bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of robot-assisted laparoscopy and ureteroscopy for the management of complex ureteral strictures
Authors: Yang Wenjin , Tang Weinan , Zheng Xi , Zhang Mengjie , Lu Xinyi , Chen Zeqing , Ji Changwei , Guo Hongqian
Published: October 2023

Background

To summarize the efficacy of combined robot-assisted laparoscopy and ureteroscopy in treating complex ureteral strictures.

Methods

Eleven patients underwent combined robot-assisted laparoscopy and ureteroscopy for ureteral strictures between January 2020 and August 2022. Preoperative B-ultrasound, glomerular filtration rate measurement, and intravenous pyelography showed different degrees of hydronephrosis in the affected kidney and moderate to severe stenosis in the corresponding part of the ureter. During the operation, stricture segment resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed using the da Vinci robot to find the stricture point under the guidance of a ureteroscopic light source in the lateral or supine lithotomy position.

Results

All the patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopy and ureteroscopy combined with end-to-end ureterostenosis. There were no conversions to open surgery or intraoperative complications. Significant ureteral stricture segments were found in all patients intraoperatively; however, stricture length was not significantly different from the imaging findings. Patients were followed up for 3–27 months. Two months postoperatively, the double-J stent was removed, a ureteroscopy was performed, the ureteral mucosa at the end-to-end anastomosis grew well, and the lumen was patent in all patients. Furthermore, imaging examination showed that hydronephrosis was significantly improved in all patients, with grade I hydronephrosis in three cases and grade 0 hydronephrosis in eight cases. No recurrence of ureteral stricture was observed in patients followed up for > 1 year.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted laparoscopy combined with ureteroscopy is an effective method for treating complex ureteral strictures and can achieve accurate localization of the structured segment.
Construction and effect evaluation of prediction model for red blood cell transfusion requirement in cesarean section based on artificial intelligence
Authors: Chen Hang , Cao Bowei , Yang Jiangcun , Ren He , Xia Xingqiu , Zhang Xiaowen , Yan Wei , Liang Xiaodan , Li Chen
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study intends to build an artificial intelligence model for obstetric cesarean section surgery to evaluate the intraoperative blood transfusion volume before operation, and compare the model prediction results with the actual results to evaluate the accuracy of the artificial intelligence prediction model for intraoperative red blood cell transfusion in obstetrics. The advantages and disadvantages of intraoperative blood demand and identification of high-risk groups for blood transfusion provide data support and improvement suggestions for the realization of accurate blood management of obstetric cesarean section patients during the perioperative period.

Methods

Using a machine learning algorithm, an intraoperative blood transfusion prediction model was trained. The differences between the predicted results and the actual results were compared by means of blood transfusion or not, blood transfusion volume, and blood transfusion volume targeting postoperative hemoglobin (Hb).

Results

Area under curve of the model is 0.89. The accuracy of the model for blood transfusion was 96.85%. The statistical standard for the accuracy of the model blood transfusion volume is the calculation of 1U absolute error, the accuracy rate is 86.56%, and the accuracy rate of the blood transfusion population is 45.00%. In the simulation prediction results, 93.67% of the predicted and actual cases in no blood transfusion surgery; 63.45% of the same predicted blood transfusion in blood transfusion surgery, and only 20.00% of the blood transfusion volume is the same.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study used machine learning algorithm to process, analyze and predict the results of a large sample of cesarean section clinical data, and found that the important predictors of blood transfusion during cesarean section included preoperative RBC, surgical method, the site of surgery, coagulation-related indicators, and other factors. At the same time, it was found that the overall accuracy of the AI model was higher than actual blood using. Although the prediction of blood transfusion volume was not well matched with the actual blood using, the model provided a perspective of preoperative identification of high blood transfusion risks. The results can provide good auxiliary decision support for preoperative evaluation of obstetric cesarean section, and then promote the realization of accurate perioperative blood management for obstetric cesarean section patients.
The potential DNA methylation markers of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: He Yunbiao , Chen Xia , Liu Mingliang , Zuo Lei , Zhai Zhiyu , Zhou Long , Li Guangzhen , Chen Li , Qi Guolong , Jing Chunxia , Hao Guang
Published: October 2023

Background

DNA methylation is associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, the role of gene methylation in the development of CV disease is under-studied. We aimed to identify the CV disease-related DNA methylation loci in patients with T2D and to explore the potential pathways underlying the development of CV disease using a two-stage design.

Methods

The participants were from the Jinan Diabetes Cohort Study (JNDCS), an ongoing longitudinal study designed to evaluate the development of CV risk in patients with T2D. In the discovery cohort, 10 diabetic patients with CV events at baseline were randomly selected as the case group, and another 10 diabetic patients without CV events were matched for sex, age, smoking status, and body mass index as the control group. In 1438 T2D patients without CV disease at baseline, 210 patients with CV events were identified after a mean 6.5-year follow-up. Of whom, 100 patients who experienced CV events during the follow-up were randomly selected as cases, and 100 patients who did not have CV events were randomly selected as the control group in the validation cohort. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing and Targeted Bisulfite Sequencing were used to measure the methylation profiles in the discovery and validation cohort, respectively.

