anthonyyazdaniml/gliner-biomed-curated-corpus huggingface dataset:
Research on microbial pathogens has traditionally relied on animal and cell culture models to mimic infection processes in the host. Over recent years, developments in microfluidics and bioengineering have led to organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies. These microfluidic systems create conditions that are more physiologically relevant and can be considered humanized in vitro models. Here we review various OoC models and how they have been applied for infectious disease research. We outline the properties that make them valuable tools in microbiology, such as dynamic microenvironments, vascularization, near-physiological tissue constitutions and partial integration of functional immune cells, as well as their limitations. Finally, we discuss the prospects for OoCs and their potential role in future infectious disease research.
BACKGROUND: Airway remodelling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a significant process during the occurrence of airway remodelling. Increasing evidence suggests that glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) is involved in the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of various diseases. However, the role of GLUT3 in EMT in the airway epithelial cells of COPD patients remains unclear.
METHODS: We detected the levels of GLUT3 in the peripheral lung tissue of COPD patients and cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed mice. Two Gene Expression Omnibus GEO datasets were utilised to analyse GLUT3 gene expression profiles in COPD. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect GLUT3 expression. In addition, we used the AAV9-GLUT3 inhibitor to reduce GLUT3 expression in the mice model. Masson's staining and lung function measurement were used detect the collagen deposition and penh in the mice. A cell study was performed to confirm the regulatory effect of GLUT3. Inhibition of GLUT3 expression with siRNA, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, p65, and ZEB1.
RESULTS: Based on the GEO data set analysis, GLUT3 expression in COPD patients was higher than in non-smokers. Moreover, GLUT3 was highly expressed in COPD patients, CS exposed mice, and BEAS-2B cells treated with CS extract (CSE). Further research revealed that down-regulation of GLUT3 significantly alleviated airway remodelling in vivo and in vitro. Lung function measurement showed that GLUT3 reduction reduced airway resistance in experimental COPD mice. Mechanistically, our study showed that reduction of GLUT3 inhibited CSE-induced EMT by down-regulating the NF-κB/ZEB1 pathway.
CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that CS enhances the expression of GLUT3 in COPD and further confirm that GLUT3 may regulate airway remodelling in COPD through the NF-κB/ZEB1 pathway; these findings have potential value in the diagnosis and treatment of COPD. The down-regulation of GLUT3 significantly alleviated airway remodelling and reduced airway resistance in vivo. Our observations uncover a key role of GLUT3 in modulating airway remodelling and shed light on the development of GLUT3-targeted therapeutics for COPD.
The invention provides a black hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of carrying a medicine and being repeatedly pasted and a preparation method thereof. The black hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of carrying the medicine and being repeatedly pasted comprises the following components: 60-100 parts of naphthenic oil, 7-15 parts of black master batch, 15-25 parts of rosin pentaerythritol ester, 130-170 parts of C5 petroleum resin, 115-130 parts of SIS, 10100.02-0.08 part of antioxidant, 10760.02-0.06 part of antioxidant and 20-30 parts of viscosity regulator. The black hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive for repeatedly sticking the medicine carrying agent is obtained by optimizing a formula, and the components contain a viscosity regulator, wherein the viscosity regulator is obtained by modifying microcrystalline paraffin and chlorinated paraffin through hydrogen peroxide and then reacting with a polymerization system of methyl methacrylate. The viscosity regulator has the function of regulating the viscosity of the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the prepared hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive has excellent comprehensive performance. The hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive is safe and non-irritant, can be repeatedly pasted for a plurality of times when used for carrying medicine, and has certain waterproof and sweat-resistant effects. Has wide application prospect in the field of medicine carrying.
Human papillomavirus like structures produced in a non-fermentative system based on insect larva. Sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause most cervical cancers. The inability to propagate HPV in vitro has led to the development of alternative approaches to antigen production for vaccine development. In the present invention we describe a low-cost efficient production of HPV pentamers or virus-like particles (VLPs) inanon-fermentative system based on baculovirus and Tήchoplusia ni (T. ni) insects as living biofactories. Th e L1 protein from HPV 16 was expressed by a recombinant baculovirus in larva at levels that reached 18 to 21 mg per g of fresh insect biomass. It represents about 2.5 times the L1 production yields obtained per g of insect cells using the same recombinant baculovirus. Under electron microscopy, purified VLPs produced in larvae were indistinguishable from those produced in Sf-21 insect cell cultures, presenting identical shape and size. Immunization of mice with the insect-derived VLPs induced a potent immune response similar to that obtained with insect cells-derived VLPs.
