Expression and clinical significance of short-chain fatty acids in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP)is a pregnancy-specific liver condition that typically arises in the middle and late stages of pregnancy.Short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),prominent metabolites of the gut microbiota,have significant connections with various pregnancy complications,and some SCFAs hold potential for treating such complications.However,the metabolic profile of SCFAs in patients with ICP remains unclear.AIM To investigate the metabolic profiles and differences in SCFAs present in the maternal and cord blood of patients with ICP and determine the clinical significance of these findings.METHODS Maternal serum and cord blood samples were collected from both patients with ICP(ICP group)and normal pregnant women(NP group).Targeted metabolomics was used to assess the SCFA levels in these samples.RESULTS Significant differences in maternal SCFAs were observed between the ICP and NP groups.Most SCFAs exhibited a consistent declining trend in cord blood samples from the ICP group,mirroring the pattern seen in maternal serum.Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between maternal serum SCFAs and cord blood SCFAs[r(Pearson)=0.88,P=7.93e-95].In both maternal serum and cord blood,acetic and caproic acids were identified as key metabolites contributing to the differences in SCFAs between the two groups(variable importance for the projection>1).Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that multiple SCFAs in maternal blood have excellent diagnostic capabilities for ICP,with caproic acid exhibiting the highest diagnostic efficacy(area under the curve=0.97).CONCLUSION Compared with the NP group,significant alterations were observed in the SCFAs of maternal serum and cord blood in the ICP group,although they displayed distinct patterns of change.Furthermore,the SCFA levels in maternal serum and cord blood were significantly positively correlated.Notably,certain maternal serum SCFAs,specifically caproic and acetic acids,demonstrated excellent diagnostic efficiency for ICP.

Recent development of catalytic strategies for sustainable ammonia production

Presently,ammonia is an ideal candidate for future clean energy.The Haber-Bosch process has been an essential ammonia production process,and it is one of the most important technological advancements since its invention,sustaining the explosive growth of military munitions industry and fertilizers in the first half of the 20th century.However,the process is facing great challenges:the growing need for ammonia and the demands of environmental protection.High energy consumption and high CO_(2) emissions greatly limit the application of the Haber-Bosch method,and increasing research efforts are devoted to"green"ammonia synthesis.Thermocatalytic,electrocatalytic,and photocatalytic ammonia production under mild conditions and the derived chemical looping and plasma ammonia production methods,have been widely developed.Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic methods,which use low fossil fuels,are naturally being considered as future directions for the development of ammonia production.Although their catalytic efficiency of ammonia generation is not yet sufficient to satisfy the actual demands,considerable progress has been made in terms of regulating structure and morphology of catalyst and improving preparation efficiency.The chemical looping approach of ammonia production differs from the thermocatalytic,electrocatalytic,and photocatalytic methods,and is the method of reusing raw materials.The plasma treatment approach alters the overall ammonia production approach and builds up a new avenue of development in combination with thermal,photocatalytic,and electrocatalytic methods as well.This review discusses several recent effective catalysts for different ammonia production methods and explores mechanisms as well as efficiency of these catalysts for catalytic N2fixation of ammonia.

基于文本分析视角的“一带一路”倡议合作模式研究

“一带一路”是发展中国家探索建立一个新的国际政治经济秩序的重要实践,也是中国在中美循环模式之外探索建立一个新的外循环体系的重要实践。推动共建“一带一路”高质量发展对沿线国家和中国都有着非常重要的意义。本文梳理了2014年1月至2020年12月外交部官网以及“一带一路”网上公布的我国与65个沿线国家达成的合作文件,发现沿线国家就“一带一路”倡议与我国发布的合作文件在文本上有较大差异。这些差异主要体现在签署“一带一路”相关合作文件的时间、数量、文件效力和合作意愿等方面。本文还进一步将文件的签署背景、签署双方领导人级别以及文件效力分别与合作意愿进行了交叉分析。“一带一路”强调平等、多元、共享,不谋求一个统一规则强加到每个成员国,当现阶段一般化的理论和政策的边际收益不断下降时,这种探索显得尤为重要,对新的全球化时代构建新型国际关系有着重要的参考意义。

Improvement for LEACH Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Network

According to the energy bottleneck of the wireless sensor network, the LEACH algorithm is improved in this paper, in the LEACH algorithm, it maybe that the cluster head nodes are far from the base station, and cluster head node has non-uniform distribution, in this case, nodes soon died after consuming energy, so the focus from three aspects of the optimal number of the cluster head and uniform distribution and many jump communication to improve, the improved algorithm through the simulation tests show that network node energy has been obviously saved, at the same time the lifecycle of the system is also effectively extension. In the application of the wireless sensor, we should always hold the principle of energy-first, therefore the LEACH which is a hierarchical routing protocol can save energy has played a crucial role, but the optimal number of the cluster head and uniform distribution can’t be archived because of the change of the location of the cluster head nodes. In addition, when the cluster head far away from center sink node communicate with center sink node, the cluster head will exhaust energy quickly to die, that may affect lifecycle of whole of monitoring network and lead to worse expansibility. For some problems of the LEACH algorithm, the LEACH algorithm is improved in this paper from three aspects of the optimal number of the cluster head and uniform distribution and many jump communication, the improved algorithm through the simulation tests show that network node energy has been obviously saved.

