bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution and diversity of aquatic macrophytes and the assessment of physico-chemical parameters of Dakatia beel in Khulna district, Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md Mahadiy , Islam Md Tahidul , Laskar Md Ashikur Rahman , Sultana Tania
Published: August 2021

The physico-chemical characteristics of water and aquatic macrophytes from Dakatia Beel under Khulna district in Bangladesh were studied within January, 2020 to February, 2021. Twenty three species of aquatic macrophytes belonging to 15 families have been recorded. The aquatic macrophytes in Dakatia Beel collected from several sites belonging to 23 genera and 15 families (Lemnaceae, Pontederiaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Onagraceae, Parkeriaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiacee, Nymphaceae). We also observed the different plant groups which comprises 6 species of floating, 10 species of emergent and only 2 species of submerged aquatic macrophytes. Dissolved oxygen ranged between 1.78 to 2.2 mg/L with a mean value 1.95 mg/L. The study area showed maximum total dissolved solid 588 ppm and the minimum in 482 ppm with a mean value of 534 ppm. Maximum value of phosphate was noted in 1029 μg/L and minimum 988 μg/L with a mean value of 1005 μg/L.
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 118-125
Dietary effect of moringa (Moringa oleifera; Lamarck, 1785) leaf powder on growth response of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus; Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Nadia Zubyda Mushtari , Roy Prosun , Bari Sayed Mashequl , Salam Md Abdus
Published: August 2021

Management of fish health is one of the main considerations in aquaculture and different plant compounds are being used for supporting fish health to minimize the negative impacts of synthetic aqua drugs. In the present experiment, potentiality of moringa (Moringa oleifera; Lamarck, 1785) leaf as a nutritious dietary source for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus; Linnaeus, 1758) fish was tested and the duration was two months from 30th September to 30th November, 2020. The moringa leaves were brought, cleaned, dried, and finally crushed into powder. Three experimental diets were formulated using the processed moringa leaf powder (MLP) at the rate of 0% (MLP0%) as control, 10% (MLP10%) and 20% (MLP20%) as treatment mixing with rice bran, wheat bran, mustard oil cake, fish meal, soya oil and vitamin-mineral premix. Fifteen tilapia fingerlings having average initial length 10.88±0.11 cm and initial weight 29.06±0.50 g was stocked in each tank with 90 L water. Sixty days feeding trial was performed with three replications of each treatment. The fishes were fed with formulated feeds twice daily at 9 am and 4 pm at a rate of 3% of their body mass. Sampling of fish and water quality parameters were carried out at twelve days interval. Moreover, the blood glucose and cholesterol of tilapia were measured monthly. Final length, final weight, weight gain, percent weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR) and production of tilapia were significantly different among the treatments. The highest FCR (3.17±0.25) and SGR (1.33±0.12 %) values were in MLP20% and MLP10%, respectively. In the experiment, the highest and the lowest tilapia production were 9.21±0.39 and 7.39±0.35 kg m-3 in MLP10% and MLP20%, respectively. The blood glucose values were significantly different among the treatments (p< 0.05) and the highest value was in MLP0% (48.00±2.00 mg dl-1). Moreover, the highest and the lowest blood cholesterol was found in MLP0% (177.67±2.52 mg dl-1) and MLP20% (148.33±1.53 mg dl-1), respectively whereas the values were highly significantly different among the treatments (p≤ 0.01). Water quality parameters were statistically similar among the treatments (p> 0.05) and the values were within acceptable range for tilapia culture.
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 153-163
Immediate and post-COVID complications of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional retrospective study
Authors: Hossain Mohabbat , Das Shuvo Chandra , Raza Md Thosif , Ahmed Istiaq Uddin , Eva Ishrat Jahan , Karim Tasnimul , Chakraborty Prashanta , Gupta Shipan Das
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has cost a large number of lives worldwide. Most of the COVID-19 patients recover within two weeks of illness, but many survivors are experiencing different post COVID-19 clinical complications. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we investigated the immediate and post COVID-19 complications with secondary effects in symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients of Bangladesh. A total of 632 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from December, 2020 to February, 2021 were included in this study. The data were collected by telephone interview with patients consent and reviewing their call records using questionnaire and checklist. Results demonstrate that among the 632 patients, 77.53 % of cases were symptomatic, where fever was the most common symptom (82.24%). The other symptoms were headache (58.16%), sore throat (53.65%), cough (45.51%), weakness (41.22%), breathlessness (40%), loss of smell (37.55%), tastelessness (31.84%), diarrhea (19.39%), and vomiting (14.69%). Comorbidities like asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases were pronounced in symptomatic patients. Post COVID-19 complications varied significantly (P<0.05) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic observations. Asthma, hypertension, and diabetes were newly reported in symptomatic patients with the rate of 3.06 %, 2.45 %, and 2.24 %, respectively, while the proportions were 1.41%, 1.41%, and 0.70% for the asymptomatic group. Tiredness, weight loss, hair loss, and insomnia were the most observed post COVID-19 complications found higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic groups. A newly developed visual anomaly was also identified in the symptomatic group (1.42%), which was absent in asymptomatic COVID-19 recovered patients. These findings concluded that post-COVID-19 complications were high in symptomatic and comorbid patients compared with asymptomatic individuals. We hope that this study will contribute in post COVID-19 management and help the concerned authority toward decision making in the treatment of post-COVID-19 complications.
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 191-201
Socio-demographic determinants and risk factors associated with bacterial gastroenteritis in children in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Sharif , Bhowmik Sutapa , Hossain Imam
Published: August 2021

