bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foliar H 2 O 2 concertation-based stress modelling in plants: Implications for riparian vegetation management
Authors: Asaeda Takashi , Rahman Mizanur , Vamsi-Krishna Lekkala , Schoelynck Jonas , Rashid Md Harun
Published: April 2022

Riparian vegetation is frequently exposed to abiotic stress generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by strong differences in the hydrological conditions of the river. The current study examined the colonization by riparian vegetation communities across the elevation gradient of riparian zones, through quantification of environmental stress using foliar hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration selecting tree species, such as Salix spp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Ailanthus altissima, Juglans mandshurica, and representative of herb species were Phragmites australis, Phragmites japonica, Miscanthus sacchariflorus. Leaf tissues and soil samples were collected for the analysis of H2O2 concentration, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and moisture content. The H2O2 concentration of tree species other than Salix spp. increased with higher soil moisture contents, while that of Salix spp. decreased with increasing soil moisture. H2O2 concentration of herb spp. always decreased with soil moisture. The comparison with the observed colonization elevation in the field indicates healthy colonies up to species-specific elevations where H2O2 concentrations stayed below 40mmol/gFW. These relationships and soil moisture distributions for gravelly and sandy channels, the H2O2 concentration relates to an elevation above the channel. Hence present study suggests that foliar H2O2 concentration can be a useful benchmark for distribution and colonization potential of riparian vegetation.
Isolation, and Characterization, of Lactic Acid Bacteria for Potential Use as Feed Additives for Ruminant Animals
Authors: Zayed Mona S. , El-Fattah Dalia A. Abd , Abbad Rateb Nabil , El-Bordeny N. E.
Published: April 2022

Probiotics refer to the living microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the health of animals through the intestinal microbial balance. The most extensively used probiotics are Lactobacillus spp. This study aims to identify and characterize the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants as a local Egyptian strain. Bacterial strains were isolated purified and characterized based on morphological and biochemical characteristics such as gram staining, catalase test, and motility test. 12 isolates were rod-shaped, gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-motile, and non-spore formers. These isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing method. Most of the strains exhibited a decrease in the growth by increasing the concentration of the bile salt, NaCl, increasing the temperature over 37 oC and moving toward neutrality and alkalinity in the media. Strain A11(Lactobacillus farraginis MD_A11) revealed the lowest decrease percentage in the microbial growth to different bile salt concentrations being 5.96, 6.61, 6.85, 7.40, 7.53, and 7.64% respectively), NaCl% concentrations being 1.403, 5.627, 6.487, 7.368, 7.397, 7.411, 7.421, 7.282, and 13.760% respectively, to raise the temperature over 37 oC being 4.19 & 3.945% and different pH levels as it revealed the lowest decrease percentage in the growth when compared to control. As well it recorded the lowest medium pH after the third day being 4.2 with tithable acidity of 0.32%.
Effects of nutritional status on peripheral immune cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: He Fang , Yang Dongliang , Zha Xiankui , Wang Ping , Xuan Liang
Published: April 2022

Background: The nutritional status affects gene expression in peripheral T lymphocytes; nevertheless, the link between nutritional status and immunity of cancer patients is unclear. The aim of the research was to evaluate the connection with nutritional parameters and the frequencies of T cells subsets on peripheral blood in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: We enrolled 170 NSCLC patients and 53 healthy volunteers who were age- and gender-matched. The frequencies of circulating CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, naïve CD4+, memory CD4+, naïve CD8+, memory CD8+, and regulatory T lymphocytes were assessed by the way of flow cytometry. Nutritional parameters including albumin, globulin, albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), total protein (TP), pre-albumin (PA), body mass index (BMI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), were also evaluated.Results: Low globulin levels and high AGR were associated with high frequencies of naïve CD8+ T lymphocytes (P = 0.039 and P = 0.018). Obese (BMI ≥ 25) Compare with the non-obese (BMI < 25) patients, the percentages of CD8+ T lymphocytes in NSCLC patients had decreased (P = 0.026). Between in other nutritional parameters and the frequency of circulating lymphocyte subsets had no significant correlation.Conclusions: Our findings show that nutritional status should influence the frequencies of peripheral T cell subsets in NSCLC patients.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Local Alfalfa Genotypes Using iPBS Molecular Markers
Authors: EREN Barış , KESKIN Bilal , DEMIREL Fatih , DEMIREL Serap , TÜRKOĞLU Aras , YILMAZ Abdurrahim , HALILOĞLU Kamil
Published: April 2022

iPBS retrotransposon markers, in other words, inter-primer binding site markers based on retrotransposon, have been useful for the determination of genetic diversity in several plants. The study was evaluated by using 10 iPBS molecular markers the level of genetic diversity and genetic structure of alfalfa genotypes. A total of 280 alleles in 50 alfalfa genotypes (48 local genotypes and 2 commercial varieties) were obtained by 267 polymorphic markers with an average of 28 per locus, ranging from 9 to 41 alleles. The rate of polymorphism of the markers ranged from 86.36–100% with an average of 93.71%. The average number of polymorphic bands per marker was detected as 26.7. The mean PIC value and Dice's similarity were calculated between 0.14 and 0.50 respectively. The Results of UPGMA analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and STRUCTURE demonstrated that the 50 alfalfa genotypes could be classified into 4 subpopulations, namely the Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. The Nei’s genetic distance ranged from 0.0121 to 0.0359. iPBS markers and alfalfa genotypes used in this study may be used in studies of alfalfa breeding and germplasm conservation.
Factors affecting accidental poisoning among children in Bangladesh– Lessons learned from a tertiary level hospital, Dhaka
Authors: Ahmed Ahsan , Siam Md. Hasanul Banna , Shojon Mohammad , Hasan Md. Mahdi , Raheem Enayetur , Hossain Mohammad Sorowar
Published: April 2022

