bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interplay between bladder microbiota and overactive bladder symptom severity: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Kun , Chen Chunxiao , Zeng Jiarong , Wen Yuehui , Chen Weihong , Zhao Jie , Wu Peng
Published: March 2022

Background

It is widely accepted that there exist microbiota communities in urinary tract of healthy individuals. Imbalance in the urinary microbiome plays important roles in the development of various benign urological conditions including lower urinary track symptoms (LUTS) and overactive bladder (OAB). However, whether alteration in urinary microbiome exerts influence on the severity of OAB symptom has yet to be elucidated. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between urinary microbiome and the severity of OAB.

Methods

A total of 70 OAB patients were recruited to finish overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaires. Catheterized urine samples were obtained for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The species richness and evenness were evaluated by α diversity, and the difference in urinary microbiome between patients with mild or moderate/severe severity was evaluated by β diversity. The relationship between urinary microbiome and the severity of OAB symptom was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation analysis.

Results

Mild patients (OABSS ≤ 5, n = 17) had lower bacterial diversity (Simpson index, P = 0.024) and richness (Chao1, P = 0.023) than those with moderate/severe symptom (OABSS > 5, n = 53). Beta-diversity of urinary microbiome between two groups were significantly different. Furthermore, the score of OABSS was positively correlated with the richness index (Chao1, P = 0.002) and diversity index (Shannon index, P = 0.044) of urinary microbiome. Certain bacterial genera (e.g., Porphyromona and Prevotella) were significantly correlated with severity of OAB sub-symptoms.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that urinary microbiome was intimately correlated with the severity of OAB symptom and the increase of the diversity and richness of urinary microbiome was accompanied by more severe OAB symptoms, indicating that urinary dysbiosis may play pivotal roles in the deterioration of functional bladder diseases.
Single-cell sequencing reveals MYC targeting gene MAD2L1 is associated with prostate cancer bone metastasis tumor dormancy
Authors: Wang Xing , Yu Jiandi , Yan Junfeng , Peng Kun , Zhou Haiyong
Published: March 2022

Background

Among malignant tumors, bone metastasis is frequently associated with prostate cancer which is seen in about 80% of patients. During cancer treatments, some tumor cells switch to a "dormant mode" to help tumor cells avoid attack from the immune system and anti-tumor therapies. In this dormant mode, tumor cells can be resuscitated, causing cancer to reoccur. The generally accepted explanation for this phenomenon is that the tumor cells have spread to the bone marrow before treatment and are dormant in the bone marrow. However, the key mechanism for inducing and maintaining the dormancy of these prostate cancer disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow is still unclear. Therefore, studying the dormancy mechanism of tumor cells in bone metastasis is of great significance for the treatment and the prevention of recurrence of prostate cancer.

Methods

We obtained single-cell RNA-seq data of tumors from mouse models of prostate cancer bone metastasis mouse model numbered (GSE147150) from the GEO database, and obtained RNA-seq expression data and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) of prostate cancer patients from the USCS Xena database. Screening of differential genes and annotation of GO functions were performed separately. Subsequently, the screened differential genes were compared and analyzed with 50 classic Hallmark signaling pathways, and the prognosis analysis of prostate cancer patients in TCGA data was performed to discover the key genes of the dormant mechanism of tumor cells in bone metastasis, and obtain new biomarkers that can be used to predict the prognosis of patients.

Results

A total of 378 differentially expressed genes were screened, of which 293 were significantly up-regulated and 85 were significantly down-regulated. Among them, the up-regulated genes were mainly related to the immune response, and the down-regulated genes were mainly related to the cell cycle. Through GSVA (Gene set variation analysis), it is found that there are differences in a total of 3 signal pathways: COMPLEMENT, MYC_TARGETS_V1 and MYC_TARGETS_V2. By comparing and analyzing the significantly down-regulated genes in dormant tumor cells with MYC_TARGETS_V1, MYC_TARGETS_V2, three significantly down-regulated genes were obtained: Ccna2, Mad2L1 and Plk1.

