The abundance and diversity of bacteria in two types of ponds were investigated by quantitative PCR and Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The results revealed that the abundance of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in D ponds (with grass carp fed sudan grass) was significantly lower than that in E ponds (with grass carp fed commercial feed). The microbial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria in both E and D ponds, while the abundance of some genera was significantly different between the two types of ponds. Specifically, some potential pathogens such as Acinetobacter and Aeromonas were found to be significantly decreased, while some probiotics such as Comamonadaceae unclassified and Bacillales unclassified were significantly increased in D ponds. In addition, water quality of D ponds was better than that of E ponds. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and nutrients had significant influence on bacterial communities. The differences in bacterial community compositions between the two types of ponds could be partially explained by the different water conditions.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated within exosomes can serve as essential regulators of intercellular communication and represent promising biomarkers of several aging-associated disorders. However, the relationship between exosomal miRNAs and osteoarthritis (OA)-related chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts (SFCs) remain to be clarified. Herein, we profiled synovial fluid-derived exosomal miRNAs and explored the effects of exosomal miRNAs derived from SFCs on chondrocyte inflammation, proliferation, and survival, and further assessed their impact on cartilage degeneration in a surgically-induced rat OA model. We identified 19 miRNAs within synovial fluid-derived exosomes that were differentially expressed when comparing OA and control patients. We then employed a microarray-based approach to confirm that exosomal miRNA-126-3p expression was significantly reduced in OA patient-derived synovial fluid exosomes. At a functional level, miRNA-126-3p mimic treatment was sufficient to promote rat chondrocyte migration and proliferation while also suppressing apoptosis and IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. SFC-miRNA-126-3p-Exos were able to suppress apoptotic cell death and associated inflammation in chondrocytes. Our in vivo results revealed that rat SFC-derived exosomal miRNA-126-3p was sufficient to suppress the formation of osteophytes, prevent cartilage degeneration, and exert anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects on articular cartilage. Overall, our findings indicate that SFC exosome‐delivered miRNA-126-3p can constrain chondrocyte inflammation and cartilage degeneration. As such, SFC-miRNA-126-3p-Exos may be of therapeutic value for the treatment of patients suffering from OA.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common cancer occurring in males and females worldwide. Accumulating evidence continues to highlight the crucial roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the process of tumorigenesis. However, the regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs in ESCC remains unclear. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of lncRNA Krüppel-like factor 3 antisense RNA 1 (KLF3-AS1) in ESCC by regulating miR-185-5p and KLF3. Initially, ESCC cell spheres with stem cell-like properties were prepared by suspension culture, and subsequently characterized by assessing colony formation ability and stem cell markers. LncRNA KLF3-AS1 was found to be poorly expressed in ESCC and could upregulate the expression of KLF3 by binding to miR-185-5p. lncRNA KLF3-AS1 upregulation was observed to inhibit miR-185-5p, thereby contributing to decreased expression of SOX2 and Oct4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4). Furthermore, enhancement of lncRNA KLF3-AS1 resulted in reduced colony formation ability, cell invasion and migration, and tumor volume in vivo while promoting cell apoptosis in ESCC through downregulation of miR-185-5p. Collectively, this study indicated that lncRNA KLF3-AS1 inhibited ESCC cell invasion and migration by impairing miR-185-5p-mediated inhibition of KLF3, highlighting a promising novel potential target for ESCC treatment.

It has been suggested that gut microbiota play a critical role in maternal metabolic oxidative stress responses and offspring growth. However, whether the gut microbiota and oxidative stress status of the sows affect the litter performance during lactation is unclear. A total of 66 Yorkshire sows were identified as high (H) or low (L) litter performance sows based on litter weight at day 21 of lactation. Ten sows per group with similar parity, backfat thickness, and litter weight after cross-foster from the H or L group were collected randomly to analyze the oxidative stress and gut microbiota during lactation. The result showed that the serum total antioxidant capacity was higher in the H group, while 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were lower in the H group at farrowing. Four distinct clusters of bacteria were related to litter performance and reproductive periods of sows. Twelve differentially abundant taxa during gestation and 13 taxa during lactation were identified as potential biomarkers between the H group and the L group. Moreover, the litter performance and the antioxidant capacity of sows were positively correlated with Bacteroides_f__Bacteroidaceae but negatively with Phascolarctobacterium and Streptococcus. In conclusion, this study found that gut microbiota and oxidative stress were significantly correlated with the litter performance of sows during lactation.

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