Gastroenteritis is a disorder of gastrointestinal tract with symptoms of mainly diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, which is major cause of child morbidity and mortality, caused by mostly viruses, and bacteria, protozoa, etc. E. coli O157, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. play a significant role along with different sociodemographic and epidemiologic risk factors to cause bacterial gastroenteritis (BGE) in children. This study aimed to assess the burden of gasteroenteritis caused by the mentioned three bacteria, and contribution of several risk factors causing the disease in children. Stool specimens from hospitalized children were obtained along with sociodemographic and epidemiologic data. Bacterial pathogens from stools were recovered by using selective media, biochemical and serological tests. We found 15% (17/116) of the clinically suspected gastroenteritis children were infected with Salmonella spp. (29%), Shigella spp. (59%) and E. coli O157 (12%). A chi-square test of all (116) data revealed that sex (p<0.05), dehydration (p=0.05), contact with the diarrheal patient (p<0.05), past episode of diarrheal illness (p<0.05) and vomiting (p<0.02), feeding practices like only breastfeeding (p<0.05), breastfeeding with subsequent feeding (p<0.05), subsequent feeding (p<0.05), weaning status (p<0.001), family diet (p<0.05), types of drinking water (p<0.002), Father’s education (p<0.05), occupation (p=0.05), and family income (p<0.001) were significantly associated with BGE. Determination of these potential risk factors will help to minimize the possibility of getting BGE and to reduce morbidity and mortality and also will aid to effective disease management and prevention of BGE outbreak in future.
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 222-229
Prevalencia de los Tipos Moleculares de Cáncer de Mama y Características Clínico-Patológicas
Authors: Jaigua Rodríguez Juan Diego , Romo Urgilés Juan Diego , Murillo Bacilio Magdali del Rocío , García Alvear Jorge Luis , Garcia Matamoros Editora: Katherine
Published: August 2021

Introducción: La clasificación molecular del cáncer de mama se utiliza en el diagnóstico de lesiones desafiantes y para tener un pronóstico. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de los tipos moleculares de cáncer de mama y sus características clínico-patológicas en pacientes que acudieron a un centro oncológico.

Métodos: Este estudio analítico-transversal fue realizado en el Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA-Cuenca, entre Agosto 2010-julio 2017. Se compilaron registros de mujeres con cáncer de mama con inmunohistoquímica molecular. Se midieron datos demográficos, clínicos, tipo Histológico, grado Histológico Combinado de Nottingham, estadio clínico de la NCCN-2017. La muestra fue no probabilística tipo censo. Se usa estadística descriptiva y análisis de asociación entre los tipos moleculares de cáncer de mama y características clínico-patológicas.

Resultados: 582 casos ingresaron al estudio. El Luminal A 205/582 (35.22%), Luminal B 204/582 (35.02%), Her2 80/582 (13.75%), Triple negativo 93/582 (15.98) su tipo histológico predominante fue el Ductal (92.96%). El estadio clínico de mayor prevalencia es el IIA (29.21%) y respecto al grado de Nottingham, el 76.80% fue grado III. Asociación estadísticas se reportaron entre edad >40 años y Tipo Luminal A, Edad >40 años y Triple Negativo; Tipo Ductal y Luminal A, Grado II De Nottingham y luminal A y triple negativo, Estadio clínico tardío y luminal A y HER 2 P<0.05.

Conclusión: El tipo molecular de cáncer de mama más frecuente fue el Luminal A y este tipo molecular está asociado estadísticame
Acromegalia en Paciente con Cáncer Papilar de Tiroides
Authors: Bautista Litardo Noemí Lourdes , Moncayo R. Romina , Bombón P Caroll , Ojeda D Karen , García Matamoros EDITOR: Katherine
Published: August 2021

Introducción: El cáncer de tiroides es la neoplasia endocrina más frecuente y el Carcinoma Papilar de tiroides representa el 80% de los casos. Por otro lado, la acromegalia es un trastorno poco diagnosticado con una incidencia estimada anual de 4 casos por millón de personas. Presentamos un caso en el que se presentan las dos entidades al mismo tiempo en un paciente y la discusión del posible nexo bioquímico.

Caso clínico: Mujer de 23 años, con masa nodular pétrea de 3 centímetros, en polo superior de lóbulo derecho de tiroides; sometida a tiroidectomía radical y linfadenectomía cervical bilateral, reporte histopatológico de carcinoma papilar. Evoluciona con cambios visuales en ojo izquierdo, cefalea, amenorrea de 1 año, galactorrea negativa, características morfo-anatómicas de acromegalia, campimetría hemianopsia homónima izquierda. IRM de cerebro lesión sellar y suprasellar hiperintensa en T2 en relación a macroadenoma hipofisario. Bioquímicos: Prolactina 131.20, GH 2.7, ACTH 18.5, IGF1 434, IGFBP 35.8, TTOG para GH que se informa: GH 0 min: 10.7, GH 30 min: 9.24, GH 60 min: 7.9.

