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ObjectivePre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the malignant metabolic diseases that complicate pregnancy. Gut dysbiosis has been identified for causing metabolic diseases, but the role of gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of PE remains unknown.DesignWe performed a case–control study to compare the faecal microbiome of PE and normotensive pregnant women by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing. To address the causative relationship between gut dysbiosis and PE, we used faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in an antibiotic-treated mouse model. Finally, we determined the microbiome translocation and immune responses in human and mouse placental samples by 16S rRNA sequencing, quantitative PCR and in situ hybridisation.ResultsPatients with PE showed reduced bacterial diversity with obvious dysbiosis. Opportunistic pathogens, particularly Fusobacterium and Veillonella, were enriched, whereas beneficial bacteria, including Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia, were markedly depleted in the PE group. The abundances of these discriminative bacteria were correlated with blood pressure (BP), proteinuria, aminotransferase and creatinine levels. On successful colonisation, the gut microbiome from patients with PE triggered a dramatic, increased pregestational BP of recipient mice, which further increased after gestation. In addition, the PE-transplanted group showed increased proteinuria, embryonic resorption and lower fetal and placental weights. Their T regulatory/helper-17 balance in the small intestine and spleen was disturbed with more severe intestinal leakage. In the placenta of both patients with PE and PE-FMT mice, the total bacteria, Fusobacterium, and inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly increased.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the gut microbiome of patients with PE is dysbiotic and contributes to disease pathogenesis.

Background Gut microbiota has been reported to be disrupted by cisplatin, as well as to modulate chemotherapy toxicity. However, the precise role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of cisplatin hepatotoxicity remains unknown. Methods We compared the composition and function of gut microbiota between mice treated with and without cisplatin using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and via metabolomic analysis. For understanding the causative relationship between gut dysbiosis and cisplatin hepatotoxicity, antibiotics were administered to deplete gut microbiota and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed before cisplatin treatment. Results 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomic analysis showed that cisplatin administration caused gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice. Gut microbiota ablation by antibiotic exposure protected against the hepatotoxicity induced by cisplatin. Interestingly, mice treated with antibiotics dampened the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation and promoted nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation, resulting in decreased levels of both inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver. FMT also confirmed the role of microbiota in individual susceptibility to cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusions This study elucidated the mechanism by which gut microbiota mediates cisplatin hepatotoxicity through enhanced inflammatory response and oxidative stress. This knowledge may help develop novel therapeutic approaches that involve targeting the composition and metabolites of microbiota.

The precise correlation between the gut microbiota and the anticancer effect of cisplatin in OC remains inadequately understood. Our investigation has revealed that manipulation of the gut microbiota via the administration of antibiotics amplifies the efficacy of cisplatin through the facilitation of apoptosis in OC-bearing mice. Metabolomic analysis has demonstrated that the cecum content from antibiotic-treated mice exhibits an increase in the levels of 3-methylxanthine, which has been shown to potentially enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of cisplatin by an integrated multiomic analysis. This enhancement appears to be attributable to the promotion of cisplatin-induced apoptosis, with 3-methylxanthine potentially exerting its influence via the dopamine receptor D1-dependent pathway. These findings significantly contribute to our comprehension of the impact of the gut microbiota on the anticancer therapy in OC. Notably, the involvement of 3-methylxanthine suggests its prospective utility as a supplementary component for augmenting treatment outcomes in patients afflicted with ovarian cancer.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and reproductive disorder affecting women of reproductive age. While the gut microbiota has been implicated in PCOS pathophysiology, the role of microbial‐derived metabolites as mediators of host–microbe interactions remains poorly defined. Here, we integrated untargeted gut metabolomics with metagenomic profiling in patients with PCOS and identified a marked depletion of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPAA), a flavonoid‐derived microbial catabolite. Oral administration of DHPAA ameliorated PCOS‐like phenotypes in two mouse models by suppressing bone morphogenetic protein signaling and reducing anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. We found that DHPAA production depends on gut microbial degradation of dietary flavonoids. We further identified a bacterial species, Streptococcus thermophilus, consistently depleted in PCOS across two human cohorts and a mouse model, restored DHPAA levels and improved reproductive outcomes in mice. Conversely, a β‐galactosidase‐deficient mutant of S. thermophilus failed to confer these benefits, highlighting β‐galactosidase as a critical enzyme in DHPAA biosynthesis. Our findings establish DHPAA as a key microbial metabolite linking diet, microbiota, and reproductive health, and propose its potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for PCOS. By integrating multi‐level and multi‐omics analyses, we identify 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPAA), a gut microbiota‐derived degradation product of dietary flavonoids, as a key bioactive end‐product responsible for the beneficial effects against polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DHPAA exerts direct therapeutic effects on PCOS‐like phenotypes independent of the gut microbiota through inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein signaling. We further demonstrate that Streptococcus thermophilus metabolizes flavonoids into DHPAA via β‐galactosidase activity, thereby contributing to the improvement of PCOS symptoms. These findings highlight the essential role of the gut microbiota in transforming flavonoids into functionally active metabolites and establish DHPAA as a critical mediator linking microbial metabolism to host reproductive health. This study deepens our understanding of the microbiota‐metabolite‐host axis in PCOS pathophysiology and provides a promising candidate molecule for therapeutic development. Highlights 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPAA) is identified as a key microbial‐derived metabolite responsible for the protective effects of flavonoids against polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Streptococcus thermophilus produces DHPAA from flavonoids through β‐galactosidase‐mediated metabolism. Gut microbiota is essential for transforming flavonoids into bioactive metabolites that confer protection against PCOS.