Results

In the discover cohort, 127 DMRs related to CV disease were identified in T2D patients. Further, we validated 23 DMRs mapped to 25 genes, of them, 4 genes (ARSG, PNPLA6, NEFL, and CRYGEP) for the first time were reported. There was evidence that the addition of DNA methylation data improved the prediction performance of CV disease in T2D patients. Pathway analysis identified some significant signaling pathways involved in CV comorbidities, T2D, and inflammation.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified 23 DMRs mapped to 25 genes associated with CV disease in T2D patients, of them, 4 DMRs for the first time were reported. DNA methylation testing may help identify a high CV-risk population in T2D patients.
Effects of µ-Conotoxin GIIIB on the cellular activity of mouse skeletal musculoblast: combined transcriptome and proteome analysis
Authors: Wu Han-xi , He Pei-min , Jia Rui
Published: October 2023

µ-Conotoxin GIIIB (µ-CTX GIIIB) is a polypeptide containing three disulfide bridges, produced by the sea snail Conus geographus. This study was aimed to explored the cytotoxic effects of µ-CTX GIIIB on mouse skeletal musculoblast (Sol8). Sol8 cells were exposed to ouabain and veratridine to establish the cell injury model, and then treated with µ-CTX GIIIB. CCK-8 was adopted to evaluate the cytotoxicity of µ-CTX GIIIB. Then, proteomics and transcriptome were conducted, and the explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) affected by µ-CTX GIIIB were found. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was used to investigate the affected signaling pathways. µ-CTX GIIIB increased the cell survival rate of injured Sol8 cells. We found and identified 1,663 DEGs and 444 DEPs influenced by µ-CTX GIIIB. 106 pairs of correlated DEGs and DEPs were selected by combining transcriptome and proteome data. The results of KEGG and GO analysis showed that µ-CTX GIIB affected the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage and repair, lipid metabolism and other biological processes of Sol8 cells. µ-CTX GIIIB could affected cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, and activation of tumor factors, with potential carcinogenic effects. Our results provide an important basis for the study of in vitro toxicity, the mechanism of toxicity and injury prevention by µ-CTX GIIIB.
Myeloid PTP1B deficiency protects against atherosclerosis by improving cholesterol homeostasis through an AMPK-dependent mechanism
Authors: Oliver Helk , Ruta Dekeryte , Thompson Dawn , Kamli-Salino Sarah , Philip Sam , Wilson Heather M. , Mody Nimesh , Delibegovic Mirela
Published: October 2023

Objective

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process induced by the influx and entrapment of excess lipoproteins into the intima media of arteries. Previously, our lab demonstrated that systemic PTP1B inhibition protects against atherosclerosis in preclinical LDLR−/− models. Similarly, it was shown that myeloid-specific PTP1B ablation decreases plaque formation and ameliorates dyslipidaemia in the ApoE−/− model of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the relevant improvements in dyslipidaemia following modification of PTP1B activation may either result from changes in hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis and/or increased uptake and degradation by liver-resident macrophages. We examined this in animal models and patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods

In this study, we determined the cholesterol-lowering effect of myeloid-PTP1B deletion in mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet and examined effects on total cholesterol levels and lipoprotein profiles. We also determined the effects of PTP1B inhibition to oxLDL-C challenge on foam cell formation and cholesterol efflux in human monocytes/macrophages.

Results

We present evidence that myeloid-PTP1B deficiency significantly increases the affinity of Kupffer cells for ApoB containing lipoproteins, in an IL10-dependent manner. We also demonstrate that PTP1B inhibitor, MSI-1436, treatment decreased foam cell formation in Thp1-derived macrophages and increased macrophage cholesterol efflux to HDL in an AMPK-dependent manner. We present evidence of three novel and distinct mechanisms regulated by PTP1B: an increase in cholesterol efflux from foam cells, decreased uptake of lipoproteins into intra-lesion macrophages in vitro and a decrease of circulating LDL-C and VLDL-C in vivo.

Conclusions

Overall, these results suggest that myeloid-PTP1B inhibition has atheroprotective effects through improved cholesterol handling in atherosclerotic lesions, as well as increased reverse cholesterol transport.