Conclusion

In summary, our findings indicate that the MYC targeting gene Mad2L1 is potentially related to the dormancy mechanism of prostate cancer. At the same time, Mad2L1, a gene associated with dormant prostate cancer cells, may be used as a biomarker for prognostic survival.
Association of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the Czech population: case–control study
Authors: Bartakova Julie , Deissova Tereza , Slezakova Simona , Bartova Jirina , Petanova Jitka , Kuklinek Pavel , Fassmann Antonin , Borilova Linhartova Petra , Dušek Ladislav , Izakovicova Holla Lydie
Published: March 2022

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is multifactorial disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine distribution of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms and their influence on RAS susceptibility in Czech population.

Methods

The study included 230 subjects (143 healthy controls and 87 patients with RAS) with anamnestic, clinical and laboratory data. Five ACE gene polymorphisms (rs4291/rs4305/rs4311/rs4331/rs1799752 = ACE I/D) were determined by TaqMan technique.

Results

The allele and genotype distributions of the studied ACE I/D polymorphisms were not significantly different between subjects with/without RAS (Pcorr > 0.05). However, carriers of II genotype were less frequent in the RAS group (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.21–1.12, P = 0.059). Stratified analysis by sex demonstrated lower frequency of II genotype in women (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.09–1.17, P < 0.035, Pcorr > 0.05, respectively) than in men with RAS (P > 0.05). Moreover, the frequency of AGTGD haplotype was significantly increased in RAS patients (OR = 13.74, 95% CI = 1.70–110.79, P = 0.0012, Pcorr < 0.05). In subanalysis, TGD haplotype was significantly more frequent in RAS patients (P < 0.00001) and CGI haplotype was less frequent in RAS patients (P < 0.01), especially in women (P = 0.016, Pcorr > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study indicates that while the AGTGD and TGD haplotypes are associated with increased risk of RAS development, CGI haplotype might be one of protective factors against RAS susceptibility in Czech population.
Anti-glycation properties of Illicium verum Hook. f. fruit in-vitro and in a diabetic rat model
Authors: Khan Hafiz Nadeem , Rasheed Saima , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Ahmed Nessar , Adem Abdu
Published: March 2022

Background

Chronic hyperglycemic triggers the non-enzymatic glycation of biomolecules, resulting in the production of advanced glycation endproducts, that lead to several micro- and macrovascular complications. Therefore, the discovery of new, effective, and safe anti-glycation agents is an important need. One of the best choices for the management of diabetes is to use complementary and alternative medicinal therapies. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the anti-glycation activity of ethanolic extract of Illicium verum Hook. f. (Star anise, a frequently used spice and medicinally important herb).

Methods

The anti-glycation activity of ethanolic extract of Illicium verum Hook. f. was determined by using both in-vitro and in-vivo assays. HSA-fructose glycation model was employed to assess the in-vitro inhibition of protein glycation, additionally cross-linked AGEs (formed by incubating lysozyme with fructose) were assessed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Dual inhibitory mechanisms, i.e., antioxidant and metal chelating activities, were also evaluated by using DPPH, ABTS, and Fe (II)-chelation assays. Acute toxicity of I. verum extract was also performed (by administrating different doses i.e. 2,000, 1,500, 1,000, and 500 mg/kg of body weight). Finally, in-vivo anti-glycation potential was evaluated by 7 weeks of administration of I. verum extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Results

In HSA-fructose glycation model, extract of I. verum showed a good inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.11±0.001 mg/mL, as compared to the standard inhibitor, rutin (IC50 = 0.02±0.01 mg/mL). Extract of I. verum showed inhibitory activity in DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging assays with IC50 values of 130±1.0, and 57±2.0 μg/mL, respectively, while it was found to be inactive in the Fe+2-chelation assay. The extract was found to be non-toxic, and reduce the elevated blood glucose, urea, lipid, liver function parameters, and renal AGEs levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Conclusions

