Table_2_Mendelian randomization analysis reveals an independent causal relationship between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris.xlsx

BackgroundNumerous studies have suggested a correlation between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris; however, no specific causal link has been explored.Materials and methodsTo investigate the possible causal relationship between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris, this study employed a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistic. Initially, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was utilized to identify the specific gut microflora responsible for acne vulgaris. We used the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method as the main MR analysis method. Additionally, we assessed heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, while also examining the potential influence of individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the analysis results. In order to eliminate gut microbiota with reverse causal associations, we conducted reverse MR analysis. Multivariate Mendelian randomization analysis (MVMR) was then employed to verify the independence of the causal associations. Finally, we performed SNP annotation on the instrumental variables of independent gut microbiota and acne vulgaris to determine the genes where these genetic variations are located. We also explored the biological functions of these genes through enrichment analysis.ResultThe IVW method of forward MR identified nine gut microbes with a causal relationship with acne vulgaris (p ConclusionOur study found independent causal relationships between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris, and revealed a genetic association between acne vulgaris patients and gut microbiota. Consider preventing and treating acne vulgaris by interfering with the relative content of these four gut microbes.</p

Table_1_Mendelian randomization analysis reveals an independent causal relationship between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris.xlsx

BackgroundNumerous studies have suggested a correlation between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris; however, no specific causal link has been explored.Materials and methodsTo investigate the possible causal relationship between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris, this study employed a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistic. Initially, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was utilized to identify the specific gut microflora responsible for acne vulgaris. We used the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method as the main MR analysis method. Additionally, we assessed heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, while also examining the potential influence of individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the analysis results. In order to eliminate gut microbiota with reverse causal associations, we conducted reverse MR analysis. Multivariate Mendelian randomization analysis (MVMR) was then employed to verify the independence of the causal associations. Finally, we performed SNP annotation on the instrumental variables of independent gut microbiota and acne vulgaris to determine the genes where these genetic variations are located. We also explored the biological functions of these genes through enrichment analysis.ResultThe IVW method of forward MR identified nine gut microbes with a causal relationship with acne vulgaris (p ConclusionOur study found independent causal relationships between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris, and revealed a genetic association between acne vulgaris patients and gut microbiota. Consider preventing and treating acne vulgaris by interfering with the relative content of these four gut microbes.</p

Image_1_Mendelian randomization analysis reveals an independent causal relationship between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris.TIFF

BackgroundNumerous studies have suggested a correlation between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris; however, no specific causal link has been explored.Materials and methodsTo investigate the possible causal relationship between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris, this study employed a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistic. Initially, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was utilized to identify the specific gut microflora responsible for acne vulgaris. We used the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method as the main MR analysis method. Additionally, we assessed heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, while also examining the potential influence of individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the analysis results. In order to eliminate gut microbiota with reverse causal associations, we conducted reverse MR analysis. Multivariate Mendelian randomization analysis (MVMR) was then employed to verify the independence of the causal associations. Finally, we performed SNP annotation on the instrumental variables of independent gut microbiota and acne vulgaris to determine the genes where these genetic variations are located. We also explored the biological functions of these genes through enrichment analysis.ResultThe IVW method of forward MR identified nine gut microbes with a causal relationship with acne vulgaris (p ConclusionOur study found independent causal relationships between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris, and revealed a genetic association between acne vulgaris patients and gut microbiota. Consider preventing and treating acne vulgaris by interfering with the relative content of these four gut microbes.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Mendelian randomization analysis reveals an independent causal relationship between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris.docx

BackgroundNumerous studies have suggested a correlation between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris; however, no specific causal link has been explored.Materials and methodsTo investigate the possible causal relationship between gut microbiota and acne vulgaris, this study employed a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistic. Initially, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was utilized to identify the specific gut microflora responsible for acne vulgaris. We used the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method as the main MR analysis method. Additionally, we assessed heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, while also examining the potential influence of individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the analysis results. In order to eliminate gut microbiota with reverse causal associations, we conducted reverse MR analysis. Multivariate Mendelian randomization analysis (MVMR) was then employed to verify the independence of the causal associations. Finally, we performed SNP annotation on the instrumental variables of independent gut microbiota and acne vulgaris to determine the genes where these genetic variations are located. We also explored the biological functions of these genes through enrichment analysis.ResultThe IVW method of forward MR identified nine gut microbes with a causal relationship with acne vulgaris (p ConclusionOur study found independent causal relationships between four gut microbes and acne vulgaris, and revealed a genetic association between acne vulgaris patients and gut microbiota. Consider preventing and treating acne vulgaris by interfering with the relative content of these four gut microbes.</p

Facile Preparation and Characterization of Modified Polyurethane Sponge for Oil Absorption

Oil spills have devastating effects on the environment. Utilization of absorbents for oil spill cleanup has been practiced; however, the development of cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly absorbents is both desirable and urgent. In this study, we illustrate a novel oil absorbent fabricated by modifying polyurethane (PU) sponges with TiO₂ sol. The attachment of TiO₂ nanoparticles reduced the hydrophilicity of the modified PU sponge significantly by increasing its surface roughness and changing the chemical composition of the surface. The modified PU sponges exhibited oil absorption capacity of 95–110 g/g with negligible water uptake under both static and dynamic conditions. The modified PU sponge was found to be reusable up to 12 cycles holding 70% of its initial uptake capacity. The modified PU sponges can be effectively used in oil spill cleanup

