bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA editing regulates glutamatergic synapses in the frontal cortex of a molecular subtype of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Karagianni Korina , Dafou Dimitra , Xanthopoulos Konstantinos , Sklaviadis Theodoros , Kanata Eirini
Published: July 2024

Background

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a highly heterogenous neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects upper and lower motor neurons, affecting additional cell types and brain regions. Underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive, in part due to disease heterogeneity. Molecular disease subtyping through integrative analyses including RNA editing profiling is a novel approach for identification of molecular networks involved in pathogenesis.

Methods

We aimed to highlight the role of RNA editing in ALS, focusing on the frontal cortex and the prevalent molecular disease subtype (ALS-Ox), previously determined by transcriptomic profile stratification. We established global RNA editing (editome) and gene expression (transcriptome) profiles in control and ALS-Ox cases, utilizing publicly available RNA-seq data (GSE153960) and an in-house analysis pipeline. Functional annotation and pathway analyses identified molecular processes affected by RNA editing alterations. Pearson correlation analyses assessed RNA editing effects on expression. Similar analyses on additional ALS-Ox and control samples (GSE124439) were performed for verification. Targeted re-sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis targeting CACNA1C, were performed using frontal cortex tissue from ALS and control samples (n = 3 samples/group).

Results

We identified reduced global RNA editing in the frontal cortex of ALS-Ox cases. Differentially edited transcripts are enriched in synapses, particularly in the glutamatergic synapse pathway. Bioinformatic analyses on additional ALS-Ox and control RNA-seq data verified these findings. We identified increased recoding at the Q621R site in the GRIK2 transcript and determined positive correlations between RNA editing and gene expression alterations in ionotropic receptor subunits GRIA2, GRIA3 and the CACNA1C transcript, which encodes the pore forming subunit of a post-synaptic L-type calcium channel. Experimental data verified RNA editing alterations and editing-expression correlation in CACNA1C, highlighting CACNA1C as a target for further study.

Conclusions

We provide evidence on the involvement of RNA editing in the frontal cortex of an ALS molecular subtype, highlighting a modulatory role mediated though recoding and gene expression regulation on glutamatergic synapse related transcripts. We report RNA editing effects in disease-related transcripts and validated editing alterations in CACNA1C. Our study provides targets for further functional studies that could shed light in underlying disease mechanisms enabling novel therapeutic approaches.
BRD7 facilitates ferroptosis via modulating clusterin promoter hypermethylation and suppressing AMPK signaling in diabetes-induced testicular damage
Authors: Xiao Yuehai , Liang Zongjian , Qiao Jun , Zhu Zhiqiang , Liu Bei , Tian Yuan
Published: July 2024

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced testicular damage is associated with sexual dysfunction and male infertility in DM patients. However, the pathogenesis of DM-induced testicular damage remains largely undefined.

Methods

A streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model and high glucose (HG)-treated in vitro diabetic model were established. The histological changes of testes were assessed by H&E staining. Serum testosterone, iron, MDA and GSH levels were detected using commercial kits. Cell viability and lipid peroxidation was monitored by MTT assay and BODIPY 581/591 C11 staining, respectively. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) or Western blotting were employed to detect the levels of BRD7, Clusterin, EZH2 and AMPK signaling molecules. The associations among BRD7, EZH2 and DNMT3a were detected by co-IP, and the transcriptional regulation of Clusterin was monitored by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and ChIP assay.

Results

Ferroptosis was associated with DM-induced testicular damage in STZ mice and HG-treated GC-1spg cells, and this was accompanied with the upregulation of BRD7. Knockdown of BRD7 suppressed HG-induced ferroptosis, as well as HG-induced Clusterin promoter methylation and HG-inactivated AMPK signaling in GC-1spg cells. Mechanistical studies revealed that BRD7 directly bound to EZH2 and regulated Clusterin promoter methylation via recruiting DNMT3a. Knockdown of Clusterin or inactivation of AMPK signaling reverses BRD7 silencing-suppressed ferroptosis in GC-1spg cells. In vivo findings showed that lack of BRD7 protected against diabetes-induced testicular damage and ferroptosis via increasing Clusterin expression and activating AMPK signaling.

Conclusion

BRD7 suppressed Clusterin expression via modulating Clusterin promoter hypermethylation in an EZH2 dependent manner, thereby suppressing AMPK signaling to facilitate ferroptosis and induce diabetes-associated testicular damage.
Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate protects vascular relaxation in ApoE-knockout mice by inhibiting the SYK-NLRP3 inflammasome-MMP2/9 pathway
Authors: Liu Hai-Hua , Wei Wei , Wu Fei-Fei , Cao Lu , Yang Bing-Jie , Fu Jia-Ning , Li Jing-Xia , Liang Xin-Yue , Dong Hao-Yu , Heng Yan-Yan , Zhang Peng-Fei
Published: July 2024

Background

Hyperlipidemia damages vascular wall and serves as a foundation for diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and stiffness. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is implicated in vascular dysfunction associated with hyperlipidemia-induced vascular injury. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a well-established cardiovascular protective drug with recognized anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory properties, is yet to be thoroughly investigated for its impact on vascular relaxant imbalance induced by hyperlipidemia.

