Probiotics fortify intestinal barrier function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

BackgroundProbiotics play a vital role in treating immune and inflammatory diseases by improving intestinal barrier function; however, a comprehensive evaluation is missing. The present study aimed to explore the impact of probiotics on the intestinal barrier and related immune function, inflammation, and microbiota composition. A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted.MethodsFour major databases (PubMed, Science Citation Index Expanded, CENTRAL, and Embase) were thoroughly searched. Weighted mean differences were calculated for continuous outcomes with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), heterogeneity among studies was evaluated utilizing I2 statistic (Chi-Square test), and data were pooled using random effects meta-analyses.ResultsMeta-analysis of data from a total of 26 RCTs (n = 1891) indicated that probiotics significantly improved gut barrier function measured by levels of TER (MD, 5.27, 95% CI, 3.82 to 6.72, P < 0.00001), serum zonulin (SMD, -1.58, 95% CI, -2.49 to -0.66, P = 0.0007), endotoxin (SMD, -3.20, 95% CI, -5.41 to -0.98, P = 0.005), and LPS (SMD, -0.47, 95% CI, -0.85 to -0.09, P = 0.02). Furthermore, probiotic groups demonstrated better efficacy over control groups in reducing inflammatory factors, including CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6. Probiotics can also modulate the gut microbiota structure by boosting the enrichment of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.ConclusionThe present work revealed that probiotics could improve intestinal barrier function, and alleviate inflammation and microbial dysbiosis. Further high-quality RCTs are warranted to achieve a more definitive conclusion.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=281822, identifier CRD42021281822

Bibliometric analysis of research on the role of intestinal microbiota in obesity

Background Obesity is a key public health problem. The advancement of gut microbiota research sheds new light on this field. This article aims to present the research trends in global intestinal microbiota studies within the domain of obesity research. Methods Bibliographic information of the publications on intestinal microbiota and obesity was retrieved from the Scopus database, and then analyzed by using bibliometric approaches. Results A total of 3,446 references were retrieved; the data indicated a steady growth and an exponential increase in publication numbers. The references were written in 23 different languages (93.8% in English). A number of 3,056 English journal papers were included in the further analyses. Among the 940 journals, the most prolific ones were PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, and British Journal of Nutrition. North America and Europe were the highest publication output areas. The US (995 publications) ranked first in the number of publications, followed by the China (243 publications) and France (242 publications). The publication numbers were significantly correlated with gross domestic product (GDP), human development index (HDI), and population number (PN). International collaboration analysis also shows that most of the collaborations are among developed countries. Discussion This comprehensive bibliometric study indicates that gut microbiota is a significant topic in the obesity research. The structured information may be helpful in understanding research trends, and locating research hot spots and gaps in this domain

miRNA Expression Profile of Saliva in Subjects of Yang Deficiency Constitution and Yin Deficiency Constitution

Background/Aims: Based on the theory of constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Chinese Han population has been classified into nine constitutions. Of these, Yang deficiency constitution mainly exhibit cold intolerance while Yin deficiency constitution mainly exhibit heat intolerance. Some studies have been carried out to explore the modern genetic and biological basis of such constitution classification, but more remains to be done. MicroRNA (miRNA) serves as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and may play a role in the classification process. Here, we examined miRNA expression profile of saliva to further improve the comprehensiveness of constitution classification. Methods: Saliva was collected from Chinese Han individuals with Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency and Balanced constitutions (n=5 each), and miRNA expression profile was determined using the Human miRNA OneArray®v7. Based on 1.5 Fold change, means log2|Ratio|≥0.585 and P-value< 0.05, differentially expressed miRNA was screened. Target genes were predicted using DIANA-TarBasev7.0 and analysis of KEGG pathway was carried out using DIANA-mirPathv.3. Results: We found that 81 and 98 differentially expressed miRNAs were screened in Yang deficiency and Yin deficiency constitution, respectively. Among them, 16 miRNAs were identical and the others were unique. In addition, the target genes that are regulated by the unique miRNAs were significantly enriched in 27 and 20 signaling pathways in Yang deficiency and Yin deficiency constitution, respectively. Thyroid hormone signaling pathway is present in both constitutions. These unique miRNAs that regulated target genes of thyroid hormone signaling pathway may be associated with cold intolerance or heat intolerance. Conclusion: The results of our study show that Yang deficiency and Yin deficiency constitutions exhibit systematic differences in miRNA expression profile. Moreover, the distinct characteristics of TCM constitution may be explained, in part, by differentially expressed miRNAs