Evolución: La paciente fue sometida a hipofisectomía transesfenoidal endoscópica parcial. En tratamiento con cabergolina 0.5 mg bisemanal, levotiroxina 225 mcg día y octreótide 20 mg mensual.

Conclusión: Se concluye que siendo la acromegalia una enfermedad rara se asocia a cáncer de tiroides, implicando posibles mutaciones en la subunidad ? de la proteína G.
Penguatan Kualitas Pelayanan KIA Melalui Peningkatan Pengetahuan Ibu dengan Pelaksanaan Kelas Ibu Balita 0-1 Tahun
Authors: Anwar Khalidatul Khair , Naningsih Hasmia , Patongai Nurnasari
Published: August 2021

Pelayanan kesehatan ibu dan anak (KIA) merupakan hal yang sangat penting dalam penurunan kematian ibu dan anak. Beberapa program dibuat dalam meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan KIA. Salah satu program yaitu melalui penyelenggaraan kelas ibu balita bagi ibu yang mempunyai anak balita (0-59 bulan). Tujuan kegiatan adalah meningkatkan pengetahuan ibu balita tentang ASI, imunisasi, makanan pendamping ASI (untuk anak usia 6-12 bulan),  tumbuh kembang bayi, penyakit terbanyak pada bayi serta terjadinya interaksi dan berbagi pengalaman antar peserta. Metode yang digunakan adalah ceramah dan diskusi. Jumlah peserta adalah 15 orang ibu balita. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan nilai pre test dan post test kegiatan (0,001 < α) sehingga dapat disimpulkan terjadi peningkatan pengetahuan. Kegiatan juga menjalin interaksi dan wadah berbagi pengalaman antar peserta dan juga petugas kesehatan.
TLE4 Is a Critical Mediator of Osteoblast and Runx2-Dependent Bone Development
Authors: Shin Thomas H. , Theodorou Evangelos , Holland Carl , Yamin Rae’e , Raggio Cathleen L. , Giampietro Philip F. , Sweetser David A.
Published: August 2021

Healthy bone homeostasis hinges upon a delicate balance and regulation of multiple processes that contribute to bone development and metabolism. While examining hematopoietic regulation by Tle4, we have uncovered a previously unappreciated role of Tle4 on bone calcification using a novel Tle4 null mouse model. Given the significance of osteoblasts in both hematopoiesis and bone development, this study investigated how loss of Tle4 affects osteoblast function. We used dynamic bone formation parameters and microCT to characterize the adverse effects of Tle4 loss on bone development. We further demonstrated loss of Tle4 impacts expression of several key osteoblastogenic genes, including Runx2, Oc, and Ap, pointing toward a potential novel mechanism for Tle4-dependent regulation of mammalian bone development in collaboration with the RUNX family members.
Comprehensive Analysis of Glycolysis-Related Genes for Prognosis, Immune Features, and Candidate Drug Development in Colon Cancer
Authors: Cui Zhongqi , Sun Guifeng , Bhandari Ramesh , Lu Jiayi , Zhang Mengmei , Bhandari Rajeev , Sun Fenyong , Liu Zhongchen , Zhao Shasha
Published: August 2021

The dysregulated expression of glycolysis-related genes (GRGs) is closely related to the occurrence of diverse tumors and regarded as a novel target of tumor therapy. However, the role of GRGs in colon cancer is unclear. We obtained 226 differential GRGs (DE-GRGs) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Cox regression analysis was used to construct a DE-GRG prognostic model, including P4HA1, PMM2, PGM2, PPARGC1A, PPP2CB, STC2, ENO3, and CHPF2. The model could accurately predict the overall survival rate of TCGA and GSE17536 patient cohorts. The risk score of the model was closely related to a variety of clinical traits and was an independent risk factor for prognosis. Enrichment analysis revealed the activation of a variety of glycolysis metabolism and immune-related signaling pathways in the high-risk group. High-risk patients displayed low expression of CD4+ memory resting T cells and resting dendritic cells and high expression of macrophages M0 compared with the expression levels in the low-risk patients. Furthermore, patients in the high-risk group had a higher tumor mutation load and tumor stem cell index and were less sensitive to a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry analyses validated the expression of eight GRGs in 43 paired clinical samples. This is the first multi-omics study on the GRGs of colon cancer. The establishment of the risk model may benefit the prognosis and drug treatment of patients.
TCF3 Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells by Targeting PODXL
Authors: Zhou Dai , Fan Jingyu , Liu Zhizhong , Tang Ruiling , Wang Xingming , Bo Hao , Zhu Fang , Zhao Xueheng , Huang Zenghui , Xing Liu , Tao Ke , Zhang Han , Nie Hongchuan , Zhang Huan , Zhu Wenbing , He Zuping , Fan Liqing
Published: August 2021

