bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A strategy to promote the convenient storage and direct use of polyhydroxybutyrate-degrading Bacillus sp. JY14 by lyophilization with protective reagents
Authors: Kim Su Hyun , Shin Nara , Oh Suk Jin , Hwang Jeong Hyeon , Kim Hyun Jin , Bhatia Shashi Kant , Yun Jeonghee , Kim Jae-Seok , Yang Yung-Hun
Published: September 2023

Background

Bioplastics are attracting considerable attention, owing to the increase in non-degradable waste. Using microorganisms to degrade bioplastics is a promising strategy for reducing non-degradable plastic waste. However, maintaining bacterial viability and activity during culture and storage remains challenging. With the use of conventional methods, cell viability and activity was lost; therefore, these conditions need to be optimized for the practical application of microorganisms in bioplastic degradation. Therefore, we aimed to optimize the feasibility of the lyophilization method for convenient storage and direct use. In addition, we incoporated protective reagents to increase the viability and activity of lyophilized microorganisms. By selecting and applying the best protective reagents for the lyophilization process and the effects of additives on the growth and PHB-degrading activity of strains were analyzed after lyophilization. For developing the lyophilization method for protecting degradation activity, it may promote practical applications of bioplastic-degrading bacteria.

Results

In this study, the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-degrading strain, Bacillus sp. JY14 was lyophilized with the use of various sugars as protective reagents. Among the carbon sources tested, raffinose was associated with the highest cell survival rate (12.1%). Moreover, 7% of raffionose showed the highest PHB degradation yield (92.1%). Therefore, raffinose was selected as the most effective protective reagent. Also, bacterial activity was successfully maintained, with raffinose, under different storage temperatures and period.

Conclusions

This study highlights lyophilization as an efficient microorganism storage method to enhance the applicability of bioplastic-degrading bacterial strains. The approach developed herein can be further studied and used to promote the application of microorganisms in bioplastic degradation.
Targeting WEE1 kinase as a p53-independent therapeutic strategy in high-risk and relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Bell Hayden L. , Blair Helen J. , Singh Mankaran , Moorman Anthony V. , Heidenreich Olaf , van Delft Frederik W. , Lunec John , Irving Julie A. E.
Published: September 2023

Background

Outcomes for patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are poor and there is a need for novel therapies to improve outcomes. Targeted inhibition of WEE1 with small-molecule inhibitor adavosertib (AZD1775) has emerged as a therapeutic strategy to sensitize cancer cells to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics, particularly in the context of TP53-mutated tumors. However, WEE1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with high-risk and relapsed ALL, including those with TP53 mutations, has not been definitively evaluated.

Methods

Anti-leukemic effects of adavosertib were investigated using a relapsed TP53 isogenic cell model system, primary patient, and patient-derived ALL samples (n = 27) in an ex vivo co-culture model system with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Combination effects with drugs currently used for relapsed ALL were quantified by Excess over Bliss analyses. Investigations for alterations of cell cycle and apoptosis as well as related proteins were examined by flow cytometry and Western blot, respectively.

Results

Our study demonstrates the potent anti-leukemic activity of the clinically advanced WEE1 inhibitor adavosertib in a large majority (n = 18/27) of high-risk and relapsed ALL specimens at lower than clinically attainable concentrations, independent of TP53 mutation status. We show that treatment with adavosertib results in S-phase disruption even in the absence of DNA-damaging agents and that premature mitotic entry is not a prerequisite for its anti-leukemic effects. We further demonstrate that WEE1 inhibition additively and synergistically enhances the anti-leukemic effects of multiple conventional chemotherapeutics used in the relapsed ALL treatment setting. Particularly, we demonstrate the highly synergistic and cytotoxic combination of adavosertib with the nucleoside analog cytarabine and provide mechanistic insights into the combinational activity, showing preferential engagement of apoptotic cell death over cell cycle arrest. Our findings strongly support in vivo interrogation of adavosertib with cytarabine in xenograft models of relapsed and high-risk ALL.

Conclusions

Together, our data emphasize the functional importance of WEE1 in relapsed ALL cells and show WEE1 as a promising p53-independent therapeutic target for the improved treatment of high-risk and relapsed ALL.
Delivery of telehealth nutrition and physical activity interventions to adults living in rural areas: a scoping review
Authors: Herbert Jaimee , Schumacher Tracy , Brown Leanne J. , Clarke Erin D. , Collins Clare E.
Published: September 2023

Background

Lifestyle behaviours related to smoking, alcohol, nutrition, and physical activity are leading risk factors for the development of chronic disease. For people in rural areas, access to individualised lifestyle services targeting behaviour change may be improved by using telehealth. However, the scope of literature investigating telehealth lifestyle behaviour change interventions for rural populations is unknown, making it difficult to ascertain whether telehealth interventions require adaptation for rural context via a systematic review. This scoping review aimed to address this gap, by mapping existing literature describing telehealth lifestyle interventions delivered to rural populations to determine if there is scope for systematic review of intervention effectiveness in this research topic.