IntroductionAccidental poisoning is a leading cause of unintentional injuries among children in developing countries. The overall aspect of this unintentional poisoning is poorly understood in Bangladesh. The objectives of this study were 1) to explore the socio-demographic factors and circumstantial context of accidental poisoning and 2) the prevalence of the type of substances causing it.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2019 and February 2020 at a tertiary level hospital of the capital city Dhaka in Bangladesh. Children under 10 years of age admitted to the hospital with accidental poisoning were enrolled in this study. Parents of hospitalized children were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. ResultsA total of 223 children were recruited in this study. Children between 2 to 5 years (60%), male (61%), and children with agile or aggressive behaviour (65.5%) were among the prevalent victims. Most cases (65%) occurred in a nuclear family setting. Most mothers (85%) of these children were non-working, and most incidents took place in parents’ homes (~82%). Nearly 70% of the poisoning incidents took place in parents' presence, and over half of these occurred in the bedroom. Kerosene was the prevalent cause (33%) of accidental poisoning while insecticide/pesticide ranked second (26.5%) followed by medicines (17%) and household chemicals (12). In one-third (31.4%) cases, poisoning chemicals were stored in soft-drinks bottles, while two-thirds (67.3%) were kept in containers other than original ones. Although over 80% of parents knew that chemicals could be harmful to the children if they were ingested, most of them did not take safety measures. ConclusionIn this present study, we found that preschool-aged children were more victims of accidental poisoning, primarily by ingesting kerosene. A majority of the incidents occurred in the bedroom while parents were present at home. Our study findings would serve as a baseline for designing future intervention studies and policies.
Altered mean apparent propagator-based microstructure and the corresponding functional connectivity of the parahippocampus and thalamus in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Qiu Yage , Li Qingshang , Wu Dongmei , Zhang Yiming , Cheng Jiahui , Cao Zhijun , Zhou Yan
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the abnormalities of brain microstructure and the corresponding functional connectivity (FC) using mean apparent propagator (MAP)-MRI diffusion model and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), and their associations with the disease condition in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Twenty-two patients with CD and twenty-two age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. Diffusion-weighted imaging and rs-fMRI data were performed for all subjects. The condition and duration of the disease were evaluated for each patient. The MAP parameters were extracted and compared between groups. Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between disease characteristics and significantly abnormal MAP parameters in CD group. The regions in which MAP parameters showed significant correlation were selected as regions of interest (ROIs) for ROI-based FC analysis. There were significant differences of MAP parameters between CD patients and HCs in many brain regions, including the parahippocampus and thalamus. Moreover, CD patients exhibited decreased FC between the ipsilateral and contralateral parahippocampal gyrus and thalamus. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that brain structural abnormalities in the parahippocampus and thalamus and aberrant functional connectivity between them may contribute to the disease condition in CD patients, which may become neural biomarkers indicating the disease activity of CD in the future.
Linkage of proteasomal impairment and autophagy activation by C9orf72 poly-GA aggregate formation
Authors: Pu Mei , Tai Yusi , Yuan Luyang , Zhang Yu , Guo Huijie , Hao Zongbing , Chen Jing , Qi Xinming , Wang Guanghui , Tao Zhouteng , Ren Jin
Published: April 2022

Background
Poly-GA, a dipeptide repeat protein unconventionally translated from GGGGCC repeat expansions in C9orf72, is abundant in C9orf72-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Although the poly-GA aggregates have been identified in C9orf72-ALS/FTD neurons, the effects on UPS and autophagy, and their exact molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.
Methods
We generated poly-GA mice,and treated poly-GA mice for 90 days by intraperitoneal injection rapamycin (4 mg/kg) every 2 days until behavioral analysis. GFAP (an astrogliosis marker), Iba1 (a microgliosis marker), GFP, p62, p-p62 (S349), p-p62 (S403) and LC3 proteins expression were quantified in brain tissues by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting. These results were validated in vitro by protein mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence.
Results
Herein, our in vivo experiments show that ploy-GA mice expressing 150 repeats but not 30 repeats GA exhibit significant aggregates in cells, behavioral deficits, and activate autophagy in the brain, in vitro results demonstrate that aggregated poly-GA induces proteasomal stress through directly binding proteasome subunit PSMD2 to recruit proteasome and impair its function, subsequently activates phosphorylation and ubiquitination of p62 to recruit autophagosome, ultimately leading to compensatory autophagy activation. While rapamycin treatment significantly improves the degenerative symptoms of mice expressing 150 repeats poly-GA, relieves neuronal injury and reduces neuroinflammation and aggregates in the brain.
Conclusion
In summary, we clarify for the first time the relationship of poly-GA between proteasome and autophagy: poly-GA aggregates recruit autophagosomes only when it forms complex with the proteasome and causes proteasomal stress. Our study provides support for further promoting the comprehension about the pathogenesis of C9orf72 and may bring a hint for the therapy.
A prognostic model based on oxidative stress related genes in patient with colon cancer
Authors: Wang Ya-jie , Xu Hao , Pan Yi-sheng
Published: April 2022