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the initial cells for the spermatogenesis. Although much progress has been made on uncovering a number of modulators for the SSC fate decisions in rodents, the genes mediating human SSCs remain largely unclear. Here we report, for the first time, that TCF3, a member of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcriptional modulator proteins, can stimulate proliferation and suppress the apoptosis of human SSCs through targeting podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL). TCF3 was expressed primarily in GFRA1-positive spermatogonia, and EGF (epidermal growth factor) elevated TCF3 expression level. Notably, TCF3 enhanced the growth and DNA synthesis of human SSCs, whereas it repressed the apoptosis of human SSCs. RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that TCF3 protein regulated the transcription of several genes, including WNT2B, TGFB3, CCN4, MEGF6, and PODXL, while PODXL silencing compromised the stem cell activity of SSCs. Moreover, the level of TCF3 protein was remarkably lower in patients with spermatogenesis failure when compared to individuals with obstructive azoospermia with normal spermatogenesis. Collectively, these results implicate that TCF3 modulates human SSC proliferation and apoptosis through PODXL. This study is of great significance since it would provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying the fate determinations of human SSCs and it could offer new targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
To the Surface and Back: Exo- and Endocytic Pathways in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Link Fabian , Borges Alyssa R. , Jones Nicola G. , Engstler Markus
Published: August 2021

Trypanosoma brucei is one of only a few unicellular pathogens that thrives extracellularly in the vertebrate host. Consequently, the cell surface plays a critical role in both immune recognition and immune evasion. The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coats the entire surface of the parasite and acts as a flexible shield to protect invariant proteins against immune recognition. Antigenic variation of the VSG coat is the major virulence mechanism of trypanosomes. In addition, incessant motility of the parasite contributes to its immune evasion, as the resulting fluid flow on the cell surface drags immunocomplexes toward the flagellar pocket, where they are internalized. The flagellar pocket is the sole site of endo- and exocytosis in this organism. After internalization, VSG is rapidly recycled back to the surface, whereas host antibodies are thought to be transported to the lysosome for degradation. For this essential step to work, effective machineries for both sorting and recycling of VSGs must have evolved in trypanosomes. Our understanding of the mechanisms behind VSG recycling and VSG secretion, is by far not complete. This review provides an overview of the trypanosome secretory and endosomal pathways. Longstanding questions are pinpointed that, with the advent of novel technologies, might be answered in the near future.
Inhibition of Rac1 GTPase Decreases Vascular Oxidative Stress, Improves Endothelial Function, and Attenuates Atherosclerosis Development in Mice
Authors: Zimmer Sebastian , Goody Philip Roger , Oelze Matthias , Ghanem Alexander , Mueller Cornelius F. , Laufs Ulrich , Daiber Andreas , Jansen Felix , Nickenig Georg , Wassmann Sven
Published: August 2021

Aims: Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to atherogenesis. Rac1 GTPase regulates pro-oxidant NADPH oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, actin cytoskeleton organization and monocyte adhesion. We investigated the vascular effects of pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 GTPase in mice.

Methods and Results: We treated wild-type and apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice with Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (LT), a Rac1 inhibitor, and assessed vascular oxidative stress, expression and activity of involved proteins, endothelial function, macrophage infiltration, and atherosclerosis development. LT-treated wild-type mice displayed decreased vascular NADPH oxidase activity and ROS production. Therapeutic LT doses had no impact on behavior, food intake, body weight, heart rate, blood pressure, vascular and myocardial function, differential blood count, and vascular permeability. ApoE−/− mice were fed a cholesterol-rich diet and were treated with LT or vehicle. LT treatment led to decreased aortic Rac1 GTPase activity, NADPH oxidase activity and ROS production, but had no impact on expression and membrane translocation of NADPH oxidase subunits and RhoA GTPase activity. LT-treated mice showed improved aortic endothelium-dependent vasodilation, attenuated atherosclerotic lesion formation and reduced macrophage infiltration of atherosclerotic plaques. Concomitant treatment of cholesterol-fed ApoE−/− mice with LT, the specific synthetic Rac1 inhibitor NSC 23766 or simvastatin comparably reduced aortic Rac1 activity, NADPH oxidase activity, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis development, and macrophage infiltration.

Conclusions: These findings identify an important role of the small GTPase Rac1 in atherogenesis and provide a potential target for anti-atherosclerotic therapy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Artery Disease Treatment: Clinical Evidence From Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Liang Bo , Gu Ning
Published: August 2021

Traditional Chinese medicine has a history of more than 2,000 years and has been widely used in clinical practice. However, due to the lack of a reliable scientific basis, the role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease is not clear. At present, the existing randomized controlled trials about traditional Chinese medicine for coronary artery disease have defects, small sample sizes, and different results, so it is difficult to make a clear conclusion on the actual advantages and disadvantages of traditional Chinese medicine. In this review, the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease were systematically evaluated through randomized controlled trials, most of which were double-blind trials. We reviewed 17 randomized controlled trials that included a total of 11,726 coronary artery disease patients. The methodological quality of the trials was generally high, with nine (52.94%) having a modified Jadad score of 7 and only three (17.65%) having a modified Jadad score of <3. There are 16 trials (94.12%) reporting safety; the safety of traditional Chinese medicine seems not to be inferior to that of mimetic, placebo, or western medications. Moreover, the results from 17 randomized controlled trials (100.00%) showed that traditional Chinese medicine can be applied as a complementary and alternative method to the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, and only six trials (35.29%) described adverse cardiovascular events specifically. However, it is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in treating coronary artery disease with long-term hard endpoints.
Data and Digital Solutions to Support Surveillance Strategies in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kostkova Patty , Saigí-Rubió Francesc , Eguia Hans , Borbolla Damian , Verschuuren Marieke , Hamilton Clayton , Azzopardi-Muscat Natasha , Novillo-Ortiz David
Published: August 2021