Trial registration Research registry, researchregistry 3235. Registered 07 November 2017, https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/registrationdetails/5a01d0fce7e1904e93e0aac5/.
Astrocyte interferon-gamma signaling dampens inflammation during chronic central nervous system autoimmunity via PD-L1
Authors: Smith Brandon C. , Tinkey Rachel A. , Brock Orion D. , Mariam Arshiya , Habean Maria L. , Dutta Ranjan , Williams Jessica L.
Published: October 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Infiltrating inflammatory immune cells perpetuate demyelination and axonal damage in the CNS and significantly contribute to pathology and clinical deficits. While the cytokine interferon (IFN)γ is classically described as deleterious in acute CNS autoimmunity, we and others have shown astrocytic IFNγ signaling also has a neuroprotective role. Here, we performed RNA sequencing and ingenuity pathway analysis on IFNγ-treated astrocytes and found that PD-L1 was prominently expressed. Interestingly, PD-1/PD-L1 antagonism reduced apoptosis in leukocytes exposed to IFNγ-treated astrocytes in vitro. To further elucidate the role of astrocytic IFNγ signaling on the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in vivo, we induced the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS in Aldh1l1-CreERT2, Ifngr1fl/fl mice. Mice with conditional astrocytic deletion of IFNγ receptor exhibited a reduction in PD-L1 expression which corresponded to increased infiltrating leukocytes, particularly from the myeloid lineage, and exacerbated clinical disease. PD-1 agonism reduced EAE severity and CNS-infiltrating leukocytes. Importantly, PD-1 is expressed by myeloid cells surrounding MS lesions. These data support that IFNγ signaling in astrocytes diminishes inflammation during chronic autoimmunity via upregulation of PD-L1, suggesting potential therapeutic benefit for MS patients.
In vitro investigation of the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on mouse choroid plexus membrane transporters Ncbe and NKCC1
Authors: Johnsen Laura Øllegaard , Friis Kathrine Abildskov , Damkier Helle Hasager
Published: October 2023

Intraventricular hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening condition. Approximately 20% of patients develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus with increased ventricular volume and intracranial pressure. Hydrocephalus develops partially due to increased secretion of cerebrospinal fluid by the choroid plexus. During hemorrhage a multitude of factors are released into the cerebrospinal fluid. Many of these have been implicated in the hypersecretion. In this study, we have investigated the isolated effect of inflammatory components, on the abundance of two membrane transporters involved in cerebrospinal fluid secretion by the choroid plexus: the Na+-dependent Cl−/HCO3− exchanger, Ncbe, and the Na+, K+, 2Cl− cotransporter, NKCC1. We have established a primary choroid plexus epithelial cell culture from 1 to 7 days old mouse pups. Seven days after seeding, the cells formed a monolayer. The cells were treated with either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), or interleukin 6 (IL-6) to mimic inflammation. The data show that treatment with TNFα, and IL-1β only transiently increased NKCC1 abundance whereas the effect on Ncbe abundance was a transient decrease. IL-6 however significantly increased NKCC1 (242%), the phosphorylated NKCC1 (147%), as well as pSPAK (406%) abundance, but had no effect on Ncbe. This study suggests that the inflammatory pathway involved in hypersecretion primarily is mediated by activation of basolateral receptors in the choroid plexus, mainly facilitated by IL-6. This study highlights the complexity of the pathophysiological circumstances occurring during intraventricular hemorrhage.
The clinical significance of some serum tumor markers among chronic patients with Helicobacter pylori infections in Ibb Governorate, Yemen
Authors: Saeed Marwan K. , Al-Ofairi B. A. , Hassan Mohammed A. , Al-Jahrani M. A. , Abdulkareem Ahmed M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a carcinogenic bacterium, it is the greatest risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), according to these evidences, there may be a certain association between chronic H. pylori infections and serum levels of tumor markers. This study was conducted to determine serum levels of some tumor markers, namely carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) in patients with chronic H. pylori infections and evaluate the association between serum tumor marker levels and chronic patients with H. pylori infections in Ibb Governorate, Yemen.

Subjects and methods

This study involved 200 patients who had been diagnosed with H. pylori infections using a serum immunochromatography antibody test. Stool and blood samples were collected from all patients to confirm the presence of H. pylori through detection of serum H. pylori IgG antibody and stool antigen test (SAT). Additionally, serum samples were analyzed to measurement the level of certain tumor markers CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4. These tests were conducted at various Hospitals, Gastroenterology and Hepatology clinics in Ibb governorate, Yemen from October 2019 to November 2020.

Results

The findings of current study showed that the prevalence of H. pylori infections by rapid anti H. pylori test were 200 (100%), 157 (78.5%) by serum H. pylori IgG antibody and 108 (54%) by SAT. In addition, the results showed that 42 (21%) of the patients had abnormal level of CEA, 30 (15%) had abnormal level of CA19-9 and 31 (15.5%) had abnormal level of CA72-4. Most importantly, the results indicated that the serum tumor marker levels CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 were correlated with the levels of serum H. pylori IgG antibody as well as positive results from the SAT (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results indicated that serum tumor marker levels were associated with different infection status. Finally, the results indicated that the serum levels of tumor markers were associated with older ages, symptomatic patients and long duration of H. pylori infections (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated that there is a significant association between chronic H. pylori infections and the serum levels of tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4). This suggests that the patients with active chronic H. pylori infection may have an increased risk of developing GC. Therefore, monitoring and early detection of H. pylori infection and tumor markers levels in these patients may be crucial for identifying individuals at higher risk and implementing appropriate interventions.
Robust, scalable, and informative clustering for diverse biological networks
Authors: Gaiteri Chris , Connell David R. , Sultan Faraz A. , Iatrou Artemis , Ng Bernard , Szymanski Boleslaw K. , Zhang Ada , Tasaki Shinya
Published: October 2023