Purpose
To establish a novel oxidative stress related prognostic model for colon cancer.
Materials and Methods
First, oxidative stress related genes differentially expressed in tumor and normal tissues were identified. Then, LASSO COX analysis was used to establish the optimal prognostic profile based on the TCGA-COAD dataset, and patients were divided into two subgroups based on the expression profile of oxidative stress-related DEGs. Its reliability was verified by Kaplan-Meier curve and ROC analysis. We then verify the model in the GSE39582 test group. We performed correlation analysis, protein interaction (PPI) and copy number change (CNA) analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Finally, enrichment analysis was performed in GO, KEGG and GSEA to explore the possible mechanism.
Results
A total of 87 OS-related DEGs were identified in the TCGA cohort. Thirteen overall survival-related DEGs were used to construct the prognostic model. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited poorer OS compared to those in the low-risk group. Combined with the other clinical and pathological features, the risk score was found to be an independent prognostic factor of CC patients. The above results are verified in the external dataset GSE39582. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that the varied prognostic performance between high- and low-risk groups may be related to be related to reactive oxygen species pathway and p53 signaling pathway.
Conclusion
We successfully constructed a novel oxidative stress-related model for the prediction of prognosis in patients with CC. The 13-gene model was associated with OS and it could provide the basis for immunotherapy and predicting prognosis and help clinicians make decisions for individualized treatment.
Pediatric Celiac disease and Selective IgA Deficiency: Unexpected Sequence of Events
Authors: Andersen Maria Christine Ernst , Sander Stine Dydensborg , Madsen Gunvor , Lillevang Søren T. , Murray Joseph , Husby Steffen
Published: April 2022

Purpose Selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency and may be associated with autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease (CeD). Although IgAD is thought to precede CeD and autoimmunity, the association between the two conditions has not been clarified. Methods Routine techniques were used to measure serum IgA and TG2-IgA and for immunohistochemistry. Results We report two childhood cases of IgA deficiency that evolved after the diagnosis of CeD and the start of a gluten-free diet. Histology showed persistence of IgA in the intestinal mucosa. Conclusion Both children with CeD showed IgA deficiency that developed after the initiation of a gluten-free diet. This supports IgA deficiency as being an autoimmune process that develops gradually and occurs due to specific defects in immunoregulation.
Associations between low-dose aspirin and bone mineral density in older adults
Authors: Liu Hongzhan , Shi Qiaojing , Tang Xianzhe , tian Yun , Xiao Xungang
Published: April 2022

Background: The utilization rate of low-dose aspirin in the elderly is increasing, and osteoporosis in the elderly is getting more and more attention. Aspirin has been shown in numerous studies to affect bone metabolism. However, there is no clear link between low-dose aspirin use and bone mineral density (BMD). This study examined differences in bone mineral density between low-dose aspirin users and non-aspirin users in adults aged 50-80 years.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4987 participants aged 50–80 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March 2020. We performed multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between low-dose aspirin use and femoral neck BMD.Results: A total of 1143 adults were included in this study. Higher femoral neck BMD was observed in the low-dose aspirin use group compared with the non-aspirin use group (β=0.023, 95%CI 0.007-0.039). On subgroup analyses stratified by gender, this positive association existed in both gender after adjusting for confounders (males: β=0.020, 95%CI: -0.001-0.042; females: β=0.025, 95%CI: 0.001-0.050 P for interaction = 0.739). On subgroup analyses stratified by age, this positive association existed in three different age groups after adjusting for confounders (50-60 years: β=0.034, 95%CI: 0.004-0.065; 60-70 years: β=0.016, 95%CI: -0.011-0.043; 70-80 years: β=0.026, 95%CI: -0.003-0.055 P for interaction = 0.633).Conclusion: These findings from a human study looking into the correlation between low-dose aspirin use and femoral neck BMD suggest that taking regular low-dose aspirin may be associated with a higher femoral neck BMD. The effect of low-dose aspirin on femoral neck bone mineral density was not significant across age groups and genders.
Comparison of mini endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery and multitract percutaneous nephrolithotomy specifically for kidney staghorn stones: A single-center experience
Authors: Lee Kau-Han , Chen Zhi-Hao , Tseng Wen-Hsin , Su Chia-Cheng , Hsieh Kun-Lin , Lim Chye-Yang , Huang Steven K.
Published: April 2022

