The static lateral load–slip behavior of a single-shear plywood-to-plywood single-staple connection (SPSC) was investigated experimentally. A mechanics-based approach was used to develop mechanical ...models for deriving estimation equations for critical lateral loads of SPSCs based on failure modes of staple legs and connection member materials developed during static lateral loading process. Experimental results indicated that the static lateral load–slip behavior of SPSCs can be characterized with three major stages. This experiment provided the evidence that the ultimate lateral load capacity of SPSCs was partially governed by staple direct withdrawal load capacity in main members. The proposed mechanical models were verified experimentally as a valid means for deriving estimation equations for critical lateral loads of SPSCs evaluated in this study.
In the development of colon cancer, the intestinal dysbiosis and disruption of barrier function are common manifestations. In the current study, we hypothesized that host factors, e.g., vitamin D ...receptor deficiency or adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation, contribute to the enhanced dysbiosis and disrupted barrier in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Using the human CRC database, we found enhanced tumor-invading bacteria and reduced colonic VDR expression, which was correlated with a reduction of Claudin-10 mRNA and protein. In the colon of VDRΔIEC mice, deletion of intestinal epithelial VDR led to lower protein of tight junction protein Claudin-10. Lacking VDR and a reduction of Claudin-10 are associated with an increased number of tumors in the mice without myeloid VDR. Intestinal permeability was significantly increased in the mice with myeloid VDR conditional deletion. Further, mice with conditional colonic APC mutation showed reduced mucus layer, enhanced bacteria in tumors, and loss of Claudin-10. Our data from human samples and colon cancer models provided solid evidence- on the host factor regulation of bacterial translocation and dysfunction on barriers in colonic tumorigenesis. Studies on the host factor regulation of microbiome and barriers could be potentially applied to risk assessment, early detection, and prevention of colon cancer.
Abstract This study aims to investigate auditory hypersensitivity and cortical function in migraine patients using the Hyperacusis Questionnaire and the Event-Related Potential (ERP) technique. The ...study analyzes alterations in the latency and amplitude of the event-related potentials MMN and P300 components. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the physiological relationship between migraine and auditory hypersensitivity. Seventeen migraine patients were admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Peking University People’s Hospital from June 2023 to September 2023. Nineteen matched healthy subjects were also selected. All participants underwent the pure tone audiometry and the auditory brainstem response test to determine hearing thresholds, the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and an ERP examination. The Oddball classical paradigm was used as the stimulation task, and electroencephalography signals were recorded synchronously. The scores of the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, latency and amplitude of MMN and P300 component were compared between the migraine group and the control group, and their correlation was analyzed. The latency of MMN at the Fz and Cz sites in migraine patients was significantly shorter than that in the control group ( P < 0.05), and the amplitudes were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P < 0.05). The variances in latency and amplitude of P300 at Cz and Pz sites in migraine patients were not statistically significant when compared with the control group. ( P > 0.05). The Hyperacusis Questionnaire was negatively correlated with MMN latency, with a correlation coefficient of − 0.374 ( P = 0.025), and positively correlated with MMN amplitude, with a correlation coefficient of 0.378 ( P = 0.023). There was no significant similarity between the Hyperacusis Questionnaire and P300 latency and amplitude ( P > 0.05). Overall, auditory hypersensitivity was enhanced in individuals with migraines compared to healthy individuals, leading to faster information processing, while there may be less impairment in cognitive function.
The novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged and is responsible for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 global pandemic. Coronaviruses, including ...SARS-CoV-2, are strongly associated with respiratory symptoms during infection, but gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain, have been identified in subsets of COVID-19 patients. This article focuses on gastrointestinal symptoms and pathophysiology in COVID-19 disease. Evidence suggests that the gastrointestinal tract could be a viral target for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Not only is the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 highly expressed in the GI tract and is associated with digestive symptoms, but bleeding and inflammation are observed in the intestine of COVID-19 patients. We further systemically summarize the correlation between COVID-19 disease, gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal microbiota. The potential oral-fecal transmission of COVID-19 was supported by viral RNA and live virus detection in the feces of COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the viral balance in the GI tract could be disordered during SARS-CoV-2 infection which could further impact the homeostasis of the gut microbial flora. Finally, we discuss the clinical and ongoing trials of treatments/therapies, including antiviral drugs, plasma transfusion and immunoglobulins, and diet supplementations for COVID-19. By reviewing the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and understanding the correlation among COVID-19, inflammation, intestinal microbiota, and lung microbiota, we provide perspective in prevention and control, as well as diagnosis and treatment of the COVID-19 disease.
The microbiota plays essential roles in health and disease, in both the intestine and the extra-intestine. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota causes dysfunction in the intestine, which leads to ...inflammatory, immune, and infectious diseases. Dysbiosis is also associated with diseases beyond the intestine via microbial translocation or metabolisms. The in situ breast microbiome, which may be sourced from the gut through lactation and sexual contact, could be altered and cause breast diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding the interactions among the gut microbiome, breast microbiome, and breast diseases. We discuss the intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites, and roles of microbiota in immune system. We emphasize the novel roles and mechanisms of the microbiome (both in situ and gastrointestinal sourced) and bacterial products in the development and progression of breast cancer. The intestinal microbial translocation suggests that the gut microbiome is translocated to the skin and subsequently to the breast tissue. The gut bacterial translocation is also due to the increased intestinal permeability. The breast and intestinal microbiota are important factors in maintaining healthy breasts. Micronutrition queuine (Q) is derived from a de novo synthesized metabolite in bacteria. All human cells use queuine and incorporate it into the wobble anticodon position of specific transfer RNAs. We have demonstrated that Q modification regulates genes critical in tight junctions and migration in human breast cancer cells and a breast tumor model. We further discuss the challenges and future perspectives that can move the field forward for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast diseases.