Standard group is the standard of care in post operative CABG surgery patients. This group used elastic bandage for 24 hours or overnight after surgery.
NUSG is a visualization method suitable for evaluating the subunits of the nail. The main purpose of this study is to identify NUSG properties in patients with PsA and healthy controls. The investigators recruited patients with PsA according to the CASPAR criteria and sex- and age-matched healthy controls into the study. NUSG parameters were examined by grayscale and power Doppler techniques for all of the fingernails and first toenails (12 nails); and five scorings including nail plate impairment score (NPIs), nail plate thickness score (NPTs), nail bed thickness score (NBTs), nail thickness score (NTs), and the Doppler activity score (DAs) were calculated. The investigators compared the PsA and control groups in terms of the NUSG scorings and also documented the discriminative performances (with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) of the scorings. Then, the feasibility and reliability analysis of the NUSG scorings were performed. Finally, the association between the NUSG scores and participant characteristics, including sex, age, body weight, height, labor market participation, smoking, hemoglobin, disease duration, history of dactylitis, current enthesitis, radiographic sacroiliitis, C reactive protein, minimal disease activity, Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis, Nail Psoriasis Severity Index, and Psoriasis Area Severity Index were explored.
Participants will attend eight, 2-hour group treatment MBCT sessions delivered using free video-conferencing technology. Groups will consist of 6-8 people who also have MS and chronic pain. Participants will be asked to practice skills learned in session between sessions. MBCT integrates mindfulness meditation practices within a CBT-oriented framework to address not only unhelpful pain cognitions and behaviors but also attentional control, decoupling of attention from emotion, mindful cognitions, and meditative behavior.
PURPOSE: Wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging combined with transplantation is a novel option that combined amniotic membrane plugging with amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment of small corneal perforations. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging in the treatment of small corneal perforations and compared it with that of the penetrating keratoplasty procedure.
METHODS: Forty patients (41 eyes) with small corneal perforations <3 mm in diameter treated at our hospital between July 2018 and January 2021 were retrospectively included. Among them, 21 eyes were treated with wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging (wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging group), and 20 eyes were treated with penetrating keratoplasty procedure (penetrating keratoplasty procedure group). The best-corrected visual acuity, anterior chamber formation, corneal thickness, primary disease control, postoperative complications, and graft survival rate were assessed.
RESULTS: No significant difference in baseline characteristics was found between the wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging and penetrating keratoplasty procedure groups (p>0.05). The postoperative control rates of primary diseases in the wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging and penetrating keratoplasty procedure groups were 95.2% and 90.0%, respectively (p=0.481). Visual acuity was improved 6 months after the operation in the wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging group and was improved at postoperative 1 month in the penetrating keratoplasty procedure group. The formation time of the anterior chamber in the wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging group was significantly shorter than that in the penetrating keratoplasty procedure group (p=0.023). The corneal thickness of the two groups significantly increased 12 months after the operation; however, the degree of thickening in the penetrating keratoplasty procedure group was higher than that in the wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging group (p<0.001). During the follow-up, postoperative complications were not different between the two groups (p>0.999).
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that wet bio-amniotic membrane plugging is effective and safe in the treatment of small corneal perforations. Thus, it can be used as an emergency treatment alternative to penetrating keratoplasty procedure for small corneal perforations.
The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with the use of methylene blue class products. Most reports have been associated with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Opioids and dextromethorphan may increase the risk of developing serotonin syndrome. Some of the reported cases were fatal. Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include the following combination of signs and symptoms: mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, and hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, and incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Avoid concomitant use of methylene blue with serotonergic drugs and opioids.

Patients treated with methylene blue should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue use of methylene blue, and initiate supportive treatment. Inform patients of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome and advise them to not to take serotonergic drugs within 72 hours after the last dose of methylene blue injection [see Drug Interactions (7), Patient Counseling Information (17)].
