. All variants were interpreted as pathogenic or likely pathogenic according to the American College of Medical and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Among these, NLRP7 exons 1 to 4 deletion, c.939delG (p.Q314Sfs*6), c.1533delG (p.N512Tfs*4) and c.2389_2390delTC (p.A798Qfs*6) were unreported previously. CONCLUSION Variants of the NLRP7 gene probably underlay autosomal recessive RHM in the three pedigrees, and definitive molecular diagnosis is beneficial for accurate genetic counseling. Above finding has also enriched the spectrum of the NLRP7 variants underlying RHM.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics* ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole/pathology* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Sequence Deletion

The three-dimensional (3D) conformation of chromatin is integral to the precise regulation of gene expression. The 3D genome and genomic variations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are largely unknown, despite their key roles in cellular function and physiological processes. High-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), Nanopore sequencing, and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) assays were performed on the liver of normal and NAFLD mice. A high-resolution 3D chromatin interaction map was generated to examine different 3D genome hierarchies including A/B compartments, topologically associated domains (TADs), and chromatin loops by Hi-C, and whole genome sequencing identifying structural variations (SVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) by Nanopore sequencing. We identified variations in thousands of regions across the genome with respect to 3D chromatin organization and genomic rearrangements, between normal and NAFLD mice, and revealed gene dysregulation frequently accompanied by these variations. Candidate target genes were identified in NAFLD, impacted by genetic rearrangements and spatial organization disruption. Our data provide a high-resolution 3D genome interaction resource for NAFLD investigations, revealed the relationship among genetic rearrangements, spatial organization disruption, and gene regulation, and identified candidate genes associated with these variations implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The newly findings offer insights into novel mechanisms of NAFLD pathogenesis and can provide a new conceptual framework for NAFLD therapy.

Polysaccharide (PS) is one of the principal constituents in most traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, the efficacy of PS has gradually become a popular aspect in fields of life science. Meanwhile, its pharmacokinetic research is still in its infancy. The classification, bioanalytical methods and pharmacokinetics of PS in recent years are summarized in this review. We hope to provide reference and guidance for researchers to study the pharmacokinetics of PS.

Objective:To investigate the effect of AngioJet thrombectomy on proximal iliofemoral vein thrombosis after trauma.Methods:The clinical data of patients with proximal iliofemoral vein thrombosis treated with AngioJet thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed at Vascular Surgery Department of our hospital in 2019.Results:A total of 76 patients were enrolled. After PMT 20 patients had grade Ⅲ thrombolysis clearance(26.3%), 41 patients (53.9%) had grade Ⅱ clearance, and 15 cases (19.7%) had grade Ⅰ clearance. Thirty four cases (44.7%) of grade Ⅲ were cleared after catheter aspiration or catheter thrombolysis, 35 cases (46.1%) of grade Ⅱ, 7 cases (9.2%) of grade Ⅰ were cleared, thrombus clearance rate increased significantly ( P<0.05). Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in 1 case (1.3%), and thrombosis recurred in 2 cases (2.6%). The patency rate was 91.8% at 3 months follow-up. Conclusions:AngioJet thrombectomy is a safe and effective method for treating post-traumatic proximal iliac femoral vein thrombosis. Intraoperative application of urokinase thrombolysis, catheter aspiration and catheter-directed thrombolysis can increase thrombus clearance effect.