These results suggest that I. verum supplementation might help to reduce the burden of AGEs, and may have potential in preventing diabetes-associated complications.
Hydro-ethanol extract of Holarrhena floribunda stem bark exhibits anti-anaphylactic and anti-oedematogenic effects in murine models of acute inflammation
Authors: Antwi Stephen , Oduro-Mensah Daniel , Obiri David Darko , Osafo Newman , Antwi Aaron Opoku , Ansah Helena Owusu , Ocloo Augustine , Okine Laud K. N.-A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Holarrhena floribunda(G.Don) T.Durand & Schinz stem bark has anecdotal use in Ghanaian folk medicine for the management of inflammatory conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the bark extract using models of acute inflammation in male Sprague Dawley rats, C57BL/6 mice and ICR mice.

Methods

A 70% hydro-ethanol extract of the stem bark (HFE) was evaluated at doses of 5–500 mg/kg bw. Local anaphylaxis was modelled by the pinnal cutaneous anaphylactic test. Systemic anaphylaxis or sepsis were modeled by compound 48/80 or lipopolysaccharide, respectively. Clonidine-induced catalepsy was used to investigate the effect on histamine signaling. Anti-oedematogenic effect was assessed by induction with carrageenan. Effects on mediators of biphasic acute inflammation were studied using histamine and serotonin (early phase) or prostaglandin E2 (late phase).

Results

HFE demonstrated anti-inflammatory and/or anti-oedematogenic activity comparable to standard doses of aspirin and diclofenac (inhibitors of cyclooxygenases-1 and -2), chlorpheniramine (histamine H1-receptor antagonist), dexamethasone (glucocorticoid receptor agonist), granisetron (serotonin receptor antagonist) and sodium cromoglycate (inhibitor of mast cell degranulation). All observed HFE bioactivities increased with dose.

Conclusions

The data provide evidence that the extract ofH. floribundastem bark has anti-anaphylactic and anti-oedematogenic effects; by interfering with signalling or metabolism of histamine, serotonin and prostaglandin E2which mediate the progression of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activities of HFE may be relevant in the context of the management of COVID-19.
Knockdown of RSPH14 inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma via RelA
Authors: Yuan Dawei , Ma Rulan , Sun Tuanhe , Zhu Kun , Dang Chengxue , Ye Haixia , Li Kang
Published: March 2022

Background

High RSPH14 expression appears to be related to poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the possible roles of RSPH14 in the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of HCC cells.

Methods

The UALCAN database and Kaplan–Meier Plotter were used to evaluate the expression level and prognostic role of RSPH14 in HCC. Lentiviral vectors containing shRNA against RSPH14 were constructed to transfect the BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 HCC cell lines. Cell proliferation was investigated by BrdU, MTT, and colony-formation assays. Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated using the scratch wound-healing and Transwell assays. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to determine the expression levels of the proteins. The function of RSPH14 in vivo was evaluated using a xenograft mouse model.

Results

The expression of RSPH14 was higher in HCC tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues and was closely related to unfavorable prognostic factors and poorer survival (all P < 0.05). Knockdown of RSPH14 inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells and promoted apoptosis (all P < 0.05). Knockdown of RSPH14 inhibited tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.05). RSPH14 knockdown led to decreased expression of RelA (NF-κBp65), CDH2, and AKT1, thereby affecting the functions of the HCC cells (all P < 0.05). RelA overexpression could abate the inhibitory effect of BEL-7404 cell proliferation caused by RSPH14 depletion.