Methods

In this study, we treated ApoE-knockout (ApoE-/-) mouse with STS and assessed the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, expression of MMP2/9, integrity of elastic fibers, and vascular constriction and relaxation.

Results

Our findings reveal that STS intervention effectively preserves elastic fibers, significantly restores aortic relaxation function in ApoE-/- mice, and reduces their excessive constriction. Furthermore, STS inhibits the phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and reduces MMP2/9 expression.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that STS protects vascular relaxation against hyperlipidemia-induced damage through modulation of the SYK-NLRP3 inflammasome-MMP2/9 pathway. This research provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying vascular relaxation impairment in a hyperlipidemic environment and uncovers a unique mechanism by which STS preserves vascular relaxation, offering valuable foundational research evidence for its clinical application in promoting vascular health.
What determines informal care need among community-dwelling older adults in China? Results from a longitudinal study
Authors: Zhang Liangwen , Shen Shuyuan , Zhang Wenzheng , Fang Ya
Published: July 2024

Background

With an intensified aging population and an associated upsurge of informal care need in China, there is an ongoing discussion around what factors influence this need among older adults. Most existing studies are cross-sectional and do not focus on older people living in the community. Conversely, this study empirically explores the factors that affect informal care need of Chinese community-dwelling older individuals based on longitudinal data.

Methods

This study constructed panel data using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Research Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2018 for analysis. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the factors affecting reception of informal care, and linear mixed models were used to analyze the factors affecting informal care sources and intensity.

Results

During the follow-up period, 7542, 6386, 5087, and 4052 older adults were included in 2011–2018, respectively. The proportion receiving informal care increased from 19.92 to 30.78%, and the proportion receiving high-intensity care increased from 6.42 to 8.42% during this period. Disability (estimate = 4.27, P < 0.001) and living arrangement (estimate = 0.42, P < 0.001) were the critical determinants of informal care need. The rural older adults reported a greater tendency to receive informal care (estimate = 0.14, P < 0.001). However, financial support from children did not affect informal care need (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

At present, there is a great demand for the manpower and intensity of informal care, and the cost of informal care is on the rise. There are differences in informal care needs of special older groups, such as the oldest-old, living alone and severely disabled. In the future, the region should promote the balance of urban and rural care service resources, rationally tilt economic support resources to rural areas, reduce the inequality of long-term care resources, improve the informal care support system, and provide a strong community guarantee for the local aging of the older adults.
Differences of anticholinergic drug burden between older hospitalized patients with and without delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies
Authors: Ieong Chifong , Chen Tingjia , Chen Sai , Gao Xiang , Yan Kemin , He Wen , Hong Hua , Gu Yong , Chen Xiao , Yuan Gang
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This review aims to comprehensively summarize the differences in anticholinergic drug burden (ADB) scores between older hospitalized patients with and without delirium.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CINAHL EBSCOhost databases to identify prospective cohort studies exploring the relationship between ADB and the occurrence of delirium in older hospitalized patients. The primary outcome of the review was the mean ADB scores for the delirium and non-delirium groups, and the secondary outcome was the scores for the subsyndromal and non-delirium groups. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were incorporated using a fixed-effect method. Moreover, we performed subgroup analysis according to the admission type, age, the ADB scale type and the ADB classification.

Results

Nine prospective cohort studies involving 3791 older patients with a median age of 75.1 (71.6–83.9) were included. The ADB score was significantly higher in the delirium group than in the non-delirium group (SMD = 0.21, 95%CI 0.13–0.28). In subgroup analysis, the age subgroup was split into < 75 and ≥ 75 according to the median age of the older people. There were significant differences in ADB scores between older people with delirium and those without delirium in various subgroups: surgical (SMD = 0.20, 95%CI 0.12–0.28), internal medicine (SMD = 0.64, 95%CI 0.25–1.02), age < 75 (SMD = 0.17, 95%CI 0.08–0.26), age ≥ 75 (SMD = 0.27, 95%CI 0.15–0.39), ADS scale (SMD = 0.13, 95%CI 0.13–0.40), ARS scale (SMD = 0.15, 95%CI 0.03–0.26), ACB scale (SMD = 0.13, 95%CI 0.01–0.25), pre-admission ADB (SMD = 0.24, 95%CI 0.05–0.43) and ADB during hospitalization (SMD = 0.20, 95%CI 0.12–0.27).

Conclusions

We found a quantitative relationship between ADB and delirium in older patients admitted for internal medicine and surgery. And this relationship remained significant in different age, ADB scale type and ADB classification subgroups. However, the actual difference in ADB scores between patients with delirium and without delirium was small. More high-quality observational studies should be conducted to explore the impact of ADB on delirium and subsyndromal delirium.