Clustering molecular data into informative groups is a primary step in extracting robust conclusions from big data. However, due to foundational issues in how they are defined and detected, such clusters are not always reliable, leading to unstable conclusions. We compare popular clustering algorithms across thousands of synthetic and real biological datasets, including a new consensus clustering algorithm—SpeakEasy2: Champagne. These tests identify trends in performance, show no single method is universally optimal, and allow us to examine factors behind variation in performance. Multiple metrics indicate SpeakEasy2 generally provides robust, scalable, and informative clusters for a range of applications.
Global analysis of suppressor mutations that rescue human genetic defects
Authors: Ünlü Betül , Pons Carles , Ho Uyen Linh , Batté Amandine , Aloy Patrick , van Leeuwen Jolanda
Published: October 2023

Background

Genetic suppression occurs when the deleterious effects of a primary “query” mutation, such as a disease-causing mutation, are rescued by a suppressor mutation elsewhere in the genome.

Methods

To capture existing knowledge on suppression relationships between human genes, we examined 2,400 published papers for potential interactions identified through either genetic modification of cultured human cells or through association studies in patients.

Results

The resulting network encompassed 476 unique suppression interactions covering a wide spectrum of diseases and biological functions. The interactions frequently linked genes that operate in the same biological process. Suppressors were strongly enriched for genes with a role in stress response or signaling, suggesting that deleterious mutations can often be buffered by modulating signaling cascades or immune responses. Suppressor mutations tended to be deleterious when they occurred in absence of the query mutation, in apparent contrast with their protective role in the presence of the query. We formulated and quantified mechanisms of genetic suppression that could explain 71% of interactions and provided mechanistic insight into disease pathology. Finally, we used these observations to predict suppressor genes in the human genome.

Conclusions

The global suppression network allowed us to define principles of genetic suppression that were conserved across diseases, model systems, and species. The emerging frequency of suppression interactions among human genes and range of underlying mechanisms, together with the prevalence of suppression in model organisms, suggest that compensatory mutations may exist for most genetic diseases.
Increasing design flexibility by manually adapting the solution space for crashworthiness
Authors: Ascia Paolo , Lange Volker A. , Duddeck Fabian
Published: October 2023

The solution space methodology, as presented in 2013, was meant to guide developers at the very beginning of the development process of a new mechanically crashworthy car. Several attempts were already made to use this methodology at later development stages. However, they all encountered problems related to its very strict and demanding corridors, thus constricting the design parameters. To allow more flexibility, two different approaches were proposed to relax the initial strict conditions. The first introduced temporal dependencies to widen the corridors. The second locally changed the corridors to adapt to the needs of the development, introducing dependencies between components. We, on the contrary, propose a new method to increase flexibility without introducing any kind of dependencies. We manage this by computing the intervals of solution space under user-defined conditions, hence selecting a custom set of independent corridors that fits the data gathered during development; i.e.: force-deformation curves that can be measured during a drop-tower test simulation. This new methodology of the adaptive solution space allows designers to edit the corridors, in order to have more flexibility for fulfilling high-level requirements when independently designing new components.
Myocardial glucose suppression may interfere with the detection of inflammatory cells with FDG-PET as suggested in a canine model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Wilk Benjamin , Smailovic Haris , Sullivan Rebecca , Sistermans Erik R. , Butler John , Jago Hannah , Kovacs Michael , Wisenberg Gerald , Thiessen Jonathan D. , Prato Frank S.
Published: October 2023

Background

After myocardial infarction, fibrosis and an ongoing dysregulated inflammatory response have been shown to lead to adverse cardiac remodeling. FDG PET is an imaging modality sensitive to inflammation as long as suppression protocols are observed while gadolinium enhanced MRI can be used to determine extracellular volume (ECV), a measure of fibrosis. In patients, glucose suppression is achieved variously through a high fat diet, fasting and injection of heparin. To emulate this process in canines, a heparin injection and lipid infusion are used, leading to similar fatty acids in the blood. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of glucose suppression on the uptake of FDG in the infarcted myocardial tissue and also on the determination of ECV in both the infarcted tissue and in the myocardium remote to the zone of infarction during a long constant infusion of FDG and Gd-DTPA.

Results

Extracellular volume was affected neither by suppression nor the length of the constant infusion in remote and infarcted tissue. Metabolic rate of glucose in infarcted tissue decreased during and after suppression of glucose uptake by lipid infusion and heparin injection. An increase in fibrosis and inflammatory cells was found in the center of the infarct as compared to remote tissue.

Conclusion

The decrease in the metabolic rate of glucose in the infarcted tissue suggests that inflammatory cells may be affected by glucose suppression through heparin injection and lipid infusion.
Regulation of appetite-related neuropeptides by herbal medicines: research using microarray and network pharmacology
Authors: Lee Ji Hwan , Jang Dongyeop , Lee Myong Jin , Shin Myoung-Sook , Kim Chang-Eop , Park Jun Yeon , Kang Ki Sung
Published: October 2023