Conclusion

Knockdown of RSPH14 could decrease cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increase apoptosis of HCC cells by inhibiting RelA expression. RSPH14 could be a new treatment target for HCC.
KRAS acting through ERK signaling stabilizes PD-L1 via inhibiting autophagy pathway in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Gao Zheng , Chen Jia-Feng , Li Xiao-Gang , Shi Ying-Hong , Tang Zheng , Liu Wei-Ren , Zhang Xin , Huang Ao , Luo Xuan-Ming , Gao Qiang , Shi Guo-Ming , Ke Ai-Wu , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Fu Xiu-Tao , Ding Zhen-Bin
Published: March 2022

Background

While the correlation between PD-L1 expression and KRAS mutation has been previously reported in other solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whether PD-L1 can be modulated by ERK signaling downstream of KRAS in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and the underlying molecular regulatory mechanism remain unclear.

Methods

The expression of ERK, p-ERK, PD-L1 and autophagy markers following KRAS knockdown or Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling inhibitors treatment was examined in two human iCCA cell lines (HuCCT1 and RBE) using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Both pharmacological autophagy inhibitors and short-interfering RNA against ATG7 were applied to inhibit autophagy. The apoptosis rates of iCCA cell lines were detected by flow cytometry and CCK-8 after co-culturing with CD3/CD28-activated human CD8+ T lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the correlation of ERK, p-ERK and PD-L1 in 92 iCCA tissues.

Results

The present study demonstrated that the PD-L1 expression level was distinctly reduced in KRAS-mutated iCCA cell lines when ERK signaling was inhibited and ERK phosphorylation levels were lowered. The positive association between p-ERK and PD-L1 was also verified in 92 iCCA tissue samples. Moreover, ERK inhibition induced autophagy activation. Both inhibiting autophagy via autophagy inhibitors and genetically silencing the ATG7 expression partially reversed the reduced PD-L1 expression caused by ERK inhibition. In addition, ERK-mediated down-regulation of PD-L1 via autophagy pathways induced the apoptosis of iCCA cells when co-cultured with CD3/CD28-activated human CD8+ T lymphocytes in vitro.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that ERK signaling inhibition contributes to the reduction of PD-L1 expression through the autophagy pathway in iCCA. As a supplement to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, ERK-targeted therapy may serve as a potentially novel treatment strategy for human KRAS-mutated iCCA.
Efficacy and safety of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria in Papua and Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Asih Puji B. S. , Rozi Ismail E. , Dewayanti Farahana K. , Wangsamuda Suradi , Zulfah Syarifah , Robaha Marthen , Hutahaean Jonny , Anggraeni Nancy D. , Kusumaningsih Marti , Mulyani Pranti S. , Sariwati Elvieda , Basri Herdiana H. , Bustos Maria Dorina G. , Syafruddin Din
Published: March 2022

Background

Dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DHA–PPQ) has been adopted as first-line therapy for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Indonesia since 2010. The efficacy of DHA–PPQ was evaluated in 2 sentinel sites in Keerom District, Papua and Merangin District, Jambi, Sumatra from April 2017 to April 2018.

Methods

Clinical and parasitological parameters were monitored over a 42-day period following the World Health Organization standard in vivo protocol and subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were treated with DHA–PPQ once daily for 3 days, administered orally.

Results

In Papua, 6339 subjects were screened through active and passive cases detection. Of the 114 falciparum and 81 vivax cases enrolled, 102 falciparum and 80 vivax cases completed the 42 day follow up, and 12 falciparum and 1 vivax cases were either lost to follow up or withdrawn. Kaplan–Meier analysis of microscopy readings of 102 falciparum cases revealed 93.1% (95% CI 86.4–97.2) as Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR). No delay in parasite clearance nor severe adverse reaction was observed. Recurrent parasites of Plasmodium falciparum were detected in 7 cases and categorized as late treatment failures (LTF) at days 21, 35, and 42 and one of which was reinfected by Plasmodium vivax at day 42. Two cases were confirmed as recrudescent infection and 4 were re-infection. The PCR-corrected DHA–PPQ efficacy for P. falciparum was 97.9% (95% CI 92.7–99.7). Of the 80 cases of P. vivax that were followed up, 71 cases were completely cured and classified as ACPR (88.8%, 95% CI 79.7–94.7) and 9 cases showed recurrent infection at days 35 and 42, and classified as LTF. In Sumatra, of the 751 subjects screened, 35 vivax subjects enrolled, 34 completed the 42 day follow up. Thirty-three cases were completely cured and classified as ACPR (97.1%, 95% CI 84.7–99.9) and 1 recurrent infection was observed and classified as LTF. No delay in parasite clearance nor severe adverse reaction was observed. Analysis of the Pfk13 gene in P. falciparum cases from Papua revealed no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in the 20 SNPs previously reported. Analysis of the Pfpm2 gene at day 0 and day of recurrence in recrudescent cases revealed the same single copy number, whereas 3 of the 4 re-infection cases carried 2–3 Pfpm2 gene copy numbers.