Clinical Trial Registration

The protocol was published in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) [Ref: CRD42022353649].
Gastric bezoars secondary to mixed infection with Sarcina ventriculi and G + bacilli: a case report
Authors: Wang Tao , Xiang Dan
Published: July 2024

Sarcina ventriculi is a bacterium with a specific histological morphology and infection can present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and occasionally fatal complications. Delayed gastric emptying is regarded as the most significant risk factor for infection. Its pathogenicity is currently unknown and treatment options are inconsistent. Here we report a case of gastric bezoars secondary to a mixed infection of Sarcina ventriculi and G + bacilli, which is diagnosed by a pathological biopsy.
Analyzing the molecular mechanism of Scutellaria Radix in the treatment of sepsis using RNA sequencing
Authors: Deng Yaxing , Leng Linghan , Wang Chenglin , Yang Qingqiang , Hu Yingchun
Published: July 2024

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction, which seriously threatens human health. The clinical and experimental results have confirmed that Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as Scutellariae Radix, has anti-inflammatory effects. This provides a new idea for the treatment of sepsis. This study systematically analyzed the mechanism of Scutellariae Radix treatment in sepsis based on network pharmacology, RNA sequencing and molecular docking.

Methods

Gene expression analysis was performed using Bulk RNA sequencing on sepsis patients and healthy volunteers. After quality control of the results, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed. The active ingredients and targets of Scutellariae Radix were identified using The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Gene Ontology (GO) and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis were performed for disease-drug intersection targets. With the help of GEO database, Survival analysis and Meta-analysis was performed on the cross-targets to evaluate the prognostic value and screen the core targets. Subsequently, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to determine where the core targets are located within the cell. Finally, in this study, molecular docking experiments were performed to further clarify the interrelationship between the active components of Scutellariae Radix and the corresponding targets.

Results

There were 72 active ingredients of Scutellariae Radix, and 50 common targets of drug and disease. GO and PPI analysis showed that the intersection targets were mainly involved in response to chemical stress, response to oxygen levels, response to drug, regulation of immune system process. Survival analysis showed that PRKCD, EGLN1 and CFLAR were positively correlated with sepsis prognosis. Meta-analysis found that the three genes were highly expressed in sepsis survivor, while lowly in non-survivor. PRKCD was mostly found in Macrophages, while EGLN1 and CFLAR were widely expressed in immune cells. The active ingredient Apigenin regulates CFLAR expression, Baicalein regulates EGLN1 expression, and Wogonin regulates PRKCD expression. Molecular docking studies confrmed that the three active components of astragalus have good binding activities with their corresponding targets.

Conclusions

Apigenin, Baicalein and Wogonin, important active components of Scutellaria Radix, produce anti-sepsis effects by regulating the expression of their targets CFLAR, EGLN1 and PRKCD.
Hemodialysis patients have signs of a chronic thrombotic burden
Authors: Stegmayr Bernd G. , Lundberg Lennart D.
Published: July 2024

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the dominant cause of morbidity in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Unless sufficient anticoagulation is used during HD, clotting may appear. The objective was to investigate if levels of fibrin degradation products (D-dimer) were increased before and during HD.

Methods

The combined observational study included 20 patients performing a total of 60 hemodialysis divided into three sessions of low-flux dialysis. None of the patients suffered from any clinically evident thromboembolic event before or during the study. Median bolus anticoagulation (mainly tinzaparin) doses were 84 Units/kg bow. Blood samples were drawn before HD (predialysis), and at 30min and 180min during HD with focus on analyzing D-dimer levels and its relation to interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and speed of fluid elimination by HD (UF-rate).

Results

Predialysis, D-dimer levels (mean 0.767 ±0.821, min 0.136mg/L) were above the upper reference value in 95% of the sessions. D-dimer levels were lowered at 30min (p<0.001) and returned to predialysis levels at 180min. Predialysis D-dimer correlated with NT-pro-BNP, Troponin T, IDWG and UF-rate. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the D-dimer levels were significantly related to IDWG and the UF-rate.

Conclusions

D-dimer levels were elevated in a high proportion predialysis and during HD and related to the IDWG and the UF-rate. Awareness of D-dimer levels and future studies will help clarify if optimization of those variables, besides anticoagulation and biocompatibility measures, will eradicate the repeated subclinical thromboembolic events related to each HD; one reason that may explain organ damage and shortened life span of these patients.
Nomogram for predicting the probability of rectal anastomotic re-leakage after stoma closure: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Yuegang , Hu Gang , Zhang Jinzhu , Qiu Wenlong , Mei Shiwen , Wang Xishan , Tang Jianqiang
Published: July 2024

Background

In this study, we aimed to identify the risk factors in patients with rectal anastomotic re-leakage and develop a prediction model to predict the probability of rectal anastomotic re-leakage after stoma closure.

