Effects of short-term continuous and pulse cadmium exposure on gut histology and microbiota of adult male frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) during pre-hibernation

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental endocrine-disrupting pollutant which mainly occurs in pulsed manner in natural waters, while traditional toxicology experiments have less examined the effects of pulsed exposure. Here, we studied the effects of short-term (7 days) continuous and pulse exposure to 100 μg/L Cd on gut morphology and microbiota of frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) during pre-hibernation. Compared to continuous exposure, Cd pulse exposure significantly increased individual mortality and decreased the villi height and the ratio of villi height to crypt depth of the gut. Cd continuous and pulse exposure both changed the community structure and relative abundance of intestinal microbiota. Compared to continuous exposure, Cd pulse exposure significantly decreased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Cetobacterium and Aeromonas genus), and significantly increased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., Parabacteroides, Odoribacter, and Acinetobacter genus). This study shows that the gut histology and microbiota of amphibians during pre-hibernation are more susceptible to Cd pulse exposure than continuous exposure.     

Silencing KLF16 inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis

Krüppel-like factor 16 (KLF16), a member of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family, has been extensively investigated in multiple cancer types. However, the role of KLF16 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. Thus, we conducted this study to investigate its related mechanism. KLF16 expression in OSCC cell lines was quantified by western blotting. Then, OECM1 and OC3 cells were divided into Blank, siCtrl, siKLF16#1 and siKLF16#2 groups. Subsequently, cell proliferation was detected using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, cell migration and invasion were detected with wound healing and Transwell assays, and cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were detected via flow cytometry. KLF16, p21, CDK4, Cyclin D1 and p-Rb expression was detected by western blotting. Finally, xenograft models were established in nude mice to observe the in vivo effects of KLF16 on OSCC. KLF16 protein expression was upregulated in OSCC cells. Compared to the cells in the Blank group, the OECM1 and OC3 cells in the siKLF16#1 group and siKLF16#2 group exhibited a sharp decrease in proliferation but a remarkable increase in apoptosis. Moreover, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase notably increased and that in the S phase decreased, with evident decreases in cell invasion and migration. Moreover, KLF16, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Cyclin D1 and p-Rb protein expression was upregulated, but p21 expression was downregulated. The mice in the siKLF16#1 and siKLF16#2 xenograft model groups exhibited slower tumour growth and smaller tumours with evident downregulation of Ki67 expression compared to the mice in the Blank group. KLF16 expression was upregulated in OSCC cells, and interfering with KLF16 led to cell cycle arrest, inhibited OSCC cell growth and promoted cell apoptosis.     

The microbiome in pediatric oncology

The human microbiome comprises a diverse set of microorganisms, which play a mostly cooperative role in processes such as metabolism and host defense. Next-generation genomic sequencing of bacterial nucleic acids now can contribute a much broader understanding of the diverse organisms composing the microbiome. Emerging evidence has suggested several roles of the microbiome in pediatric hematology/oncology, including susceptibility to infectious diseases, immune response to neoplasia, and contributions to the tumor microenvironment as well as changes to the microbiome from chemotherapy and antibiotics with unclear consequences. In this review, the authors have examined the evidence of the role of the microbiome in pediatric hematology/oncology, discussed how the microbiome may be modulated, and suggested key questions in need of further exploration.     

越鞠丸联合盐酸氟西汀胶囊治疗抑郁症临床研究

目的:观察越鞠丸联合盐酸氟西汀胶囊治疗抑郁症的临床效果及对血清脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)水平的影响。方法:纳入因抑郁症就诊的64例患者,随机分为对照组与治疗组各32例。对照组给予盐酸氟西汀胶囊抗5-羟色胺(5-HT)治疗,治疗组在对照组基础上联合越鞠丸治疗。比较2组治疗前后汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD-24)评分、抑郁症状学快速自评量表(QIDS-SR16)、血清BDNF水平及总体疗效。结果:治疗前后比较,2组HAMD-24评分、QIDS-SR16评分均下降,血清BDNF水平升高(P<0.05),组间比较,治疗组2项评分下降更多,血清BDNF水平升高更多(P<0.05)。治疗后,治疗组总体疗效为90.63%,优于对照组的68.75%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:越鞠丸联合盐酸氟西汀胶囊治疗抑郁症,可更加有效减缓患者抑郁症状,升高血清BDNF水平,增加临床疗效,有效保护患者脑功能,值得临床推广。     

