Gut microbial diversity analysis using Illumina sequencing for functional dyspepsia with liver depression-spleen deficiency syndrome and the interventional Xiaoyaosan in a rat model

AIM To investigate gut microbial diversity and the interventional effect of Xiaoyaosan(XYS) in a rat model of functional dyspepsia(FD) with liver depression-spleen deficiency syndrome. METHODS The FD with liver depression-spleen deficiency syndrome rat model was established through classic chronic mild unpredictable stimulation every day. XYS group rats received XYS 1 h before the stimulation. The models were assessed by parameters including state ofthe rat, weight, sucrose test result and open-field test result. After 3 wk, the stools of rats were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. PCR products of the V4 region of 16 S rD NA were sequenced using a barcoded Illumina paired-end sequencing technique. The primary composition of the microbiome in the stool samples was determined and analyzed by cluster analysis.RESULTS Rat models were successfully established, per data from rat state, weight and open-field test. The microbiomes contained 20 phyla from all samples. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Tenericutes were the most abundant taxonomic groups. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria in the model group was higher than that in the normal group. On the contrary, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in the model group was lower than that in the normal group. Upon XYS treatment, the relative abundance of all dysregulated phyla was restored to levels similar to those observed in the normal group. Abundance clustering heat map of phyla corroborated the taxonomic distribution. CONCLUSION The microbiome relative abundance of FD rats with liver depression-spleen deficiency syndrome was significantly different from the normal cohort. XYS intervention may effectively adjust the gut dysbacteriosis in FD.

Effect of gingerol on colonic motility via inhibition of calcium channel currents in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of gingerol on colonic motility and the action of L-type calcium channel currents in this process.METHODS: The distal colon was cut along the mesenteric border and cleaned with Ca^(2+)-free physiological saline solution. Muscle strips were removed and placed in Ca^(2+)-free physiological saline solution, which was oxygenated continuously. Longitudinal smooth muscle samples were prepared by cutting along the muscle strips and were then placed in a chamber. Mechanical contractile activities of isolated colonic segments in rats were recorded by a 4-channel physiograph. Colon smooth muscle cells were dissociated by enzymatic digestion. L-type calcium currents were recorded using the conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique.RESULTS: Gingerol inhibited the spontaneous contraction of colonic longitudinal smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner with inhibition percentages of 13.3% ± 4.1%, 43.4% ± 3.9%, 78.2% ± 3.6% and 80.5% ± 4.5% at 25 μmol/L, 50 μmol/L, 75 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L, respectively(P < 0.01). Nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker, diminished the inhibition of colonic motility by gingerol. Gingerol inhibited L-type calcium channel currents in colonic longitudinal myocytes of rats. At a 75 μmol/L concentration of gingerol, the percentage of gingerolinduced inhibition was diminished by nifedipine from 77.1% ± 4.2% to 42.6% ± 3.6%(P < 0.01). Gingerol suppressed IBa in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibition rates were 22.7% ± 2.38%, 35.77% ± 3.14%, 49.78% ± 3.48% and 53.78% ± 4.16% of control at 0 m V, respectively, at concentrations of 25 μmol/L, 50 μmol/L, 75 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L(P < 0.01). The steady-state activation curve was shifted to the right by treatment with gingerol. The value of half activation was-14.23 ± 1.12 m V in the control group and-10.56 ± 1.04 m V in the 75 μmol/L group(P < 0.05) with slope factors, Ks, of 7.16 ± 0.84 and 7.02 ± 0.93(P < 0.05) in the control and 75 μmol/L groups, respectively. However, the steady-state inactivation curve was not changed, with a half-inactivation voltage, 0.5 V, of-27.43 ± 1.26 m V in the control group and-26.56 ± 1.53 m V in the 75 μmol/L gingerol group(P > 0.05), and a slope factor, K, of 13.24 ± 1.62 in the control group and 13.45 ± 1.68(P > 0.05) in the 75 μmol/L gingerol group.CONCLUSION: Gingerol inhibits colonic motility by preventing Ca^(2+) influx through L-type calcium channels.

Karyotypes of field mice of the genus Apodemus (Mammalia： Rodentia) from China

Karyotypes of four Chinese species of field mice of the genus Apodemus were examined,including Apodemus chevrieri （diploid chromosome number,2n=48,fundamental number of autosomal arms,FNa=56）,A.draco （2n=48,FNa=48）,A.ilex （2n=48,FNa=48）,and A.latronum （2n=48,FNa=48）.Karyotypes of A.chevrieri,A.draco,and A.ilex are reported here for the first time,providing useful information for their species taxonomy.Determining the karyotypes of all species of Apodemus in Asia,both in this and previous studies,provides a solid overview of the chromosome evolution and species differentiation of the genus in East Asia.In addition to allopatric speciation,chromosome rearrangements likely played an important role in the formation of the four Apodemus species groups as well as speciation within each group in East Asia.For example,increased centromeric heterochromatin in A.latronum may have contributed to the post-mating reproductive isolation from the A.draco-A.ilex-A.semotus clade.