Methods

This study was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgery between January 2010 and December 2020. Among 3225 patients who underwent Total or Partial Mesorectal Excision (TME/PME) surgery for rectal cancer, 129 who experienced anastomotic leakage following stoma closure were enrolled. Risk factors for rectal anastomotic re-leakage were analyzed, and a prediction model was established for rectal anastomotic re-leakage.

Results

Anastomotic re-leakage after stoma closure developed in 13.2% (17/129) of patients. Multivariable analysis revealed that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (odds ratio, 4.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–14.21; p = 0.03), blood loss > 50 ml (odds ratio, 4.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–15.63; p = 0.02), and intersphincteric resection (intersphincteric resection vs. low anterior resection: odds ratio, 6.85; 95% confidence interval, 2.01–23.36; p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for anastomotic re-leakage. A nomogram was constructed to predict the probability of anastomotic re-leakage, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.828 in the cohort. Predictive results correlated with the actual results according to the calibration curve.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, blood loss > 50 ml, and intersphincteric resection are independent risk factors for anastomotic re-leakage following stoma closure. The nomogram can help surgeons identify patients at a higher risk of rectal anastomotic re-leakage.
Blepharoptosis and corneal epithelial thickness alterations, is there any relation?
Authors: Rafizadeh Seyed Mohsen , Sonbolestan Seyed Ali , Zeidabadinejad Haniyeh , Abtahi Mohammad-Ali
Published: July 2024

Background

To compare the epithelial thickness map of ptotic eyes of blepharoptosis patients with contralateral non- ptotic eyes.

Methods

Unilateral blepharoptosis patients were enrolled consecutively. Patients were underwent full ophthalmologic examination and their demographic data such as age and gender and specific ptosis findings e.g. the cause and duration, MRD-1, and levator palpebralis superioris function were registered. Anterior segment imaging for epithelial thickness measurements was done using the Avanti RTVue-XR platform. The corneal epithelial thickness maps of ptotic and non-ptotic eyes were compared.

Results

44 patients with unilateral blepharoptosis were included in the study. 27 (61.4%) of them were female and 17 (38.6%) cases were male. The mean of the patients’ ages was 24.40 ± 15.16 years. Ptotic eyes had significantly thinner superior (p = 0.000), superior-temporal (p = 0.000) and superior-nasal (p = 0.005) sectors of the cornea and slightly thicker corneal epithelium (CE) in the inferior-nasal sector. The correlation of difference of superior-inferior CE was evaluated with different parameters including patient’s age (p = 0.457), type of blepharoptosis (p = 0.786), duration of blepharoptosis (p = 0.477) and MRD1 (p = 0.248), but no correlation was found.

Conclusions

This study revealed that lid position in blepharoptosis may have effects on the corneal epithelial thickness map. Because of the lower position of upper eyelid, a thinning effect on superior corneal sectors may happen.
Temporal relationship between hepatic steatosis and fasting blood glucose elevation: a longitudinal analysis from China and UK
Authors: Liu Yujie , Liang Xian , Hu Yifan , Zhang Ning , Zhu Xingren , Feng Yuemei , Qin Zixiu , Wang Zihao , Kangzhuo Baima , Xiao Xiong , Zhao Xing
Published: July 2024

Background

The link between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes has not been fully established. We investigated the temporal relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), quantitatively assessed the impact, and evaluated the related mediation effect.

Methods

This study involved participants from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study and the UK Biobank. We performed cross-lagged path analysis to compare the relative magnitude of the effects between NAFLD and T2D using two-period biochemical data. Hepatic steatosis and fasting blood glucose elevation (FBG) represented NAFLD and T2D respectively. We fitted two separate Cox proportional-hazards models to evaluate the influence of hepatic steatosis on T2D. Furthermore, we applied the difference method to assess mediation effects.

Results

In cross-lagged path analyses, the path coefficients from baseline hepatic steatosis to first repeat FBG (βCMEC = 0.068, βUK−Biobank = 0.033) were significantly greater than the path coefficients from baseline FBG to first repeat hepatic steatosis (βCMEC = 0.027, βUK−Biobank = -0.01). Individuals with hepatic steatosis have a risk of T2D that is roughly three times higher than those without the condition (HR = 3.478 [3.314, 3.650]). Hepatic steatosis mediated approximately 69.514% of the total effect between obesity and follow-up T2D.

Conclusions

Our findings contribute to determining the sequential relationship between NAFLD and T2D in the causal pathway, highlighting that the dominant pathway in the relationship between these two early stages of diseases was the one from hepatic steatosis to fasting blood glucose elevation. Individuals having NAFLD face a significantly increased risk of T2D and require long-term monitoring of their glucose status as well.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing promotes diagnosis and treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in non-HIV infected children: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Liu Tingyan , Ming Meixiu , Shen Meili , Zhang Yi , Chen Hanlin , Chen Weiming , Tao Jinhao , Wang Yixue , Liu Jing , Zhou Jihua , Lu Guoping , Yan Gangfeng
Published: July 2024

Background

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) excels in diagnosis of infection pathogens. We aimed to evaluate the performance of mNGS for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in non-HIV infected children.