Background: In order to prevent spread and improve control of infectious diseases, public health experts need to closely monitor human and animal populations. Infectious disease surveillance is an established, routine data collection process essential for early warning, rapid response, and disease control. The quantity of data potentially useful for early warning and surveillance has increased exponentially due to social media and other big data streams. Digital epidemiology is a novel discipline that includes harvesting, analysing, and interpreting data that were not initially collected for healthcare needs to enhance traditional surveillance. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of digital epidemiology complementing traditional public health approaches has been highlighted.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview for the application of data and digital solutions to support surveillance strategies and draw implications for surveillance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed databases. Articles published between January 2005 and May 2020 on the use of digital solutions to support surveillance strategies in pandemic settings and health emergencies were evaluated.

Results: In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of digital epidemiology, available data sources, and components of 21st-century digital surveillance, early warning and response, outbreak management and control, and digital interventions.

Conclusions: Our main purpose was to highlight the plausible use of new surveillance strategies, with implications for the COVID-19 pandemic strategies and then to identify opportunities and challenges for the successful development and implementation of digital solutions during non-emergency times of routine surveillance, with readiness for early-warning and response for future pandemics. The enhancement of traditional surveillance systems with novel digital surveillance methods opens a direction for the most effective framework for preparedness and response to future pandemics.
Update on the Role of Neuropeptide Y and Other Related Factors in Breast Cancer and Osteoporosis
Authors: Lin Shu-ting , Li Yi-zhong , Sun Xiao-qi , Chen Qian-qian , Huang Shun-fa , Lin Shu , Cai Si-qing
Published: August 2021

Breast cancer and osteoporosis are common diseases that affect the survival and quality of life in postmenopausal women. Women with breast cancer are more likely to develop osteoporosis than women without breast cancer due to certain factors that can affect both diseases simultaneously. For instance, estrogen and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) play important roles in the occurrence and development of these two diseases. Moreover, chemotherapy and hormone therapy administered to breast cancer patients also increase the incidence of osteoporosis, and in recent years, neuropeptide Y (NPY) has also been found to impact breast cancer and osteoporosis.Y1 and Y5 receptors are highly expressed in breast cancer, and Y1 and Y2 receptors affect osteogenic response, thus potentially highlighting a potential new direction for treatment strategies. In this paper, the relationship between breast cancer and osteoporosis, the influence of NPY on both diseases, and the recent progress in the research and treatment of these diseases are reviewed.
Switching From Daily DPP-4 Inhibitor to Once-Weekly GLP-1 Receptor Activator Dulaglutide Significantly Ameliorates Glycemic Control in Subjects With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Sanada Junpei , Kimura Tomohiko , Shimoda Masashi , Tomita Akiko , Fushimi Yoshiro , Kinoshita Tomoe , Obata Atsushi , Okauchi Seizo , Hirukawa Hidenori , Kohara Kenji , Tatsumi Fuminori , Nakanishi Shuhei , Mune Tomoatsu , Kaku Kohei , Kaneto Hideaki
Published: August 2021

Aim

At present, daily DPP-4 inhibitors are quite frequently prescribed in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, it has been drawing much attention that once-weekly incretin-based injection dulaglutide was developed. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible effects of once-weekly GLP-1 receptor activator (GLP-1RA) dulaglutide on glycemic control as well as various metabolic parameters.

Methods

We made a direct comparison between the effect of daily DPP-4 inhibitor and once-weekly dulaglutide on glycemic control in “study 1 (pre–post comparison)” and set the control group using the propensity score matching method in “study 2”.

Results

In study 1, switching from daily DPP-4 inhibitor to dulaglutide significantly ameliorated glycemic control in subjects with T2DM. Such effects were more obvious in poorly controlled subjects. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the switching group improved glycemic control compared with the non-switching group in study 2.

Conclusion

We should bear in mind that switching from daily DPP-4 inhibitor to once-weekly GLP-1RA dulaglutide exerts more favorable effects on glycemic control regardless of age, body weight, and duration of diabetes in subjects with T2DM, especially when we fail to obtain good glycemic control with daily DPP-4 inhibitor.
Peasants’ Motivations to Maintain Vegetation of Tropical Dry Forests in Traditional Agroforestry Systems from Cuicatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Rendón-Sandoval Francisco J. , Casas Alejandro , Sinco-Ramos Perla G. , García-Frapolli Eduardo , Moreno-Calles Ana I.
Published: August 2021

