Systematic Analysis of Impact of Sampling Regions and Storage Methods on Fecal Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Profiles.

The contribution of human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and metabolites to host health has recently become much clearer. However, many confounding factors can influence the accuracy of gut microbiome and metabolome studies, resulting in inconsistencies in published results. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of fecal sampling regions and storage and retrieval conditions on gut microbiome and metabolite profiles from three healthy children. Our analysis indicated that compared to homogenized and snap-frozen samples (standard control [SC]), different sampling regions did not affect microbial community alpha diversity, while a total of 22 of 176 identified metabolites varied significantly across different sampling regions. In contrast, storage conditions significantly influenced the microbiome and metabolome. Short-term room temperature storage had a minimal effect on the microbiome and metabolome profiles. Sample storage in RNALater showed a significant level of variation in both microbiome and metabolome profiles, independent of the storage or retrieval conditions. The effect of RNALater on the metabolome was stronger than the effect on the microbiome, and individual variability between study participants outweighed the effect of RNALater on the microbiome. We conclude that homogenizing stool samples was critical for metabolomic analysis but not necessary for microbiome analysis. Short-term room temperature storage had a minimal effect on the microbiome and metabolome profiles and is recommended for short-term fecal sample storage. In addition, our study indicates that the use of RNALater as a storage medium of stool samples for microbial and metabolomic analyses is not recommended.IMPORTANCE The gastrointestinal microbiome and metabolome can provide a new angle to understand the development of health and disease. Stool samples are most frequently used for large-scale cohort studies. Standardized procedures for stool sample handling and storage can be a determining factor for performing microbiome or metabolome studies. In this study, we focused on the effects of stool sampling regions and stool sample storage conditions on variations in the gut microbiome composition and metabolome profile

Characterization of deep sub-wavelength nanowells by imaging the photon state scattering spectra

Optical-matter interactions and photon scattering in a sub-wavelength space are of great interest in many applications, such as nanopore-based gene sequencing and molecule characterization. Previous studies show that spatial distribution features of the scattering photon states are highly sensitive to the dielectric and structural properties of the nanopore array and matter contained on or within them, as a result of the complex optical-matter interaction in a confined system. In this paper, we report a method for shape characterization of subwavelength nanowells using photon state spatial distribution spectra in the scattering near field. Far-field parametric images of the near-field optical scattering from sub-wavelength nanowell arrays on a SiN substrate were obtained experimentally. Finite-difference time-domain simulations were used to interpret the experimental results. The rich features of the parametric images originating from the interaction of the photons and the nanowells were analyzed to recover the size of the nanowells. Experiments on nanoholes modified with Shp2 proteins were also performed. Results show that the scattering distribution of modified nanoholes exhibits significant differences compared to empty nanoholes. This work highlights the potential of utilizing the photon status scattering of nanowells for molecular characterization or other virus detection applications

Photo scattering signal amplification in gold-viral particle ligation towards fast infection screening

The polarization states of scattered photons can be used to map or image the anisotropic features of a nanostructure. However, the scattering strength depends heavily on the refractivity contrast in the near field under measurement, which limits the imaging sensitivity for viral particles which have little refractivity contrast with their nano-ambientes. In this paper, we show the photon scattering signal strength can be magnified by introducing a more abrupt change of refractivity at the virus particle using antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), allowing the presence of such viruses to be detected. Using two different deep learning methods to minimize scattering noise, the photon states scattering signal of a AuNPs ligated virus is enhanced significantly compared to that of a bare virus particle. This is confirmed by Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) numerical simulations. The sensitivity of the polarization state scattering spectra from a virus-gold particle doublet is 5.4 times higher than that of a conventional microscope image

Label-free sensing below the sub-diffraction limit of virus-like particles by wide-field photon state parametric imaging of a gold nanodot array

A parallel four-quadrant sensing method utilizing a specially designed gold nanodot array is created for sensing virus-like particles with sub-diffraction limit size (~100 nm) in a wide-field image. Direct label-free sensing of virus using multiple four-quadrant sensing channel in parallel in a wide-field view enables the possibility of high-throughput onsite screening of virus