Methods

The PRISMA extension for scoping review checklist guided the processes of this scoping review. A search of eight electronic databases reported in English language until June 2023 was conducted. Eligible studies included adults (18 years and over), who lived in rural areas of high-income countries and undertook at least one synchronous (video or phone consultation) telehealth intervention that addressed either addictive (smoking or alcohol), or non-addictive lifestyle behaviours (nutrition or physical activity). Studies targeting addictive and non-addictive behaviours were separated after full text screening to account for the involvement of addictive substances in smoking and alcohol studies that may impact behaviour change interventions described. Studies targeting nutrition and/or physical activity interventions are presented here.

Results

The search strategy identified 17179 citations across eight databases, with 7440 unique citations once duplicates were removed. Full texts for 492 citations were retrieved and screened for inclusion with 85 publications reporting on 73 studies eligible for data extraction and analysis. Of this, addictive behaviours were comprised of 15 publications from 13 studies. Non-addictive behaviours included 70 publications from 58 studies and are reported here. Most interventions were delivered within the United States of America (n = 43, 74.1%). The most common study design reported was Randomised Control Trial (n = 27, 46.6%). Included studies involved synchronous telehealth interventions targeting nutrition (11, 18.9%), physical activity (5, 8.6%) or nutrition and physical activity (41, 70.7%) and were delivered predominately via videoconference (n = 17, 29.3%).

Conclusions

Despite differences in intervention characteristics, the number of randomised control trials published suggests sufficient scope for future systematic reviews to determine intervention effectiveness related to nutrition and physical activity telehealth interventions for rural populations.

Trial registration

The scoping review protocol was not pre-registered.
METTL3 exacerbates insulin resistance in hepatocytes by regulating m6A modification of cytochrome P450 2B6
Authors: Li Yongqing , Zhang Dantong , Gao Yinan , Wang Peijun , Wang Zejun , Zhang Bingyang , Liu Junjun , Ye Diwen , Ma Wanshan , Lu Sumei
Published: September 2023

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) in hepatocytes endangers human health, and frequently results in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Research on m6A methylation of RNA molecules has gained popularity in recent years; however, the molecular mechanisms regulating the processes of m6A modification and IR are not known. The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system, which is mainly found in the liver, is associated with the pathogenesis of NAFLD. However, few studies have been conducted on CYP450 related m6A methylation. Here, we investigated the role of the methyltransferase METTL3 in exacerbating IR in hepatocytes, mainly focusing on the regulation of m6A modifications in CYP2B6.

Methods and results

Analysis using dot blot and epitranscriptomic chips revealed that the m6A modification pattern of the transcriptome in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced fatty liver and free fatty acid (FFA)-induced fatty hepatocytes showed significant changes. CYP450 family members, especially Cyp2b10, whose homolog in humans is CYP2B6, led to a noticeable increase in m6A levels in HFD-induced mice livers. Application of the METTL3 methyltransferase inhibitor, STM2457, increased the level of insulin sensitivity in hepatocytes. We then analyzed the role of METTL3 in regulating m6A modification of CYP2B6 in hepatocytes. METTL3 regulated the m6A modification of CYP2B6, and a positive correlation was found between the levels of CYP2B6 translation and m6A modifications. Furthermore, interference with METTL3 expression and exposure to STM2457 inhibited METTL3 activity, which in turn interfered with the phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate (pIRS)-glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) insulin signaling pathway; overexpression of CYP2B6 hindered IRS phosphorylation and translocation of GLUT2 to membranes, which ultimately exacerbated IR.

Conclusion

These findings offer unique insights into the role that METTL3-mediated m6A modifications of CYP2B6 play in regulating insulin sensitivity in hepatocytes and provide key information for the development of strategies to induce m6A modifications for the clinical treatment of NAFLD.
Bioremediation of malachite green dye using sodium alginate, Sargassum latifolium extract, and their silver nanoparticles
Authors: El-Sheekh Mostafa M. , Deyab Mohamed A. , Hassan Nagwa I. , Abu Ahmed Seham E.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The textile, paper, rubber, plastic, leather, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food sectors extensively use malachite green (MG). In spite of this, it has mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and, in some circumstances causes chronic respiratory disease.

Objectives

In this work, we used sodium alginate, Sargassum latifolium aqueous extract, and their silver nanoparticles to test their potential as inexpensive adsorbent agents to remove malachite green dye from aqueous solutions.

Methods

The removal rate of MG was determined using a series of bioadsorption experiments. Besides, the effect of different factors on bioadsorption, such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time (min), and different concentrations of MG dye was investigated.

