Unveiling DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease:a review of array-based human brain studies

The intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis are being increasingly illuminated by the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms,particularly DNA methylation.This review comprehensively surveys recent human-centered studies that investigate whole genome DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology.The examination of various brain regions reveals distinctive DNA methylation patterns that associate with the Braak stage and Alzheimer’s disease progression.The entorhinal cortex emerges as a focal point due to its early histological alterations and subsequent impact on downstream regions like the hippocampus.Notably,ANK1 hypermethylation,a protein implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation,was recurrently identified in the entorhinal cortex.Further,the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex were shown to exhibit significant hypermethylation of genes like HOXA3,RHBDF2,and MCF2L,potentially influencing neuroinflammatory processes.The complex role of BIN1 in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is underscored by its association with altered methylation patterns.Despite the disparities across studies,these findings highlight the intricate interplay between epigenetic modifications and Alzheimer’s disease pathology.Future research efforts should address methodological variations,incorporate diverse cohorts,and consider environmental factors to unravel the nuanced epigenetic landscape underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.

Pretreatment and analysis techniques development of TKIs in biological samples for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)have emerged as the first-line small molecule drugs in many cancer therapies,exerting their effects by impeding aberrant cell growth and proliferation through the modulation of tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathways.However,there exists a substantial inter-individual variability in the concentrations of certain TKIs and their metabolites,which may render patients with compromised immune function susceptible to diverse infections despite receiving theoretically efficacious anticancer treatments,alongside other potential side effects or adverse reactions.Therefore,an urgent need exists for an up-to-date review concerning the biological matrices relevant to bioanalysis and the sampling methods,clinical pharmacokinetics,and therapeutic drug monitoring of different TKIs.This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in pretreatment methods,such as protein precipitation(PPT),liquid-liquid extraction(LLE),solid-phase extraction(SPE),micro-SPE(μ-SPE),magnetic SPE(MSPE),and vortex-assisted dispersive SPE(VA-DSPE)achieved since 2017.It also highlights the latest analysis techniques such as newly developed high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS)methods,capillary electrophoresis(CE),gas chromatography(GC),supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC)procedures,surface plasmon resonance(SPR)assays as well as novel nanoprobes-based biosensing techniques.In addition,a comparison is made between the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches while presenting critical challenges and prospects in pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Epistasis-aware genome-wide association studies provide insights into the efficient breeding of high-yield and high-quality rice

Marker-assisted selection(MAS)and genomic selection(GS)breeding have greatly improved the efficiency of rice breeding.Due to the influences of epistasis and gene pleiotropy,ensuring the actual breeding effect of MAS and GS is still a difficult challenge to overcome.In this study,113 indica rice varieties(V)and their 565 testcross hybrids(TC)were used as the materials to investigate the genetic basis of 12 quality traits and nine agronomic traits.The original traits and general combining ability of the parents,as well as the original traits and midparent heterosis of TC,were subjected to genome-wide association analysis.In total,381 primary significantly associated loci(SAL)and 1,759 secondary SALs that had epistatic interactions with these primary SALs were detected.Among these loci,322 candidate genes located within or nearby the SALs were screened,204 of which were cloned genes.A total of 39 MAS molecular modules that are beneficial for trait improvement were identified by pyramiding the superior haplotypes of candidate genes and desirable epistatic alleles of the secondary SALs.All the SALs were used to construct genetic networks,in which 91 pleiotropic loci were investigated.Additionally,we estimated the accuracy of genomic prediction in the parent V and TC by incorporating either no SALs,primary SALs,secondary SALs or epistatic effect SALs as covariates.Although the prediction accuracies of the four models were generally not significantly different in the TC dataset,the incorporation of primary SALs,secondary SALs,and epistatic effect SALs significantly improved the prediction accuracies of 5(26%),3(16%),and 11(58%)traits in the V dataset,respectively.These results suggested that SALs and epistatic effect SALs identified based on an additive genotype can provide considerable predictive power for the parental lines.They also provide insights into the genetic basis of complex traits and valuable information for molecular breeding in rice.