BackgroundStaghorn stones require surgical treatment to prevent serious complications such as kidney failure, infection, and septic shock. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn stones requires creation of multiple tracts for different calyces, a technique called multitract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (multitract PCNL). However, creation of multiple tracts causes greater renal parenchymal injury and blood loss. Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) was developed to overcome these limitations of multitract PCNL. One-stage ECIRS entails combined use of antegrade nephroscope and retrograde flexible ureteroscope to clear the staghorn stone. We aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes of mini ECIRS and multitract PCNL in the management of staghorn stones.MethodsThis was a retrospective single-center study of patients with staghorn stones who underwent ECIRS (n = 17) or multitract PCNL (n = 17) between January 2018 and September 2021.ResultsThere was a significant between-group difference with respect to Guy’s stone score. Stone size, stone burden[ECIRS group: 21.41 cm3; multitract PCNL group: 20.88 cm3 (P = 0.94)], and degree of hydronephrosis were comparable in the two groups. Mean operative time was not significantly different between the groups [ECIRS group: 140 min; multitract PCNL group: 183 min (P = 0.63)]. There was no significant between-group difference with respect to one-step stone-free rate or final stone-free rate. ECIRS was associated with significantly lesser postoperative pain. Hemoglobin loss, postoperative blood transfusion rate, complications, and length of hospital stay were comparable in the two groups.ConclusionBoth mini ECIRS and multitract PCNL were effective and safe for the management of renal staghorn stones with comparable operation time and stone-free rate, and complications. ECIRS was associated with less severe postoperative pain.
Predicting Lung Cancer Survivability: a Machine Learning Ensemble Method on Seer Data
Authors: Venkatesh Surrajkumar Prabhu , Raamesh Lilly
Published: April 2022

Ensemble methods are powerful techniques used in machine learning to improve the prediction accuracy of classifier learning systems. In this study, different ensemble learning methods for lung cancer survival prediction were evaluated on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) dataset. Data were preprocessed in several steps before applying classification models. The popular ensemble methods Bagging, Adaboost and three classification algorithms, K-Nearest Neighbours, Decision Tree and Neural Networks as base classifiers were evaluated for lung cancer survival prediction. The results empirically showed that ensemble methods are able to evaluate the performance of their base classifiers and they are appropriate methods for analysis of cancer survival.
Modeling and multi-objective optimization of operating parameters in semi autogenous grinding mill
Authors: soleymani moslem mohammadi , Rezaeizadeh Masood , Mirzadeh Somayeh
Published: April 2022

Mill optimization has many economic benefits. Semi autogenous grinding mills are complex multi-input and multi-output systems that are difficult to optimize. The purpose of this study is to examine the functions of the wear of lifters, power draw and product size distribution. The design variables are mill speed, ball filling, slurry concentration and slurry filling. To achieve this aim, a pilot mill was carried out. The experimental results used to create training cases for the artificial neural network and then the optimization of the design variables is conducted by multi-objective genetic algorithm. Level diagrams are then used to select the best solution from the Pareto front. Finally, the response surface methodology has been used to study the interaction between the design parameters. The results showed that the best grinding occurs at 70–80% of the critical speed and ball filling of 15–20%. Optimized grinding was observed when the slurry volume was 1-1.5 times of the ball bed voidage volume and the slurry concentration was 60–70%. Additionally, variables with the largest effect on the process are mill speed and ball filling.
Cx43 facilitates mesenchymal transition of endothelial cells induced by shear stress
Authors: Zhou En , Zhou Jing , Bi Changlong , Zhang Zongqi
Published: April 2022

Objectives
This study aimed to determine the function of Cx43 in the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) process of endothelial cells (ECs) and to explore the potential signaling pathways underlying these functions.
Methods
Endothelial cells (ECs) were extracted from rat aorta. ECs was transfected with Cx43 cDNA, Cx43 siRNA and then exposed to 5 or 12 dyne/cm2. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of SM22α in ECs, Cx43 and acetylated-α tubulin in ECs. Western Blotting was used to detected the protein expression of α-SMA, CD31, Cx43, H1-caponin, Ift88 and p-smad3 in ECs.
Results
The expression of αSMA, SM22α and Cx43 was significantly increased and CD31 was markedly decreased in ECs treated with laminar shear stress at 5 dyn/cm2. The Cx43 cDNA transfection could induce the expression of SM22α or H1-caponin, and attenuate CD31 expression in the ECs. Also, Cx43 overexpression harms cilia formation in ECs exposed to 5dyn/cm2, accompanied with the regulated Ift88 and smad signaling.
Conclusions
This study found that laminar shear stress at 5 dyn/cm2 would increase the expression of Cx43, and interfere with primary cilia formation by inhibiting the expression of Ift88 in ECs.
ALKBH5-induced circRNA NRIP1 promotes glycolysis in thyroid cancer cells by targeting the miR-541-5p/PKM2 and miR-3064-5p/PKM2 axes
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Sun Wei , Lv Chengzhou , Huang Jiapeng , Zhang Hao
Published: April 2022