Methods

Totally 36 PJP children and 61 non-PJP children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit from March 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical features of PJP children were summarized. 1,3-β-D glucan (BDG) test and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) mNGS were used for evaluation of PJP diagnostic performance. Antimicrobial management modifications for PJP children after the mNGS results were also reviewed.

Results

Pneumocystis jirovecii was detected in all PJP children by mNGS (36/36), and the sensitivity of mNGS was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.26–100%). The sensitivity of BDG was 57.58% (95% CI: 39.22–74.52%). Of the 26 (72.2%) PJP patients with mixed infection, twenty-four (66.7%) were detected by BALF-mNGS. Thirteen patients (36.1%) had their antimicrobial management adjusted according to the mNGS results. Thirty-six PJP children included 17 (47.2%) primary immunodeficiency and 19 (52.8%) secondary immunodeficiency, of whom 19 (52.8%) survived and 17 (47.2%) died. Compared to survival subgroup, non-survival subgroup had a higher rate of primary immunodeficiency (64.7% vs. 31.6%, P = 0.047), younger age (7 months vs. 39 months, P = 0.011), lower body weight (8.0 kg vs. 12.0 kg, P = 0.022), and lower T lymphocyte counts.

Conclusions

The mortality rate of PJP in immunosuppressed children without HIV infection is high and early diagnosis is challenging. BALF-mNGS could help identify PJP and guide clinical management.
An elderly case of paraneoplastic anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis associated with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung
Authors: Naka Masamitsu , Inaba Atsushi , Miyasaka Hana , Suzue Keisuke , Ishigaki Junichi , Shibuya Hideki , Hara Kei , Ohishi Nobuya , Sugiyama Yusuke , Shiio Yasushi , Tajiri Ryosuke , Kishida Yukiko , Ishihara Tasuku , Yugeta Akihiro
Published: July 2024

Background

Recent studies have suggested that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are involved in the cell proliferation in several tumors. However, there have been no reports demonstrating the expression of NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor in large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC).

Case presentation

Here, we report the first elderly case of paraneoplastic anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis associated with LCNEC of the lung with NR1 expression. Of note, NR1 subunit expression in the tumor cells of the present case was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Radiation therapy and immunotherapies, such as corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), shrank the tumors and improved neurological symptoms in the present case. Additionally, we also confirmed the expression of NR1 in the tumor cells obtained from three other cases with LCNEC of the lung at our hospital by IHC.

Conclusion

Our IHC results indicate that LCNEC generally expresses NR1 subunit and NMDA receptor may be involved in the tumor development and growth.
Exosomes derived from human urine–derived stem cells ameliorate IL-1β-induced intervertebral disk degeneration
Authors: Qian Guang , Yu Yueming , Dong Youhai , Hong Yang , Wang Minghai
Published: July 2024

Background

Human intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) is a sophisticated degenerative pathological process. A key cause of IVDD progression is nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) degeneration, which contributes to excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress in the intervertebral disk. However, the mechanisms underlying IVDD and NPC degeneration remain unclear.

Methods

We used interleukin (IL)-1β stimulation to establish an NPC-degenerated IVDD model and investigated whether human urine–derived stem cell (USC) exosomes could prevent IL-1β-induced NPC degeneration using western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and transcriptome sequencing techniques.

Results

We successfully extracted and identified USCs and exosomes from human urine. IL-1β substantially downregulated NPC viability and induced NPC degeneration while modulating the expression of SOX-9, collagen II, and aggrecan. Exosomes from USCs could rescue IL-1β-induced NPC degeneration and restore the expression levels of SOX-9, collagen II, and aggrecan.

Conclusions

USC-derived exosomes can prevent NPCs from degeneration following IL-1β stimulation. This finding can aid the development of a potential treatment strategy for IVDD.
The relationship between the duration and the retraction and atrophy grades in traumatic isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tears in young patients
Authors: Ilyas Gokhan , Ipci Fikri Burak , Gokalp Oguzhan , Egeli Ercument
Published: July 2024

Background

The study aimed to determine the grade of retraction and atrophy according to the time elapsed in traumatic isolated full-thickness supraspinatus (SS) tears in young patients.

Methods

One thousand twenty-six patients, who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery, were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 69 patients aged 18 to 40 years with isolated traumatic full-thickness SS lesions remaining after exclusion criteria were evaluated for tendon retraction and atrophy grades. SS retraction was determined from a T2-weighted oblique coronal MRI slice, and the atrophy grade was determined from the T1-weighted oblique sagittal MRI slice. The patients were divided into four groups 0–1 month, 1–3 months, 3–6 months, and 6–12 months according to the time between trauma and MRI. The relationship of tendon retraction and muscle atrophy with elapsed time was evaluated, in addition, comparisons between groups were made.

