Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is widely studied as a medicinal and edible fungus. Recent studies have shown that H. erinaceus has protective effects for diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, which are related to gut microbiota. To investigate the benefits of H. erinaceus intake on gut microbiota and blood indices in adulthood, we recruited 13 healthy adults to consume H. erinaceus powder as a dietary supplement. Blood changes due to H. erinaceus consumption were determined by routine hematological examination and characterized by serum biochemical markers. Microbiota composition was profiled by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results showed that daily H. erinaceus supplementation increased the alpha diversity within the gut microbiota community, upregulated the relative abundance of some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria (Kineothrix alysoides, Gemmiger formicilis, Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), and downregulated some pathobionts (Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacteroides caccae, Romboutsia timonensis). Changes within the gut microbiota were correlated with blood chemical indices including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CREA). Thus, we found that the gut microbiota alterations may be part of physiological adaptations to a seven-day H. erinaceus supplementation, potentially influencing beneficial health effects.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio fairfieldensis is an opportunistic pathogen that widely exists in the human intestine and can cause severe infectious diseases. However, the mechanisms contributing to its pathogenesis remain of great interest. In this study, we aim to investigate the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) secreted by D. fairfieldensis and their pathogenic effect. The OMVs separated by ultracentrifugation were spherical and displayed a characteristic bilayer lipid structure observed by transmission electron microscopy, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 75 nm measurement using the particle size analyzer. We identified 1496 and 916 proteins from D. fairfieldensis and its OMVs using label-free non-target quantitative proteomics, respectively. The 560 co-expressed proteins could participate in bacterial life activities by function prediction. The translocation protein TolB, which participates in OMVs biogenesis and transporting toxins was highly expressed in OMVs. The OMVs inhibited the expression of tight junction proteins OCCLUDIN and ZO-1 in human colonic epithelial cells (Caco-2). The OMVs decreased the cell viability of monocyte macrophages (THP-1-Mφ) and activated various inflammatory factors secretion, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and many interleukins. Further, we found the OMVs induced the expression of cleaved-gasdermin D, caspase-1, and c-IL-1β and caused pyroptosis in THP-1-Mφ cells. Taken together, these data reveal that the D. fairfieldensis OMVs can damage the intestinal epithelial barrier and activate intrinsic inflammation.

Objective Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent among women, with a substantial effect on health-related quality of life. This article aimed to investigate the independent factors for urinary incontinence (UI) and the relative importance of each factor. Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey of Chinese women in Guangzhou. Female 20 years and older were invited to participate. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form was used to determine whether respondents are experiencing UI. Univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the significant risk factors associated with UI. Results A total of 2626 women were invited to participate in the survey. The response rate was 80.5% (2114/2626). The prevalence of UI among the study population was 31.2%. Old age, increased body mass index, childbirth, family history of any female pelvic floor disorders, symptoms of chronic cough or rhinitis, wearing a corset, and often drinking were independent risk factors for UI. Conclusions Urinary incontinence is common among Chinese women in Guangzhou. Among the factors that we are concerned with, old age and vaginal delivery are the two with greatest impact. Moreover, wearing a corset and drinking are the 2 lifestyle factors associated with UI.

BackgroundEmerging data suggest a significant association between migraine and endometriosis, however the relationship between migraine and endometriosis severity or adenomyosis is unclear. Our objectives were to explore the relationship between migraine and endometriosis, according to the endometriosis severity and co-exist with adenomyosis or not.MethodsThis case-control study of 167 endometriosis patients verified by surgery and 190 patients for other benign gynecological conditions (control subjects) was performed from September 2017 and January 2021. There is 49 adenomyosis detected by transvaginal ultrasound or histologic diagnosis among the endometriosis patients. Besides, we also included 41 adenomyosis but without endometriosis patients as a subgroup. All women completed a self-administered headache questionnaire and diagnosed as migraine according to the International Headache Society classification. The severity and stage of endometriosis was evaluated with revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) score. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between the presence of migraine and endometriosis severity while accounting for important confounders, including age, body mass index (BMI) and family history of migraine. We also estimate the risk of adenomyosis alone and adenomyosis with co-occurring endometriosis in migrainous women.ResultsMigraine was significantly more prevalent in endometriosis patients compared with controls (29.9% vs. 12.1%, p<0.05), but the prevalence was similar between isolated adenomyosis patients and controls (9.8% vs.12.1%, p>0.05). For all endometriosis and control participants, migraineurs were 4.6-times (OR=4.6; 95% CI 2.7-8.1) more likely to have severe endometriosis. However, the strength of the association decreased when the analysis examined in moderate stage (OR=3.6, 95% CI 2.1-6.2). The risk of mild and minimal endometriosis was not significant (OR=1.9, 95%CI 0.9-4.0; OR=1.6, 95% CI 0.8-3.4; respectively). When we divided the endometriosis patients according to whether co-occurring with adenomyosis. We found in migrainous women, the risk of endometriosis co-exist with adenomyosis increased, with nearly fivefold greater odds compared with control (OR=5.4;95% CI 3.0-9.5), and nearly two times higher than the risk of endometriosis without co-exist adenomyosis patients (OR=2.2; 95% CI 1.2-3.8).ConclusionOur study supports the strong association between migraine and endometriosis. We found migrainous women suffer more frequently from sever endometriosis, especially endometriosis with co-occurring adenomyosis. It is advisable to heighten suspicion for patients who presenting with either these conditions in order to optimize therapy.