Anorexia means loss of appetite and is a state whereby a desire to eat is either reduced or eliminated resulting in reducing or stopping food intake. Sipjeondaebo-tang (SDT) and Hyangsayukgunja-tang (HYT) are prescriptions known to have appetite-improving effects, but studies on their mechanisms and active components are insufficient. The hypothalamus is the center of appetite control, and various appetite control mechanisms are known. We used mouse hypothalamic neuronal GT1-7 cells as appetite control center cells and analyzed the difference in efficacy between SDT and HYT using microarray and network pharmacology. Microarray analysis showed that SDT and HYT affect the regulation of genes related to appetite control in the digestive tract and central nervous system. Using network pharmacology, we analyzed the differential expression of neuropeptide Y receptors, glucagon, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors 1, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 among the 17 anorexia-related genes selected from the comparative toxicogenomics database and also analyzed the active components that affect gene expression. In conclusion, the appetite-related genes contributed to anorexia control, and the difference in the action mechanism of the two complex prescriptions could be explained.
High mobility group box-1: a potential therapeutic target for allergic rhinitis
Authors: Wu Shuhua , Yu Yangyang , Zheng Zhong , Cheng Qi
Published: October 2023

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa primarily characterized by symptoms, such as nasal itching, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It has a high recurrence rate and low cure rate, with a lack of effective drugs for treatment. The current approach to management focuses on symptom control. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a highly conserved non-histone protein widely present in the nucleus of eukaryotes. It is recognized as a proinflammatory agent, and recent studies have demonstrated its close association with AR. Here, we will elaborate the role and mechanism of HMGB1 in AR, so as to reveal the potential value of HMGB1 in the occurrence and development of AR, and provide a new target for clinical research on the treatment of AR.
Variations in ecosystem service value in response to land use changes in Dhaka and Gazipur Districts of Bangladesh
Authors: Sorker Raihan , Khan Mohammad Wahidur , Kabir Alamgir , Nawar Nowshin
Published: October 2023

Urban sprawl is a global phenomenon that has resulted in a substantial impact on ecosystem services. This study assessed how land use changes have affected the ecosystem services in Dhaka and Gazipur districts, two important economic centers of Bangladesh. This study analyzed changes in land use categories and their effects on ecosystem services during a thirty-year period, from 1990 to 2020, using LandSat data and published coefficient values. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was undertaken to evaluate the ramifications of altering these coefficients on the resultant estimated values. The study revealed that in both Dhaka and Gazipur districts, the expansion of settlement areas and the reduction in tree vegetation cover have led to a significant decline in the overall value of ecosystem services. Over a 30-year timeframe, Gazipur experienced a more substantial loss in tree vegetation cover compared to Dhaka, whereas Dhaka witnessed a greater increase in settlement areas than Gazipur. Remarkably, during the most recent decade (2010–2020), the Gazipur district encountered heightened urban expansion and a more significant reduction in tree vegetation compared to Dhaka. The loss of the entire ecosystem service value was significant, amounting to USD 206.24 million for Dhaka and USD 381.27 million for Gazipur. This loss was primarily attributed to the decline in agricultural land, water bodies, rivers, and a reduction in tree vegetation. The study recommends that a more responsible land-use plan be created to protect tree vegetation, sustainable agriculture, and water bodies, which have the highest ecosystem service value in the study area. Overall, this study highlights the need for sustainable land-use techniques and offers insightful information about how urbanization affects ecosystem services in the investigated areas.
New insight into circRNAs: characterization, strategies, and biomedical applications
Authors: Feng Xin-Yi , Zhu Shun-Xin , Pu Ke-Jia , Huang Heng-Jing , Chen Yue-Qin , Wang Wen-Tao
Published: October 2023

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of covalently closed, endogenous ncRNAs. Most circRNAs are derived from exonic or intronic sequences by precursor RNA back-splicing. Advanced high-throughput RNA sequencing and experimental technologies have enabled the extensive identification and characterization of circRNAs, such as novel types of biogenesis, tissue-specific and cell-specific expression patterns, epigenetic regulation, translation potential, localization and metabolism. Increasing evidence has revealed that circRNAs participate in diverse cellular processes, and their dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, particularly cancer. In this review, we systematically discuss the characterization of circRNAs, databases, challenges for circRNA discovery, new insight into strategies used in circRNA studies and biomedical applications. Although recent studies have advanced the understanding of circRNAs, advanced knowledge and approaches for circRNA annotation, functional characterization and biomedical applications are continuously needed to provide new insights into circRNAs. The emergence of circRNA-based protein translation strategy will be a promising direction in the field of biomedicine.
Psychometric analysis of the revised CompLEC test to measure reading speed and reading comprehension in university students
Authors: Alburqueque Claudia Milagros Arispe , Rivera-Lozada Oriana , Vicente Judith Soledad Yangali , Tomás Melba Rita Vásquez , Vilca Lindsey W. , Soto Ramiro Alcides Enciso , Huari María Ysabel Alvarez
Published: October 2023

Background

At university level, reading comprehension is one of the most important linguistic competences in the professional training of students because it is an instrument that enables the acquisition and production of scientific knowledge. Likewise, at this level of education, speed reading becomes a technique that allows to make the most of the time devoted to reading and to develop the ability to concentrate. However, there are not many instruments in the scientific literature that measure these two variables; therefore, the objective of this study was: To determine the psychometric properties of the revised compLEC test to measure reading comprehension and speed in university students.

