Hypercholesteremia or high cholesterol is one of the important factors leading to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. The application of probiotics with cholesterol-lowering characteristics has become increasingly popular over the past decade due to their contribution to human health. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic effects of Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 and Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 on hyperlipidemic golden hamsters. A hyperlipidemic model was established through a high cholesterol diet in golden hamsters, after which lyophilized Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 and Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 were orally administered individually for 8 weeks. The physiological characteristics of golden hamsters and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) in the colon were assessed by automatic Biochemical Analyzer and gas choromatograph, respectively. A MiSeq sequencing-based analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 region) in the cecum content was performed to analyze the cecum microbiota. Correlations between sets of these variables were also investigated using the R package “corrplot.” Results showed that neither Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 nor Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 inhibited body weight increase. However, supplementation with Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 for 8 weeks increased colon SCFA levels (P < 0.05), decreased serum low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels, and also induced changes in the cecum microbiota of hyperlipidemic golden hamsters. Remarkably, oral administration of Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides in the cecum, which served as a biomarker for colon SCFA production and improvement of serum cholesterol levels. In a word, Lactobacillus fermentum ZJUIDS06 improved hyperlipidemia in golden hamsters, which correlated with an increase in SCFA levels and relative abundance of Parabacteroides, indicating its potential importance in functional foods that can help lower cholesterol.

There is growing evidence that high-mass star formation and hub-filament systems (HFS) are intricately linked. The gas kinematics along the filaments and the forming high-mass star(s) in the central hub are in excellent agreement with the new generation of global hierarchical high-mass star formation models. In this paper, we present an observational investigation of a typical HFS cloud, G310.142+0.758 (G310 hereafter), which reveals unambiguous evidence of mass inflow from the cloud scale via the filaments onto the forming protostar(s) at the hub conforming with the model predictions. Continuum and molecular line data from the ATOMS and MALT90 surveys that cover different spatial scales are used. Three filaments (with a total mass of 5.7 ± 1.1 × 103 M ⊙) are identified converging toward the central hub region where several signposts of high-mass star formation have been observed. The hub region contains a massive clump (1280 ± 260 M ⊙) harboring a central massive core. Additionally, five outflow lobes are associated with the central massive core implying a forming cluster. The observed large-scale, smooth, and coherent velocity gradients from the cloud down to the core scale, and the signatures of infall motion seen in the central massive clump and core, clearly unveil a nearly continuous, multi-scale mass accretion/transfer process at a similar mass infall rate of ∼10−3 M ⊙ yr−1 over all scales, feeding the central forming high-mass protostar(s) in the G310 HFS cloud.

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Objective: Through the method of network analysis, the acupuncture prescriptions recorded in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold (EPWATG) were investigated, and the laws of acupuncture point use were discussed.<br/> Methods: Literatures, including acupuncture prescriptions in EPWATG, were collected and screened, according to the method of differentiating prescriptions based on the diseased part. Microsoft Excel 2010 was used to establish a database of prescriptions for head and neck diseases, chest and flank diseases, abdomen diseases, lumbosacral diseases and limbs diseases, and a network of acupoint compatibilities was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Using the network analysis method, the commonly used acupoint compatibilities and core acupoints of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for various parts of diseases and syndromes in EPWATG were excavated.<br/> Results: The commonly used acupoint compatibilities in EPWATG prescriptions for the treatment of head and neck diseases are Tianzhu and Taodao, Hanyan and Houding, and Baihui and Xinshu, and the core acupoints are Tianzhu, Benshen, Kunlun, Zhongzhu, Zutonggu, Fengchi and Shangguan. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of chest and flank diseases are Ququan and Xiangu, Rangu and Taixi, and Yanggu and carpal bone, and the core acupoints are Zhangmen, Feishu, Tanzhong, Yunmen, Jimen and Zhongfu. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of abdominal diseases are Gongsun and Taibai, Shuigou and Dazhui, and Dazhui and Shixuan, and the core acupoints are Tanzhong, zhangmen, Pishu, Ganshu, Laogong and Taixi. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of lumbosacral diseases are Xialiao and Shangliao, Danshu and Geshu, and Dazhu and Shentao, and the core acupoints are Dachangshu, Weizhong, Weiyang, Chengfu and Eight-liao. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of four limbs diseases are Dubi and Shanglian, Dubi and Xialian, and Shanglian and Xialian, and the core acupoints are Xuanzhong, Zusanli, Fuliu, Sanyinjiao, Shanglian, Xialian and Shugu.<br/> Conclusion: The selection of acupuncture points in EPWATG follows the law of acupoint selection based on the meridians and diseased parts. This also focuses on the selection of acupoints of the bladder meridian of foot Taiyang and specific acupoints. This provides a scientific basis for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.