Results

The removal efficiency of MG dye by alginate nanoparticles, alginate, Sargassum latifolium aqueous extract, and S. latifolium aqueous extract nanoparticles was 91, 82, 84, and 68 respectively. The optimal conditions for bioadsorption of malachite green dye were pH 7, a contact time of 180 min, and an adsorbent dose of 0.02 g. The adsorption isotherm was fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. Also, UV and FT–IR before and after the bioadsorption of MG were performed to confirm the bioadsorption process.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that alginate nanoparticles were the most effective bioadsorbent agent.
Association between adiposity and facial aging: results from a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Meiqi , Feng Jingwei
Published: September 2023

Background

Skin, as a sociologically meaningful interface, has psychological implications different from other organs, particularly in the context of the global population aging. Growing evidence suggests that facial aging is associated with an increased risk of adiposity. Existing research, however, were observational, and while they may find some correlations, it is difficult to simply disentangle non-causal or reverse-causal links because these associations may be confounded or fail to accurately reflect true causative linkages.

Objectives

We conducted a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine the potential effect of facial aging on the risk of broad obesity and its three major adiposity indicators, including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and waist circumference (WC).

Methods

Genetic instruments from IEU OpenGWAS project, one of the largest available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for facial aging (423,999 samples) were used to investigate the relation to broad obesity (32,858 cases, 65,839 controls). Using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) technique, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with adiposity indicators (BMI (461,460 samples), BF% (454,633 samples), and WC (462,166 samples)) were investigated in relationship to facial aging. Further sensitivity analyses were performed, including Mendelian randomization-Egger (MR-Egger), weighted median estimates, and leave-one-out analysis, to evaluate the consistency of the results and related potential issues in MR studies.

Results

We identified strong and significant correlations between adiposity and facial aging in the 17 broad obesity-associated SNPs (IVW estimate of odds ratio OR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.010–1.029, P = 7.303e − 05), 458 BMI-associated SNPs (IVW estimate of odds ratio OR = 1.047, 95% CI 1.0357–1.058, P = 1.154e − 16),for the 395 BF%-associated SNPs (OR = 1.056, 95%CI 1.040–1.072,P = 7.617e − 12), or for the 374 WC-associated SNPs (OR = 1.072, 95% CI 1057–1.087,P = 1.229e − 23). A range of complementary methodologies have been employed to evaluate horizontal pleiotropy and related potential caveats occurring in MR research.

Conclusions

Using Mendelian randomization as an alternative approach to investigate causality, we found a causal relationship between adiposity and facial aging, which was statistically strong and significant.
An in vivo study to investigate an original intramedullary bone graft harvesting technology
Authors: Laubach Markus , Bessot Agathe , McGovern Jacqui , Saifzadeh Siamak , Gospos Jonathan , Segina Daniel N. , Kobbe Philipp , Hildebrand Frank , Wille Marie-Luise , Bock Nathalie , Hutmacher Dietmar W.
Published: September 2023

Background

Harvesting bone graft (BG) from the intramedullary canal to treat bone defects is largely conducted using the Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator (RIA) system. The RIA system uses irrigation fluid during harvesting, which may result in washout of osteoinductive factors. Here, we propose a new harvesting technology dedicated to improving BG collection without the potential washout effect of osteoinductive factors associated with irrigation fluid. This novel technology involves the conceptual approach of first aspirating the bone marrow (BM) with a novel aspirator prototype, followed by reaming with standard reamers and collecting the bone chips with the aspirator (reaming–aspiration method, R–A method). The aim of this study was to assess the harvesting efficacy and osteoinductive profile of the BG harvested with RIA 2 system (RIA 2 group) compared to the novel harvesting concept (aspirator + R–A method, ARA group).

Methods

Pre-planning computed tomography (CT) imaging was conducted on 16 sheep to determine the femoral isthmus canal diameter. In this non-recovery study, sheep were divided into two groups: RIA 2 group (n = 8) and ARA group (n = 8). We measured BG weight collected from left femur and determined femoral cortical bone volume reduction in postoperative CT imaging. Growth factor and inflammatory cytokine amounts of the BGs were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.

Results

The use of the stand-alone novel aspirator in BM collection, and in harvesting BG when the aspirator is used in conjunction with sequential reaming (R–A method) was proven feasible. ELISA results showed that the collected BG contained relevant amounts of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines in both the RIA 2 and the ARA group.

Conclusions

Here, we present the first results of an innovative concept for harvesting intramedullary BG. It is a prototype of a novel aspirator technology that enables the stepwise harvesting of first BM and subsequent bone chips from the intramedullary canal of long bones. Both the BG collected with the RIA 2 system and the aspirator prototype had the capacity to preserve the BG’s osteoinductive microenvironment. Future in vivo studies are required to confirm the bone regenerative capacity of BG harvested with the innovative harvesting technology.
Preclinical activity of selinexor in combination with eribulin in uterine leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Mittal Sonam , Kadamberi Ishaque Pulikkal , Chang Hua , Wang Feng , Kumar Sudhir , Tsaih Shirng-Wern , Walker Christopher J. , Chaluvally-Raghavan Pradeep , Charlson John , Landesman Yosef , Pradeep Sunila
Published: September 2023