Method

The study was conducted under the quantitative approach, applied type, with non-experimental design. The type of sampling used was non-probabilistic and the sample consisted of 441 university students of both genders. The instrument prepared and applied was the Reading Speed and Reading Comprehension Test for Higher Education, which is an adaptation of the CompLEC test.

Results

In the study, all the items had values above 0.80, which shows that the items were rated positively in terms of pertinence, relevance, and clarity. It was also evidenced that the model of three related factors presents adequate fit indices (CFI = 0.91; TLI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.034 [IC90% 0.021 ‒ 0.046]; SRMR = 0.072). On the other hand, only the Recovery dimension (ordinal α = 0.62) presented acceptable reliability indices.

Conclusion

The results show that the Reading Speed and Reading Comprehension Test for Higher Education has adequate psychometric characteristics in terms of content validity and internal structure of the scale. However, further studies are required to confirm the reliability of the scale.
COVID-19 stress and coping strategies among older adults: a systematic review of qualitative evidences
Authors: Ahmadi Amir , Allahverdipour Hamid , Valiee Sina , Pashazadeh Fariba , Ghassab-Abdollahi Nafiseh , Abdoli Faranak , Matlabi Hossein
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about far more stressful conditions for people worldwide. As a vulnerable group, older adults have suffered various psychological problems, such as stress, because of this pandemic and have applied various strategies to cope with the dire consequences. This study aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence regarding coping strategies for stressful situations among older adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We searched electronic databases, including Scopus, Embase, PubMed, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library, based on PRISMA standards. The protocol of this systematic review was registered on the PROSPERO (registration code: CRD42022364831). All relevant English-language articles published between 2019 and November 10, 2022, were searched. We reviewed the reference lists for all the included studies and key references. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal independently, with disagreements resolved by consensus with all team members. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used to assess the quality of studies. A thematic synthesis of the selected studies was conducted.

Results

We included 13 studies in our review. Most studies were conducted in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was classified into six categories: health management challenges, stress caused by quarantine, economic challenges, media and bad news stress, virus threats, and challenges related to the use of communication technologies. The strategies used by older adults to cope with these challenges were categorized into five categories: protective strategies, avoidance strategies, maintaining social connections, meaning-based strategies, and fun strategies. This research showed that depending on the situation and conditions, older adults use various strategies to cope with COVID-19.

Conclusion

Older adults experience much stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most cases, older adults can cope with these challenges with simple strategies from previous experiences and learnings. Older people require educational interventions in some cases, such as those involving communication skills. A better understanding of older adults coping strategies may enable policymakers to develop more effective policies and manage the problems of older adults in post-COVID situations.
Metformin alleviates adriamycin resistance of osteosarcoma by declining YY1 to inhibit MDR1 transcriptional activity
Authors: Wu Bowen , Li Peng , Qiu Eryue , Chen Jian
Published: October 2023

Chemotherapy resistance hinders the successful treatment of osteosarcoma (OS) to some extent. Previous studies have confirmed that metformin (Met) enhances apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To establish adriamycin (ADM)-resistant MG-63 (MG-63/ADM) cells, the dosage of ADM was progressively increased. The results of qRT-PCR and Western blotting demonstrated that the expression level of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and multi-drug resistance-1 (MDR1) in MG-63/ADM cells were remarkably increased compared with those in MG-63 cells. Met dramatically enhanced ADM cytotoxicity and accelerated apoptosis of MG-63/ADM cells. Moreover, Met suppressed the expressions of YY1 and MDR1 in MG-63/ADM cells. YY1 promoted its transcriptional expression by directly binding to the MDR1 promoter. Furthermore, the effects of Met on ADM sensitivity in MG-63/ADM cells was reversed due to overexpression of YY1 or MDR1. Collectively, these findings suggested that Met inhibited YY1/MDR1 pathway to reverse ADM resistance in OS, providing a new insight into the mechanism of Met in ADM resistance of OS.
Self-management of patients with tracheostomy in the home setting: a scoping review
Authors: Weidlich Sandra , Pfeiffer Jens , Kugler Christiane
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to create a model of patient-centered outcomes with respect to self-management tasks and skills of patients with a tracheostomy in their home setting.

Methods

A scoping review using four search engines was undertaken (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library) to identify studies relevant to this issue and published since 2000. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statements for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach of conducting and reporting a scoping review, and the Participants, Concept, Context (PCC) scheme were employed. The following elements of the framework synthesis study data were screened, and presented based on the self-management model of Lorig and Holman.

Results

34 publications from 17 countries met the criteria for study inclusion: 24 quantitative, 8 qualitative and 2 mixed methods designs. Regarding the dimensions of self-management, 28 articles reported on “managing the therapeutic regimen”, 27 articles discussed “managing role and behavior changes”, and 16 articles explored “managing emotions”. A model of self-management of patients with tracheostomy was developed, which placed the patient in the center, since it is this individual who is completing the tasks and carrying out his or her skill sets.

