Delineating the key virulence factors and intraspecies divergence of Vibrio harveyi via whole-genome sequencing

Vibrio harveyi is one of the major pathogens in aquaculture. To identify the key virulence factors affecting pathogenesis of V. harveyi towards fish, we conducted a field investigation for three representative fish farms infected with V. harveyi. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and whole-genome sequencing were conducted to delineate the phylogenetic relationship and genetic divergence of V. harveyi. A total of 25 V. harveyi strains were isolated from the diseased fish and groundwater and were subtyped into 12 sequence types by MLST. Five virulence genes, mshB, pilA, hutR, ureB, and ureG, were variably presented in the sequenced strains. The virulence gene profiles strongly correlated with the distinct pathogenicity of V. harveyi strains, with a strain harboring all five genes exhibiting the highest virulence towards fish. Phenotype assay confirmed that reduced virulence correlated with decreased motility and biofilm formation ability. Additionally, three types of type VI secretion system, namely T6SS1, T6SS2, and T6SS3, were identified in V. harveyi strains, which can be classified into six, four, and 12 subtypes, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicated that the virulence level of V. harveyi is mainly determined by the above virulence genes, which may play vital roles in environmental adaptation for V. harveyi

Hepatoprotective effects of ginseng saponins in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

Purpose: To investigate the effects of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in mice.Methods: Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups. In control group, mice were administered sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) by intraperitoneal injection for seven days. In CCl4 treatment group, mice were treated as control group for the first seven days and then intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 in olive oil on day 8. In Rb1- and Rg1-treatment group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with Rb1 or Rg1 (each 30 mg/kg, dissolved in 0.5 % CMC-Na), respectively for seven days, followed by intraperitoneal injection with CCl4 in olive oil on day 8. Histological damage was examined by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were assessed enzymatically. Tissue IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured by ELISA. Gene and protein levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, Smad2, and Smad3 were analyzed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively.Results: CCl4 treatment caused histological damage in mouse liver, and increased the levels of ALT, AST (five-fold), IL-6 (three-fold), and IL-8 (five-fold), and elevated expressions of TGF-β, Smad2, and Smad3. Ginsenosides Rg1 or Rb1 pre-treatment attenuated liver injury by decreasing the serum levels of ALT (from 700 to 200 UI/L) AST (from 550 pg/mL to 250 pg/ml), IL-6 (from 1,100 to 750 pg/mL), and IL-8 (from 600 to 200 pg/mL), and inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β, Smad2, and Smad3.Conclusion: Ginsenosides (Rg1 and Rb1) attenuate CCl4-induced liver injury and inflammation by regulating TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway.Keywords: Ginseng saponin, Ginsenosides, Rg1, Rb1, Hepatoprotective effect, TGF-β/Smad signalling pathwa

Exploring the Impacts of Housing Condition on Migrants’ Mental Health in Nanxiang, Shanghai: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Although rapid urbanization and associated rural-to-urban migration has brought in enormous economic benefits in Chinese cities, one of the negative externalities include adverse effects upon the migrant workers’ mental health. The links between housing conditions and mental health are well-established in healthy city and community planning scholarship. Nonetheless, there has thusfar been no Chinese study deciphering the links between housing conditions and mental health accounting for macro-level community environments, and no study has previously examined the nature of the relationships in locals and migrants. To overcome this research gap, we hypothesized that housing conditions may have a direct and indirect effects upon mental which may be mediated by neighbourhood satisfaction. We tested this hypothesis with the help of a household survey of 368 adult participants in Nanxiang Town, Shanghai, employing a structural equation modeling approach. Our results point to the differential pathways via which housing conditions effect mental health in locals and migrants. For locals, housing conditions have direct effects on mental health, while as for migrants, housing conditions have indirect effects on mental health, mediated via neighborhood satisfaction. Our findings have significant policy implications on building an inclusive and harmonious society. Upstream-level community interventions in the form of sustainable planning and designing of migrant neighborhoods can promote sense of community, social capital and support, thereby improving mental health and overall mental capital of Chinese cities.published_or_final_versio