Conclusion

Treatment of falciparum and vivax malaria cases with DHA–PPQ showed a high efficacy and safety.
From each according to means, to each according to needs? Distributional effects of abolishing asset-based payments for residential care in Austria
Authors: Rodrigues Ricardo , Simmons Cassandra , Premrov Tamara , Böhler Christian , Leichsenring Kai
Published: March 2022

Background

Most countries in Europe require out-of-pocket payments (OPPs) for nursing homes based on users’ income and often assets. This was also the case in Austria until 2018 when asset-based contributions to residential care —denoted the ‘Pflegeregress’ – were abolished, leaving a shortfall in revenue. We aim to determine how the Pflegeregress was distributed across different groups in Austria prior to 2018, what the distributional consequences of its abolishment were, and what the distributional impact of different financing alternatives would be.

Methods

Circumventing data availability issues, we construct a micro-simulation model using a matched administrative dataset on residential care users receiving the Austrian care allowance (Pflegegeldinformation, PFIF, HVB, and Pflegedienstleistungsstatistik, Statistik Austria) and survey data (SHARE, wave 6). Using this model, we estimate the expected duration of residential care and OPPs under the Pflegeregress of a representative sample of older people aged 65 + in Austria, as well as OPPs under budgetary neutral financing alternatives to the abolished asset-based contribution, namely an inheritance tax and a social insurance scheme. The distributional impact of abolishing the Pflegeregress and these alternative scenarios is assessed through a number of measures, such as ability to pay, Concentration Indices (CI) and a needs-standardized measure.

Results

We find that lower income individuals and homeowners disproportionately contributed to asset-based OPPs for residential care prior to 2018, due in large part to their higher use of residential care and the low asset-exemption thresholds. These groups were therefore the largest beneficiaries of its abolishment. The alternative financing scenarios tested would result in a more progressive distribution of payments (i.e. concentrated on more affluent individuals).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate the limited ability of asset-based OPPs to target those with higher assets, thus questioning the fairness of these instruments for financing residential care facilities for older people in Austria. Findings also suggest that the parameterization of such OPPs (such as asset exemption thresholds) and patterns of residential care use are key variables for assessing the distribution of asset-based OPPs for residential care use. Policy alternatives that decouple payments from use would entail greater transfers from healthy to less healthier individuals.
The N6-methyladenosine modification of circALG1 promotes the metastasis of colorectal cancer mediated by the miR-342-5p/PGF signalling pathway
Authors: Lin Changwei , Ma Min , Zhang Yi , Li Liang , Long Fei , Xie Canbin , Xiao Hua , Liu Teng , Tian Buning , Yang Kaiyan , Guo Yihang , Chen Miao , Chou Jin , Gong Ni , Li Xiaorong , Hu Gui
Published: March 2022

Background

Previous studies have shown that the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification enhances the binding ability of mRNAs/long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) to microRNAs (miRNAs), but the impact of this modification on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) function of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is unclear.