Exploring the Path of Shantytown Renewal Based on the Theory of Environment-behavior Studies: A Case Study of the Northwest Area of Saihantala in Baotou City

The application of environment-behavior studies plays an important role in studying the renewal of shantytowns.One of the most humane ways of renewal is designing and constructing the necessary urban spatial environment from the perspective of human daily behavior.Most of the shantytown renovation projects currently carried out in China are mainly focused on demolition and reconstruction,which not only incurs high costs but also damages the original social structure and economic model.During the process of shantytown renewal,it should improve the urban landscape,living environment,and life quality of residents,and ensure the daily life of shantytown residents without increasing their economic burden,and preserve the traces of urban development.In order to achieve this goal,it should explore the renewal strategies of shantytowns from the perspective of environment-behavior studies through behavior maps,on-site research,and literature review.Updating and design from a human perspective often achieve faster and better development;the renewal of shantytowns should be a bottom-up approach and start from a grassroots perspective,completing the renovation design through the composition of the population and behavioral patterns.

Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies identify BnPAP17 as conferring the utilization of organic phosphorus in oilseed rape

Phosphorus(P)is essential for living plants,and P deficiency is one of the key factors limiting the yield in rapeseed production worldwide.As the most important organ for plants,root morphology traits(RMTs)play a key role in P absorption.To investigate the genetic variability of RMT under low P availability,we dissected the genetic structure of RMTs by genome-wide association studies(GWAS),linkage mapping and candidate gene association studies(CGAS).A total of 52 suggestive loci were associated with RMTs under P stress conditions in 405 oilseed rape accessions.The purple acid phosphatase gene BnPAP17 was found to control the lateral root number(LRN)and root dry weight(RDW)under low P stress.The expression of BnPAP17 was increased in shoot tissue in P-efficient cultivars compared to root tissue and P-inefficient cultivars in response to low P stress.Moreover,the haplotype of BnPAP17^(Hap3)was detected for the selective breeding of P efficiency in oilseed rape.Over-expression of the BnPAP17^(Hap3)could promote the shoot and root growth with enhanced tolerance to low P stress and organic phosphorus(Po)utilization in oilseed rape.Collectively,these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BnPAP17-mediated low P stress tolerance in oilseed rape.

The Islamic Studies in China:Research in the Field of History

A history of the Islamic studies in China,not only includes studies on world Islam,it also includes research on Islam and Muslims in China.Before the Reform and Opening Up,China did not achieve much in this field,since then,the research field of Islam and Muslim in China has been expanding and the results have been published,forming a new trend.In this field,scholars such as Jin Yijiu,Li Xinghua,Qin Huibin,Zhou Guoli,Sha Qiuzhen,Zhou Xiefan,Wu Yungui,and Yang Huaizhong have made the most outstanding achievements.Especially in the collation of reference books and historical materials,in the past 20 years,The Encyclopedia of the history of Islam,The Chinese Encyclopedia of Islam have emerged,and the Chinese and World Encyclopedia of Islamic Law and other important historical books have been published.This paper focuses on the field of historical research and divided into academic research history at home and abroad,which is discussed from several fields such as general history,special history,national history,and regional history.

Exploration of Interdisciplinary Integration in Teaching Reform of Legal Studies and Auditing

This paper attempts to explore interdisciplinary integration from four aspects:the necessity of interdisciplinary integration between legal studies and auditing,the difficulties and challenges encountered in this integration,the ideas for teaching reform in the context of interdisciplinary integration,and the expected outcomes.The aim is to achieve an organic integration of legal studies and auditing through systematic teaching reforms,thereby providing students with comprehensive and integrated knowledge and skills training,ensuring the quality of talent cultivation,and adapting to the needs of social development.

Longitudinal Studies on Illness Perceptions in Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review

Objective:To conduct a scoping review of longitudinal studies related to disease perception in cancer patients and to provide a reference for the improvement of disease perception in cancer patients.Methods:Using the scoping method,PubMed,Web of Science,The Cochrane Library,Medline,CNKI,Wanfang Database,VIP Chinese Scientific and Technical Journals Database,and China Biomedical Literature Database were searched up to July 2023 for analysis and discussion of the included literature.Results:A total of 19 articles were included,distributed across 9 countries including China,the Netherlands,and the United Kingdom,with 8 articles published in China.The study subjects included patients with breast cancer,colorectal cancer,laryngeal cancer,lung cancer,esophageal cancer,and bladder cancer.The content covered dynamic changes in disease perception,the impact of disease perception,and the influencing factors of disease perception.Conclusion:The number of longitudinal studies on disease perception in cancer patients is gradually increasing and becoming more diverse.However,issues such as a small total number of studies,single research methods,and short observation periods persist.In the future,it is necessary to conduct in-depth longitudinal research on disease perception in cancer patients,expand the scope of research fields,and provide more comprehensive theories to guide clinical treatment and nursing practices,ultimately improving the treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.