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important regulatory roles in various cancers. During tumor progression, circRNAs are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and invasion. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in thyroid cancer have not been fully elucidated. This article aims to study the role of circRNA regulated by m6A modification in PTC, and to clarify the effect and mechanism of this circRNA on the biological behavior of PTC.Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to investigate the expressions of circNRIP1 in PTC tissues and in the adjacent non-cancerous thyroid tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the effects of circNRIP1 on PTC glycolysis and growth. The m6A modification mechanisms of circNRIP1 were evaluated by MeRIP-qPCR, luciferase reporter gene and RNA stability analyses.Results: CircNRIP1 levels in PTC tissues were significantly upregulated. In PTC patients, elevated circNRIP1 levels correlated with high tumor lymph node metastasis (TNM) stage and larger tumor sizes. Functionally, circNRIP1 significantly promoted glycolysis as well as PTC cell proliferation in vitro, and enhanced tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, circNRIP1 acted as a sponge for miR-541-5p and miR-3064-5p and jointly upregulated PKM2 expressions. Knockdown of the m6A demethylase (ALKBH5) significantly enhanced circNRIP1 m6A modification and upregulated its expressions.Conclusion: ALKBH5 knockdown upregulates circNRIP1 to promote glycolysis in PTC cells, therefore, circNRIP1 is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PTC by acting as a sponge for oncogenic miR-541-5p and miR-3064-5p and upregulating PKM2 expressions.
The correlation between IgM and IgG antibodies with blood profile in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Authors: Alibolandi Zahra , Ostadian Amirreza , Sayyah Saeed , Ksahani Hamed Haddad , Ehteram Hassan , Banafshe Hamid Reza , Hajijafari Mohammad , Sepehrnejad Mahdi , Kashani Narjes Riahi , Azadchehr Mohammd-Javad , Nikzad Hossein , Hosseini Elahe Seyed
Published: April 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the levels of IgM and IgG antibody response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with different disease severity.Methods: IgM and IgG antibody levels were evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total, 100 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled in this study and viral RNA was detected by using Real-time PCR technique. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed after hospital admission for COVID-19 and two months post-admission. Results: The level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody IgG was significantly higher in the severe patients than those in moderate and mild groups, 2 months after admission. Also, level of IgG was positively associated with increased WBC, NUT and LYM counts in sever than mild or moderate groups after admission to hospital.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that patients with severe illness might experience longer virus exposure times and have a stronger antibody response against viral infection. Thus, they have longer time immunity compared with other groups.
Novel evaluation of the expression patterns CD44 and MMP9 proteins in intracranial meningiomas and their relationship to the overall survival
Authors: Esattar Ahmed Abd , Essa Abd Elhakeem , soliman Radwa , Hamdan Ali
Published: April 2022

Background
Meningiomas are common primary brain neoplasms. CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein receptor that is involved in matrix-mediated cell signaling and cell-matrix adhesion. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays important role in angiogenesis and tumor invasion. The expression of CD44 protein membranous and cytoplasmic (CD44M and CD44C) has been reported in several tumors (such as lobular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, sinonasal melanoma and lymphoma) except CNS tumor.
Methods
This study addressed the expression CD44M and CD44C and MMP9 proteins in intracranial meningiomas and their relationship to overall survival. The expression patterns of CD44M&C and MMP-9 proteins were examined in 32 cases of benign meningiomas, 12 cases of atypical meningiomas, and 6 cases of anaplastic meningiomas using immunohistochemical staining methods.
Results
There was more evident of CD44M expression in atypical and anaplastic meningioma (p = < 0.001). Interestingly, Spearman correlation analyses revealed significant positive correlation between CD44M and MMP9 protein (r = 0.572, p = < 0.001) in spite of there was negative correlation between MMP9 and CD44 score (r= -0.035 p = 0.405). There was a significant association between Ki67 protein expression and the grade of meningiomas (p < 0.001) and gender (p = 0.026). There was a significant correlation between overall survival (OS) and age, gender, tumor grade and Ki67.
Conclusions
Extensive CD44M expression in high-grade meningioma may reflect a tendency toward more invasive power of meningioma cells into surrounding structures (dura, bone and brain).CD44M/MMP-9 axis presented by this study are open for future investigations.
The Core Bacterial Microbiome of Banana (Musa spp.)
Authors: Birt Henry W. G. , Pattison Anthony B. , Skarshewski Adam , Daniells Jeff , Raghavendra Anil , Dennis Paul G.
Published: April 2022