Results

Thirty-one (45%) of the patients were female and their mean age was 30 ± 7.3 (18–40) years. The mean age of men was 30.5 ± 6.9 (18–39) years (p = 0.880). The time between rupture and MRI was moderately correlated with retraction and strongly correlated with atrophy grades (r = 0.599, 0.751, respectively). It was observed that there was a statistically significant difference between the 1st (0–1 month) and 2nd (1–3 months) groups (p = 0.003, 0.001, respectively), and between the 2nd and 3rd (3–6 months) groups (p = 0.032, 0.002, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the 3rd and 4th (6–12 months) groups (p = 0.118, 0.057, respectively). In addition, there was a moderate correlation between tendon retraction and atrophy grades (r = 0.668). Power (1- b) in post hoc analysis was calculated as 0.826.

Conclusions

The current study, supported by arthroscopy, showed that there is a moderate and strong positive correlation between the time elapsed after trauma and the level of retraction and degree of atrophy in traumatic full-thickness SS tears, and demonstrated the importance of early surgical intervention in young patients.
Impact of concentrated growth factor (CGF) injection on acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement in rabbits
Authors: Alawy Safa B. , El Meligy Mona Al Ahmady , Salem Eman M. , Alghonemy Wafaa Yahia
Published: July 2024

Background

The present study aimed to assess how a concentrated growth factor (CGF) injection affects the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rabbits.

Methods

This experimental investigation employed a split-mouth configuration. Before orthodontic mesialization of the maxillary first molars, CGF was prepared and administered using submucosal injections on the buccal and palatal sides of the maxillary first molars in one randomly assigned quadrant. The opposite quadrant was used as a control. The study examined four time points:1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. The measurement of tooth movement was conducted at each follow-up point using a digital caliper. The rabbits were euthanized, and their maxillary segments, specifically the maxillary first molars, were studied histologically to identify any alterations occurring on both the tension and compression sides.

Results

Significant tooth movement was observed in the experimental sides versus control sides in the second, third, and fourth week of follow-up periods (p ≤ 0.05). Histologically, on the compression side, the CGF group showed bone resorption and periodontal ligament active reactions from the first week and continued throughout the next three weeks. Also, on the tension side, the CGF group depicted cementoblastic and osteoblastic activities from the first week followed by fibroblastic activities from the second week and all activities continued till the fourth week.

Conclusions

CGF has the potential to effectively enhance orthodontic tooth movement without adverse clinical or histological effects.
The relationship between dietary habits and menstruation problems in women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Güzeldere Hatice Kübra Barcın , Efendioğlu Emine Hilal , Mutlu Sümeyye , Esen Havva Nur , Karaca Gamze Nur , Çağırdar Beyzanur
Published: July 2024

Background

Nutrition is important to the management and relief of the symptoms in menstrual disorders. This study aims to investigate the relationship between menstrual disorders and specific foods and nutrient intake in women.

Methods

Five-hundred-nine menstruating women participated in the study. The questionnaire form was created by the researchers via Google Forms and distributed in online applications (WhatsApp, Instagram etc.). The questionnaire consists of 5 sections, including demographic data, declared anthropometric measurements (height (m or cm), weight (g or kg)), questions about eating habits, menstruation status, and 24-hour food consumption. Statistical analysis was made with SPSS 23; nutrient analysis of food consumption was made using BeBiS 9.0.

Results

It was found that the body mass index (BMI) of healthy participants was higher than women with menstrual disorders. Women with menstrual disorders have lower intake of protein, vitamin K, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 and sodium compared with healthy women. All participants have a higher intake of vitamin B3, sodium, phosphorus, and manganese, and have a lower intake of other nutrients compared with the national adequate intake.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that women with menstrual disorders consume more high-sugar food/beverages and have inadequate nutrients intake.
Quality of life and its associated factors among women with pelvic organ prolapse who attend gynecology clinics Southern Ethiopia 2022
Authors: Tega Ayenew , Yenealem Fentahun , Belay Getahun , Asmare Eden , Getaneh Temesgen , Desalegn Misgana , Dechasa Natnael , Addis Zemenu
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Pelvic organ prolapse is the implosion of one or more pelvic floor structures which affect womens quality of life by compromising overall health, physical, social, structural, functional and emotional well-being.

Objective

To assess the quality of life and its associated factors among women with pelvic organ prolapse who attend gynecology clinics at Gurage zone hospitals, Southern Ethiopia 2022.

Methods

Facility-based cross-sectional study was applied in gurage zone hospital from April, 30 to Jun 30, 2022. Systematic random sampling was employed to select 416 women. Interview based structured questionnaires were applied to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Produte and Service Solution. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare the final statistical significance.

Result

The mean (SD) score of quality of life in this study was 53.57 (21.59). The most affected domains were general health perception and physical limitation (mean (SD) score 67.45 29.24) and (64.26 32.36)) respectively. Had no formal education (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.12), stage III/IV POP (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.19, 3.60), constipation (AOR = 3.51, 95% CI: 2.12, 7.21), urge urinary incontinence (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI: 2.32, 6.95), and not did regular physical exercise (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.37) were significantly associated with poor quality of life.