In Vivo Studies and Flow Cytometric Investigation on Anticancer Potential of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized via Aqueous Extract of Clerodendron phlomidis

Nowadays,doctors and nutritionists recommend individuals incorporate selenium-rich foods such as nuts,cereals,and mushrooms into their regular diet to maintain fitness and overall health.Selenium nanoparticles(SeNPs)exhibit strong chemopreventive capabilities.The anticipations for SeNPs with enhanced and tunable bioactive activities have led to a keen interest in phytofabrication.In this study,the aqueous extract of Clerodendron phlomidis plant leaves was utilized for the synthesis of SeNPs.In traditional Indian medicine,this plant extract is recognized as a significant anti-diabetic agent.The flavonoids tetrahydroxylflavone,7-hydroxyflavanone,and 6,4’-dimethyl-7-acetoxy-scutellarein present in this plant leaf extract demonstrate excellent anticancer activity.These secondary metabolites exhibit the ability to reduce sodium selenite into SeNPs.At a concentration of 13μg/mL,the synthesized SeNPs effectively inhibited the proliferation of the HepG2 cell line.The results suggest that the SeNPs possess promising anti-cancer potential against liver cancer and can be considered as a therapeutic agent for liver cancer treatment.Additionally,the cell cycle arrest induced by SeNPs was further confirmed by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS)method,indicating that SeNPs could efficiently differentiate cancer cells from normal cells.Notably,it showed a significant improvement in diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-induced Swiss Wistar rat groups.This scientific investigation highlights the high anti-cancer potential of SeNPs,positioning them as a promising therapeutic agent for liver cancer treatment.

薏苡仁油联合5-FU对结肠癌HCT-116细胞株增殖、凋亡的影响

目的:分析薏苡仁油联合5-氟尿嘧啶(5-fluorouracil,5-FU)对结肠癌HCT-116细胞株增殖、凋亡的影响及其作用机制。方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑盐(methyl thiazolyl tetrazdium,MTT)法测定不同浓度薏苡仁油、5-FU以及薏苡仁油+5-FU对人结肠癌HCT-116细胞株的生长抑制效应;采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况;采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测生存蛋白(Survivin)mRNA表达水平。结果:薏苡仁油、5-FU、5-FU+薏苡仁油均对人结肠癌HCT-116细胞增殖产生一定抑制作用,且薏苡仁油浓度越高,作用时间越长,细胞增殖抑制率越高,3组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与薏苡仁油组及5-FU组相比,5-FU+薏苡仁油组细胞增殖抑制率更高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。薏苡仁油组、5-FU组、5-FU+薏苡仁油组的细胞凋亡率均高于空白对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);薏苡仁油浓度越高,细胞凋亡率也越高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);5-FU+薏苡仁油组细胞凋亡率高于5-FU组及薏苡仁油组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与空白对照组相比,不同浓度薏苡仁油组Survivin mRNA表达降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);5-FU组Survivin mRNA表达升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);5-FU+薏苡仁油组Survivin mRNA表达较5-FU组降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:薏苡仁油能抑制结肠癌HCT-116细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,与5-FU联合应用能发挥药物协同作用,其作用机制可能与调控Survivin mRNA表达有关。