Conclusion

This scoping review represents the first comprehensive overview and modeling of the complex self-management tasks and skills required of patients with tracheostomy in their home setting. The theoretical model can serve as a cornerstone for empirical intervention studies to better support this patient-centered outcome for this population in the future.
Connections between cross-tissue and intra-tissue biomarkers of aging biology in older adults
Authors: Waziry R. , Gu Y. , Williams O. , Hägg S.
Published: October 2023

Background

Saliva measures are generally more accessible than blood, especially in vulnerable populations. However, connections between aging biology biomarkers in different body tissues remain unknown.

Methods

The present study included individuals (N = 2406) who consented for saliva and blood draw in the Health and Retirement Telomere length study in 2008 and the Venous blood study in 2016 who had complete data for both tissues. We assessed biological aging based on telomere length in saliva and DNA methylation and physiology measures in blood. DNA methylation clocks combine information from CpGs to produce the aging measures representative of epigenetic aging in humans. We analyzed DNA methylation clocks proposed by Horvath (353 CpG sites), Hannum (71 CpG sites), Levine or PhenoAge, (513 CpG sites), GrimAge, (epigenetic surrogate markers for select plasma proteins), Horvath skin and blood (391 CpG sites), Lin (99 CpG sites), Weidner (3 CpG sites), and VidalBralo (8 CpG sites). Physiology measures (referred to as phenotypic age) included albumin, creatinine, glucose, [log] C-reactive protein, lymphocyte percent, mean cell volume, red blood cell distribution width, alkaline phosphatase, and white blood cell count. The phenotypic age algorithm is based on parametrization of Gompertz proportional hazard models. Average telomere length was assayed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) by comparing the telomere sequence copy number in each patient’s sample (T) to a single-copy gene copy number (S). The resulting T/S ratio was proportional to telomere length, mean. Within individual, relationships between aging biology measures in blood and saliva and variations according to sex were assessed.

Results

Saliva-based telomere length showed inverse associations with both physiology-based and DNA methylation-based aging biology biomarkers in blood. Longer saliva-based telomere length was associated with 1 to 4 years slower biological aging based on blood-based biomarkers with the highest magnitude being Weidner (β =  − 3.97, P = 0.005), GrimAge (β =  − 3.33, P < 0.001), and Lin (β =  − 3.45, P = 0.008) biomarkers of DNA methylation.

Conclusions

There are strong connections between aging biology biomarkers in saliva and blood in older adults. Changes in telomere length vary with changes in DNA methylation and physiology biomarkers of aging biology. We observed variations in the relationship between each body system represented by physiology biomarkers and biological aging, particularly at the DNA methylation level. These observations provide novel opportunities for integration of both blood-based and saliva-based biomarkers in clinical care of vulnerable and clinically difficult to reach populations where either or both tissues would be accessible for clinical monitoring purposes.
Prevalence of frailty in severe mental illness: findings from the UK Biobank
Authors: Warren Nicola , Leske Stuart , Arnautovska Urska , Northwood Korinne , Kisely Steve , Siskind Dan
Published: October 2023

Background

Severe mental illness (SMI) is associated with significant morbidity. Frailty combines biological ageing, comorbidity and psychosocial factors and can predict adverse health outcomes. Emerging evidence indicates that frailty is higher in individuals with SMI than in the general population, although studies have been limited by sample size.

Aims

To describe the prevalence of frailty in people with SMI in a large cohort using three different frailty measures and examine the impact of demographic and sociodemographic variables.

Method

The UK Biobank survey data, which included individuals aged 37–73 years from England, Scotland and Wales from 2006 to 2010, with linked in-patient hospital episodes, were utilised. The prevalence of frailty in individuals with and without SMI was assessed through three frailty measures: frailty index, physical frailty phenotype (PFP) and Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). Stratified analysis and dichotomous logistic regression were conducted.

Results

A frailty index could be calculated for 99.5% of the 502 412 UK Biobank participants and demonstrated greater prevalence of frailty in women and an increase with age. The prevalence of frailty for those with SMI was 3.19% (95% CI 3.0–3.4), 4.2% (95% CI 3.8–4.7) and 18% (95% CI 15–23) using the frailty index, PFP and HFRS respectively. The prevalence ratio was between 3 and 18 times higher than in those without SMI.

Conclusions

As a measure, frailty captures the known increase in morbidity associated with SMI and may potentially allow for earlier identification of those who will benefit from targeted interventions.
Clinical Trials in Palliative Care: Need for Serious Reckoning
Authors: Kahkasha
Published: October 2023

We explore five crucial insights on Clinical Trials in Palliative care. From setting impactful priorities to ethical funding, we delve into the heart of informed patient care and discover how 'Ground Shots' can drive meaningful changes and why collaborati
Διερεύνηση της επίδρασης της ενδομητρίωσης στην γονιμότητα σε ζωικό πρότυπο
Authors: Κανελλόπουλος Δημήτριος
Published: October 2023

