Gut symbionts alleviate MASH through a secondary bile acid biosynthetic pathway.

The gut microbiota has been found to play an important role in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), but the mechanisms have not been established. Here, by developing a click-chemistry-based enrichment strategy, we identified several microbial-derived bile acids, including the previously uncharacterized 3-succinylated cholic acid (3-sucCA), which is negatively correlated with liver damage in patients with liver-tissue-biopsy-proven metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). By screening human bacterial isolates, we identified Bacteroides uniformis strains as effective producers of 3-sucCA both in vitro and in vivo.

Trojan horselike T6SS effector TepC mediates both interference competition and exploitative competition.

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial weapon capable of delivering antibacterial effectors to kill competing cells for interference competition, as well as secreting metal ion scavenging effectors to acquire essential micronutrients for exploitation competition. However, no T6SS effectors that can mediate both interference competition and exploitation competition have been reported. In this study, we identified a unique T6SS-1 effector in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis named TepC, which plays versatile roles in microbial communities.

Distinct roles of two SEC scaffold proteins, AFF1 and AFF4, in regulating RNA polymerase II transcription elongation.

The super elongation complex (SEC) containing positive transcription elongation factor b plays a critical role in regulating transcription elongation. AFF1 and AFF4, two members of the AF4/FMR2 family, act as central scaffold proteins of SEC and are associated with various human diseases. However, their precise roles in transcriptional control remain unclear.

The super elongation complex (SEC) mediates phase transition of SPT5 during transcriptional pause release.

Release of promoter-proximally paused RNA Pol II into elongation is a tightly regulated and rate-limiting step in metazoan gene transcription. However, the biophysical mechanism underlying pause release remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the pausing and elongation regulator SPT5 undergoes phase transition during transcriptional pause release.

Identification of volatile organic compounds in muscle tissues of different species based on Headspace-Gas-Chromatography Ion-Mobility spectrometry.

Species identification of unknown biological samples is crucial for forensic applications, especially in cases of explosion, disaster accidents, and body mutilation after murdering, as well as poaching, illegal trade in endangered animals, and meat food fraud. In this study, we identified 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh skeletal muscle tissues of seven different animal species (cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, rats, chickens and carp) and a human dead body by headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), and compared their differences by retention time, drift time and molecular weight. The results showed that these VOCs formed different gallery plot fingerprints in the skeletal muscle tissues of the human dead body and seven animal species.

Phase Separation Properties in Transcriptional Organization.

Transcription is of great importance to stress response, fate control, and development, involving the functional cooperation of a large number of transcription factors and cofactors. Transcription machineries assemble rapidly to respond to the physiological and functional needs of cells. Recently, phase-separated biomolecular condensates have emerged as a universal biophysical basis for the spatiotemporal coordination of various cellular activities, including transcription.

The application of a targeted periprostatic nerve block in transperineal template-guided prostate biopsies.

Background: Our study aims to evaluate the anesthetic efficacy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging/transrectal ultrasound (mpMRI/TRUS) fusion-guided targeted periprostatic nerve block (PNB) for transperineal template-guided prostate biopsy (TTPB).

Methods: The patients who underwent mpMRI/TRUS fusion-guided prostate biopsy from May 2018 to March 2019 were randomized into two groups using a random number table. The intervention group (n=47) and the control group (n=45) received targeted PNB and traditional PNB, respectively.

RNF219 interacts with CCR4-NOT in regulating stem cell differentiation.

Regulation of RNA stability plays a crucial role in gene expression control. Deadenylation is the initial rate-limiting step for the majority of RNA decay events. Here, we show that RING finger protein 219 (RNF219) interacts with the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex.

Risk factors for infection complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy.

Background: To investigate the influence factors of infection complications of transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy.

Methods: A total of 2192 patients who underwent prostate biopsy under transperineal prostate biopsy were analyzed retrospectively from December 2010 to May 2020.We collected the clinical characteristics and the incidence of complications, and used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to analyze independent risk factors for infection complications after transperineal prostate biopsy.

ENL initiates multivalent phase separation of the super elongation complex (SEC) in controlling rapid transcriptional activation.

Release of paused RNA polymerase II (Pol II) requires incorporation of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) into the super elongation complex (SEC), thus resulting in rapid yet synchronous transcriptional activation. However, the mechanism underlying dynamic transition of P-TEFb from inactive to active state remains unclear. Here, we found that the SEC components are able to compartmentalize and concentrate P-TEFb via liquid-liquid phase separation from the soluble inactive HEXIM1 containing the P-TEFb complex.

Association analysis of CHRNA3 polymorphisms with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population: A case-control study.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a highly heritable, chronic, severe psychiatric disorder associated with significant financial costs to families and societies. In this case-control study, we investigated the associations between seven SNPs in CHRNA3 gene and the risk of SCZ.A total of 1071 (384 cases and 687 controls) unrelated subjects were recruited for our association study.