Recent Advances in the Geodesy Data Processing

Geodetic functional models, stochastic models, and model parameter estimation theory are fundamental for geodetic data processing. In the past five years, through the unremitting efforts of Chinese scholars in the field of geodetic data processing, according to the application and practice of geodesy, they have made significant contributions in the fields of hypothesis testing theory, un-modeled error, outlier detection, and robust estimation, variance component estimation, complex least squares, and ill-posed problems treatment. Many functional models such as the nonlinear adjustment model, EIV model, and mixed additive and multiplicative random error model are also constructed and improved. Geodetic data inversion is an important part of geodetic data processing, and Chinese scholars have done a lot of work in geodetic data inversion in the past five years, such as seismic slide distribution inversion, intelligent inversion algorithm, multi-source data joint inversion, water reserve change and satellite gravity inversion. This paper introduces the achievements of Chinese scholars in the field of geodetic data processing in the past five years, analyzes the methods used by scholars and the problems solved, and looks forward to the unsolved problems in geodetic data processing and the direction that needs further research in the future

Effect of Calcium Carbide Residue on Strength Development along with Mechanisms of Cement-Stabilized Dredged Sludge

The purpose of this research is to explore the feasibility of using calcium carbide residue (CCR), a by-product from acetylene gas production, as a solid alkaline activator on the strength development in CCR–Portland cement-stabilized dredged sludge (CPDS). The effects of cement content, CCR content and curing time on the strength development of CPDS were investigated using a series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS), pH and electric conductivity (EC) tests. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were performed to gain additional insight into the mechanism of strength development. Meanwhile, the carbon footprints of CPDS were calculated. Following the results, it was found that CCR can significantly improve the strength of cemented dredged sludge. On the basis of the strength difference (ΔUCS) and strength growth rate (UCSgr), it was recommended that utilizing 20% cement with the addition of 20% CCR is the most effective way to develop the long-term strength of CPDS. In addition, the microstructural analysis verified that the optimum proportion of CCR benefits the formation of hydration products in CPDS, particularly needle-like gel ettringite, resulting in a less-porous and dense inter-locked structure. Furthermore, the solidification mechanism of CPDS was discussed and revealed. Finally, it was confirmed that CCR can be a sustainable alternative and effective green alkaline activator for the aim of improving cemented dredged sludge

Dissecting the Interplay Mechanism between Epigenetics and Gut Microbiota: Health Maintenance and Disease Prevention

The gut microbiota exists throughout the full life cycle of the human body, and it has been proven to have extensive impacts on health and disease. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the interplay between gut microbiota and host epigenetics plays a multifaceted role in health maintenance and disease prevention. Intestinal microflora, along with their metabolites, could regulate multiple epigenetic pathways; e.g., DNA methylation, miRNA, or histone modification. Moreover, epigenetic factors can serve as mediators to coordinate gut microbiota within the host. Aiming to dissect this interplay mechanism, the present review summarizes the research profile of gut microbiota and epigenetics in detail, and further interprets the biofunctions of this interplay, especially the regulation of intestinal inflammation, the improvement of metabolic disturbances, and the inhibition of colitis events. This review provides new insights into the interplay of epigenetics and gut microbiota, and attempts to reveal the mysteries of health maintenance and disease prevention from this new perspective

Microstructure and bond strength of niobium carbide coating on GCr15 prepared by in-situ hot press sintering