Εισαγωγή: Η ενδομητρίωση είναι μία πάθηση της αναπαραγωγικής ηλικίας της γυναίκας, στην οποία αναπτύσσεται ενδομητρικός ιστός (στρώμα και αδένες) εκτός μήτρας. Πρόκειται για ένα σοβαρό αίτιο νοσηρότητας που επηρεάζει σε μεγάλο βαθμό την ποιότητα ζωής των γυναικών που πάσχουν από αυτήν. Η ενδομητρίωση προσβάλλει περίπου το 10-15% των γυναικών αναπαραγωγικής ηλικίας. Παρά τον μεγάλο αριθμό των ερευνών που έχουν διεξαχθεί για την καλύτερη κατανόηση της ενδομητρίωσης και τη θεραπεία της, μέχρι σήμερα δεν είναι γνωστή η ακριβής διαδικασία ανάπτυξής της, ούτε έχει βρεθεί κάποια θεραπευτική μέθοδος που να μπορεί να την εξαλείψει. Υλικά και Μέθοδοι: Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 24 θηλυκοί επίμυες τύπου Sprague Dawley ηλικίας 2.5 μηνών βάρους 160-180 γραμμαρίων. Οι συνθήκες διαβίωσης και χειρισμού ήταν σύμφωνες με τα προεδρικά διατάγματα 160/91, 56/2013 που διέπουν την προστασία ζώων που χρησιμοποιούνται για ερευνητικούς σκοπούς. Όλοι οι επίμυες 12 ώρες προ του χειρουργείου υποβλήθηκαν σε στέρηση τροφής. Tην ημέρα του χειρουργείου χωρίστηκαν τυχαία σε τέσσερις (4) ομάδες.H κάθε ομάδα αποτελούνταν από 6 θηλυκούς επίμυες. Η πρώτη ομάδα (Α) αποτελούνταν από υγιείς θηλυκούς επίμυες (ομάδα ελέγχου). Στην δεύτερη ομάδα (Β) είχαμε επίμυες που εισαγάγαμε ενδομητριώματα ωοθηκών. Στην Τρίτη ομάδα (Γ) είχαμε επίμυες που εισαγάγαμε ενδοπεριτοναϊκή ενδομητρίωση και στην τέταρτη ομάδα (Δ) επίμυες που εισαγάγαμε εξωπεριτοναϊκή ενδομητρίωση. Μετά από 14 ημέρες οι επίμυες υποβλήθηκαν σε ευθανασία και έγινε χειρουργική διερεύνηση της ύπαρξης ενδομητριωσικών εστιών, οι οποίες και εξαιρέθηκαν και εστάλησαν προς ιστολογική εξέταση. Επιπλέον, για ιστολογική εξέταση εστάλησαν και οι ωοθήκες. Επίσης, έγινε μέτρηση του βάρους των επίμυων ακριβώς πριν την έναρξη του πειράματος και την ημέρα της ευθανασίας. Αποτελέσματα: Στο πειραμά μας δεν παρατηρήθηκαν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές(p>0.05) στην μεταβολή του βάρους των επίμυων μεταξύ των ομάδων Α,Β,Γ,Δ. Όσον αφορά των αριθμό των ωχρινοποιημένων άρρηκτων ωοθυλακίων (luteinized unruptured follicles), οι επίμυες με ενδομητρίωση παρουσίασαν στατιστικώς σημαντικά (p<0.05) μεγαλύτερο αριθμό ωχρινoποιημένων άρρηκτων ωοθυλακίων (luteinized unruptured follicles) σε σχέση με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Επίσης οι επίμυες με ενδομητρίωση είχαν στατιστικώς σημαντικά(p<0.05) μικρότερο αριθμό ωοθυλακίων κατά μέσο όρο ανά ωοθήκη σε σχέση με τους υγιείς επίμυες. Συμπεράσματα: Σύμφωνα με το πειραματικό μας μοντέλο η ενδομητρίωση μπορεί να επηρεάσει τη λειτουργία των ωοθηκών αυξάνοντας τον αριθμό των ωχρινοποιημένων άρρηκτων ωoθυλακίων και μειώνοντας τον αριθμό των ωοθυλακίων ανά ωοθήκη επίμυος.
Prediction of self-efficacy in recognizing deepfakes based on personality traits
Authors: Abraham Juneman , Putra Heru Alamsyah , Prayoga Tommy , Warnars Harco Leslie Hendric Spits , Manurung Rudi Hartono , Nainggolan Togiaratua
Published: October 2023

Background: While deepfake technology is still relatively new, concerns are increasing as they are getting harder to spot. The first question we need to ask is how good humans are at recognizing deepfakes - the realistic-looking videos or images that show people doing or saying things that they never actually did or said generated by an artificial intelligence-based technology. Research has shown that an individual’s self-efficacy correlates with their ability to detect deepfakes. Previous studies suggest that one of the most fundamental predictors of self-efficacy are personality traits. In this study, we ask the question: how can people’s personality traits influence their efficacy in recognizing deepfakes? Methods: Predictive correlational design with a multiple linear regression data analysis technique was used in this study. The participants of this study were 200 Indonesian young adults. Results: The results showed that only traits of Honesty-humility and Agreeableness were able to predict the efficacy, in the negative and positive directions, respectively. Meanwhile, traits of Emotionality, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Openness cannot predict it. Conclusion: Self-efficacy in spotting deepfakes can be predicted by certain personality traits.