Analysis of Astringent Components and Differential Gene Expression of Related Key Enzymes in Different Tissues of Fresh Lotus Seeds

This study was performed to explore the differences in the composition of astringent substances in different tissues of fresh lotus seeds and the expression of key enzyme genes involved in the synthesis of astringent compounds. The contents of soluble tannins, insoluble tannins and proanthocyanidins in lotus seed coat, lotus seed pulp without coat and lotus seed plumule were determined. Meanwhile, the activity and gene expression of key enzymes in the tannin synthesis pathway were detected. Sensory evaluation and electronic tongue analysis were performed on lotus seed samples. The data obtained was analyzed by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and correlation analysis. Results showed that the major substance contributing to the astringency of lotus seeds was soluble tannins. Tannins had a positive effect on its excellent flavor at the waxy ripeness stage. Anthocyanin reductase was a key enzyme affecting the astringency intensity of lotus seeds. SnANR9 played a role in regulating the astringency of different tissues of lotus seeds

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease attributable to high fasting plasma glucose from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2019

PurposeGiven the rising prevalence of high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) over the past three decades, it is crucial to assess its global, national, and regional impact on chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to investigate the burden of CKD attributed to HFPG and its distribution across various levels.Methods and materialsThe data for this research was sourced from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. To estimate the burden of CKD attributed to HFPG, we utilized DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool. The burden was measured using age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate. Correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman rank order correlation method. Temporal trends were analyzed by estimating the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC).ResultsGlobally in 2019, there were a total of 487.97 thousand deaths and 13,093.42 thousand DALYs attributed to CKD attributed to HFPG, which represent a substantial increase of 153.8% and 120%, respectively, compared to 1990. Over the period from 1990 to 2019, the burden of CKD attributable to HFPG increased across all regions, with the highest increases observed in regions with high socio-demographic index (SDI) and middle SDI. Regions with lower SDI exhibited higher ASMR and age-standardized DALYs (ASDR) compared to developed nations at the regional level. Additionally, the EAPC values, which indicate the rate of increase, were significantly higher in these regions compared to developed nations. Notably, high-income North America, belonging to the high SDI regions, experienced the greatest increase in both ASMR and ASDR over the past three decades. Furthermore, throughout the years from 1990 to 2019, males bore a greater burden of CKD attributable to HFPG.ConclusionWith an increasing population and changing dietary patterns, the burden of CKD attributed to HFPG is expected to worsen. From 1990 to 2019, males and developing regions have experienced a more significant burden. Notably, the EAPC values for both ASMR and ASDR were higher in males and regions with lower SDI (excluding high-income North America). This emphasizes the pressing requirement for effective interventions to reduce the burden of CKD attributable to HFPG

BICC1 Drives Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Inducing VEGF-Independent Angiogenesis

VEGF inhibitors are one of the most successful antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of many solid tumors. Nevertheless, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) cells can reinstate tumor angiogenesis via activation of VEGF-independent pathways, thereby conferring resistance to VEGF inhibitors. Bioinformatic analysis showed that BICC1 was one of the top genes involved in the specific angiogenesis process of PAAD. The analysis of our own cohort confirmed that BICC1 was overexpressed in human PAAD tissues and was correlated to increased microvessel density and tumor growth, and worse prognosis. In cells and mice with xenograft tumors, BICC1 facilitated angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer in a VEGF-independent manner. Mechanistically, as an RNA binding protein, BICC1 bounds to the 3\u27UTR of Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) mRNA and post-transcriptionally up-regulated LCN2 expression in PAAD cells. When its level is elevated, LCN2 binds to its receptor 24p3R, which directly phosphorylates JAK2 and activates JAK2/STAT3 signal, leading to increased production of an angiogenic factor CXCL1. Blocking of the BICC1/LCN2 signalling reduced the microvessel density and tumor volume of PAAD cell grafts in mice, and increased the tumor suppressive effect of gemcitabine. In conclusion, BICC1 plays a pivotal role in the process of VEGF-independent angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer, leading to resistance to VEGF inhibitors. BICC1/LCN2 signaling may serve as a promising anti-angiogenic therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer patients