The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to provide the comprehensive understanding of the intricate correlation that existed between immune senescence and its effects on the advancement of lung cancer as well as recovery of cutaneous wounds. By conducting this systematic review of six rigorous studies utilizing databases such as PubMed and Web of Science, this research examined the multitude of facets pertaining to immune aging and consequences it bear on the health outcomes. The incorporated studies encompassed wide range of geographical and methodological viewpoints, with the specific emphasis on non-small-cell lung cancer and diverse scenarios related to wound recovery. This analysis synthesized discoveries regarding therapeutic responses, cellular and molecular mechanisms and impact of lifestyle factors on immune senescence. The findings suggested that immune senescence has substantial impact on the effectiveness of treatments for lung cancer and cutaneous wounds healing process; therefore, targeted therapies and holistic approaches may be able to mitigate these effects. By following the revised PRISMA guidelines, this meta-analysis guarantee thorough and ethically sound methodology for amalgamating pre-existing literature. The study concluded by emphasizing the critical nature of comprehending immune senescence in the context of clinical practice and proposed avenues for further investigation to enhance health results among the elderly.
Renal transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the challenge of transplant rejection and the complications associated with immunosuppressants necessitates a deeper understanding of the underlying immune mechanisms. T cell exhaustion, a state characterized by impaired effector functions and sustained expression of inhibitory receptors, plays a dual role in renal transplantation. While moderate T cell exhaustion can aid in graft acceptance by regulating alloreactive T cell responses, excessive exhaustion may impair the recipient's ability to control viral infections and tumors, posing significant health risks. Moreover, drugs targeting T cell exhaustion to promote graft tolerance and using immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment in transplant recipients are areas deserving of further attention and research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the changes in T cell exhaustion levels after renal transplantation and their implications for graft survival and patient outcomes. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell exhaustion, the role of specific exhaustion markers, the potential impact of immunosuppressive therapies, and the pharmaceutical intervention on T cell exhaustion levels. Additionally, we demonstrate the potential to modulate T cell exhaustion favorably, enhancing graft survival. Future research should focus on the distinctions of T cell exhaustion across different immune states and subsets, as well as the interactions between exhausted T cells and other immune cells. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing transplant outcomes and ensuring long-term graft survival while maintaining immune competence.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to environmental metals has been increasingly associated with systemic inflammation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, including those with neurodegenerative aspects. However, the complexity of exposure and response relationships, particularly for mixtures of metals, has not been fully elucidated.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the individual and combined effects of lead, cadmium, and mercury exposure on systemic inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018.
METHODS: We employed Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to analyze the NHANES 2017-2018 data, allowing for the evaluation of non-linear exposure-response functions and interactions between metals. Posterior Inclusion Probabilities (PIP) were calculated to determine the significance of each metal's contribution to CRP levels.
RESULTS: The PIP results highlighted mercury's significant contribution to CRP levels (PIP = 1.000), followed by cadmium (PIP = 0.6456) and lead (PIP = 0.3528). Group PIP values confirmed the importance of considering the metals as a collective group in relation to CRP levels. Our BKMR analysis revealed non-linear relationships between metal exposures and CRP levels. Univariate analysis showed a flat relationship between lead and CRP, with cadmium having a positive relationship. Mercury exhibited a U-shaped association, indicating both low and high exposures as potential risk factors for increased inflammation. Bivariate analysis confirmed this relationship when contaminants were combined with lead and cadmium. Analysis of single-variable effects suggested that cadmium and lead are associated with higher values of the h function, a flexible function that takes multiple metals and combines them in a way that captures the complex and potentially nonlinear relationship between the metals and CRP. The overall exposure effect of all metals on CRP revealed that exposures below the 50th percentile exposure level are associated with an increase in CRP levels, while exposures above the 60th percentile are linked to a decrease in CRP levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that exposure to environmental metals, particularly mercury, is associated with systemic inflammation. These results highlight the need for public health strategies that address the cumulative effects of metal exposure and reinforce the importance of using advanced statistical methods to understand the health impact of environmental contaminants. Future research should focus on the mechanistic pathways of metal-induced inflammation and longitudinal studies to ascertain the long-term effects of these exposures.