Seizing the window of opportunity to mitigate the impact of climate change on the health of Chinese residents

The health threats posed by climate change in China are increasing rapidly. Each province faces different health risks. Without a timely and adequate response, climate change will impact lives and livelihoods at an accelerated rate and even prevent the achievement of the Healthy and Beautiful China initiatives. The 2021 China Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is the first annual update of China’s Report of the Lancet Countdown. It comprehensively assesses the impact of climate change on the health of Chinese households and the measures China has taken. Invited by the Lancet committee, Tsinghua University led the writing of the report and cooperated with 25 relevant institutions in and outside of China. The report includes 25 indicators within five major areas (climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement) and a policy brief. This 2021 China policy brief contains the most urgent and relevant indicators focusing on provincial data: The increasing health risks of climate change in China; mixed progress in responding to climate change. In 2020, the heatwave exposures per person in China increased by 4.51 d compared with the 1986–2005 average, resulting in an estimated 92% increase in heatwave-related deaths. The resulting economic cost of the estimated 14500 heatwave-related deaths in 2020 is US$176 million. Increased temperatures also caused a potential 31.5 billion h in lost work time in 2020, which is equivalent to 1.3% of the work hours of the total national workforce, with resulting economic losses estimated at 1.4% of China’s annual gross domestic product. For adaptation efforts, there has been steady progress in local adaptation planning and assessment in 2020, urban green space growth in 2020, and health emergency management in 2019. 12 of 30 provinces reported that they have completed, or were developing, provincial health adaptation plans. Urban green space, which is an important heat adaptation measure, has increased in 18 of 31 provinces in the past decade, and the capacity of China’s health emergency management increased in almost all provinces from 2018 to 2019. As a result of China’s persistent efforts to clean its energy structure and control air pollution, the premature deaths due to exposure to ambient particulate matter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and the resulting costs continue to decline. However, 98% of China’s cities still have annual average PM2.5 concentrations that are more than the WHO guideline standard of 10 μg/m3. It provides policymakers and the public with up-to-date information on China’s response to climate change and improvements in health outcomes and makes the following policy recommendations. (1) Promote systematic thinking in the related departments and strengthen multi-departmental cooperation. Sectors related to climate and development in China should incorporate health perspectives into their policymaking and actions, demonstrating WHO’s and President Xi Jinping’s so-called health-in-all-policies principle. (2) Include clear goals and timelines for climate-related health impact assessments and health adaptation plans at both the national and the regional levels in the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for 2035. (3) Strengthen China’s climate mitigation actions and ensure that health is included in China’s pathway to carbon neutrality. By promoting investments in zero-carbon technologies and reducing fossil fuel subsidies, the current rebounding trend in carbon emissions will be reversed and lead to a healthy, low-carbon future. (4) Increase awareness of the linkages between climate change and health at all levels. Health professionals, the academic community, and traditional and new media should raise the awareness of the public and policymakers on the important linkages between climate change and health.</p

General formulas for drag coefficient and settling velocity of sphere based on theoretical law

The settlement of particles is of great importance in many areas. The accurate determination of drag coefficient and settling velocity in wide Reynolds number (Re) range remains a problem. In this paper, a series of new formulas for drag coefficient of spherical particles based on theoretical laws, such as the Stokes law, the Oseen law, and the Goldstein law, were developed and fitted using 480 groups of experimental data (Re < 2 × 105). The results show that the 2nd approximation of a rational function containing only one parameter can describe CD–Re relationship accurately over the whole Re range of 0–2 × 105. The new developed formulas containing five parameters show higher goodness over wide Re range than presently existing equations. The introduction of the Oseen law is helpful for improving the fitting goodness of the empirical formulas. On the basis of one of the Oseen-based CD–Re formulas giving the lowest sum of squared relative errors Q over the whole Re range (Re < 2 × 105), a general formula for settling velocity ut based on dimensionless parameters was proposed showing high goodness. Keywords: Sphere, Drag coefficient, Settling velocity, Reynolds number, Theoretical equatio