Conclusion

More than half of the participants in this study had impaired quality of life. The factor associated with quality of life was had no formal education, stage III/IV, constipation, urge urinary incontinence, and regular physical activity. It is recommended to have access education, counseling regular physical activity, detection, and management of its comorbidity.
Medical students experience in working in a public COVID-19 telehealth program: a descriptive study
Authors: Pedroso Thais Marques , Vasconcelos Isabela Muzzi , de Amorim Caroline Lopes , Coelho Laryssa Reis , Corrêa Maria Augusta Matos , de Aguiar Virgílio Barroso , Mendes Mayara Santos , Roever Leonardo , de Oliveira Clara Rodrigues Alves , Marcolino Milena Soriano
Published: July 2024

Background

Given the health and social needs generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil, implemented a teleconsultation and telemonitoring program to assist patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, the TeleCOVID-MG program. The telemonitoring service was conducted by medical students, under the supervision of a physician. The main goal of this study was to analyze the experience of the students while collaborating on the aforementioned telemonitoring program.

Methods

A questionnaire with 27 questions was developed to address the participation of the students in the telehealth program. The questionnaire included questions about the student’s profile, the system usability, and the satisfaction in participating in such a telehealth program. The questionnaire was generated on Google Forms® platform and sent via email to each student who was part of the telemonitoring team.

Results

Sixty students were included in the analysis (median age 25 years-old [interquartile range 24–26], 70% women). Of those, 61.6% collaborated on the telehealth program for more than 6 months, 65.1% performed more than 100 telemonitoring calls, 95.2% reported difficulties in contacting the patient through phone calls; 60.3% believe some patients might have felt insecure about being approached by medical students and not by graduate professionals; and 39.6% reported eventual system instabilities. The main strengths reported by the students were related to the system usability and to the self-perception of the quality of healthcare delivered to the patients. Even though 68.3% of the students mentioned technical difficulties, 96.6% reported that they were promptly solved. Finally, 98.3% believed that the program was useful and would recommend it to an acquaintance.

Conclusion

This study reports a successful experience of undergraduate medical students in a COVID-19 telemonitoring program. Overall, the medical students were satisfied with their participation, especially considering the continuity of clinical practice remotely during a period of classes suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic and their important role in the assistance of patients from low-income regions, which has minimized the health system burden in an emergency context.
Effect of Tronclass combined with team-based learning on nursing students’ self-directed learning and academic performance: a pretest-posttest study
Authors: Hu Longyi , Li Siqi , Zhou Leshan
Published: July 2024

Background

Self-directed learning ability is crucial for lifelong learning. The inadequate self-directed learning ability of nursing students in China may be due to their deficiency in self-management or learning initiative.

Objective

To explore the effect of online learning platform (Tronclass) combined with team-based learning on nursing students’ self-directed learning and academic performance.

Design

Pretest-posttest design.

Participants

From March to July 2023, 69 undergraduate third-year nursing students from a university in Hunan Province were selected through a whole-group sampling method.

Methods

This study used Tronclass to carry out team-based learning in the teaching process of pediatric nursing courses. It compared the self-directed learning ability nursing students before and after courses, and juxtaposed their academic performance with those of their counterparts who graduated in previous years.

Results

When comparing compare motivation, self-management, teamwork and information literacy, which are four subscale aspects of the self-directed Learning Ability Scale, the post-survey scores for these four dimensions are greater than the pre-survey results. The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), in the students who engaged in Tronclass combined with team-based learning. Specifically, these students received higher midterm and final grades than to those who had already graduated and did not participate in these activities. (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Combining Tronclass with team-based learning enhances nursing students’ ability to engage in self-directed learning and improves their performance in midterms and finals, thereby fostering the development of comprehensive competence.
Patient safety culture and associated factors of regional public hospitals in Addis Ababa
Authors: Yayehrad Teshome , Getachew Yeneneh , Muluken Workineh
Published: July 2024

Background

Patient safety culture is the result of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behavior that determine the commitment, style, and proficiency of health providers’ safety management. Globally, millions of adverse events occur annually, with a significant burden on low- and middle-income countries. The burden of injuries and other harm to patients from adverse events is likely one of the top 10 causes of death and disability worldwide. This study aimed to assess patient safety culture and its associated factors in regional public hospitals in Addis Ababa.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 494 healthcare professionals working at regional public hospitals in Addis Ababa. The data were collected using a pretested structured self-administered questionnaire from June 3 to July 30, 2023. The data were entered into Epi info version 7.2 and exported to SPSS version 26.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between the patient safety culture (dependent variables) and socio-demographic factors, health care providers and system’s. Multicollinearity was checked using VIF, and the adequacy of the final model was assessed using the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

Result

Overall, 48.8% (95% CI: 44.3–53.1) of participants had a good patient safety culture, for a response rate of 93.3%. Factors significantly associated with patient safety culture, as identified through factor analysis, included having 6–10 years of experience (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.13–2.88), having more than 11 years of experience (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 1.27–9.56), reporting adverse events (AOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.37–4.45), participating in patient safety programs (AOR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.91–6.92), and working in obstetrics and pediatric wards (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23–0.94) and (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.097–0.44), respectively.