BACKGROUND: KIF18A is a regulator of the cell cycle that stimulates the proliferation of cancer cells. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in different issues' carcinogenesis and is being examined as a therapeutic target. The relationship between KIF18A and β-catenin in breast cancer was not previously investigated. Therefore, this work aims to study the immunohistochemical expression and correlation of KIF18A and β-catenin in breast-infiltrating duct carcinoma (IDC) and their relation to prognosis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Slides cut from paraffin blocks of 135 IDC and 40 normal breast tissues were stained by KIF18A and β-catenin antibodies. KIF18A cytoplasmic or nucleocytoplasmic staining and β-catenin aberrant expression either nucleo-cytoplasmic or cytoplasmic staining were considered.
RESULTS: Normal breast tissue and IDC showed a significant difference regarding KIF18A and aberrant β-catenin expression. High KIF18A and β-catenin H score values were associated with poor prognostic factors such as high grade, advanced stage, distant metastasis, high Ki67 status, and Her2neu-enriched subtype. There was a significant direct correlation between KIF18A and β-catenin as regards percent and H score values. Prolonged overall survival (OS) was significantly associated with mild intensity and low H score of KIF18A, and low β-catenin H score.
CONCLUSIONS: KIF18A could be involved in breast carcinogenesis by activating β-catenin. Overexpression of KIF18A and aberrant expression of β-catenin are considered proto-oncogenes of breast cancer development. KIF18A and β-catenin could be poor prognostic markers and predictors of aggressive behavior of breast cancer.
WARNING

Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Haloperidol is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis (see WARNINGS).
All patients were admitted to our hospital at least 3 days before surgery. Patients in the intervention group (PPT group) received the prone position training daily in the hospital, three times a day, and about 1 hours every times, for at least 3 days before surgery. On the day of admission to the hospital, the patients in the PPT group were instructed to perform prone position training by nurses who were previously trained by prone position training.
The effect of Crocus sativus on several disorders has been discussed or even confirmed, but the efficacy of this herb on the female reproductive system has not been well presented. In this regard, this systematic review comprehensively discussed the efficacy of C. sativus and its main phytochemical compounds on the female reproductive system and its disorders for the first time. In this systematic review, scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Scientific Information Database, were explored profoundly. In vivo, in vitro, and human studies published until the end of July 2023, which had investigated the pharmacological properties of C. sativus, crocin, crocetin, safranal, or picrocrocin on the female reproductive system, were selected. A total of 50 studies conducted on the effect of C. sativus on the female reproductive system were acquired. These studies confirmed the efficacy of C. sativus or its main phytochemical ingredients in several aspects of the female reproductive system, including regulation of sex hormones, folliculogenesis, ovulation, and protection of the ovary and uterus against several oxidative stress. Several retrieved studies indicated that this herb also can alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, polycystic ovary disease (PCOD), and sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, it is a promising candidate for future studies or even trials regarding ovarian and cervical cancers. This review concluded that C. sativus can improve the symptoms of several female reproductive system disorders, which is particularly due to the presence of phytochemical ingredients, such as crocin, crocetin, and safranal.
PURPOSE:To prepare a bivalent and a trivalent iron salts having physiological actions such as an inhibitory action on various kinds of ions, antiviral action, carcinostatic action, immunizing action, etc., by adding a trivalent iron salt to a large amount of an aqueous solution of a strong acid. CONSTITUTION:For example, a trivalent iron salt such as FeCl3, etc. is added to a large amount of aqueous solution of strong alkali, dissolved in it by stirring, and allowed to stand. The formed insoluble substances are filtered off, the filtrate is neutralized with an acid, concentrated under reduced pressure, dried and crystallized. An aqueous solution of alcohol is added to the crystal, the soluble component is collected, concentrated under reduced pressure to remove the solvent, and dried. These operations of extraction-concentration-drying are repeated several times, to prepare high-purity bivalent and trivalent iron salts. The bivalent and trivalent salts are inorganic or organic acid salts of iron showing properties between those of bivalent and trivalent iron salts.