Genetic polymorphisms in very important pharmacogenomic variants in the Zhuang ethnic group of Southwestern China: A cohort study in the Zhuang population.

Pharmacogenomics, the study of the role of genetics in drug response, has recently become a focal point of research. Previous studies showed that genes associated with drug detoxification vary among different populations. However, pharmacogenomic information of the Zhuang ethnic group is scarce.

Feedback between E2F1 and CIP2A regulated by human papillomavirus E7 in cervical cancer: implications for prognosis.

Previously, we found that cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) plays a key role in the malignant transformation of cervical cancer. Here, we further explore whether and how CIP2A is regulated by human papillomavirus E7 (HPV E7) and the prognostic value of CIP2A in cervical cancer. We demonstrated a positive feedback loop between the E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) and CIP2A at the transcription level in HeLa and SiHa cells by real-time PCR and western blot analysis.

TRPA1 in the spinal dorsal horn is involved in post-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity: in vivo study using TNBS-treated rat model.

Introduction: The transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) channel, a pain transducer and amplifier, is drawing increasing attention in the field of visceral hypersensitivity, commonly seen in irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the role of TRPA1 in visceral nociception during post-inflammatory states is not well defined. Here, we explore the correlation between TRPA1 expression in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) and persistent post-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity.

Global Transcriptomic Analysis of the Response of Corynebacterium glutamicum to Vanillin.

Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant and renewable resource for biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Vanillin is one of the major phenolic inhibitors in biomass production using lignocellulose. To assess the response of Corynebacterium glutamicum to vanillin stress, we performed a global transcriptional response analysis.

The icmF3 locus is involved in multiple adaptation- and virulence-related characteristics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is widely distributed in Gram-negative bacteria. Three separate T6SSs called H1-, H2-, and H3-T6SS have been discovered in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Recent studies suggest that, in contrast to the H1-T6SS that targets prokaryotic cells, H2- and H3-T6SS are involved in interactions with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Cancer antigen-125 and ICAM-1 are together responsible for ascites in liver cirrhosis.

Background: Cancer antigen-125 is a high molecular weight glycoprotein used mainly for the diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma. However, elevation of cancer antigen-125 is observed in many benign conditions specially in liver cirrhosis but the reason behind the elevation remains unknown. Similarly intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) elevation is reported in liver cirrhosis but its role played in liver cirrhosis and ascites is unclear.

Radiographic morphology of fallopian tubes in women of child-bearing potential: a descriptive study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the radiographic morphological characteristics of fallopian tubes in women of child-bearing age.

Material And Methods: From 2007 to 2008 we retrospectively collected records from women aged 19-45 years undergoing fertility evaluation who had normal salpingograms. Women were excluded if they had abnormal imaging on salpingogram, ultrasound, or hysteroscopy, and if they had any history of pelvic disease or pathology, were febrile, or were taking oral contraceptives at the time of the salpingogram.

Soluble mediators released from PI-IBS patients' colon induced alteration of mast cell: involvement of reactive oxygen species.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that patients with post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) have increased mast cell activation, and that mucosal soluble mediators are involved in the pathophysiology of visceral hyperalgesia. In addition, previous findings show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protease-activated receptors (PARs) are mediators of persistent hyperalgesia.

Aims: This article aims to investigate: (1) the ability of soluble factors from colonic biopsies to active peritoneal mast cells (PMCs) in vitro; (2) whether the effects of PMCs degranulation induced by soluble mediators are related to PARs activation; and (3) the ability of phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), a ROS scavenger, to modify these alterations.

Relationship between dental erosion and respiratory symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Objectives: Both dental erosion and respiratory symptoms are extra-oesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to determine whether dental erosion was correlated with respiratory symptoms in GERD patients.

Methods: 88 GERD patients were recruited and assigned to three groups mainly according to the frequency of respiratory symptoms: Group I: never; Group II: occasional (1-2 days a week or less); Group III: frequent (3-5 days a week or more).

[Significance of the examination of path between eosinophils in peripheral blood and marrow stem cells for evaluating the effect of hormone therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis].

Objective: By means of the detection of the numbers of CD34(+) cells and eosinophils (EOS), and the level of IL-5 in peripheral blood from normal controls and patients with allergic rhinitis pre- or post-treatment, the role of EOS-stem cells paths for treatment effect in allergic rhinitis (AR) was studied so as to find the convenient and quick indicators which could be used to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect and adjust the methods of the hormone therapy.

Methods: There were 2 groups. (1) experimental group: 44 patients, including 24 males and 20 females with a age range of 7 to 68 years old.

[The study of 11 cases of chordoma in the skull base or neck].

Objective: To study the clinical manifestation, histopathological types, radiological characteristics, surgical methods and the prospective efficacy of chordoma in the skull base and neck.

Method: Analyzed the characteristics about eleven patients with chordoma in the skull base or neck that we had treated in our department from 1985 to 2003 and introduced a case of a huge chordoma in the neck. All of the patients were treated by surgery.