SLC6A9对结直肠癌细胞生长和对5-FU药物敏感性的影响

目的:研究溶质载体家族6成员9(solute carrier family 6 member 9,SLC6A9)表达对结直肠癌细胞增殖、迁移和5-氟尿嘧啶(5-fluorouracil,5-FU)药物敏感性的影响。方法:TCGA数据库分析、实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot分析检测SLC6A9在结肠癌组织、正常结肠细胞系(NCM460)和结直肠癌细胞系(SW620、HCT116、HT29、Lovo和SW480)中的表达。将SCL6A9过表达质粒及阴性对照(SLC6A9 OE、Vector)转染HT29细胞,将SCL6A9小干扰RNA及阴性对照(SLC6A9 siRNA1#、siRNA2#和Scramble)转染SW620细胞。划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验检测各组细胞的迁移、侵袭能力。Western blot和细胞免疫荧光检测EMT相关蛋白E-cadherin、Vimentin的表达水平。利用CCK-8法和构建裸鼠移植瘤模型检测SLC6A9过表达对结直肠癌细胞5-FU药物敏感性的影响。结果:与正常结肠组织和NCM460细胞相比,SLC6A9在结肠癌组织和结直肠癌细胞系中低表达(均P<0.05)。SLC6A9过表达引起E-cadherin蛋白表达增加,Vimentin蛋白水平降低,抑制结直肠癌细胞的迁移、侵袭(P<0.05)。SLC6A9低表达引起E-cadherin蛋白表达降低,Vimentin蛋白水平增加,促进结直肠癌细胞的迁移、侵袭能力(P<0.05)。SLC6A9过表达提高了5-FU的药物敏感性,并使肿瘤生长缓慢,质量减轻(P<0.05)。而SLC6A9低表达降低了5-FU的药物敏感性(P<0.05)。结论:SLC6A9过表达能够抑制结直肠癌细胞的迁移、侵袭和EMT进程,并增强5-FU对结直肠癌细胞的药物敏感性。

ONECUT2高表达介导胃癌复发患者5-FU化疗耐药

目的:探究One cut结构域家族成员2(ONECUT2)是否可以作为对5-FU耐药的胃癌复发患者的治疗靶点。方法:利用癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)数据库分析ONECUT2基因在胃癌患者及胃癌复发患者的表达情况。利用基因集富集分析(GSEA)评估TCGA数据库中ONECUT2表达量与药物代谢相关生物学过程的相关性。利用CCK-8细胞毒性实验评估胃癌细胞敲低或过表达ONECUT2对5-FU的耐药情况。分析30例胃癌术后复发患者ONECUT2表达量与5-FU治疗效果的相关性。结果:TCGA数据库分析显示,在经受过化疗且复发的胃癌患者中,ONECUT2高表达的患者无病间隔期(disease-free interval,DFI)更短。GSEA分析结果表明,ONECUT2高表达与异生药物代谢通路呈正相关,这提示可能与胃癌患者的耐药相关。体外实验中,敲低ONECUT2降低胃癌细胞对5-FU的半数抑制浓度(IC_(50))值;反之,过表达ONECUT2增加细胞对5-FU的IC_(50)值。30例胃癌复发患者对5-FU的药物敏感性与ONECUT2表达量相关。结论:胃癌复发患者的ONECUT2表达量更高,ONECUT2高表达与胃癌复发患者的5-FU耐药相关,可能是潜在的治疗靶点。

山萘酚逆转肝癌耐药细胞Bel-7402/5-Fu的作用机制研究

目的探讨山萘酚(KAE)对肝癌耐药细胞Bel-7402/5-Fu功能的影响。方法采用KAE处理Bel-7402/5-Fu细胞,将细胞分为对照组和药物组(0.064、0.320、1.600、8、40、200μmol/L KAE);根据干扰DNA依赖性激酶催化亚基(DNA-PKcs)、加入蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132或加入自噬抑制剂CQ,将细胞分为si-NC组和DNA-PKcs干扰(siRNA-1664、siRNA-2142、siRNA-3785)组,对照组、KAE组和KAE+si-DNA-PKcs组,对照组、KAE+DMSO组、KAE+MG132组和KAE+CQ组。采用CCK-8检测细胞增殖,实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和Western blot检测组蛋白H_(2)AX磷酸化(γ-H_(2)AX)、DNA-PKcs、DNA双链断裂修复/V(D)J重组蛋白(Artemis)和药泵基因(P-gp)mRNA和蛋白的表达,流式细胞术检测细胞周期和细胞凋亡,蛋白稳定性实验检测DNA-PKcs蛋白稳定性,免疫共沉淀检测DNA-PKcs蛋白泛素化。结果与对照组相比,8μmol/L KAE处理细胞24 h可抑制约50%的细胞增殖能力,选择此时间和浓度进行后续研究。与对照组相比,KAE组γ-H_(2)AX mRNA和蛋白表达水平升高,DNA-PKcs、Artemis和P-gp mRNA和蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05);与对照组相比,KAE促进Bel-7402/5-Fu细胞周期阻滞于G2/M期,增加细胞凋亡;与si-NC组相比,siRNA-1664能显著下调DNA-PKcs mRNA和蛋白表达水平(P<0.05);与KAE组相比,KAE+si-DNAPKcs组进一步促进了KAE对细胞的效应;与对照组相比,KAE+DMSO组DNA-PKcs蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05);与KAE+DMSO组相比,KAE+MG132组DNA-PKcs蛋白表达水平升高(P<0.05),而KAE+CQ组DNA-PKcs蛋白表达水平无明显变化(P>0.05);与对照组相比,KAE+DMSO组促进DNA-PKcs蛋白的泛素化,而KAE+MG132组则可抑制其泛素化(P<0.05)。结论KAE能够诱导肝癌耐药细胞Bel-7402/5-Fu的细胞凋亡和细胞周期阻滞。