Background
Bananas (Musa spp.) are a globally significant crop and are severely afflicted by diseases for which there are no effective chemical controls. Banana microbiomes may provide novel solutions to these constraints but are difficult to manage due to their high diversity and variability between locations. Hence ‘common core’ taxa, which are a subset of the microbiome that frequent all, or most, individuals of a host species, represent logical targets for the development of microbiome management approaches.
Results
To identify the common core bacterial microbiome of banana, we first performed a pot experiment to characterise the effects of two factors that are likely to differ between farms (viz. edaphic conditions and host genotype) on bacterial diversity in bulk soil and seven plant compartments. As diversity was found to differ between plant compartments and soils, but not genotypes, we identified populations that were frequent across most plants irrespective of the soil in which they were grown. Shortlisted ‘candidates’ were then refined according to whether they were also frequent in a survey of 52 field-grown Musa spp. This led to the selection of 36 ‘common core’ bacteria, that represented 65–95% of the dominant taxa in field-grown plants and were identified as highly interconnected ‘hubs’ using networks – a characteristic shown to be indicative of microbes that influence host fitness in studies of other plants. Lastly, by comparing the sequences of our core taxa with those reported in 22 previous studies, we demonstrated that they are closely related to banana-associated bacteria observed on five other continents.
Conclusions
Our study provides a robust list of common core bacterial taxa for Musa spp. Further research may now focus on how changes in the frequencies and activities of these most persistent taxa influence host fitness. Notably, for several of our core taxa highly similar populations have already been isolated in previous studies and may be amenable to such experimentation. This contribution should help to accelerate the development of effective Musa spp. microbiome management practices.
25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with islet function homeostasis in type 2 diabetes patients with abdominal obesity
Authors: Li Qing , Zhang Wen , Han Bing , Wang Yuying , Wan Heng , Wang Ningjian , Lu Yingli
Published: April 2022

Aim
Islet α-cells input is essential for insulin secretion from β-cells. The role 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) on islet α-cells function is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between 25(OH)D and islet function homeostasis in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients.
Methods
Total 4670 T2D patients were enrolled from seven communities in Shanghai, China. Anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters, serum 25(OH)D, and islet function including C-peptide (C-p) and glucagon were measured.
Results
With increase in 25(OH)D level, FPG, HbA1c, glucagon and C-p were significantly decreased in trend in T2D patients. The population were divided into abdominal obesity and non-abdominal obesity group. 25(OH)D level was associated with HbA1c, glucagon and HOMA-β in non-abdominal obesity group after adjustment. As for abdominal obesity group, there was the significant association between 25(OH)D and HbA1c, glucagon, HOMA-IR, baseline insulin and C-p. The OLS regression and quantile regression further showed that 25(OH)D was associated with glucagon and fasting C-p levels in T2D patients with abdominal obesity. In non-abdominal obesity group, the OLS regression showed that the regression coefficients were not significant in 50th percentile for HOMA-β. The moderate analyses revealed significantly interaction effect of 25(OH)D and glucagon on C-p (P = 0.0124), as well as the effect of 25(OH)D and duration of diabetes on glucagon/C-p in abdominal obesity group. According to the range of the duration of diabetes, the conditional indirect effect of 25(OH)D on glucagon/C-p was significantly at 1 SD below the mean (P = 0.0002) and the mean of the duration of diabetes (P = 0.0007).
Conclusion
25(OH)D was negatively associated with glucagon and C-p in T2D patients with abdominal obesity. Duration of diabetes influence the effect of 25(OH)D on the ratio of glucagon/C-p, on behalf of islet function homeostasis, in T2D patients with abdominal obesity.
New tetrahydroquinoline derivatives with anticancer activity: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation
Authors: Ryczkowska Małgorzata , Maciejewska Natalia , Olszewski Mateusz , Witkowska Milena , Makowiec Sławomir
Published: April 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Europe and the United States and the second leading cause of cancer related mortality. A therapeutic strategy used for the treatment of CRC involves targeting the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we synthesized a series of novel tetrahydroquinolinones and assessed their ability to inhibit CRC growth and proliferation by evoking cellular stress through ROS. Our results revealed that (2-oxo-4-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-8-yl) N-(3-fluorophenyl)carbamate (20d) exhibited in vitro antiproliferative activity at micromolar concentrations. The compound also suppressed colony formation and the migration of HCT-116 cells, as well as deregulated the expression of several proteins involved in cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, 20d induced massive oxidative stress by disrupting the balance of cells survival resulting in autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that this tetrahydroquinolinone can be an ideal lead compound for drug discovery based on quinone derivatives.
The Mini Colon Model: a benchtop multi-bioreactor system to investigate the gut microbiome
Authors: Jin Zijie , Ng Andy , Maurice Corinne F. , Juncker David
Published: April 2022

Background:In vitro fermentation systems allow for the investigation of gut microbial communities with precise control of various physiological parameters while decoupling confounding factors from the human host. Current systems, such as the SHIME and Robogut, are large in footprint, lack multiplexing, and have low experimental throughput. Alternatives which address these shortcomings, such as the Mini Bioreactor Array system, are often reliant on expensive specialized equipment, which hinders wide replication across labs. Here, we present the Mini Colon Model (MiCoMo), a low-cost, benchtop multi-bioreactor system that simulates the human colon environment with physiologically relevant conditions. The device consists of triplicate bioreactors working independently of an anaerobic chamber and equipped with automated pH, temperature, and fluidic control.Results:We conducted 14-day experiments and found that MiCoMo was able to support a stable complex microbiota community with a Shannon Index of 3.17 ± 0.65, from individual fecal samples after only 3-5 days of inoculation. MiCoMo also retained inter-sample microbial differences by developing closely-related communities unique to each donor, while maintaining both minimal variations between replicate reactors (average Bray-Curtis similarity 0.72± 0.13) and day-to-day variations (average Bray-Curtis similarity 0.81± 0.10) after this short stabilization period. Conclusions:Together, these results establish MiCoMo as an accessible system for studying gut microbial communities with high throughput and multiplexing capabilities.
Cell cycle-related FAM64A could be activated by TGF-β signaling to promote glioma progression
Authors: Fu Minjie , Zhang Jingwen , Feng Yuan , Wang Qijun , Zhang Licheng , Fan Fengfeng , Fang Xinqi , Zhang Jinsen , Wen Wenyu , Hua Wei , Mao Ying
Published: April 2022