Comparative genomics of widespread and narrow-range white-bellied rats in the Niviventer niviventer species complex sheds light on invasive rodent success

Widespread species that inhabit diverse environments possess large population sizes and exhibit a high capacity for environmental adaptation,thus enabling range expansion.In contrast,narrow-range species are confined to restricted geographical areas and are ecologically adapted to narrow environmental conditions,thus limiting their ability to expand into novel environments.However,the genomic mechanisms underlying the differentiation between closely related species with varying distribution ranges remain poorly understood.The Niviventer niviventer species complex(NNSC),consisting of highly abundant wild rats in Southeast Asia and China,offers an excellent opportunity to investigate these questions due to the presence of both widespread and narrow-range species that are phylogenetically closely related.In the present study,we combined ecological niche modeling with phylogenetic analysis,which suggested that sister species cannot be both widespread and dominant within the same geographical region.Moreover,by assessing heterozygosity,linkage disequilibrium decay,and Tajima's D analysis,we found that widespread species exhibited higher genetic diversity than narrow-range species.In addition,by exploring the“genomic islands of speciation”,we identified 13 genes in highly divergent regions that were shared by the two widespread species,distinguishing them from their narrow-range counterparts.Functional annotation analysis indicated that these genes are involved in nervous system development and regulation.The adaptive evolution of these genes likely played an important role in the speciation of these widespread species.

Improving the energy release characteristics of PTFE/Al by doping magnesium hydride

Magnesium hydride(MgH2)was doped into PTFE/Al to improve the energy release characteristics of the material system and strive for better application in military engineering.Five types of PTFE/Al/MgH2 reactive materials with different MgH2 content were prepared by molding sintering method.The dynamic mechanical properties of the materials were studied by performing split-Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)tests and scanning electron microscope characterizations.The thermal behavior,reaction energy,reaction process and reaction mechanism were systematically investigated by conducting thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry tests,oxygen bomb calorimeter measurements,Xray diffraction and SHPB tests.The results show that MgH2 particles less than 10%content contribute to heightening the dynamic mechanical properties of PTFE/Al system.The product Mg generated by decomposition of MgH2 can not only react with gas phase C2F4þbut also undergo a Grignard-type reaction with condensed PTFE.The reaction energy and ignition threshold of PTFE/Al/MgH2 reactive materials enhance monotonously as MgH2 content rose.With the increase of MgH2 content from 0%to 20%,the reaction time is prolonged as well as the reaction intensity is enhanced dramatically arising from the massive water vapour produced by the reaction between O2 and H2.The gaseous products generated can form a high pressure shortly after the reaction,which helps to elevate the damage effect of the PTFE/Al system.

The effect of al particle size on thermal decomposition,mechanical strength and sensitivity of Al/ZrH_(2)/PTFE composite

To study the thermal decomposition of Al/Zr H_(2)/PTFE with different Al particle size as well as mechanical strength and impact sensitivity under medium and low strain rates,molding-vacuum sintering was adopted to prepare four groups of power materials and cylindrical specimens with different Al particle size.The active decomposition temperature of Zr H_(2) was obtained by TG-DSC,and the quasi-static mechanics/reaction characteristics as well as the impact sensitivity of the specimen were studied respectively by quasi-static compression and drop-hammer test.The results show that the yield strength of the material decreased with the increase of the Al particle size,while the compressive strength,failure strain and toughness increased first and then decreased,which reached the maximum values of 116.61 MPa,191%,and 119.9 MJ/m respectively when the Al particle size is 12-14 mm because of particle size grading.The specimens with the highest strength and toughness formed circumferential open cracks and reacted partly when pressed.Those with developmental cracks formed inside did not react.It is considered that fracture of specimens first triggered initial reaction between Al and PTFE to release an amount of heat.Then ZrH_(2) was activated and decomposed,and participated in subsequent reaction to generate Zr C.The impact sensitivity of the specimens decreased with the increase of Al particle size.

Discovery of the Fuyan teeth： challenging or complementing the out-of-Africa scenario？

Although it is widely accepted that modem humans （Homo sapiens sapiens） can trace their African origins to 150-200 kilo years ago （kya） （recent African origin model; Henn et al, 2012; Ingman et al, 2000; Poznik et al, 2013; Weaver, 2012）, an alternative model suggests that the diverse populations of our species evolved separately on different continents from archaic human forms （multiregional origin model; Wolpoff et al, 2000;

Exploring European ancestry among the Kalash population: a mitogenomic perspective

DEAR EDITOR,With a population of around 4000 individuals,the Kalash people have been living in the Hindu-Kush mountain valleys of present-day northern Pakistan for centuries.Due to their mysterious origin and fairer European complexion,the genetic history of this ethnic group has been investigated previously using different markers.To date,however,the maternal genetic architecture has not been systematically dissected based on high-resolution complete mitochondrial genomes(mitogenomes),making their maternal genetic history,especially their genetic connection with Europeans from a matrilineal perspective,unclear.To unravel this issue.