GAN与Diffusion在传统纹样设计中的实验研究

传统纹样是中国优秀传统文化的重要组成部分,传统人工设计已经无法满足纹样的现代设计需求,生成式AI为传统纹样设计提供了新的设计路径和方法。文章将生成式AI应用于传统纹样设计中,通过适配实验优选基于GAN的Style GAN和基于Diffusion的Stable Diffusion两种主流图像生成模型进行实验,采用技术分析与艺术分析相结合,对实验结果进行多角度、多维度对比分析,为设计师选择生成设计方法提供参照。实验结果表明,两个模型均能满足基本的艺术设计需求。Style GAN模型生成的纹样图像更接近真实图像的分布,具有更高的图像质量和多样性;Stable Diffusion模型能较好地传承传统纹样的基因,艺术性与创造性兼具,更加符合传统纹样的艺术设计需求。

“Blind men and an elephant”:The need for animals in research,drug safety studies,and understanding civilizational diseases

Animal-based research and drug safety studies are essential to understanding the mysteries of nature and the long-term survival of humans.Due to the rapid increase in the global human population,conflict-and economically driven human migration,tourism-related activities,densely populated metropolitan areas,and local policies,humans will be affected by a multitude of novel disease-causing microorganisms and civilizational diseases.Despite disparities among countries,recent and planned changes in regulations concerning animal research and drug safety studies could have detrimental effects on both the animal research community and nations lacking sufficient social support systems.Based on existing scientific literature,I argue that we need animal research encompassing aspects such as animal development,behavior,drug safety studies,and for the understanding of future civilizational diseases.Depending on the nature of the research questions and local challenges,a suitable animal model organism should be made mandatory.

Genome-wide association studies reveal the genetic basis of amino acid content variation in tea plants

Tea is one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages in the world,and free amino acids,especially theanine,make a major contribution to the umami taste of tea.However,the genetic basis of the variation in amino acid content in tea plants remains largely unknown.Here,we measured the free amino acid content in fresh leaves of 174 tea accessions over two years using a targeted metabolomics approach and obtained genotype data via RNA sequencing.Genome-wide association studies were conducted to investigate loci affecting the content of free amino acids.A total of 69 quantitative trait loci(–log10(P-value)>5)were identified.Functional annotation revealed that branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase,glutamine synthetase,nitrate transporter,and glutamate decarboxylase might be important for amino acid metabolism.Two significant loci,glutamine synthetase(Glu1,P=3.71×10^(−4);Arg1,P=4.61×10^(−5))and branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase(Val1,P=4.67×10^(−5);I_Leu1,P=3.56×10^(−6)),were identified,respectively.Based on the genotyping result,two alleles of CsGS(CsGS-L and CsGS-H)and CsBCAT(CsBCAT-L and CsBCAT-H)were selected to perform function verification.Overexpression of CsGS-L and CsGS-H enhanced the contents of glutamate and arginine in transgenic plants,and overexpression of CsBCAT-L and CsBCAT-H promoted the accumulation of valine,isoleucine and leucine.Enzyme activity assay uncovered that SNP1054 is important for CsGS catalyzing glutamate into glutamine.Furthermore,CsGS-L and CsGS-H differentially regulated the accumulation of glutamine,and CsBCAT-L and CsBCAT-H differentially regulated the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids.In summary,the findings in our study would provide new insights into the genetic basis of amino acids contents variation in tea plants and facilitate the identification of elite genes to enhance amino acids content.