Background
FAM64A has been found to promote tumor cell proliferation in various tumors. However, the regulatory mechanism and clinical significance of FAM64A in gliomas still remain unclear.
Methods
FAM64A expression in gliomas with different grades was determined by TCGA database mining and immunoblotting assay. FAM64A silenced U87 cells were constructed with shRNA, and cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle and were detected by CCK8 assay, scratch assay, and flow cytometry respectively. Intercellular crosstalk analysis and transcription factor prediction were performed to query the potential regulatory mechanisms. TGF-b and its downstream transcription factors were detected in glioma samples with different grades to validate the regulatory roles of TGF-b signaling.
Results
FAM64A was highly expressed in glioblastoma and associated with a poor prognosis. FAM64A silenced U87 cell lines displayed disrupted proliferation and migration ability. More cells would be stuck in the S phase. Expression profiles at the single-cell resolution further indicated that FAM64A could play a role in a cell-cycle-dependent way to promote the proliferation of glioma cells. FAM64A expression could be induced by TGF-β signal. And colocalization of SMAD4 and FAM64A could be observed in high-grade glioma tissues.
Conclusions
FAM64A could serve as a malignant biomarker in gliomas, and it could be induced via TGF-β pathway activation., which could explain the crosstalk between glioma cells and also the microenvironment.
Three-month outcomes in cancer patients with superficial- or deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs. Results from the RIETE Registry
Authors: DEBOURDEAU Philippe , BERTOLETTI Laurent , FONT Carme , LÓPEZ-NÚÑEZ Juan José , GÓMEZ-CUERVO Covadonga , MAHÉ Isabelle , OTERO Remedios , ADARRAGA María Dolores , LÓPEZ-MIGUEL Patricia , MONREAL Manuel
Published: April 2022

Background: The clinical characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients presenting with lower-limb isolated superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) have not been consistently evaluated.Methods: We used data in the RIETE registry to compare the clinical characteristics and 90-day outcomes in patients with: 1) active cancer and lower-limb SVT; 2) active cancer and lower-limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT); 3) lower-limb SVT without cancer. The primary outcome was the composite of symptomatic subsequent SVT, DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE). Secondary outcomes were major bleeding and death.Results: From March 2015 to April 2021, there were 110 patients with cancer and SVT, 1,695 with cancer and DVT, and 1,030 with SVT but no cancer. Most patients in all subgroups (93%, 99% and 96%, respectively) received anticoagulants, those with SVT received lower daily doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (114±58, 163±44, and 106±50 IU/kg, respectively). During the first 90 days, 101 patients (3.6%) developed subsequent VTE (PE 47, DVT 41, SVT 13), 72 (2.5%) bled and 282 (9.9%) died. Subsequent 90-day events were respectively: VTE 7.3%, 4.0% and 2.4%; major bleeding 2.7%, 3.9% and 0.3%; mortality 8.2%, 16% and 0.3%. After D90 only one SVT recurrence and one death occurred in SVT cancer patients. On multivariable analysis, cancer was an independent predictor for subsequent VTE (HR=2.04; 95%CI: 1.15-3.62). Initial presentation as SVT or DVT were not associated with a different risk.Conclusion: The risk for subsequent VTE (including symptomatic SVT, DVT or PE) was similar in cancer patients with isolated SVT than in those with isolated DVT.
Clinical Features of Gastric Cancer Misdiagnosed as Polymyositis: Case-report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bie Liu , Bao Yi , Chen Na , Cui Jingwen , Liu Guangjian , Wu Huihui
Published: April 2022

Gastric cancer with muscle weakness and pain as the first manifestation is rare. This paper reports the clinical features of a case of gastric cancer misdiagnosed as polymyositis, and to differentiate from similar diseases. Treatment remedies: Admission examination showed fever, muscle strength decline, muscle tenderness, muscle enzyme significantly increased. Polymyositis was first diagnosed, but the patient had significant decrease in whole blood cells. Combined with the examination results, it was found that the disease involved respiratory system, circulatory system, blood system, nervous system, urinary system and other systems, and symptomatic and supportive treatment was given. Post treatment evaluating: The symptoms of patients with progressive aggravation, not in line with the clinical outcome of polymyositis after treatment. After the general consultation of the whole hospital, bone marrow puncture and abdominal CT examination were completed, and the final diagnosis was extensive metastasis of gastric cancer.Conclusions: The early symptoms of gastric cancer are atypical, leading to misdiagnosis. This paper reports the clinical features of this case and differentiates it from similar diseases, so as to accumulate clinical data for the diagnosis of the disease and call for early gastric cancer screening.
Microbial and photodegradation of aflatoxin B1 in two contrasting soils
Authors: Albert Julius , Muñoz Katherine
Published: April 2022