Methods

We used a human circRNA microarray to detect the expression profiles of circRNAs in 3 pairs of cancer and paracancerous tissues from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and 3 pairs of peripheral blood specimens from patients with CRC and healthy individuals. The circRNAs highly expressed in both peripheral blood and tumour tissues of patients with CRC, including circALG1, were screened. A quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of an expanded sample size was performed to detect the expression level of circALG1 in peripheral blood and tumour tissues of patients with CRC and determine its correlation with clinicopathological features, and circRNA loop-forming validation and stability assays were then conducted. Transwell assays and a nude mouse cancer metastasis model were used to study the function of circALG1 in CRC and the role of altered m6A modification levels on the regulation of circALG1 function. qRT-PCR, western blot (WB), Transwell, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA antisense purification (RAP), and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to analyse the ceRNA mechanism of circALG1 and the effect of the m6A modification of circALG1 on the ceRNA function of this circRNA.

Results

CircALG1 was highly expressed in both the peripheral blood and tumour tissues of patients with CRC and was closely associated with CRC metastasis. CircALG1 overexpression promoted the migration and invasion of CRC cells, and circALG1 silencing and reduction of the circALG1 m6A modification level inhibited CRC cell migration and invasion. In vivo experiments further confirmed the prometastatic role of circALG1 in CRC. Further mechanistic studies showed that circALG1 upregulated the expression of placental growth factor (PGF) by binding to miR-342-5p and that m6A modification enhanced the binding of circALG1 to miR-342-5p and promoted its ceRNA function.

Conclusion

M6A modification enhances the binding ability of circALG1 to miR-342-5p to promote the ceRNA function of circALG1, and circALG1 could be a potential therapeutic target in and a prognostic marker for CRC.
Psychometric properties of the Child-OIDP and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in secondary schools in Suva, Fiji
Authors: Ram Anumala , Mohammadnezhad Masoud , Mangum Tamara , Mangum Brian
Published: March 2022

Background

Oral health-related problems are highly prevalent and, like many other diseases, affect Quality of Life. Although most primary schools in Fiji have supervised school brushing programs and have regular screenings these preventive aspects are missing in secondary schools.

Objective

To assess the internal consistency reliability, face and content validity of the Child-OIDP questionnaire and determine the oral health-related quality of life in 15-year-olds in Suva, Fiji.

Methods

A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out on 15-year-old children from four secondary schools in Suva, Fiji from 2014 to 2015. All students enrolled in the 10th and 11th year of studies were included. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to identify the participants and the sample size of 367 was calculated. The Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance (Child-OIDP) self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and data was analyzed using Epi-Info (3.5.1).

Results

A total of 281 students (76.6%) responded, of whom 47.0% experienced at least one impact. Cronbach’s alpha for the Child-OIDP frequency items was 0.70 and the corrected item-total correlation ranged from 0.13 to 0.57. The most common performances that were affected were eating (27.8%) and relaxing (12.8%). Performances that were severely and most severely influenced were social contact (23.1%), smiling (16.7%) and relaxing (16.7%). The most common conditions leading to impacts were dental sensitivity (38.4%), dental caries (23.5%) and toothache (21.4%).

Conclusion

The original version of the Child-OIDP is a reliable index with acceptable internal consistency when used directly in the Fiji setting, however, further studies to validate the tool will be useful. Oral impacts were prevalent, but not severe.
A rare case of severe tricuspid regurgitation caused by detached stent falling into the right ventricle after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Authors: Xiong Feng , Tan Kunyue , Cheng Lijian , Luo Yong , Zhao Zhengkai
Published: March 2022

Background

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an important method to alleviate cirrhotic portal hypertension. But the falling and fracture of the stent which detaches into the heart is a potentially fatal threat.