Recent progresses in the development of tubular segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells:Experimental and numerical study

Solid oxide fuel cells(SOFCs)have attracted a great deal of interest because they have the highest efficiency without using any noble metal as catalysts among all the fuel cell technologies.However,traditional SOFCs suffer from having a higher volume,current leakage,complex connections,and difficulty in gas sealing.To solve these problems,Rolls-Royce has fabricated a simple design by stacking cells in series on an insulating porous support,resulting in the tubular segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells(SIS-SOFCs),which achieved higher output voltage.This work systematically reviews recent advances in the structures,preparation methods,perform-ances,and stability of tubular SIS-SOFCs in experimental and numerical studies.Finally,the challenges and future development of tubular SIS-SOFCs are also discussed.The findings of this work can help guide the direction and inspire innovation of future development in this field.

A review of challenges and opportunities in micropillar compression studies in Mg alloys

This review paper provides an overview of the micropillar compression technique as applied to magnesium(Mg) and its alloys. It explores the influence of various factors, such as pillar size, shape, temperature, and strain rate on the mechanical properties of Mg.Additionally, the impact of alloying elements, aging, and precipitates in Mg alloys has been extensively examined, revealing their significant influence on mechanical performance. The study highlights the strength and strain hardening improvements in Mg with decreasing pillar size in micropillar compression. Furthermore, the role of precipitates as strengthening agents, affecting deformation mechanisms and overall mechanical response, is explored. These valuable insights are crucial for designing Mg-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties for advanced engineering applications.

Clinical Studies Evaluating Effects of Probiotics on Parameters of Intestinal Barrier Function

The intestinal barrier is important in preventing translocation of bacteria, toxins and antigens from the lumen of the gut into the body. Enhanced permeability, or gut leakiness, has been associated with different diseases. Probiotics can, strain-specifically, improve the epithelial barrier function. However, so far most researches have used cell lines or animal models due to the difficulty of measuring the effects of products on the epithelial barrier function in vivo in humans. Here a systematic literature search was performed to find articles addressing the effects of probiotics on the barrier function in human trials. The Pubmed database was searched (January 2013) to identify human in vivo studies with probiotic products in which parameters for epithelial barrier function were measured. In total 29 studies were identified, but patients, bacterial characteristics and methods to measure intestinal barrier function caused large heterogeneity among these studies. About half of the studies showed positive results of probiotics on the epithelial barrier function, indicating a clear potential of probiotics in this field. In a case series of 14 patients using Ecologica825, a probiotic food supplement with known effect on epithelial barrier function, different markers of intestinal integrity improved significantly. Further studies in this field should consider strain(s), dose and duration of the probiotic supplementation as well as the markers used to measure epithelial barrier function. Besides the lactulose/mannitol test, zonulin and α1-antitrypsin might be valuable markers to measure epithelial barrier function in future experiments.

Cumulative effects of excess high-normal alanine aminotransferase levels in relation to new-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in China

BACKGROUND Within the normal range,elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels are associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).AIM To investigate the associations between repeated high-normal ALT measurements and the risk of new-onset MAFLD prospectively.METHODS A cohort of 3553 participants followed for four consecutive health examinations over 4 years was selected.The incidence rate,cumulative times,and equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of excess high-normal ALT levels(ehALT)were measured.Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse the association between the cumulative effects of ehALT and the risk of new-onset MAFLD.RESULTS A total of 83.13%of participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels.The incidence rate of MAFLD showed a linear increasing trend in the cumulative ehALT group.Compared with those in the low-normal ALT group,the multivariate adjusted hazard ratios of the equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of ehALT were 1.651[95%confidence interval(CI):1.199-2.273]and 1.535(95%CI:1.119-2.106)in the third quartile and 1.616(95%CI:1.162-2.246)and 1.580(95%CI:1.155-2.162)in the fourth quartile,respectively.CONCLUSION Most participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels.Long-term high-normal ALT levels were associated with a cumulative increased risk of new-onset MAFLD.