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma (STS) that begins in smooth muscle tissue and most often initiates in the abdomen or uterus. Compared with other uterine cancers, uterine LMS (ULMS) is an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis and a high risk of recurrence and death, regardless of the stage at presentation. Selinexor is a first-in-class selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) compound that reversibly binds to exportin 1 (XPO1), thereby reactivating tumor suppressor proteins and downregulating the expression of oncogenes and DNA damage repair (DDR) proteins. In this study, we evaluated the effects of selinexor in combination with doxorubicin and eribulin in the LMS tumor model in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of selinexor combined with eribulin showed synergistic effects on tumor growth inhibition in SK-UT1 LMS-derived xenografts. Immunohistochemical assessment of the tumor tissues showed a significantly reduced expression of proliferation (Ki67) and XPO1 markers following combination therapy compared to the control group. Global transcriptome analyses on tumor tissue revealed that the combination therapy regulates genes from several key cancer-related pathways that are differentially expressed in ULMS tumors. To our knowledge, this is the first preclinical study demonstrating the anti-cancer therapeutic potential of using a combination of selinexor and eribulin in vivo. Results from this study further warrant clinical testing a combination of chemotherapy agents with selinexor to reduce the morbidity and mortality from ULMS.
Retinopathy of prematurity: from oxygen management to molecular manipulation
Authors: Woods Jonathan , Biswas Susmito
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the premature retina with the potential to progress to extraretinal neovascularisation. This review serves as an introduction to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), outlining key parts of ROP pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. ROP is traditionally diagnosed by indirect ophthalmoscopy and classified using anatomical zones, stages of disease, and the presence or absence of “plus disease” (dilation and tortuosity of the major retinal arterioles and venules). ROP has a bi-phasic pathophysiology: initial hyperoxia causes reduced retinal vascularisation, followed by pathological vaso-proliferation resulting from subsequent hypoxia and driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Advancements in management

This review summarises previous trials to establish optimum oxygen exposure levels in newborns and more recently the development of anti-VEGF agents locally delivered to block pathological neovascularisation, which is technically easier to administer and less destructive than laser treatment.

Future directions

There remains an ongoing concern regarding the potential unwanted systemic effects of intravitreally administered anti-VEGF on the overall development of the premature baby. Ongoing dosing studies may lessen these fears by identifying the minimally effective dose required to block extraretinal neovascularisation.
Subliminal perception of others’ physical pain induces personal distress rather than empathic concern
Authors: Song Juan , Zhao Zijing , Jiao Zhibin , Peng Yao , Chu Mingyuan
Published: September 2023

Background

What is our immediate reaction when we witness someone experiencing pain? The empathy-altruism hypothesis predicts that observers would display empathy and a tendency to approach the person in pain. Alternatively, the threat value of pain hypothesis (TVPH) argues that others' pain serves as a signal of threat and should induce observers’ avoidance response.

Methods

To examine these two hypotheses, three experiments were conducted. The experiments aimed to investigate the impact of subliminal exposure to others' physical pain on participants' emotional and behavioural responses.

Results

The results revealed that subliminal pain priming resulted in faster response and attentional bias to fearful faces compared to sad faces (Experiment 1), faster reaction times in recognizing fear-related words compared to anger-related words during a lexical decision task (Experiment 2), and faster avoidance responses towards anger-related words, as opposed to approaching responses towards positive words (Experiment 3).

Conclusions

The consistent findings across all experiments revealed that subliminal perception of pain scenes elicited fear emotion and immediate avoidance responses. Therefore, the outcomes of our study provide supportive evidence for the TVPH.
Online communication and positive psychological capital of college students in China: the mediating role of online social support
Authors: Jiang Ying , Chi Jingming , Wang Li , Geng Xiaomin
Published: September 2023

Online communication is one of the most significant factors that affect the growth and development of contemporary college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms of online social support in the relationship between online communication and the positive psychological capital of college students in China. Drawing on social exchange theory, the research employed a sample of 1,212 Chinese college students and incorporated online social support as a mediating variable. The investigation constructed a research model using the College Students’ Online Communication Questionnaire, Online Social Support Questionnaire, and Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire to examine the intricate relationship among online communication, online social support, and positive psychological capital. The study found that both online self-expression and online extended relationship actions positively influenced students’ positive psychological capital. However, online social participation did not demonstrate an impact on this measure. Furthermore, online social support was found to partially mediate the connection between online self-expression and positive psychological capital as well as between online extended relationships and positive psychological capital. Online social support fully mediated the relationship between online social participation and positive psychological capital.
A systematic review of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and renal profiles among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Mukai Junichi , Okamura Nakaba , Saito Yuki , Kubota Rie
Published: September 2023

Background

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the available literature and comprehensively appraise the renal profiles of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

The electronic databases MEDLINE, Ichushi-web, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies without language restrictions from their inception until 20 July 2023 and CENTRAL until 21 September 2021. Studies were included if they were double-masked randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (1) including Japanese patients with T2DM aged > 18 years who received SGLT2i or a placebo, (2) reporting at least one renal outcome of serum creatinine or the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and (3) with a follow-up of > 12 weeks. Cross-over and open label trials were excluded. The risk of bias based on the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) was appraised. We computed the weighed mean difference with 95%CI for each renal outcome and used a random-effects model (inverse variance method).

