Response of Gut Microbiota to Dietary Fiber and Metabolic Interaction With SCFAs in Piglets

Dietary fiber (DF) is increasingly thought to regulate diversity of piglet gut microbiota to alleviate weaning stress in piglets. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of DF on growth performance of piglets and composition of their gut microbiota, as well as the interaction between gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in piglets. A total of 840 piglets were allocated to three dietary treatments consisting of a control group (CG), an alfalfa meal group (AG), and a commodity concentrated fiber group (OG) in a 30-day feeding trial. Gut mucosa and feces samples were used to determine bacterial community diversity by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Fiber treatment had a positive effect on growth performance and metabolism of SCFAs in piglets, in particular, compared with CG, the diarrhea rate was significantly decreased, and the content of propionic acid (PA) in the cecum was markedly increased in AG. The Shannon indices of the jejunum microbiota in AG were higher than CG. At the genus level, compared to CG, in the duodenum, the relative abundance of Paenibacillus in AG and OG was higher; in the jejunum, the relative abundances of Bacillus, Oceanobacillus, Paenibacillus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, and Exiguobacterium were higher, whereas the relative abundance of Mycoplasma was lower in AG; in the cecum, there was also lower relative abundance of Helicobacter in AG and OG, and furthermore, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in OG was higher than in CG and AG. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Pseudobutyrivibrio was positively correlated with acetic acid, PA, and butyric acid (BA), while Bacteroides and Anaerotruncus were negatively correlated with PA and BA. In addition, microbiota analyses among different intestine segments showed distinct differences in microbiota between the proximal and distal intestines. Bacteria in the proximal segments were mainly Firmicutes, while bacteria in the distal segments were mainly Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Overall, these findings suggested that DF treatment could reduce the diarrhea rate of piglets and had beneficial effects on gut health, which might be attributed to the alteration in gut microbiota induced by DF and the interaction of the gut microbiota with SCFAs

Application of implementation science framework to develop and adopt regulatory science in different national regulatory authorities

IntroductionThe purpose of developing and adopting regulatory science (RS) for drug regulatory authorities (DRAs) is to enhance regulatory capacity by advancing the scientific approach for the evaluation of health-related products. While many DRAs around the world advocate the concept of RS, the implementation approaches of RS vary according to local needs and have not been systemically examined. This study aimed to systematically identify the evidence about how RS was developed, adopted, and advanced by the selected DRAs, and analyzed and compared the implementation experiences of RS development under the guidance of an implementation science framework.MethodsDocumentary analysis of government documents and a scoping literature review were conducted, and data analysis was performed under the guidance of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model (PPM). DRAs in the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China had officially launched RS initiatives and were therefore selected as the target countries in this study.ResultsThere is no common consensus on the definition of RS among the DRAs. However, these DRAs shared the same goal of developing and adopting RS, which was used to develop new tools, standards, and guidelines that could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the risk and benefit assessment of the regulated products. Each DRA had decided its own priority areas for RS development and thus set specific objectives that might be technology-based (e.g., toxicology and clinical evaluation), process-based (e.g., partnership with healthcare systems and high-quality review/consultation services), or product-based (e.g., drug-device combination products and innovative emerging technologies). To advance RS, considerable resources had been allocated for staff training, advancing information technology and laboratory infrastructure, and funding research projects. DRAs also took multifaceted approaches to expand scientific collaborations through public–private partnerships, research funding mechanisms, and innovation networks. Cross-DRA communications were also reinforced through horizon scanning systems and consortiums to better inform and assist the regulatory decision-making process. The output measurements might be scientific publications, funded projects, DRAs interactions, and evaluation methods and guidelines. Improved regulatory efficiency and transparency leading to benefits to public health, patient outcomes, and translation of drug research and development as the key primary outcomes of RS development were anticipated but not yet clearly defined.ConclusionThe application of the implementation science framework is useful for conceptualizing and planning the development and adoption of RS for evidence-based regulatory decision-making. Continuous commitment to the RS development and regular review of the RS goals by the decision-makers are important for DRAs to meet the ever-changing scientific challenges in their regulatory decision-making process

Differentiation potential of STRO-1+ dental pulp stem cells changes during cell passaging