Study on the effect and mechanism of Zhenzhu Tongluo pills in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy injury

Abstract Background As a traditional Mongolian medicine, Zhenzhu Tongluo pills has played a good neuroprotective function in clinic. However, the key mechanisms by which it works are poorly studied. Objectives To study the effect and mechanism of Zhenzhu Tongluo pills in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy injury. Methods Diabetic peripheral neuropathy model was established by injecting STZ into rats. Physiological, behavioral, morphological and functional analyses were used to evaluate that the overall therapeutic effect of rats, ELISA, qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, HE staining and TUNEL staining were used to further study the related mechanism. Results Zhenzhu Tongluo pills can significantly improve the physiological changes, behavioral abnormalities, structural and functional damage in diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats, which may be related to the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects that realized by regulating PI3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB signaling pathways. Conclusions Zhenzhu Tongluo pills has neuroprotective effect, and anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis may be the important way of its function

Risky and rushed public crack cocaine smoking : the potential for supervised inhalation facilities

Background Despite the multitude of public health and community harms associated with crack cocaine use, little is known about factors associated with smoking crack in public and related risks such as rushed public crack smoking. Methods Data were derived from two prospective cohort studies of people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada between 2010 and 2014. Multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to identify the prevalence and correlates of public crack smoking and rushed public crack smoking. Results In total, 1085 participants who had smoked crack in the prior six months were eligible for the analysis, of which 379 (34.9 %) reported always or usually smoking crack in public in the previous six months at some point during the study period. Factors positively and independently associated with public crack smoking included public injection drug use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.42, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 3.76-7.82), homelessness (AOR: 3.48, 95 % CI: 2.77-4.36), at least daily crack use (AOR: 2.69, 95 % CI: 2.19-3.31), crack pipe sharing (AOR: 1.98, 95 % CI: 1.60-2.46), drug dealing (AOR: 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.30-1.94), recent incarceration (AOR: 1.47, 95 % CI: 1.09-1.98), noticing police presence when buying or using drugs (AOR: 1.30, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.60), and younger age (AOR: 1.03, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.04). Rushed public crack smoking, which was reported by 216 (28.8 %) of 751 participants who had smoked crack in public at least once during the study period, was positively and independently associated with homelessness (AOR: 2.61, 95 % CI: 1.96-3.49), at least daily crack use (AOR: 1.48, 95 % CI: 1.11-1.98), crack pipe sharing (AOR: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.89), drug dealing (AOR: 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.86), and younger age (AOR: 1.02, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.04). Conclusions A high prevalence of public crack smoking and rushed public crack smoking was observed in this setting. These findings point to the need for implementing and evaluating evidence-based public health interventions, such as supervised inhalation facilities, to reduce the risks and harms associated with smoking crack in public.Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCMedicine, Department ofPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacultyResearcherGraduat

Separation and physicochemical properties of residual carbon in gasification slag

Gasification slag is the solid waste produced in the coal gasification process, and its treatment and disposal problems are becoming more and more serious. In this study, the gasification slag produced in a chemical base in northern China and its residual carbon obtained by gravity separation of water medium were taken as the research objects, and their physicochemical properties were analyzed comprehensively. The residual carbon products, ash-rich products and high-ash products were obtained from the gasification slag after gravity separation. Under the optimal structure, the ignition loss of residual carbon products was reduced from 79.80% to 16.84%, and the yield was 11.64%. The high content of amorphous carbon and developed pores in the residual carbon provide the possibility of manufacturing high value-added materials. Raman spectrum showed that the residual carbon had lower aromaticity, higher content of small and medium aromatic ring structures, lower structural stability and easier combustion. Thermogravimetric combustion kinetics showed that the average combustion rate of residual carbon was 0.325(dm/dt)mean/%•min−1, the comprehensive combustion characteristic index was 1.41•10−9%2•min−2•°C−3. It has excellent performance and can be used as a raw material for mixed combustion in a circulating fluidized bed. The analysis of physical and chemical properties of residual carbon is of great significance for follow-up exploration of the resource utilization and high-value utilization of the residual carbon