Results

We ultimately retrieved 13 RCTs including 2687 individuals in our review. The durations of RCTs ranged between 12 and 104 weeks. Only one trial had a longer duration of more than one year. Ten out of 13 RCTs reported serum creatinine, while nine included eGFR. Serum creatinine and eGFR were slightly worse with SGLT2i than with a placebo [mean difference 0.01 (95%CI 0.00 to 0.02) mg/dL, p = 0.002, mean difference − 1.30 (95%CI -2.23 to -0.37) mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.006, respectively]. Merged results revealed insignificant heterogeneity (I2 < 30%).

Conclusion

These results suggest that SGLT2i slightly worsens serum creatinine and eGFR in Japanese patients with T2DM. However, since the durations of most RCTs were short, the effects of eGFR in particular may be transient. Further evidence is needed from rigorous studies that focus on renal outcomes with a longer duration to confirm the present results.
Determinant of under nutrition among under five children in Ambo town during covid 19 pandemic in 2020. A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Feyisa Beshadu Bedada , Dabu Getu Taresa
Published: September 2023

Background

About 8 to 44% of all child mortality in Africa is associated with undernutrition. To alleviate this problem, it is necessary to determine the magnitude and determinants of undernutrition during Covid 19 pandemic. However, there is scarce evidence in an urban setting like Ambo town. Therefore, this study assessed the magnitude and factors associated with undernutrition among under-five children in Ambo town, west Ethiopia.

Methods and patients

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ambo town from March 01–30, 2020. The child and mother/caregiver socio-demographic characteristics, child illness and health care utilization, and child feeding practice-related data were collected using the standardized tool adopted from similar studies conducted in Ethiopia. Anthropometric measurements of the child were made using a calibrated scale. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select 363 mothers/caregivers of the child as a source of data. Nutritional status indices were generated using ENASMART software. After testing for collinearity, variables with a p-value < 0.25 in binary logistic regression were interred to backward multiple logistic regressions at a level of significance of p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 363 participants were included in this study providing a 100% response rate and providing the following result. The mean (+ SD) age of children was 28.85 (+ 14.17) months and that of mothers/caregivers was 28.12 + 48 years. This study found 16.00%, 25.30%, and 19.00% of the study participants were underweight, wasted, and stunted respectively. Decisions making on major food purchases, who usually care for the child, the age at which the child starts complimentary food, late introduction of complementary food were positively associated with wasting. Diarrhea, birth weight, child age, age at which the child starts complimentary food, consumption of milk and milk product, and who usually care for the child were significantly associated with being underweight. Consumption of milk and milk products, household food security level, and birth weight were independent determinants of stunting.

Conclusion

This study identified a high prevalence of undernutrition, especially wasting. Childbirth weight, age, diarrhea, feeding practice, household (HH) food security, Decision making on major food purchases, late introduction of complementary food were found to be the potential determinants of undernutrition. Thus there should be an effort to improve the nutritional status of children in the study area by focusing on these factors.
Biological control of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae induced wilt in tomato plants
Authors: Meddad-Hamza A. , Benzina F. , Meddad C. , Hamza N. , Reghmit A. , Ziane H. , Ksentini H.
Published: September 2023

Background

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum are effective bioagents against Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae in tomato plants. The objective of the research was to evaluate the in vivo antagonistic activity of AMF and T. harzianum against Verticillium and Fusarium wilt by enhancing the growth and resistance of tomato plants. A completely randomized experimental design was used, consisting of twelve treatments with nine replicates for each treatment. The treatments included combinations of AMF and T. harzianum inoculation, infection or non-infection by F. oxysporum and V. dahliae, while also considering individual and combined treatments. Mycorrhization rates, growth parameters, disease severity, disease progression, and the impact on disease mitigation were evaluated.

Results

The study revealed the superiority of AMF over T. harzianum, resulting in a significant enhancement in the overall extent of mycorrhizal colonization in tomato plants co-inoculated with T. harzianum. Moreover, AMF treatments and the AMF + T. harzianum consortium contributed to the improvement in growth among all plants infected with V. dahliae and F. oxysporum. Both AMF and T. harzianum significantly reduced the progression of Fusarium wilt, resulting in reductions of 45.14 and 44.91%, respectively, than the untreated plants infected with F. oxysporum (initial disease severity of 75.54%). T. harzianum demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing V. dahliae infection, with a reduction of 34.45% compared to 28.26% for AMF, starting from an initial disease severity of 69.85%. Thus, T. harzianum demonstrated greater effectiveness in controlling disease, particularly Verticillium wilt.