Highly sensitive and stable β-Ga_(2)O_(3) DUV phototransistor with local back-gate structure and its neuromorphic application

Deep ultraviolet(DUV)phototransistors are key integral of optoelectronics bearing a wide spectrum of applications in flame sensor,military detector,oil spill detection,biological sensor,and artificial intelligence fields.In order to further improve the responsivity of UV photodetectors based onβ-Ga_(2)O_(3),in present work,high-performanceβ-Ga_(2)O_(3) phototransistors with local back-gate structure were experimentally demonstrated.The phototransistor shows excellent DUV photoelectrical performance with a high responsivity of 1.01×107 A/W,a high external quantum efficiency of 5.02×109%,a sensitive detectivity of 2.98×1015 Jones,and a fast rise time of 0.2 s under 250 nm illumination.Besides,first-principles calculations reveal the decent stability ofβGa_(2)O_(3) nanosheet against oxidation and humidity without significant performance degradations.Additionally,the hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)/β-Ga_(2)O_(3) phototransistor can behave as a photonic synapse with ultralow power consumption of~9.6 fJ per spike,which shows its potential for neuromorphic computing tasks such as facial recognition.Thisβ-Ga_(2)O_(3) phototransistor will provide a perspective for the next generation optoelectrical systems.

High responsivity and flexible deep-UV phototransistor based on Ta-doped β-Ga_(2)O_(3)

Deep-ultraviolet(DUV)phototransistors have shown great potential applications in UV imaging,artificial intelligence,and wearable optoelectronics.Among a large number of wide bandgap semiconductors,the quasi-two-dimensionalβ-Ga_(2)O_(3) is considered as an ideal candidate for DUV photodetector applications.Herein,we report a high responsivity(R)and fully flexible Ta-dopedβ-Ga_(2)O_(3) DUV phototransistor which exhibits outstanding optoelectrical properties with a high R of 1.32×10^(6) A/W,a large detectivity of 5.68×10^(14) Jones,a great photo-to-dark current ratio of 1.10×10^(10)%,a high external quantum efficiency of 6.60×10^(8)%,and an ultra-fast response time of~3.50 ms.Besides,the flexible Ta-dopedβ-Ga_(2)O_(3) device also displays high reliability and mechanical flexibility that can sustain well after over 1×10^(4) bending cycles.Moreover,high-contrast imaging of UV light was obtained on the flexible DUV detector arrays,which can be efficiently trained and recognized by an artificial neural network.Our findings offer a perspective to develop wearable optoelectronics and UV imaging based on high-performance flexibleβ-Ga_(2)O_(3) DUV phototransistors,providing an inspiration for the future work in artificial intelligence and bionic robot fields.

Rotational properties of the odd-Z transfermium nucleus ^(255)Lr by a particle-number-conserving method in the cranked shell model

Experimentally observed ground state band based on the 1/2-[521] Nilsson state and the first exited band based on the 7/2-[514] Nilsson state of the odd-Z nucleus 255Lr are studied by the cranked shell model （CSM） with the paring correlations treated by the particle-number-conserving （PNC） method. This is the first time the detailed theoretical investigations are performed on these rotational bands. Both experimental kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia （f^（1） and ,f^（2） versus rotational frequency are reproduced quite well by the PNC-CSM calculations. By comparing the theoretical kinematic moment of inertia f（1） with the experimental ones extracted from different spin assignments, the spin 17/2- →13/2- is assigned to the lowest-lying 196.6（5） keV transition of the 1/2- [521 ] band, and 15/2→11/2- to the 189（1） keV transition of the 7/2- [514] band, respectively. The proton N = 7 major shell is included in the calculations. The intruder of the high-j low→lj15/2 （1/2-[770]） orbital at the high spin leads to band-crossings at hω = 0.20 （hω~=0.25） MeV for the 7/2-[514]ω= -1/2 （ω= ＋1/2） band, and at hω=0.175 MeV for the 1/2- [521 ] ω= - 1/2 band, respectively. Further investigations show that the band-crossing frequencies are quadrupole deformation dependent.

Polarization-induced photocurrent switching effect in heterojunction photodiodes

The unipolar photocurrent in conventional photodiodes(PDs)based on photovoltaic effect limits the output modes and potential versatility of these devices in photodetection.Bipolar photodiodes with photocurrent switching are emerging as a promising solution for obtaining photoelectric devices with unique and attractive functions,such as optical logic operation.Here,we design an all-solid-state chip-scale ultraviolet(UV)PD based on a hybrid GaN heterojunction with engineered bipolar polarized electric field.By introducing the polarization-induced photocurrent switching effect,the photocurrent direction can be switched in response to the wavelength of incident light at 0 V bias.In particular,the photocurrent direction exhibits negative when the irradiation wavelength is less than 315 nm,but positive when the wavelength is longer than 315 nm.The device shows a responsivity of up to−6.7 mA/W at 300 nm and 5.3 mA/W at 340 nm,respectively.In particular,three special logic gates in response to different dual UV light inputs are demonstrated via a single bipolar PD,which may be beneficial for future multifunctional UV photonic integrated devices and systems.