The ways traditional rural communities conduct activities to meet their livelihoods commonly contribute to conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Traditional agroforestry systems (TAFS) are expressions of management that deliberately retain wild vegetation coexisting with crops to obtain multiple socio-ecological contributions. However, processes enhancing productive intensification endanger their permanence. This study aimed to 1) identify the peasants’ motivations to maintain the vegetation of tropical dry forest within their agricultural fields, 2) analyze the capacity of TAFS to provide contributions to people’s well-being, and 3) identify factors and processes limiting conservation capacities and possible alternatives. The study was conducted in three communities of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Oaxaca, Mexico. We performed a qualitative analysis with information from two workshops with local people, 10 semi-structured interviews with managers of TAFS, participant observation, complementary informal talks, and fieldwork notes. For analyzing the data, we: 1) generated a list of central themes based on the data collected, 2) established preliminary categories of such themes, 3) coded all information through the Atlas. ti software, 4) adjusted the classification of categories and codes to the data, 5) grouped codes and analyzed their relationships. We found that the peasants’ motivations to maintain the wild vegetation are the provision of multiple beneficial contributions: material (edible fruit, medicinal plants, fodder, firewood), regulating (shade, soil fertility, humidity keeping, rain attraction), and nonmaterial (regional flavors, ornamental, ritual), among others, which meet some of their fundamental needs (primarily subsistence, identity, and protection). The main reasons for keeping the wild vegetation were material contributions (62%). Also, we observed that TAFS safeguarding a higher forest cover and species diversity provide a broader range of socio-ecological contributions and potential to satisfy human needs than those with lower cover. Peasant agriculture may allow maintaining biodiversity while satisfying fundamental human needs. However, it needs to be revitalized, made more efficient, profitable, and dignified. The agroecological management implemented by peasants in TAFS is crucial for ensuring the continuity of essential environmental functions and people’s well-being.
A Novel Loss-of-Function MKRN3 Variant in a Chinese Patient With Familial Precocious Puberty: A Case Report and Functional Study
Authors: Yin Xueling , Wang Junqi , Han Tianting , Tingting Zhang , Li Yuhong , Dong Zhiya , Wang Wei , Li Chuanyin , Lu Wenli
Published: August 2021

Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is one of the most common and complex problems in clinical pediatric endocrinology practice. Mutation of the MKRN3 gene can cause familial CPP.

Methods and Results: Here we reported a Chinese patient bearing a novel MKRN3 mutation (c.G277A/p.Gly93Ser) and showing the CPP phenotype. Functional studies found that this mutation of MKRN3 attenuated its autoubiquitination, degradation, and inhibition on the transcriptional activity of GNRH1, KISS1, and TAC3 promoters.

Conclusion: MKRN3 (Gly93Ser) is a loss-of-function mutation, which attenuates the inhibition on GnRH1-related signaling, suggesting that this mutant can lead to central precocious puberty.
The Path to Conserved Extended Haplotypes: Megabase-Length Haplotypes at High Population Frequency
Authors: Alper Chester A.
Published: August 2021

This minireview describes the history of the conceptual development of conserved extended haplotypes (CEHs): megabase-length haplotypes that exist at high (≥0.5%) population frequency. My career began in internal medicine, shifted to pediatrics, and clinical practice changed to research. My research interest was initially in hematology: on plasma proteins, their metabolism, synthesis, and function. This narrowed to a focus on proteins of the human complement system, their role in immunity and their genetics, beginning with polymorphism and deficiency of C3. My group identified genetic polymorphisms and/or inherited deficiencies of C2, C4, C6, and C8. After defining glycine-rich beta glycoprotein as factor B (Bf) in the properdin system, we found that the genes for Bf (CFB), C2, C4A, and C4B were inherited as a single haplotypic unit which we named the “complotype.” Complotypes are located within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) betweenHLA-BandHLA-DRB1and are designated (in arbitrary order) by theirCFB,C2,C4A, andC4Btypes. Pedigree analysis revealed long stretches (several megabases) of apparently fixed DNA within the MHC that we referred to as “extended haplotypes” (later as “CEHs”). About 10 to 12 common CEHs constitute at least 25 – 30% of MHC haplotypes among European Caucasian populations. These CEHs contain virtually all the most common markers of MHC-associated diseases. In the case of type 1 diabetes, we have proposed a purely genetic and epigenetic model (with a small number of Mendelian recessive disease genes) that explains all the puzzling features of the disease, including its rising incidence.
Physical Simulation Based on Dynamic Transformation Under Hot Plate Rolling of a Nb-Microalloyed Steel
Authors: Ferreira João Carlos , de Sousa Machado Francisco Romario , Aranas Clodualdo , Siciliano Fulvio , Pasco Jubert , Reis Gedeon Silva , Pedrosa de Miranda Edson Jansen , Macêdo Paiva Antônio Ernandes , Rodrigues Samuel Filgueiras
Published: August 2021

In this work, the presence of dynamically formed ferrite above the Ae3 temperature during the physical simulation of hot rolling was presented. This unusual metallurgical process is known as dynamic transformation (DT). The metastable ferrite phase undergoes a reverse transformation when the temperature is held above the Ae3 by means of a diffusion process. These phenomena affect the rolling load during high-temperature plate rolling. Therefore, a linepipe X70 steel was studied under plate rolling with two-pass roughing and seven-pass finishing strains of 0.4 and 0.2, respectively, applied at strain rate of 1 s−1 and interpasses of 10, 20, and 30 s. The samples were cooling down during deformation, which mimics the actual industrial hot rolling. It was observed that the alloy softens as the hot rolling progresses, as depicted by flow curves and mean flow stress plots, which are linked to the combined effects of dynamic transformation and recrystallization. The former initially occurs at lower strains, followed by the latter at higher strains. The critical strain to DT was affected by the number of passes and temperature of deformation. Shorter interpass time allows higher amounts of ferrite to form due to higher retained work hardening. Similarly, the closer the deformation temperature to the Ae3 permits a higher DT ferrite fraction. The information from this work can be used to predict the formation of phases immediately after hot rolling and optimize models applied to the accelerated cooling.
N-Doped Carbon Boosted the Formation of Few-Layered MoS2 for High-Performance Lithium and Sodium Storage
Authors: Li Junfeng , Zhou Xianzi , Lu Kai , Ma Chao , Li Liang , Wang Haibao , Han Xuejiao , Sun Hengchao , Sun Shinbin
Published: August 2021

Molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) has become a potential anode of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, the volume expansion, poor electrical conductivity and dissolution of polysulfides in the electrolyte during the cycling process severely limited its applications. Herein, few-layered MoS2@N-doped carbon (F-MoS2@NC) was synthesized through a facile solvothermal and annealing process. It was found that the addition of N-doped carbon precursor could significantly promote the formation of few-layered MoS2 and improve the performances of lithium and sodium storage. A high reversible capacity of 482.6 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 2000 mA g−1 could be obtained for LIBs. When used as anode material for SIBs, F-MoS2@NC hybrids could maintain a reversible capacity of 171 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 1,000 mA g−1 after 600 cycles. This work should provide new insights into carbon hybrid anode materials for both LIBs and SIBs.
Salivary DNA Loads for Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Are Correlated With Disease Phenotype in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Lee Ji-Sook , Lacerda Eliana M. , Nacul Luis , Kingdon Caroline C. , Norris Jasmin , O'Boyle Shennae , Roberts Chrissy h. , Palla Luigi , Riley Eleanor M. , Cliff Jacqueline M.
Published: August 2021

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex chronic condition affecting multiple body systems, with unknown cause, unclear pathogenesis mechanisms, and fluctuating symptoms which may lead to severe debilitation. It is frequently reported to have been triggered by an infection, but there are no clear differences in exposure to, or seroprevalence of, any particular viruses between people with ME/CFS and healthy individuals. However, herpes viruses have been repeatedly hypothesized to underlie the chronic relapsing/remitting form of MS/CFS due to their persistence in a latent form with periodic reactivation. It is possible that ME/CFS is associated with herpes virus reactivation, which has not been detectable previously due to insufficiently sensitive testing methods. Saliva samples were collected from 30 people living with ME/CFS at monthly intervals for 6 months and at times when they experienced symptom exacerbation, as well as from 14 healthy control individuals. The viral DNA load of the nine humanherpes viruses was determined by digital droplet PCR. Symptoms were assessed by questionnaire at each time point. Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6B, HHV-7, herpes simplex virus 1 and Epstein-Barr virus were detectable within the saliva samples, with higher HHV-6B and HHV-7 viral loads detected in people with ME/CFS than in healthy controls. Participants with ME/CFS could be broadly separated into two groups: one group displayed fluctuating patterns of herpesviruses detectable across the 6 months while the second group displayed more stable viral presentation. In the first group, there was positive correlation between HHV-6B and HHV-7 viral load and severity of symptom scores, including pain, neurocognition, and autonomic dysfunction. The results indicate that fluctuating viral DNA load correlates with ME/CFS symptoms: this is in accordance with the hypothesis that pathogenesis is related to herpesvirus reactivation state, and this should be formally tested. Herpesvirus reactivation might be a cause or consequence of dysregulated immune function seen in ME/CFS. The sampling strategy and molecular tools developed here permit such large-scale epidemiological investigations.
The Crucial Questions on Synovial Biopsy: When, Why, Who, What, Where, and How?
Authors: Ingegnoli Francesca , Coletto Lavinia Agra , Scotti Isabella , Compagnoni Riccardo , Randelli Pietro Simone , Caporali Roberto
Published: August 2021

In the majority of joint diseases, changes in the organization of the synovial architecture appear early. Synovial tissue analysis might provide useful information for the diagnosis, especially in atypical and rare joint disorders, and might have a value in case of undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis, by improving disease classification. After patient selection, it is crucial to address the dialogue between the clinician and the pathologist for adequately handling the sample, allowing identifying histological patterns depending on the clinical suspicion. Moreover, synovial tissue analysis gives insight into disease progression helping patient stratification, by working as an actionable and mechanistic biomarker. Finally, it contributes to an understanding of joint disease pathogenesis holding promise for identifying new synovial biomarkers and developing new therapeutic strategies. All of the indications mentioned above are not so far from being investigated in everyday clinical practice in tertiary referral hospitals, thanks to the great feasibility and safety of old and more recent techniques such as ultrasound-guided needle biopsy and needle arthroscopy. Thus, even in rheumatology clinical practice, pathobiology might be a key component in the management and treatment decision-making process. This review aims to examine some essential and crucial points regarding why, when, where, and how to perform a synovial biopsy in clinical practice and research settings and what information you might expect after a proper patient selection.
Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals a Dependent Relationship Between Rumen Bacteria and Diet of Grass- and Grain-Fed Yaks
Authors: Xu Chenchen , Liu Wenwen , Sun Baozhong , Zhang Songshan , Zhang Shou , Yang Yuanli , Lei Yuanhua , Chang Lan , Xie Peng , Suo Huayi
Published: August 2021