Conclusion

The target application of disease control methods in tomato plants revealed the effectiveness of both AMF and T. harzianum in mitigating Fusarium wilt. Furthermore, T. harzianum demonstrated a higher level of effectiveness against Verticillium wilt. These findings emphasize the potential of AMF and T. harzianum as sustainable alternatives in agriculture, providing a viable option to decrease dependence on fungicides.
Impact of gut microbiota composition on black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (hufnagel) metabolic indices and pesticide degradation
Authors: ElKraly Omnia Abdullah , Awad Mona , El-Saadany Hassan Mohamed , Hassanein Sameh E. , Elrahman Tahany Abd , Elnagdy Sherif M.
Published: September 2023

Endosymbionts are known to have significant effects on their insect hosts, including nutrition, reproduction, and immunity. Insects gut microbiota is a critical component that affects their physiological and behavioral characteristics. The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon, is an economically important lepidopteran pest that has a diverse gut microbiome composed of nine species belonging to three phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. This study was conducted to investigate the diversity of gut bacteria isolated from BCW larvae and moths and their effects on metabolism and pesticide degradation. The bacterial isolates were identified using the 16 S rRNA gene. The study showed that the gut microbiome composition significantly affected the metabolism of BCW larvae. Based on the screening results of synthesis of digestive enzymes and pesticide degradation, Brachybacterium conglomeratum and Glutamicibacter sp were selected to perform the remaining experiments as single isolates and consortium. The consortium-fed larvae showed high metabolic indices compared to antibiotic-fed larvae and the control. The gut bacteria were also shown to degrade three pesticide groups. Concerns regarding the health risk of chlorpyrifos have been raised due to its extensive use in agriculture. The isolated B. conglomeratum was more effective in chlorpyrifos degradation than the consortium. Furthermore, the study also examined the presence of sex related endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia) in the reproductive tissues of adults. The outcomes demonstrated that none of the examined endosymbionts existed. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in insect physiology and behavior and its potential applications in biotechnology. It provides insights into developing eco-friendly pest control and bioremediation strategies using gut bacteria.
The pros and cons of virtual networking events: online exploratory survey of psychiatrists’ opinions
Authors: Satake Yuto , Kuramochi Izumi , Kawagishi Ryo , Masuda Masato , Aki Morio , Oya Nozomu
Published: September 2023

We conducted an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study to clarify psychiatrists’ perspectives on virtual networking events. We compared two groups of respondents: those who had participated in virtual networking events (experienced group, n = 85) and those who had not (inexperienced group, n = 13). The experienced group had a greater level of agreement than the inexperienced group that virtual events were generally useful and helped with forming professional relationships and improving professional skills. Respondents in the experienced group considered the ease of participation and low financial burden to be advantages of virtual networking meetings and difficulties in building friendships and socialising to be disadvantages.
Genotype-Specific Cortisol Reserve in a Cohort of Subjects With Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCCAH)
Authors: Koren Ilana , Weintrob Naomi , Kebesch Rebekka , Majdoub Hussein , Stein Nili , Naor Shulamit , Segev-Becker Anat
Published: September 2023

Context

Recent guidelines suggest that patients with nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) stop glucocorticoid therapy after achieving adult height. However, these guidelines do not differentiate between NCCAH genotype groups.

Objective

Compare ACTH-stimulated cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) levels, and the rate of partial cortisol insufficiency in subjects with NCCAH carrying one mild and one severe (mild/severe) mutation vs subjects with biallelic mild (mild/mild) mutations.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of the medical records of 122 patients who presented with postnatal virilization and were diagnosed with NCCAH. Patients underwent standard intravenous 0.25 mg/m2 ACTH stimulation testing. Those with stimulated 17OHP level ≥40 nmol/L were screened for the 9 most frequent CYP21A2 gene mutations followed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. A stimulated cortisol level below 500 nmol/L was defined as partial cortisol deficiency.

Results

Patients were subdivided into 3 genotype groups: 77 carried the mild/mild genotype, mainly homozygous for p.V281L mutation; 29 were compound heterozygous for mild/severe mutation, mainly p.V281L/p.I2Splice, and 16 were heterozygous for p.V281L, and were excluded from statistical evaluation. Stimulated cortisol levels were significantly lower in the mild/severe than in the mild/mild group (mean ± SD, 480 ± 90 vs 570 ± 125 nmol/L, P < .001). The mild/severe group exhibited a significantly higher rate of partial cortisol insufficiency (21/28, 75% vs 28/71, 39%, P = .004). Peak 17OHP was significantly higher in the mild/severe group (198 ± 92 vs 118 ± 50 nmol/L, P < .001).