Conclusion

The overall level of patient safety culture in regional public hospitals was low (< 75%). Factors such as having 6 or more years of experience, reporting adverse events, participating in patient safety programs, and working in obstetrics and pediatric wards were significantly associated with patient safety culture.
Plate fixation of inferior ramus in pubis-ischium ramus improves mechanical stability in Tile B pelvic injures: a cadaveric biomechanical analysis and early clinical experience
Authors: Pan Zhongjie , Qin Lili , Shi Xiaorong , Hu Feng , Li Yuquan , Li Muwen , Chen Min , Huang Wengui , Li Yuanjun , Yang Zhi , Zhao Jinmin , Liu Wei
Published: July 2024

Background

Management of inferior ramus of the pubis-ischium ramus remains controversial, and related research is sparse. The main intention of this study is to describe the biomechanical and clinical outcomes of pubis-ischium ramus fractures in Tile B pelvic injuries and to identify the feasibility and necessity of fixation of the inferior ramus of the pubis-ischium ramus.

Methods

This study comprised two parts: a biomechanical test and a retrospective clinical study. For the biomechanical tests, Tile B-type pelvic injuries were modeled in six cadaver specimens by performing pubis-ischium osteotomies and disruption of the anterior and interosseous sacroiliac ligaments. The superior and/or inferior rami of the pubis-ischium ramus were repaired with reconstruction plates and separated into three groups (A, B, and C). Specimens were placed in the standing position and were loaded axially with two-leg support for three cycles at 500 N. The displacements of sacroiliac joints at osteotomy were measured with Vernier calipers and compared using statistical software. To investigate the clinical outcomes of this technique, 26 patients were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a superior ramus fixation group (Group D) and a combined superior and inferior ramus of the pubis-ischium ramus fixation group (Group E). The main outcome measures were time of operation, blood loss, postoperative radiographic reduction grading, and functional outcomes.

Results

In the vertical loading test, Group E showed better pelvic ring stability than Group D (P < 0.05). However, the shift of the sacroiliac joints was almost identical among the three groups. In our clinical case series, all fractures in Group E achieved bony union. Group E demonstrated earlier weight-bearing functional exercise (2.54 ± 1.45 vs 4.77 ± 2.09; P = 0.004), earlier bony union (13.23 ± 2.89 vs 16.55 ± 3.11; P = 0.013), and better functional outcomes (89.77 ± 7.27 vs 82.38 ± 8.81; P = 0.028) than Group D. The incidence of sexual dysfunction was significantly lower in Group E than that in Group D (2/13 vs 7/13; P = 0.039). Bone nonunion occurred in two patients in Group D, and two patients in Group E had heterotopic ossification. None of the patients exhibited wound complications, infections, implant failures, or bone–implant interface failures.

Conclusions

Fixation of the inferior ramus of a pubis-ischium ramus fracture based on conventional fixation of the anterior pelvic ring is mechanically superior in cadaveric Tile B pelvic injury and shows rapid recovery, good functional outcomes, and low incidence of complications.
Macrophage membrane-reversibly camouflaged nanotherapeutics accelerate fracture healing by fostering MSCs recruitment and osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Wu Cheng , Yan Jing , Ge Chenglong , Xie Lucheng , He Yunjie , Zhao Ziyin , Deng Yekun , Dong Qirong , Yin Lichen
Published: July 2024

The fracture healing outcome is largely dependent on the quantities as well as osteogenic differentiation capacities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at the lesion site. Herein, macrophage membrane (MM)-reversibly cloaked nanocomplexes (NCs) are engineered for the lesion-targeted and hierarchical co-delivery of short stromal derived factor-1α peptide (sSDF-1α) and Ckip-1 small interfering RNA (Ckip-1 siRNA, siCkip-1) to promote bone repair by concurrently fostering recruitment and osteogenic differentiation of endogenous MSCs. To construct the NCs, a membrane-penetrating α-helical polypeptide first assembles with siCkip-1, and the cationic NCs are sequentially coated with catalase and an outer shell of sSDF-1α-anchored MM. Due to MM-assisted inflammation homing, intravenously injected NCs could efficiently accumulate at the fractured femur, where catalase decomposes the local hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen bubbles that drives the shedding of sSDF-1α-anchored MM in the extracellular compartment. The exposed, cationic inner core thus enables robust trans-membrane delivery into MSCs to induce Ckip-1 silencing. Consequently, sSDF-1α-guided MSCs recruitment cooperates with siCkip-1-mediated osteogenic differentiation to facilitate bone formation and accelerate bone fracture healing. This study provides an enlightened strategy for the hierarchical co-delivery of macromolecular drugs into different cellular compartments, and it also renders a promising modality for the management of fracture healing.