Secondary stone formation 8 weeks after percutaneous nephrolithotomy treatment: A case report

Introduction:This work reports a patient with recurrent renal calculi subjected to three surgeries in half a year to be in the same position, and the high-throughput sequencing data showed different species in the renal pus and urine samples, which suggested that partial renal infection or stone formation can be judged by the bacteria in urine.Patient concerns:The female patient aged 43 years was referred to the authors’ department on April 13, 2020, due to left waist pain and fever for 3 days.Diagnosis:Kidney stones and hydronephrosis were determined by a urinary system computed tomography scan.Interventions:On April 20, 2020 and June 15, 2020, the patient was successfully treated with left percutaneous nephrolithotomy twice under general anesthesia. An investigation on the health and eating habits of the patient within 6 months was completed at the last admission. The components of the second renal calculus sample were analyzed with an infrared spectrum analyzer. The third renal stone (renal pus, triplicates) was subjected to microbial metagenome sequencing, and urine samples before and after surgery were subjected to 16S RNA sequencing by SEQHEALTH (Wuhan, China).Outcomes:After percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the left kidney stones were basically cleared, stone analysis revealed that the main components were calcium oxalate monohydrate, silica, and a small amount of calcium oxalate dehydrate. Although the urine samples exhibited differences, the renal pus and urine sample shared a single species.Conclusion:It is not clear that the prospects of partial renal infection or stone formation can be judged by the bacteria in urine.     

同种异体肌腱W形编织修复创伤性胸锁关节前脱位

目的探讨采用同种异体肌腱 W 形编织修复创伤性胸锁关节前脱位的疗效。方法2013 年 6 月—2017 年 6 月，收治 12 例经保守治疗无效的单侧创伤性胸锁关节前脱位患者。男 10 例，女 2 例；年龄 25～58 岁，平均 42 岁。患者均为交通事故致伤。受伤至手术时间 4～12 周，中位时间 6 周。均为闭合性损伤。无肩关节周围骨折、血管、神经或邻近其他肢体关节损伤。采用同种异体肌腱结合带线锚钉 W 形编织修复。记录手术时间、术中出血量、切口愈合及并发症发生情况。术后 1 年，复查 X 线片及 CT 观察胸锁关节情况；疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、美国加州大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）肩关节评分、Rockwood 肩关节评分、改良美国特种外科医院（HSS）评分及 Constant-Murley 肩关节功能评分评估功能改善情况。结果手术时间 60～80 min，平均 70 min。术中出血量 50～100 mL，平均 60 mL。术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合，无手术相关并发症发生。患者均获随访，随访时间 12～24 个月，平均 18 个月。术后 1 年 X 线片及 CT 复查示胸锁关节对位满意。术后 1 年 Rockwood 肩关节评分为 12～14 分，平均 13 分；UCLA 肩关节评分为 28～34 分，平均 31 分。术后 1 年，VAS 评分较术前降低，Constant-Murley 肩关节功能评分及改良 HSS 评分较术前提高，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论同种异体肌腱 W 形编织修复创伤性胸锁关节前脱位，能有效重建胸锁关节稳定性，保留生理性微动，获得满意疗效。     

Classification of individuals and the potential to detect sexual contact using the microbiome of the pubic region

In the absence of traditional DNA evidence, detection of sexual contact during intercourse is an important need for forensic analysis that might be addressed by studies of the pubic microbiome. Since 16S sequencing of various other body parts has shown that the microbiome may be individualizing, we reasoned that transfer of the assailant’s microbiome to a victim might be detectable. Microbiome profiles were generated from pubic hairs and swabs taken from the pubic mound region of 12 couples and 19 singles, and evaluated for similarity over an average of four collection times with varying degrees of self-reported sexual activity. A model constructed using a Random Forest classifier was able to predict samples belonging to the same individual collected up to 6 months apart, demonstrating the stability of the pubic mound microbiome over this time frame. Couples were found to be significantly more similar to one another than to unrelated members of the opposite sex, in proportion to shared sexual activity. Further analyses using the Deblur method to assign operational taxonomic units (OTUs) establish that at least 10% of the victim’s pubic microbiome must be derived from the attacker in order to detect transfer, but that single transfer events will not generally be discovered. Nevertheless, Bayesian SourceTracker software is shown to have potential to establish that sexual contact occurred when the assailant is known, or to exonerate suspects as contributors to a mixed microbiome. Our results establish limited potential of the pubic hair/pubic area microbiome as a tool for forensic associations.