Conclusion

The high rate of partial adrenal insufficiency in the mild/severe group underscores the need to carefully consider the value of glucocorticoid therapy cessation and the importance of stress coverage in this group.
A Rending and a Raising: Ecstatic Religiosity and Textual Renewal in J. M. Coetzee's Jesus Trilogy
Authors: Tan Ian
Published: September 2023

This essay considers the abstract aesthetics of J. M. Coetzee's Jesus trilogy—The Childhood of Jesus, The Schooldays of Jesus, and The Death of Jesus—as emphasizing the pertinence of the religious in terms of a rupturing of an ontotheological vision of the world. It analyzes Coetzee's employment of religious allegory in the trilogy as a commentary on the birth of religious consciousness that finds its ultimate meaning in an opening out of hermetic experience toward social community and unthematizable singularity. Using Jean-Luc Nancy's ideas of Christianity as a deconstructive event and the ecstatic sense of the world, this essay traces the thematic cohesion of the trilogy in terms of an understanding of divinity that provides an atheological grounding of phenomenological sense. This reading not only emphasizes Coetzee's turn toward a “leaner” style in his late writing as the mark of a unique novelistic outlook toward the pertinence of transcendence in a postsecular world, but also engages with previous readings of allegory in Coetzee's work to posit a different understanding of allegory to be a conscious textual choice that both separates and ties together “fallen” temporality and the redemptive potentialities of literature, resulting in a sense of reality that stubbornly leads outside of it.
Understanding Molecular Transfer between Aqueous Phase and Reverse Micelles and Its Application to Bioassays in Microfluidics
Authors: Fukuyama Mao
Published: September 2023

Micrometer-sized water-in-oil droplets (microdroplets) are attracting attention as carriers for the high-throughput parallel analysis of trace samples. By confining trace amounts of water-soluble samples or reagents within a microdroplet, reactions and detection can be performed while suppressing diffusion dilution. Although many manipulation methods for droplets, such as mixing, merging, and splitting using microfluidic channels have been reported, concentration enrichment and purification techniques for microdroplet inclusions have been limited. Our recently developed method for selective concentration enrichment of microdroplet contents focuses on molecular transport between microdroplets and reverse micelles.
Impact of Water- and Land-Based Exercise Training on Risk Factors and Vascular Function in Middle-Aged and Older Men and Women
Authors: GREEN DANIEL J. , SILVA GUSTAVO O. , SMITH KURT J. , MASLEN BARBARA A. , COX KAY L. , LAUTENSCHLAGER NICOLA T. , PESTELL CARMELA F. , AINSLIE PHILIP N. , HAYNES ANDREW , NAYLOR LOUISE H.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Exercise improves vascular function, but it is unclear whether benefits are mediated by traditional cardiovascular risk factors or whether sex differences in training effects exist in older adults. We hypothesized that exercise would improve cardiovascular risk factors, that males and females would benefit similarly, and that improvements in risk factors would correlate with changes in vascular function.

Methods

Seventy-two healthy middle-aged/older adults (age, 62 ± 7 yr; 26%♂) were randomized to a land-walking (n = 23), water-walking (n = 25), or a nonexercise control group (C; n = 23). The exercise groups undertook supervised and monitored training three times a week for 50 min per session, across 24 wk. Blood pressure, body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry), blood lipids and glucose, and flow-mediated brachial artery dilation were assessed in all participants at weeks 0 and 24. To maximize power for sex differences and correlation analyses, we pooled the training groups (land-walking + water-walking).

Results

Training prevented increases in LDL and total cholesterol/HDL ratio observed in the nonexercise control group. No group by time interactions were observed for other risk factors. Sex differences in training effects existed for visceral fat (−187 ± 189 g♂ vs −15 ± 161 g♀; P = 0.006) and lean mass (−352 ± 1045 g♂ vs 601 ± 1178 g♀; P = 0.008). Improvement in flow-mediated brachial artery dilation was correlated with decreased waist girth (r = −0.450, P = 0.036), but not with other risk factors.

Conclusions

Exercise training prevented deterioration in lipid levels, whereas sex differences existed for body composition changes with training. Improvement in vascular function was not dependent on changes in risk factors in middle-aged/older adults, suggesting that artery health may be dependent on other exercise-related stimuli.
Η φλεγμονώδης διεργασία της σήψης
Authors: Κυριακούδη Άννα
Published: September 2023