Síntese dos aspectos centrais da perspectiva teórica de Sidney Blatt sobre a depressão (*)

Neste artigo apresentamos os aspectos centrais da perspectiva teórica de Sidney Blatt sobre a depressão. Expomos alguns aspectos gerais do seu modelo, as características dos dois tipos depressivos propostos por Blatt, algumas notas sobre o desenvolvimento das representações objectais e sobre os antecedentes da depressão e expomos ainda a componente de vulnerabilidade multi-causal do modelo de Blatt. Terminamos com algumas considerações finaisABSTRACT: In this article we present the most important aspects of Sidney Blatt’s theoretical perspective on depression. We present some general aspects of his model, the characteristics of the two depression types proposed by Blatt, some notes about the development of objectal representations and about the depression’s antecedents and also the multi-causal vulnerability component of Blatt’s model. We finish with some final considerationsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pandemic fatigue impedes mitigation of COVID-19 in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has implemented stringent public health and social measures (PHSMs) to curb each of the four COVID-19 epidemic waves since January 2020. The third wave between July and September 2020 was brought under control within 2 m, while the fourth wave starting from the end of October 2020 has taken longer to bring under control and lasted at least 5 mo. Here, we report the pandemic fatigue as one of the potential reasons for the reduced impact of PHSMs on transmission in the fourth wave. We contacted either 500 or 1,000 local residents through weekly random-digit dialing of landlines and mobile telephones from May 2020 to February 2021. We analyze the epidemiological impact of pandemic fatigue by using the large and detailed cross-sectional telephone surveys to quantify risk perception and self-reported protective behaviors and mathematical models to incorporate population protective behaviors. Our retrospective prediction suggests that an increase of 100 daily new reported cases would lead to 6.60% (95% CI: 4.03, 9.17) more people worrying about being infected, increase 3.77% (95% CI: 2.46, 5.09) more people to avoid social gatherings, and reduce the weekly mean reproduction number by 0.32 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.44). Accordingly, the fourth wave would have been 14% (95% CI%: −53%, 81%) smaller if not for pandemic fatigue. This indicates the important role of mitigating pandemic fatigue in maintaining population protective behaviors for controlling COVID-19

The dual role of glioma exosomal microRNAs: glioma eliminates tumor suppressor miR-1298-5p via exosomes to promote immunosuppressive effects of MDSCs

Clear evidence shows that tumors could secrete microRNAs (miRNAs) via exosomes to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the mechanisms sorting specific miRNAs into exosomes are still unclear. In order to study the biological function and characterization of exosomal miRNAs, we performed whole-transcriptome sequencing in 59 patients’ whole-course cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) small extracellular vesicles (sEV) and matched glioma tissue samples. The results demonstrate that miRNAs could be divided into exosome-enriched miRNAs (ExomiRNAs) and intracellular-retained miRNAs (CLmiRNAs), and exosome-enriched miRNAs generally play a dual role. Among them, miR-1298-5p was enriched in CSF exosomes and suppressed glioma progression in vitro and vivo experiments. Interestingly, exosomal miR-1298-5p could promote the immunosuppressive effects of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to facilitate glioma. Therefore, we found miR-1298-5p had different effects on glioma cells and MDSCs. Mechanically, downstream signaling pathway analyses showed that miR-1298-5p plays distinct roles in glioma cells and MDSCs via targeting SETD7 and MSH2, respectively. Moreover, reverse verification was performed on the intracellular-retained miRNA miR-9-5p. Thus, we confirmed that tumor-suppressive miRNAs in glioma cells could be eliminated through exosomes and target tumor-associated immune cells to induce tumor-promoting phenotypes. Glioma could get double benefit from it. These findings uncover the mechanisms that glioma selectively sorts miRNAs into exosomes and modulates tumor immunity.publishedVersio