Jianpijiedu Fang improves survival of hepatocarcinoma mice by affecting phosphatase and tensin homolog, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and focal adhesion kinase

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Jianpijiedu Fang (JPJDF) on phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and on the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nude mice. METHODS: Forty male nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Human HCC tissue was implanted in the livers of three groups. After 24 h, the three groups were treated respectively with JPJDF (37.5 g/kg), saline (20 mL/kg) and Tegafur (FT-207, 160 mg/kg) once a day for 10 weeks. The control group without implanting the tissue was concurrently treated with saline (20 mL/kg). The survival data and body weight of all mice were recorded, and expression levels of PTEN, PI3K and FAK in normal tissue and cancer tissue of the livers were eval-uated with immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The cumulative survival rate of the mice in the JPJDF group was higher than those of the other groups. The rate of weight loss was the lowest in JPJDF group. The survivability and weight loss rate in FT-207 group were the poorest in all groups. The expression intensity of PTEN was higher in normal tissues than in cancer tissues, and lower in the normal tissues of HCC models than in that of mice without HCC. The PTEN expression intensity in normal tissue and cancer tissue from mice treated with FT-207 were lower than that from the mice treated with JPJDF or saline.The expression intensity of PI3K was higher in cancer tissue than in normal tissue. The PI3K expression intensity was the lowest in normal tissue and cancer tissue from mice treated with JPJDF, and the intensity from mice treated with FT-207 was the highest. In mice treated with JPJDF, the expression intensity of FAK was higher in the normal tissue and lower in the cancer tissue than those of the other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The mechanism accounting for the prolonged survival of HCC-bearing mice treated with JPJDF might be related to the reduction in weight loss and the benign regulation of PTEN, PI3K, and FAK.

Stable metallic 1T-WS2 ultrathin nanosheets as a promising agent for near-infrared photothermal ablation cancer therapy

在这研究，我们在场有 NH 4+2 ultrathin nanosheets 的准备 > 用一个自底向上的热水的方法和在导致光的 photothermal 癌症的这材料的潜在的申请的置闰治疗。我们的结果表明有 150 nm 的一种尺寸的 nanosheets 在宽广在红外线附近的波长区域是高度吸水、展出的强壮的轻吸收和优秀 photostability。在里面 vitro 试验性的结果显示了 nanosheets 的好 biocompatibility。更尤其是，我们的在里面 vivo antitumor 实验说明了从有 808 nm 激光的 2 nanosheets 能高效地杀死的 1T-WS 的照耀发源的那导致光的 photothermal 脱离肿瘤房间；这些效果不仅在细胞的水平而且在老鼠的生活机关被获得。这结果可以在新奇 photothermal 治疗导致二维的分层的材料的新应用，另外的 photothermal 联系领域。

Effect of polypeptide 2B1 on condition of dampness pattern in rats in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated how polypeptide 2B1 is involved in regulating and governing dampness in rat models with dampness pattern defined in terms ofTraditional Chinese Medicine.METHODS: We randomly divided 48 SPF10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats into a normal group, normal + Aristolochic acid I(AA-I) for5 min group, normal + AA-I for 60 min group,dampness pattern group(DS-Group), dampness pattern + AA-I for 5 min group, and dampness pattern + AA-I for 60 min group. Groups were then treated accordingly. We took out the lung, stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, large intestine, and small intestine tissues to detect gene and protein expression of organic anion transporter polypeptide 2B1(OATP2B1).RESULTS: Gene expression of OATP2B1 in spleen,kidney, and small intestine of rats with dampness pattern was lower than that in normal rats(P<0.05).The gene expressions of OATP2B1 in liver, stomach,large intestine, and small intestine were lower than that in control rats at different time points after being stimulated by AA-I(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: There is coordination among multiple viscera in handling the condition of dampness,and the mechanism underlying the action may rely on regulating the expression of OATP2B1.