Background The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has attracted great public health efforts across the world. Few studies, however, have described the potential impact of these measures on other important infectious diseases. Methods The incidence of 19 major infectious diseases in Zhejiang Province was collected from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance System from January 2017 to October 2020. The entire epidemic control phase was divided into three stages. The government deployed the first level response from 24 January to 2 March (the most rigorous measures). When the outbreak of COVID-19 was under control, the response level changed to the second level from 3 to 23 March, and then the third level response was implemented after 24 March. We compared the epidemiological characteristics of 19 major infectious diseases during different periods of the COVID-19 epidemic and previous years. Results A total of 1,814,881 cases of 19 infectious diseases were reported in Zhejiang from January 2017 to October 2020, resulting in an incidence rate of 8088.30 cases per 1,000,000 person-years. After the non-pharmaceutical intervention, the incidence of 19 infectious diseases dropped by 70.84%, from 9436.32 cases per 1,000,000 person-years to 2751.51 cases per 1,000,000 person-years, with the large decrease in the first response period of influenza. However, we observed that the daily incidence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and leptospirosis increased slightly (from 1.11 cases per 1,000,000 person-years to 1.82 cases per 1,000,000 person-years for SFTS and 0.30 cases per 1,000,000 person-years to 1.24 cases per 1,000,000 person-years for leptospirosis). There was no significant difference in the distribution of epidemiological characteristic of most infectious diseases before and during the implementation of COVID-19 control measures. Conclusion Our study summarizes the epidemiological characteristics of 19 infectious diseases and indicates that the rigorous control measures for COVID-19 are also effective for majority of infectious diseases.

The transport of gas bubbles in liquid environments is essential across applications like microfluidics, drug delivery, and energy systems, but achieving stable, high-speed motion remains a challenge. We present an advanced implementation of submerged spark discharge-driven ring bubble generation by leveraging the dynamic interactions and fluid motion at high velocities and accelerations generated by high initial overpressure, achieving high-circulation bubbles that reach initial velocities of 12 m/s, travel 800 mm, which also can be generated in extreme stroke ratios and minimal space. Key features include self-contained movement, collision resilience, and adaptability across media. Scalable and programmable, this method enables precision in bubble manipulation, paving the way for advanced applications in fluid transport, environmental engineering, and biomedical systems. The controlled transport of gas bubbles in liquids is crucial for applications like microfluidics and energy systems, yet achieving stable, high-speed motion remains a significant challenge. The authors demonstrate a spark discharge–driven ring bubble generator that produces high-circulation bubbles with velocities up to 12 m/s and travel distances of 800 mm, offering programmable, resilient, and scalable bubble transport in confined spaces.