Avermectin is commonly used in aquaculture systems for pest control in recent decades in China. However, no information is provided for the toxic effect to the important commercial species, Chinese ...mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. To investigate the aquatic toxicity of avermectin, an acute toxic test was performed in this study. The results showed that the 48 h- and 96 h- LC50 were 1.663 and 0.954 mg/L, respectively. For further research, crabs were exposed to sublethal concentrations of 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg/L. Levels of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with dose- and time- dependent responses, meanwhile the oxidative products including malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and protein carbonyl in serum increased significantly (P<0.05) at concentrations of 0.24 and 0.48 mg/L throughout the experiment. A significant (P<0.05) increase of intracellular ROS and decrease of phagocytic activity was observed in high concentration groups, with dose- and time- dependent manners during the exposure. In addition, serious genetic damage was detected, for the significant increase (P<0.05) of both comet ratio and %DNA in tail at each concentration, and micronucleus (MN) frequency at concentrations of 0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg/L at 96 h. These results indicated that sublethal concentration exposure of avermectin had a prominent toxic effect on E. sinensis based on the oxidative stress induced by generated ROS, immunological activity inhibition and genotoxicity.
Microbiota derived metabolites act as chemical messengers that elicit a profound impact on host physiology. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a key genetic factor for shaping the host microbiome. However, ...it remains unclear how microbial metabolites are altered in the absence of VDR. We investigated metabolites from mice with tissue-specific deletion of VDR in intestinal epithelial cells or myeloid cells. Conditional VDR deletion severely changed metabolites specifically produced from carbohydrate, protein, lipid, and bile acid metabolism. Eighty-four out of 765 biochemicals were significantly altered due to the Vdr status, and 530 significant changes were due to the high-fat diet intervention. The impact of diet was more prominent due to loss of VDR as indicated by the differences in metabolites generated from energy expenditure, tri-carboxylic acid cycle, tocopherol, polyamine metabolism, and bile acids. The effect of HFD was more pronounced in female mice after VDR deletion. Interestingly, the expression levels of farnesoid X receptor in liver and intestine were significantly increased after intestinal epithelial VDR deletion and were further increased by the high-fat diet. Our study highlights the gender differences, tissue specificity, and potential gut-liver-microbiome axis mediated by VDR that might trigger downstream metabolic disorders.
The effect of impregnation treatment of low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (MWPF) resin on the bolt-bearing yield strength (BBYS) of a three-layered cross-laminated timber (CLT) composed of two ...face layers of southern pine (Pinus taeda) and one core layer of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was investigated together with two additional factors of material type and loading direction. Experimental results indicated that the amount of low MWPF resins penetrating into sweetgum was more than the ones into southern pine. Sweetgum had more uniform distribution of low MWPF resins penetrating longitudinally than southern pine. Impregnation treatment using a low MWPF resin at a concentration of 20% can enhance the BBYS of three-layered CLTs with a 60% increase. The BBYS of a core layer material in three-layered CLTs can significantly alter the overall BBYS of the three-layered CLTs.
By significantly circumventing the typical problem of high background induced by excess hemin itself, an ultrasensitive DNA amplified detection method is developed based on nicking endonuclease ...(NEase) assisted strand scission cycle, which is further successfully applied in cancer cell detection.
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) deficiency is associated with cancer, infection, and chronic inflammation. Prior research has demonstrated VDR regulation of bacteria; however, little is known regarding VDR ...and viruses. We hypothesize that VDR deficiency impacts on the intestinal virome and viral-bacterial interactions. We specifically deleted VDR from intestinal epithelial cells (VDR
ΔIEC
), Paneth cells (VDR
ΔPC
), and myeloid cells (VDR
ΔLyz
) in mice. Feces were collected for shotgun metagenomic sequencing and metabolite profiling. To test the functional changes, we evaluated pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and analyzed microbial metabolites. Vibrio phages, Lactobacillus phages, and Escherichia coli typing phages were significantly enriched in all three conditional VDR-knockout mice. In the VDR
ΔLyz
mice, the levels of eight more virus species (2 enriched, 6 depleted) were significantly changed. Altered virus species were primarily observed in female VDR
ΔLyz
(2 enriched, 3 depleted) versus male VDR
ΔLyz
(1 enriched, 1 depleted). Altered alpha and beta diversity (family to species) were found in VDR
ΔLyz
. In VDR
ΔIEC
mice, bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 was significantly enriched. A significant correlation between viral and bacterial alterations was found in conditional VDR knockout mice. There was a positive correlation between Vibrio phage JSF5 and Cutibacterium acnes in VDR
ΔPC
and VDR
ΔLyz
mice. Also, there were more altered viral species in female conditional VDR knockout mice. Notably, there were significant changes in PRRs: upregulated TLR3, TLR7, and NOD2 in VDR
ΔLyz
mice and increased CLEC4L expression in VDR
ΔIEC
and VDR
ΔPC
mice. Furthermore, we identified metabolites related to virus infection: decreased glucose in VDR
ΔIEC
mice, increased ribulose/xylulose and xylose in VDR
ΔLyz
mice, and increased long-chain fatty acids in VDR
ΔIEC
and VDR
ΔLyz
female mice. Tissue-specific deletion of VDR changes the virome and functionally changes viral receptors, which leads to dysbiosis, metabolic dysfunction, and infection risk. This study helps to elucidate VDR regulating the virome in a tissue-specific and sex-specific manner.
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