Current information on the differences between rumen bacteria and metabolites of the grass-fed and grain-fed yaks is limited. Understanding the composition and alterations of rumen microbial metabolites is important to clarify its potential role in grass-fed and grain-fed systems. The aim of this research was to explore the influence of different production systems on the functional attributes and metabolites in the rumen microbiota of yak using genomics (Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene) and untargeted metabolomics (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). Rumen samples were obtained from grass-fed (C), grain-fed for 3-month (G3), and grain-fed for 6-month yaks (G6). Results showed that the grain-fed yaks presented a lower rumen bacterial richness and diversity when compared to grass-fed yaks. Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Fibrobacterota were the main bacterial phyla. At the phylum and genus level, the grass-fed yaks significantly increased the abundance of Fibrobacterota and Fibrobacter (p < 0.05), respectively. The metabolomics analysis revealed that the metabolite profiles differed among the three groups. Compared with the grass-fed group, grain feeding significantly increased azelaic acid, hypoxanthine, uridine, L-phenylalanine, anserine, and decreased alpha-linolenic acid, adenine. Pathway enrichment analysis showed significant differences in metabolic pathways among all comparison groups, but the glycerophospholipid metabolism and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathway were common key metabolic pathways. This study showed that the combined analysis of microbiota and metabolites could distinguish different production systems and the fattening time of yaks, providing novel insights for us to understand the function of the rumen bacteria.
Preliminary Studies on the Antibacterial Mechanism of a New Plant-Derived Compound, 7-Methoxycoumarin, Against Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Han Songting , Yang Liang , Wang Yao , Ran Yuao , Li Shili , Ding Wei
Published: August 2021

Ralstonia solanacearum (R. solanacearum) is one of the most devastating plant bacterial pathogens and leads to serious economic losses in crops worldwide. In this study, the antibacterial mechanism of 7-methoxycoumarin, a new coumarin antibiotic, was preliminarily investigated by the observation of symptoms and physical and biochemical analyses. The results showed that 7-methoxycoumarin significantly suppressed bacterial growth of R. solanacearum, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 75 and 175 mg/L, respectively. Electron microscopy observations showed that the bacterial cell membrane was destroyed after 7-methoxycoumarin treatment. Biofilm formation of R. solanacearum was significantly suppressed by 7-methoxycoumarin at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 mg/L. Furthermore, virulence-associated genes epsE, hrpG, and popA of R. solanacearum were significantly inhibited by 7-methoxycoumarin. The application of 7-methoxycoumarin effectively suppressed tobacco bacterial wilt progress in pot experiments, with relative control efficiencies of 83.61, 68.78, and 58.11% at 6, 8, and 10 days post inoculation, respectively.
Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Immunity and the Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice
Authors: Wang Ying , Sun Mingyi , Jin Hongyu , Yang Jianbo , Kang Shuai , Liu Yue , Yang Shuang , Ma Shuangcheng , Ni Jian
Published: August 2021

The mechanism of immunoregulation by Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) was assessed by studying the effect of LBP on the immunity and the gut microbiota. LBP isolated and purified in this study was composed of nine monosaccharides, with an Mw 1,207 kDa. LBP showed immunomodulatory activity in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated mice by restoring the damaged immune organs and adjusting the T lymphocyte subsets. We also found that LBP increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and the relative abundances of bacteria, such as Rickenellaceae, Prevotellaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and so on, which were positively associated with immune traits. In addition, Caco2 cells model was used to explore the intestinal absorption of LBP. Results showed that LBP was hardly absorbed in the intestine, which suggesting that most LBP may interact with gut microbiota. These findings suggest that the immune response induced by LBP is associated with the regulation of the gut microbiota.
Conservation of S20 as an Ineffective and Disposable IFNγ-Inducing Determinant of Plasmodium Sporozoites Indicates Diversion of Cellular Immunity
Authors: Hon Calvin , Friesen Johannes , Ingmundson Alyssa , Scheppan Diana , Hafalla Julius C. R. , Müller Katja , Matuschewski Kai
Published: August 2021

Despite many decades of research to develop a malaria vaccine, only one vaccine candidate has been explored in pivotal phase III clinical trials. This candidate subunit vaccine consists of a portion of a singlePlasmodiumantigen, circumsporozoite protein (CSP). This antigen was initially identified in the murine malaria model and shown to contain an immunodominant and protective CD8+T cell epitope specific to the H-2Kd(BALB/c)-restricted genetic background. A high-content screen for CD8+epitopes in the H2Kb/Db(C57BL/6)-restricted genetic background, identified two distinct dominant epitopes. In this study, we present a characterization of one corresponding antigen, thePlasmodiumsporozoite-specific proteinS20.Plasmodium berghei S20knockout sporozoites and liver stages developed normallyin vitroandin vivo. This potent infectivity ofs20(-) sporozoites permitted comparative analysis of knockout and wild-type parasites in cell-based vaccination. Protective immunity of irradiation-arresteds20(-) sporozoites in single, double and triple immunizations was similar to irradiated unaltered sporozoites in homologous challenge experiments. These findings demonstrate the presence of an immunogenicPlasmodiumpre-erythrocytic determinant, which is not essential for eliciting protection. AlthoughS20is not needed for colonization of the mammalian host and for initiation of a blood infection, it is conserved amongstPlasmodiumspecies. Malarial parasites express conserved, immunogenic proteins that are not required to establish infection but might play potential roles in diverting cellular immune responses.