Objective: To investigate the expression of the mTORC1 signaling pathway during the osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) under cyclic uniaxial tension and explore its possible role. Methods : The BMMSCs of mice were affected by uniaxial dynamic tensile force. Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of major molecules (mTOR, Raptor, S6K) in the endogenous mTORC1 signaling pathway at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after stretching. Chemical colorimetry, ELISA and PCR were used to detect alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) and Runx2 mRNA, respectively. Then, inhibition, activation and control groups were established by administration of the drugs PP242, MHY1485 and PBS, respectively. Two hours after the stress, the expression of S6K was detected by western blot, and the expression of the osteogenic signal was continuously detected by the above methods. Results : Western blot analysis showed that the main molecules of the mTORC1 signaling pathway were all expressed within 8 hours after traction, and the highest expression was 2 hours after the stress. Compared with those in the control group, the ALP activity and OCN expression decreased and the Runx2 mRNA levels increased after the mTORC1 signal pathway was inhibited (P ＜ 0.001); ALP activity and OCN expression increased after the mTORC1 signal pathway was activated, while the Runx2 mRNA levels decreased (P ＜ 0.001). Conclusion The mTORC1 signaling pathway participates in the osteogenic differentiation of mouse BMMSCs under tension. The osteogenesis of BMMSCs under cyclic uniaxial tension would be enhanced if the mTORC1 signaling pathway was activated.

Imipenem is a carbapenem antibiotic. However, Imipenem could not be marketed owing to its instability and nephrotoxicity until cilastatin, an inhibitor of renal dehydropeptidase-I (DHP-I), was developed. In present study, the potential roles of renal organic anion transporters (OATs) in alleviating the nephrotoxicity of imipenem by cilastatin were investigated and in rabbits. Our results indicated that imipenem and cilastatin were substrates of hOAT1 and hOAT3. Cilastatin inhibited hOAT1/3-mediated transport of imipenem with IC values comparable to the clinical concentration, suggesting the potential to cause a clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI). Moreover, imipenem exhibited hOAT1/3-dependent cytotoxicity, which was alleviated by cilastatin and probenecid. Furthermore, cilastatin and probenecid ameliorated imipenem-induced rabbit acute kidney injury, and reduced the renal secretion of imipenem. Cilastatin and probenecid inhibited intracellular accumulation of imipenem and sequentially decreased the nephrocyte toxicity in rabbit primary proximal tubule cells. Renal OATs, besides DHP-I, was also the target of interaction between imipenem and cilastatin, and contributed to the nephrotoxicity of imipenem. This therefore gives in part the explanation about the mechanism by which cilastatin protected against imipenem-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, OATs can potentially be used as a therapeutic target to avoid the renal adverse reaction of imipenem in clinic.

Objective : To explore the promoting effect of periostin on rapid distraction osteogenesis of the rabbit mandible and provide experimental evidence for the clinical use of periostin to promote osteogenesis. Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand male white rabbits underwent distraction osteogenesis, and after 3 days of retention, they were rapidly stretched at a stretch rate of 2 mm/d (total 5 d). The animals were randomly divided into group A and group B (12 per group). On the last day of the stretch, 0.5 mL of normal saline containing 40 μg of recombinant periostin was given to group B or an equal volume of normal saline was added to the control group (group A) for 8 days. At 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-stretch, 8 animals were randomly selected from each group to undergo a CT scan under general anesthesia. The bone mineral density and bone mineral content were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Eight weeks post-stretch, all of the experimental animals were sacrificed. Six animals were randomly selected from each group for micro-CT and a histological examination, and the remaining animals were subjected to biomechanical tests. Results : CT images showed that the new bone formation in the distraction space of group B was significantly better than that of group A at 4 and 8 weeks post-stretch. At 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-stretch, the bone mineral density in group B was (0.157 ± 0.016) g/cm 2 and (0.234 ± 0.023) g/cm 2, respectively, and the bone mineral content was (0.096 ± 0.010) g and (0.204 ± 0.017) g, respectively. The above four means were significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.001). The micro-CT images and data suggest that the stretch gap microstructure of group B has more mature features. Histological experiments showed that the trabecular bone of group B was thick and mature, with few chondrocytes. The biomechanical test results showed that the biomechanical strength of the distraction gap in group B was (228.47 ± 39.98) N, which was 1.24 times that of group A (P = 0.045). Conclusion Interstitial use of periosteal protein in the distraction space of the mandible in rabbits can promote local new bone formation and mineralization.