The hardness and adhesion of protective hard coatings to the substrate are the most important parameters that influence the performance of the tool. Herein, we propose an effective strategy, by in-situ hot press sintering, to fabricate a novel niobium carbide coating with high hardness and excellent interfacial bond strength on GCr15. The coating is composed of Nb2C, NbC, and α-Fe phases. The volume fraction of niobium carbide (Nb2C and NbC) phases reaches 93%. Along the direction of coating thickness, the grain morphology of niobium carbide changes from equiaxed (Nb2C) to columnar (NbC), and then to equiaxed (NbC), presenting a gradient microstructure. The coating/substrate interface displays an excellent macro/micro interface. The formation of the gradient microstructure is attributed to the nucleation-growth process controlled by the carbon concentration gradient diffusion. The novel gradient coating can simultaneously achieve superhardness (20.2 ± 0.3 GPa) and excellent bond strength (>210 ± 20 MPa). The excellent bond strength is mainly attributed to the in-situ formation of the coating and the gradient microstructures. The tensile test results show that the fracture mechanism of the niobium carbide coating on GCr15 is mainly a brittle fracture of niobium carbide coating and a small amount of coating debonding

Qingre Lishi Tuihuang therapy for acute icteric hepatitis B: A systematic review

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Qingre Lishi Tuihuang therapy (QLTT) for acute icteric hepatitis B infection. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2016 with no language restrictions for reports of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of QLTT treating acute icteric hepatitis B. Two researchers independently extracted detailed data and assessed methodological quality. Review Manager 5.3.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 2238 participants were included in this review. The methodological quality was generally poor. The results indicated that supplemented Yinchenhao decoction combined with non-specific treatments was more effective in improving the cure rate (risk ratio = 1.80; 95% CI 1.21–2.68) and reducing the serum levels of total bilirubin (mean difference = −29.74; 95% CI −31.91 to −27.57) and aspartate aminotransferase. Other self-made prescriptions conforming to QLTT plus non-specific treatments had beneficial effect for acute icteric hepatitis B in curing this disease (risk ratio = 1.48; 95% CI 1.27–1.73), as well as for negative seroconversion of HBeAg (risk ratio = 1.39; 95% CI 1.11–1.74). Supplemented Yinchenhao decoction plus non-specific treatments was more effective than other self-made prescriptions conforming to QLTT in reducing serum total bilirubin level. Conclusion: Qingre Lishi Tuihuang therapy appears to improve effect based on non-specific treatments for the treatment of acute icteric hepatitis B. However, it is premature to draw confirmative conclusions, owing to the poor methodological quality and high clinical heterogeneity of the included trials. Further well-designed clinical randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes should be undertaken

Association between body-constitution type and vascular endothelial dysfunction: A cross-sectional study in an adult obese/overweight population

Objective: To measure vascular endothelial function (VED) in obese/overweight people grouped according to the constitutional theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). We wished to predict the risk of VED and cardiovascular diseases in obese/overweight populations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Eighty-six obese/overweight volunteers from Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital were enrolled and divided into four groups based on body-constitution type: phlegm dampness (PD); phlegm dampness with blood stasis (PDBS); qi-deficiency (QD); balance (BA). Height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured, and percent body fat and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) calculated. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasma endothelial-1 (ET-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The RHI and vWF levels in the PDBS group were significantly lower than those in the BA group and QD group (P  .05). These two indicators displayed no significant differences among BA, QD, and PD groups (P > .05). There was no significant difference among the four groups in level of ET-1 or VEGF (P > .05). Conclusion: Of the four indicators selected, the RHI and vWF displayed significant differences between the PDBS group and BA group, and between the PDBS group and QD group. Hence, in an obese/overweight population with different constitutional types, compared with BA and QD groups, a relatively higher risk of suffering from VED was detected in the PDBS group. Meanwhile, this study provides the experimental basis for confirming the feasibility of constitutional classification in obese/overweight population. Keywords: Obese/overweight, Constitution classification, Vascular endothelial dysfunction, Reactive hyperemia inde