To effectively improve the service life of the 175MPa high-pressure wellhead gas tree in the 10000-meter-deep well of Tarim Oilfield, the standard compact tensile specimens were prepared using on-site gas tree materials, and pre corrosion liquids were prepared using on-site formation water composition. High strength and high-pressure wellhead gas tree materials were subjected to fatigue corrosion crack propagation tests using MTS electro-hydraulic servo tension torsion fatigue machine. The influence of stress ratio, loading frequency, and corrosion liquid density on the crack propagation life of gas tree materials was explored. The surface morphology of the crack propagation zone was analyzed using environmental scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy spectrometer. It was found that, firstly, when the external load stress ratio increases, the fatigue crack propagation rate of the gas tree increases, but the range of stress intensity factors decreases, ultimately leading to an increase in fatigue life. Secondly, the fatigue crack propagation rate of gas trees is closely related to the loading frequency in corrosive environments. When materials are subjected to external alternating stress under the action of corrosive environmental water, the higher the loading frequency, the faster the crack propagation rate of gas trees, and the shorter the fatigue life. Thirdly, when the tubing string was in low density completion fluid, the crack propagation rate of gas trees slows down and their fatigue life increases, while high-density corrosive fluids accelerate the crack propagation rate. Therefore, in the operation on-site, controlling the load stress ratio of the gas tree within the range of 0.2∼0.25, adjusting the vibration frequency of the gas tree within 0.6 Hz∼0.9 Hz, and appropriately reducing the density of the corrosive solution (controlled between 1100 kg/m3∼1150 kg/m3) can effectively improve the fatigue life of the high-pressure wellhead gas tree.

The East Asian winter monsoon plays a vital role in shaping regional climate, yet its Holocene variability and spatial heterogeneity remain incompletely understood. In this study, we summarize and compare 42 published records from loess, lake, peat, and marine sediments across East Asia and identify three major evolution patterns: a long-term strengthening (Type 1), a long-term weakening (Type 2), and a mid-Holocene minimum (Type 3). Type 3 is predominantly observed on the Chinese Loess Plateau, where wind-driven grain-size indicators provide a regionally consistent EAWM pattern. We further propose the spatial differentiation of grain size (SDGS) between upwind and downwind loess sites as a robust proxy for regional wind strength. Using records from Xifeng and Weinan, SDGS reconstructions reveal a typical Type 3 pattern, confirming the potential of spatially resolved grain-size indicators in East Asian winter monsoon reconstruction. Comparison with summer monsoon proxies suggests that the mid-Holocene weakening of the East Asian winter monsoon may be linked to enhanced East Asian summer monsoon intensity and reduced latitudinal temperature gradients. These findings underscore a multi-millennial-scale anti-phase relationship between the East Asian winter monsoon and summer monsoon, emphasizing the importance of integrating both systems in future monsoon reconstructions.

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-porphyrin (TPP) nanohybrids (RGO-TPP 1 and RGO-TPP 2 ) were prepared by two synthetic routes that involve functionalization of the RGO using diazonium salts. The microscopic structures, morphology, photophysical properties and nonlinear optical performance of the resultant RGO-TPP nanohybrids were investigated. The covalent bonding of the porphyrin-functionalized-RGO nanohybrid materials was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Attachment of the porphyrin units to the surface of the RGO by diazotization significantly improves the solubility and ease of processing of these RGO-based nanohybrid materials. Ultraviolet/visible absorption and steady-state fluorescence studies indicate considerable π-π interactions and effective photo-induced electron and/or energy transfer between the porphyrin moieties and the extended π-system of RGO. The nonlinear optical properties of RGO-TPP 1 and RGO-TPP 2 were investigated by open-aperture Z-scan measurements at 532 nm with both 4 ns and 21 ps laser pulses, the results showing that the chemical nanohybrids exhibit improved nonlinear optical properties compared to those of the benchmark material C 60 , and the constituent RGO or porphyrins.