Correlation between pathogenesis of dampness syndrome and Interleukin-2,Interleukin-8 in rats

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis of dampness syndrome by detecting the changes of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels. METHODS: Female Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into five groups according to the random number table: a normal group (GroupⅠ), an external dampness group (GroupⅡ), an internal dampness group (Group Ⅲ), and an external and internal dampness group (GroupⅣ). Twenty days after the model made, IL-2 and IL-8 levels were detected by radioimmunoassay method. RESULTS: The IL-2 and IL-8 levels among groups were significant (F=3.102, P<0.05; F=2.657, P<0.05, respectively). The level of IL-2 in Group Ⅱ and Group Ⅲ were higher than that in GroupⅠ(P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), especially higher in the Group Ⅲ compared with GroupⅡ (P<0.05). The lev- el of IL-8 in Group Ⅲ were higher than those inGroupⅠ, GroupⅡ and GroupⅣ (P<0.05, P<0.01, P< 0.05, respectively). In the GroupⅢ, the 24-hour wa ter and body weight were higher than that in the GroupⅣ (all P<0.05), and spontaneous movemen frequency was higher than those in GroupⅡ and GroupⅣ (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Immune activation and inflammato ry reaction might be easily caused by externa danpness other than internal dampness.

Unsaturated-sulfur-rich MoS2 nanosheets decorated on free-standing SWNT film： Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic application

Herein, we report a bottom-up solvothermal route to synthesize a flexible, highly efficient MoS2@SWNT electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions （HER）. Characterization revealed that branchqike MoS2 nanosheets containing sulfur- rich sites were in situ uniformly dispersed on free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube （SWNT） film, which could expose more unsaturated sulfur atoms, allowing excellent electrical contact with active sites. The flexible catalyst exhibited excellent HER performance with a low overpotential （-150 mV at 10 ma/cm2） and small Tafel slope （4l mV/dec）. To further explain the improved performance, the local electronic structure was investigated by X-ray absorption near-edge structure （XANES） analysis, proving the presence of unsaturated sulfur atoms and strong electronic coupling between MoS2 and SWNT. This study provides an in-situ synthetic route to create new multifunctional flexible hybridized catalysts and useful insights into the relationships electronic structure, and properties among the catalyst microstructure,

“补丁”生长模式:利用炔基配体调控金-金界面

表面配体在纳米合成中起着关键作用,扩大适用于纳米合成的配体范围具有重要意义.本工作中,我们系统研究了炔基配体在金种子上生长金时对金-金界面的调节作用.我们观察到了一种新的“补丁”生长模式:具有孔洞以及分支的金补丁“平躺”在金种子表面.这种生长模式与传统的弱配体控制的晶面生长以及强配体调控下的非润湿岛状生长截然不同.通过控制炔基配体的分子结构及其在金种子表面的排列,生长的金可以从补丁形状连续调节到岛状,同时其等离子体共振吸收从可见光区扩展到了近红外光谱区域.我们相信这类具有中等强度、能够控制特殊生长模式的新配体的应用,能够显著提升纳米合成及应用中的配体控制作用.

Turning weak into strong: on the CTAB-induced active surface growth

Discovering new methods and principles in the inequivalent growth of equivalent facets is of great significance for going beyond symmetrical nanocrystals and for out-of-box exploration. In this work, we demonstrate that a middle ground exists between the traditional weak ligands and the strong ligands with unusual growth modes. By modifying the seed concentration during the growth of pentagonal Au nanorods, the typical weak ligand cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB) is made strong, leading to notches of restricted growth and even the active surface growth mode. In-depth investigation in the link between growth kinetics and ligand packing reveals the principle of their interplay —— that the on-off dynamics of the ligands only allows for a certain limit of materials deposition rate. Beyond this limit, the growth materials build up and are then diverted elsewhere, leading to inequivalent growth. The fact that a freshly grown surface has few ligands promotes the active surface growth, focusing the growth materials onto a few sites. We believe that the knowhow of interfering ligand packing via growth kinetics would offer a powerful tool of synthetic control, where the facet-and curvature-dependent ligand packing is expected to be useful synthetic handles.

Epigenetic connection between gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids and chromatin histone modification in kidney diseases

Gut microbiota-derived metabolites influence host physiology and pathology,where short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)are the main class of gut microbiota-derived metabolites.[1]SCFAs are fatty acids containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms,including acetate,propionate,butyrate,and pentanoate,which provide 6%to 10%of the body’s total daily energy and 60%to 70%of the colonic epithelial energy needed.[2]Anaerobic bacteria principally generate the SCFAs[1]in the intestine.Once produced,SCFAs are mainly absorbed in the colon(90%–95%),reach circulation,and play roles for distal organs and tissues.[2]