Facile Preparation and Characterization of Modified Polyurethane Sponge for Oil Absorption

Oil spills have devastating effects on the environment. Utilization of absorbents for oil spill cleanup has been practiced; however, the development of cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly absorbents is both desirable and urgent. In this study, we illustrate a novel oil absorbent fabricated by modifying polyurethane (PU) sponges with TiO₂ sol. The attachment of TiO₂ nanoparticles reduced the hydrophilicity of the modified PU sponge significantly by increasing its surface roughness and changing the chemical composition of the surface. The modified PU sponges exhibited oil absorption capacity of 95–110 g/g with negligible water uptake under both static and dynamic conditions. The modified PU sponge was found to be reusable up to 12 cycles holding 70% of its initial uptake capacity. The modified PU sponges can be effectively used in oil spill cleanup

Facile Preparation and Characterization of Modified Polyurethane Sponge for Oil Absorption

Oil spills have devastating effects on the environment. Utilization of absorbents for oil spill cleanup has been practiced; however, the development of cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly absorbents is both desirable and urgent. In this study, we illustrate a novel oil absorbent fabricated by modifying polyurethane (PU) sponges with TiO₂ sol. The attachment of TiO₂ nanoparticles reduced the hydrophilicity of the modified PU sponge significantly by increasing its surface roughness and changing the chemical composition of the surface. The modified PU sponges exhibited oil absorption capacity of 95–110 g/g with negligible water uptake under both static and dynamic conditions. The modified PU sponge was found to be reusable up to 12 cycles holding 70% of its initial uptake capacity. The modified PU sponges can be effectively used in oil spill cleanup

Microfluidic Device for Efficient Airborne Bacteria Capture and Enrichment

Highly efficient capture and enrichment is always the key for rapid analysis of airborne pathogens. Herein we report a simple microfluidic device which is capable of fast and efficient airborne bacteria capture and enrichment. The device was validated with <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) and <i>Mycobacterium smegmatis</i>. The results showed that the efficiency can reach close to 100% in 9 min. Compared with the traditional sediment method, there is also great improvement with capture limit. In addition, various flow rate and channel lengths have been investigated to obtain the optimized condition. The high capture and enrichment might be due to the chaotic vortex flow created in the microfluidic channel by the staggered herringbone mixer (SHM) structure, which is also confirmed with flow dynamic mimicking. The device is fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), simple, cheap, and disposable, perfect for field application, especially in developing countries with very limited modern instruments

Mitochondrial complex I bridges a connection between regulation of carbon flexibility and gastrointestinal commensalism in the human fungal pathogen <i>Candida albicans</i>

<div><p>Efficient assimilation of alternative carbon sources in glucose-limited host niches is critical for colonization of <i>Candida albicans</i>, a commensal yeast that frequently causes opportunistic infection in human. <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> evolved mechanistically to regulate alternative carbon assimilation for the promotion of fungal growth and commensalism in mammalian hosts. However, this highly adaptive mechanism that <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> employs to cope with alternative carbon assimilation has yet to be clearly understood. Here we identified a novel role of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> mitochondrial complex I (CI) in regulating assimilation of alternative carbon sources such as mannitol. Our data demonstrate that CI dysfunction by deleting the subunit Nuo2 decreases the level of NAD⁺, downregulates the NAD⁺-dependent mannitol dehydrogenase activity, and consequently inhibits hyphal growth and biofilm formation in conditions when the carbon source is mannitol, but not fermentative sugars like glucose. Mannitol-dependent morphogenesis is controlled by a ROS-induced signaling pathway involving Hog1 activation and Brg1 repression. <i>In vivo</i> studies show that <i>nuo2</i>Δ/Δ mutant cells are severely compromised in gastrointestinal colonization and the defect can be rescued by a glucose-rich diet. Thus, our findings unravel a mechanism by which <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> regulates carbon flexibility and commensalism. Alternative carbon assimilation might represent a fitness advantage for commensal fungi in successful colonization of host niches.</p></div

PhoP can be acetylated and deacetylated <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.

<p>(A) The acetylation levels of PhoP in the wild type strain and <i>pat</i> deletion mutant. 6×His-tagged PhoP was expressed using pCDSS-<i>phoP</i> in the <i>pat</i> deletion mutant or the wild type <i>S</i>. Typhimurium. Acetylation levels of the purified PhoP proteins were detected with the pan anti-acetyllysine antibody (α-Acetyl), and the anti-PhoP antibody was used as a loading control. Western blots were independently repeated at least three times. (B) CobB deacetylates PhoP <i>in vitro</i>. PhoP (0.2 μg/μl) was purified and incubated with or without CobB (0.1 μg/μl), NAM (10 mM), NAD⁺ (1 mM). The acetylation levels were determined by Western blot. Western blots are representative of at least three independent replicates. (C) Pat acetylates PhoP <i>in vitro</i>. PhoP (0.2 μg/μl) was purified from the wild type strain and incubated with or without Pat (0.2 μg/μl) and Ac-CoA (0.2 mM). The acetylation levels were determined by Western blot, and Western blots are representative of at least three independent replicates.</p