Εισαγωγή: Η διαδικασία αποδέσμευσης από την μηχανική αναπνοή αποτελεί μια από τις σημαντικότερες διαδικασίες κατά την νοσηλεία του βαρέως πάσχοντα ασθενή στη ΜΕΘ, καθώς καθορίζει την ετοιμότητα για αποσωλήνωση και ως εκ τούτου την έκβαση του ασθενή. Κατά την διάρκεια της διαδικασία αυτής, σε φυσιοπαθολογικό επίπεδο, αλληλοεπιδρούν διάφοροι παράγοντες που ευθύνονται για το αποτέλεσμα της διαδικασίας. Από προγενέστερες μελέτες έχει φανεί ότι, η σήψη αποτελεί έναν επιβαρυντικό παράγοντα για τον διασωληνωμένο ασθενή και σχετίζεται με μεγαλύτερα ποσοστά αποτυχίας αποδέσμευσης από την μηχανική αναπνοή καθώς και με χειρότερη έκβαση. Η έκφραση των κυτταροκινών και του φλεγμονοσώματος στον ορό των ασθενών με σήψη έχε ι σχετιστεί με την βαρύτητα και την έκβαση της νόσου. Σκοπός της μελέτης: να αξιολογηθεί αν η σήψη αποτελεί επιβαρυντικό παράγοντα για την έκβαση της δοκιμασίας αυτόματης αναπνοής, εκτιμώντας την ενεργοποίηση του φλεγμονοσώματος και την έκφραση των κυτταροκινών που επάγονται από αυτό. Υλικό και μέθοδος: Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 65 βαρέως πάσχοντες διασωληνωμένοι ασθενείς (42 με σήψη και 23 που νοσηλεύτηκαν για άλλο λόγο), οι οποίοι πληρούσαν τα κριτήρια για τη δοκιμασία αυτόματης αναπνοής. Μετρήθηκαν στον ορό οι κυτταροκίνες, IL-18 (και η σχετική έκφραση του mRNA της στον ορό), η IL-18BP, η IL-16 , ο TNF-α σε τρεις χρονικές στιγμές κατά την δοκιμασία αυτόματης αναπνοής (πριν, στα 30 λεπτά της δοκιμασίας και 24 ώρες μετά). Αποτελέσματα: Επιτυχές SBT επετεύχθη σε 45 ασθενείς (69,2%). Οι σηπτικοί ασθενείς είχαν μεγαλύτερα ποσοστά αποτυχίας σε σύγκριση με τους μη σηπτικούς (85% vs. 15%, p = 0.026) και 4,5 φορές μεγαλύτερη πιθανότητα αποτυχίας (OR = 4.5 95% CI: 1.16-17.68, p 0.022). Τα επίπεδα της IL-18 στον ορό και η σχετική έκφραση του mRNA ήταν σημαντικά υψηλότερα στους σηπτικούς έναντι των μη σηπτικών ασθενών (p<0.05). Συμπεράσματα: Τα αποτελέσματά μας έδειξαν σταθερά αυξημένους δείκτες σήψης, όπως είναι οι IL-18 και IL-18BP, στους αναρρωνύοντες ασθενείς με σήψη που πληρούσαν τα κριτήρια για SBT. Τα αποτελέσματά μας υποδεικνύουν πως αν και υποκλινική, υπολειμματική φλεγμονή της σήψης παραμένει επί μακρόν υπονομεύοντας τη διαδικασία απογαλακτισμού από το μηχανικό αερισμό. Είναι απαραίτητο να βρεθούν βιοδείκτες για την εκτίμηση του φορτίου της σήψης και του κατάλληλου χρόνου για τον απογαλακτισμό από το μηχανικό αερισμό.
Prognostic role of tumor budding in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Kalmegh Padmashri , Hande Alka , Gawande Madhuri , Patil Swati , Sonone Archana , Pakhale Aayushi
Published: September 2023

Background: Tumor budding (TB) is defined as a single cell or a cluster of up to five tumor cells at the invasion front of all oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases. Tumor budding is considered a marker of many important events in oral carcinoma, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, metastasis, and for further prognosis.

Methods: A total of 30 clinically and histopathologically diagnosed cases of OSCC were retrieved from the archival of the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. After assessing the sections for the presence of TB, it is further categorized into high-intensity TB and low-intensity TB.

Results: We found a strong association between lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and histopathological grading in the current study. There was no association between TB and a patient's survival rate.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes the significance of tumor budding, its relevance to prognosis, and reproducibility, as well as the significance of its evaluation and incorporation into routine surgical pathology practice in the management of OSCC. As a result, we believe that tumor budding is a crucial factor in determining tumor behavior.
Case Report: Chest Pain as an Uncommon Presentation for Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Female Patient Using SGLT2 inhibitor
Authors: M. Abbas Shahd , Jamal A.bagi Fajr , Abdalkarim Asmaa , Sabir Balla Nematalla , Abdelrahman Amro , Y Fadul Khalid
Published: September 2023

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are well-recognised antidiabetic medications among clinicians due to its highly protective effects on cardiovascular and renal systems on diabetic patients. However, one of its uncommonly reported side effects is the development of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EuDKA) which is characterized by mild hyperglycemia, ketosis and acidosis. Chest pain as a clinical presentation of EuDKA has been rarely reported in the literature.

We present a case of a 46-year-old female with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia presented to the hospital with central chest pain that radiates to the back and is associated with mild shortness of breath and one bout of vomiting. She had been taking dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, for four years. She was found to have a blood glucose level of 7 mmol\L, high anion gap metabolic acidosis and ketonuria. Toxicology screening was unremarkable. She was diagnosed as a case of SGLT2-induced EuDKA and was treated with fluid, insulin and potassium chloride (KCL). Her hospital course went smoothly. Dapagloflzi was discontinued, and she was discharged home on oral metformin and subcutaneous insulin.

This study highlights the rare occurance of chest pain as a presentation of EuDKA, an uncommon side effect of the widely used SGLT2 inhibitors. Chest pain in patients using SGLT2 Inhibitors should raise the clinician's suspicion for possible EuDKA.