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be driven into odontoblast, osteoblast, and chondrocyte lineages in different inductive media. However, the differentiation potential of naive DPSCs after serial passaging in the routine culture system has not been fully elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DPSCs were isolated from human/rat dental pulps by the magnetic activated cell sorting based on STRO-1 expression, cultured and passaged in the conventional culture media. The biological features of STRO-1⁺DPSCs at the 1^stand 9^thpassages were investigated. During the long-term passage, the proliferation ability of human STRO-1⁺DPSCs was downregulated as indicated by the growth kinetics. When compared with STRO-1⁺DPSCs at the 1^stpassage (DPSC-P1), the expression of mature osteoblast-specific genes/proteins (alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, osterix, and osteopontin), odontoblast-specific gene/protein (dentin sialophosphoprotein and dentin sialoprotein), and chondrocyte-specific gene/protein (type II collagen) was significantly upregulated in human STRO-1⁺DPSCs at the 9^thpassage (DPSC-P9). Furthermore, human DPSC-P9 cells in the mineralization-inducing media presented higher levels of alkaline phosphatase at day 3 and day 7 respectively, and produced more mineralized matrix than DPSC-P9 cells at day 14. <it>In vivo </it>transplantation results showed that rat DPSC-P1 cell pellets developed into dentin, bone and cartilage structures respectively, while DPSC-P9 cells can only generate bone tissues.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that STRO-1⁺DPSCs consist of several interrelated subpopulations which can spontaneously differentiate into odontoblasts, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. The differentiation capacity of these DPSCs changes during cell passaging, and DPSCs at the 9^thpassage restrict their differentiation potential to the osteoblast lineage <it>in vivo</it>.</p

Forest Height Inversion Based on Time–Frequency RVoG Model Using Single-Baseline L-Band Sublook-InSAR Data

The interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technique based on time–frequency (TF) analysis has great potential for mapping the forest canopy height model (CHM) at regional and global scales, as it benefits from the additional InSAR observations provided by the sublook decomposition. Meanwhile, due to the wider swath and higher spatial resolution of single-polarization data, InSAR has a higher observation efficiency in comparison with PolInSAR. However, the accuracy of the CHM inversion obtained by the TF-InSAR method is attenuated by its inaccurate coherent scattering modeling and uncertain parameter calculation. Hence, a new approach for CHM estimation based on single-baseline InSAR data and sublook decomposition is proposed in this study. With its derivation of the coherent scattering modeling based on the scattering matrix of sublook observations, a time–frequency based random volume over ground (TF-RVoG) model is proposed to describe the relationship between the sublook coherence and the forest biophysical parameters. Then, a modified three-stage method based on the TF-RVoG model is used for CHM retrieval. Finally, the two-dimensional (2-D) ambiguous error of pure volume coherence caused by residual ground scattering and temporal decorrelation is alleviated in the complex unit circle. The performance of the proposed method was tested with airborne L-band E-SAR data at the Krycklan test site in Northern Sweden. Results show that the modified three-stage method provides a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 5.61 m using InSAR and 14.3% improvement over the PolInSAR technique with respect to the classical three-stage inversion result. An inversion accuracy of RMSE = 2.54 m is obtained when the spatial heterogeneity of CHM is considered using the proposed method, demonstrating a noticeable improvement of 32.8% compared with results from the existing method which introduces the fixed temporal decorrelation factor

Experimental Detection and Simulation of Terahertz Spectra of Aqueous L-Arginine

Terahertz (THz) wave is a good candidate for biological sample detection, because vibration and rotation energy levels of biomolecule are in THz band. However, the strong absorption of THz wave by water in biological samples hinders its development. In this paper, a method for direct detection of THz absorption spectra of L-arginine suspension was proposed by using a strong field THz radiation source combined with a polyethylene cell with micrometer thickness in a THz time-domain spectroscopy system. And the THz absorption spectrum of L-arginine solution was simulated by the density functional theory and the simulation result is in good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the types of chemical bond interaction that cause the absorption peak are identified based on the experimental and simulation results. This work paves a way to investigate the THz absorption spectra and intramolecular interactions of aqueous biological samples

Sand Dust Images Enhancement Based on Red and Blue Channels

The scattering and absorption of light results in the degradation of image in sandstorm scenes, it is vulnerable to issues such as color casting, low contrast and lost details, resulting in poor visual quality. In such circumstances, traditional image restoration methods cannot fully restore images owing to the persistence of color casting problems and the poor estimation of scene transmission maps and atmospheric light. To effectively correct color casting and enhance visibility for such sand dust images, we proposed a sand dust image enhancement algorithm using the red and blue channels, which consists of two modules: the red channel-based correction function (RCC) and blue channel-based dust particle removal (BDPR), the RCC module is used to correct color casting errors, and the BDPR module removes sand dust particles. After the dust image is processed by these two modules, a clear and visible image can be produced. The experimental results were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, and the results show that this method can significantly improve the image quality under sandstorm weather and outperform the state-of-the-art restoration algorithms

Triple-Function Electrolyte Regulation toward Advanced Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries

The poor Zn reversibility has been criticized for limiting applications of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs); however, its behavior in aqueous media is not fully uncovered yet. Here, this knowledge gap is addressed, indicating that Zn electrodes face a O2-involving corrosion, besides H2 evolution and dendrite growth. Differing from aqueous Li/Na batteries, removing O2 cannot enhance ZIB performance because of the aggravated competing H2 evolution. To address Zn issues, a one-off electrolyte strategy is reported by introducing the triple-function C3H7Na2O6P, which can take effects during the shelf time of battery. It regulates H+ concentration and reduces free-water activity, inhibiting H2 evolution. A self-healing solid/electrolyte interphase (SEI) can be triggered before battery operation, which suppresses O2 adsorption corrosion and dendritic deposition. Consequently, a high Zn reversibility of 99.6% is achieved under a high discharge depth of 85%. The pouch full-cell with a lean electrolyte displays a record lifespan with capacity retention of 95.5% after 500 cycles. This study not only looks deeply into Zn behavior in aqueous media but also underscores rules for the design of active metal anodes, including Zn and Li metals, during shelf time toward real applications

FTO ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis via P53–P21/Nrf2 activation in a HuR-dependent m6A manner

Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity seriously limits its clinical applicability, and no therapeutic interventions are available. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death characterised by lipid peroxidation, plays a pivotal role in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most frequent type of RNA modification and involved in DOX-induced ferroptosis, however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. P21 was recently found to inhibit ferroptosis by interacting with Nrf2 and is regulated in a P53-dependent or independent manner, such as through m6A modification. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism underlying m6A modification in DOX-induced ferroptosis by focusing on P21. Our results show that fat mass and obesity–associated protein (FTO) down-regulation was associated with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. FTO over-expression significantly improved cardiac function and cell viability in DOX-treated mouse hearts and H9C2 cells. FTO over-expression significantly inhibited DOX-induced ferroptosis, and the Fer-1 inhibition of ferroptosis significantly reduced DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. P21 was significantly upregulated by FTO and activated Nrf2, playing a crucial role in the anti-ferroptotic effect. FTO upregulated P21/Nrf2 in a P53-dependent manner by mediating the demethylation of P53 or in a P53-independent manner by mediating P21/Nrf2 directly. Human antigen R (HuR) is crucial for FTO-mediated regulation of ferroptosis and P53–P21/Nrf2. Notably, we also found that P21 inhibition in turn inhibited HuR and P53 expression, while HuR inhibition further inhibited FTO expression. RNA immunoprecipitation assay showed that HuR binds to the transcripts of FTO and itself. Collectively, FTO inhibited DOX-induced ferroptosis via P21/Nrf2 activation by mediating the m6A demethylation of P53 or P21/Nrf2 in a HuR-dependent manner and constituted a positive feedback loop with HuR and P53–P21. Our findings provide novel insight into key functional mechanisms associated with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and elucidate a possible therapeutic approach

Regulation methods for the Zn/electrolyte interphase and the effectiveness evaluation in aqueous Zn-ion batteries

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) have inspired an overwhelming number of literature studies due to their safety, cost effectiveness, and environmental benignity. Directly employing metallic Zn foil as an anode significantly simplifies battery manufacturing and simultaneously broadens the operating voltage window of aqueous batteries, benefiting from its high overpotential against electrolyte decomposition. Nevertheless, serious issues, such as dendrite growth and side reactions, occurring at the Zn/electrolyte interphase, make the Coulombic efficiency and lifespan of Zn metal electrodes far from satisfactory, which has also been motivating new research interest in interfacial engineering to solve these problems. Owing to the rapid evolution of this new area, it is highly desirable to provide current and timely updates of interfacial strategies and their effectiveness evaluation. From the two sides-the electrode and the electrolyte at the interphase-this review thoroughly summarizes our fundamental understanding of interfacial strategies, including designing mechanisms, creating new methods, and technical challenges. Importantly, this review also analyses the effectiveness evaluation techniques for interfacial strategies, including electrochemical methods, characterization measurements, and computational simulations, providing guidelines for the accurate evaluation and analysis of ZIBs in the future

Advanced cathodes for aqueous Zn batteries beyond Zn\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e intercalation

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries have attracted global attention for energy storage. Despite significant progress in advancing Zn anode materials, there has been little progress in cathodes. The predominant cathodes working with Zn2+/H+ intercalation, however, exhibit drawbacks, including a high Zn2+ diffusion energy barrier, pH fluctuation(s) and limited reproducibility. Beyond Zn2+ intercalation, alternative working principles have been reported that broaden cathode options, including conversion, hybrid, anion insertion and deposition/dissolution. In this review, we report a critical assessment of non-intercalation-type cathode materials in aqueous Zn batteries, and identify strengths and weaknesses of these cathodes in small-scale batteries, together with current strategies to boost material performance. We assess the technical gap(s) in transitioning these cathodes from laboratory-scale research to industrial-scale battery applications. We conclude that S, I2 and Br2 electrodes exhibit practically promising commercial prospects, and future research is directed to optimizing cathodes. Findings will be useful for researchers and manufacturers in advancing cathodes for aqueous Zn batteries beyond Zn2+ intercalation