Background: Alterations in the microbiota-gut-brain axis are associated with the onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have reported that the gut microbiota (GM) is significantly altered in individuals with ASD and animal models of ASD. However, few studies have focused on sex-specific differences in the GM and fecal metabolites of ASD. Methods: In this study, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics in parallel on fecal samples from a valproic acid (VPA)-induced rat model of autism (VPA rats). Based on these data, we analyzed differentially abundant metabolites in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database to reveal the possible mechanism of ASD. Data derived from male and female rats were analyzed separately. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between characteristic genera and characteristic fecal metabolites in VPA rats of both sexes. Results: The results showed that VPA rats of both sexes presented remarkable alterations in the GM and fecal metabolites. Sex-specific differences were noticeably detected. We identified 51 annotated differentially abundant fecal metabolites and 1 differentially enriched KEGG pathway between the male VPA and male control groups. Ruminococcus_2, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Desulfovibrio, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Intestinimonas, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group, [Eubacterium]_brachy_group and [Bacteroides]_pectinophilus_group were the characteristic genera of male VPA rats. Between the female VPA and female control groups, 124 annotated differentially abundant fecal metabolites were identified without differentially enriched KEGG pathways. Ruminiclostridium, Acetatifactor, Desulfovibrio, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group and Candidatus_Saccharimonas were the characteristic genera of female VPA rats. Correlation analysis revealed a tight relationship between the GM and fecal metabolites in VPA rats of both sexes. Conclusions: In conclusion, alterations in the GM and fecal metabolites in VPA rats showed sex-specific differences. The therapy for ASD might be different between sexes in the future.

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on postoperative rehabilitation of brain tumors and effects on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were explored. A retrospective analysis of 132 patients with brain tumors treated in the People's Hospital of Rizhao from October 2014 to October 2017 was performed. There were 62 patients in the observation group and 70 patients in the control group. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional drugs, and patients in the observation group were treated with HBO on the basis of conventional drug therapy. Levels of serum TNF-α and IL-6 were measured by ELISA before and after treatment. Cerebral arterial flow velocity and spasticity were measured by cranial color Doppler ultrasonography. Neurological function deficit (NFD) and activities of daily living (ADL) were used to evaluate the clinical recovery of the patients. Clinical efficacy was compared and analyzed. There were no significant differences between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly lower than pretreatment levels (P<0.05), and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Cerebral arterial flow velocity in observation group after treatment was significantly lower than that in the control group. The number of patients with cerebral arterial spasm after treatment in the observation group was significantly smaller than that in the control group. NFD scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment. After treatment, ADL scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The comprehensive treatment effect of HBO is significant. It can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors in serum and reduce cerebral arterial flow velocity and effectively reduce the number of patients with cerebral arterial spasm. It can reduce NFD and improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical popularization.

Context Childhood obesity continues to be a critical public health concern with far-reaching implications for well-being. Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between metabolites in plasma and feces and indicators including body mass index (BMI), BMI for age Z score (BMIZ), and body fat distribution among children aged 6 to 9 years in China. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 424 healthy children, including 186 girls and 238 boys. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine the body fat content and regional fat distribution. Plasma and fecal metabolites were analyzed using targeted metabolomic technologies. Results A total of 200 plasma metabolites and 212 fecal metabolites were accurately quantified via ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. By using orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis and random forest model, we discovered that 9 plasma metabolites and 11 fecal metabolites were associated with different weight statuses. After adjusting for potential covariates and false discovery rate correction, multiple linear regression analyses revealed that plasma metabolites (fumaric acid, glycine, l-glutamine, methylmalonic acid, and succinic acid) and fecal metabolites (protocatechuic acid) were negatively associated (β −1.373 to −.016, p_FDR < 0.001-0.031; β −1.008 to −.071, p_FDR 0.005-0.033), while plasma metabolites (isovaleric acid, isovalerylcarnitine, l-glutamic acid, and pyroglutamic acid) and fecal metabolites (3-aminoisobutanoic acid, butyric acid, N-acetylneuraminic acid, octanoylcarnitine, oleoylcarnitine, palmitoylcarnitine, stearoylcarnitine, taurochenodesoxycholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid) exhibited positive associations with BMI, BMIZ, and body fat distribution (β .023-2.396, p_FDR < 0.001; β .014-1.736, p_FDR < 0.001-0.049). Conclusion Plasma and fecal metabolites such as glutamine may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the development of obesity.

Introduction Despite the increase in the survival rate of high-risk infants (HRIs) worldwide, the prevalence of motor and neurodevelopmental sequelae in such newborns has not shown concomitant improvement. Meanwhile, there are few cohorts that explore factors related to the development of HRIs in China. Therefore, the Guangzhou High-Risk Infant Cohort (GHRIC) has been designed to examine the complex relationships among a myriad of factors influencing growth and development in such children. Methods and analysis The GHRIC study is a prospective cohort study that by the year 2023 will enrol an estimated total of 3000 HRIs from Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center (GWCMC) in Guangzhou, China. This study is designed to assess the growth and cognitive characteristics of HRIs and the risk factors affecting their development and prognoses. Data on risk factors, neurodevelopmental and cognitive-function evaluations, laboratory results, and specimens will be collected and analysed. Information on perinatal and clinical interventions for these infants will also be recorded during regular follow-up visits until age 6. Ethics and dissemination The protocol for this study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of GWCMC, which accepted responsibility for supervising all of the aspects of the study (No. 2017102712). Study outcomes will be disseminated through conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, the Internet and social media. Trial registration number ChiCTR-EOC-17013236