In a 28-days experiment, we investigated the dissipation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0.5-500 μg kg−1) by microbial (MD) and photodegradation (PD) in two contrasting soils (sandy loam and clay). Sterile incubation in darkness served as control (C). AFB1 was degraded in all scenarios according to simple first-order kinetics with 50% dissipation times of 20 - 32 (PD), 19 - 48 (MD), and 56 - 65 days (C), respectively. Dissipation rates were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the clay soil, likely due to photoquenching and strong binding of AFB1 by clay minerals and humic substances. In the sandy loam, dissipation rate of MD decreased in function of initial AFB1 concentration, probably due to toxic effects on degrading microbes. In contrast, in the clay soil the dissipation rate increased with increasing concentration up to 250 μg kg−1, followed by a sharp decrease at 500 μg kg−1, indicating an effect of soil texture on the bioavailability of AFB1 to soil microbes. AFB2a was identified as a transformation product in all scenarios. These results confirm the function of soil for AFB1 degradation, which is modulated by abiotic and biotic processes, soil characteristics and initial AFB1 concentration.
Nebulized Exosomes Derived from Allogenic Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Pilot Study
Authors: Zhu Yinggang , Shi Meng-meng , Monsel Antoine , Dai Cheng-xiang , Dong Xuan , Shen Hong , Li Su-ke , Chang Jing , Xu Cui-li , Li Ping , Wang Jing , Shen Mei-ping , Ren Cheng-jie , Chen De-chang , Qu Jie-ming
Published: April 2022

BackgroundExisting clinical studies supported the potential efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells as well as derived exosomes in the treatment of COVID-19. We aimed to explore the safety and efficiency of aerosol inhalation of the exosomes derived from human adipose-derived MSCs (haMSC-Exos) in patients with COVID-19.MethodsThe MEXCOVID trial is a phase 2a single-arm, open-labelled, interventional trial and patients were enrolled in Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, China. Eligible 7 patients were assigned to receive the daily dose of haMSCs-Exos (2.0×108 nano vesicles) for consecutively 5 days. The primary outcomes included the incidence of prespecified inhalation-associated events and serious adverse events. We also observed the demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory results including lymphocyte count, levels of D-dimer and IL-6 as well as chest imaging.ResultsSeven severe COVID-19 related pneumonia patients (4 males and 3 females) were enrolled and received nebulized haMSC-Exos. The median age was 57 year (IQR, 43 year to 70 year). The median time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission and administration of nebulized haMSC-Exos was 30 days (IQR, 15 days to 40 days) and 54 d (IQR, 34 d to 69 d), respectively. All COVID-19 patients tolerated the haMSC-Exos nebulization well, with no evidence of prespecified adverse events or clinical instability during the nebulization or during the immediate post-nebulization period. All patients presented a slight increase of serum lymphocyte counts (median as 1.61×109/L vs. 1.78×109/L). Different degrees of resolution of pulmonary lesions after aerosol inhalation of haMSC-Exos were observed among all patients, more obviously in 4 of 7 patients.ConclusionsOur trial shows that a consecutive 5 days inhalation dose of clinical grade haMSC-Exos up to a total amount of 2.0×109 nano vesicles was feasible and well tolerated in seven COVID-19 patients, with no evidence of prespecified adverse events, immediate clinical instability, or dose-relevant toxicity at any of the doses tested. This safety profile is seemingly followed by CT imaging improvement within 7 days. Further trials will have to confirm the long-term safety or efficacy in larger population.Trial RegistrationMEXCOVID, NCT04276987
Opposite changes in the expression of clathrin and caveolin-1 in normal and cancerous human prostate tissue: putative clathrin-mediated recycling of EGFR
Authors: Xie Boyu , Zuhair Hawra , Henrique Rui , Millar Michael , Robson Timothy , Thrasivoulou Christopher , Dickens Kerry , Pendjiky Jane , Muneer Asif , Patel Hiten , Ahmed Aamir
Published: April 2022

Endocytosis, an important macromolecule uptake process in cells, is known to be dysregulated in cancer. Clathrin and caveolin-1 proteins play a major role in receptor-mediated endocytosis. We have used a quantitative, unbiased and semi-automated method to measure in situ protein expression of clathrin and caveolin-1 in normal and cancerous human prostate tissue. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in the expression of clathrin in prostate cancer samples (N = 29, n = 91) compared to normal tissue (N = 29, n = 67). Conversely, there was a significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in expression of caveolin-1 in prostate cancer tissue compared to normal prostate tissue. The opposite change in expression of the two proteins was highly correlated to increasing cancer aggressiveness. There was also a concurrent increase in the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a key receptor in carcinogenesis, with clathrin in prostate cancer tissue, indicating recycling of EGFR through clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). These results indicate that in prostate cancer, caveolin-1-mediated endocytosis (CavME) may be acting as a brake and increase in CME may facilitate tumorigenicity and aggressiveness of prostate cancer through recycling of EGFR. Changes in the expression of these proteins can also potentially be used as a biomarker for prostate cancer to aid in diagnosis and prognosis and clinical decision-making.