Case presentation

We present a case of severe tricuspid regurgitation caused by detached stent falling into the right ventricle after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Conclusion

Great attention should be paid to the serious complication of stent fracture after TIPS especially when the dual stent technique is used in TIPS.
Adipose stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles ameliorates corticosterone-induced apoptosis in the cortical neurons via inhibition of ER stress
Authors: Hyun Sung-Ae , Lee Young Ju , Jang Sumi , Ko Moon Yi , Lee Chang Youn , Cho Yong Woo , Yun Ye Eun , Lee Byoung-Seok , Seo Joung-Wook , Moon Kyoung-Sik , Ka Minhan
Published: March 2022

Background

Corticosterone (CORT) can induce neuronal damage in various brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, the region implicated in depression. However, the underlying mechanisms of these CORT-induced effects remain poorly understood. Recently, many studies have suggested that adipose stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (A-EVs) protect neurons in the brain.

Methods

To investigated neuroprotection effects of A-EVs in the CORT-induced cortical neurons, we cultured cortical neurons from E15 mice for 7 days, and the cultured cortical neurons were pretreated with different numbers (5 × 105–107 per mL) of A-EVs (A-EVs5, A-EVs6, A-EVs7) for 30 min followed by administration of 200 μM CORT for 24 h.

Results

Here, we show that A-EVs exert antiapoptotic effects by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CORT-induced cortical neurons. We found that A-EVs prevented neuronal cell death induced by CORT in cultured cortical neurons. More importantly, we found that CORT exposure in cortical neurons resulted in increased levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as cleaved caspase-3. However, pretreatment with A-EVs rescued the levels of caspase-3. Intriguingly, CORT-induced apoptosis involved upstream activation of ER stress proteins such as GRP78, CHOP and ATF4. However, pretreatment with A-EVs inhibited ER stress-related protein expression.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that A-EVs exert antiapoptotic effects via inhibition of ER stress in CORT-induced cell death.
Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside preconditioning enhances the ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in promoting wound healing
Authors: Yi Yi , Wu Min , Zhou Xiaomei , Xiong Mingchen , Tan Yufang , Yu Honghao , Liu Zeming , Wu Yiping , Zhang Qi
Published: March 2022

Background

Nowadays, wound is associated with a complicated repairing process and still represents a significant biomedical burden worldwide. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) possess multidirectional differentiation potential and secretory function, emerging as potential cellular candidates in treating wounds. Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA2G) is a well-known antioxidant and its function in BMSC-promoting wound healing is worth exploring.

Methods

The in vitro cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of BMSCs and AA2G-treated BMSCs were detected by flow cytometry, EDU staining, scratch assay, transwell assay, and immunofluorescence (IF). Besides, the collagen formation effect of AA2G-treated BMSCs conditioned medium (CM) on NIH-3T3 cells was evaluated by hydroxyproline, qRT-PCR and IF staining detection. Next, in the wound healing mouse model, the histological evaluation of wound tissue in PBS, BMSCs, and AA2G-treated BMSCs group were further investigated. Lastly, western blot and ELISA were used to detect the expression levels of 5-hmc, TET2 and VEGF protein, and PI3K/AKT pathway activation in BMSCs treated with or without AA2G.

Results

The in vitro results indicated that AA2G-treated BMSCs exhibited stronger proliferation and improved the angiogenesis ability of vascular endothelial cells. In addition, the AA2G-treated BMSCs CM enhanced migration and collagen formation of NIH-3T3 cells. In vivo, the AA2G-treated BMSCs group had a faster wound healing rate and a higher degree of vascularization in the new wound, compared with the PBS and BMSCs group. Moreover, AA2G preconditioning might enhance the demethylation process of BMSCs by regulating TET2 and up-regulating VEGF expression by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Conclusions

AA2G-treated BMSCs promoted wound healing by promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition, thereby providing a feasible strategy to reinforce the biofunctionability of BMSCs in treating wounds.
Objective assessment of mental stress in individuals with different levels of effort reward imbalance or overcommitment using heart rate variability: a systematic review
Authors: Thielmann Beatrice , Hartung Jonas , Böckelmann Irina
Published: March 2022

Background

Workloads are increasing and could cause mental stress, e.g., in the form of subjective effort reward imbalance (ERI) and overcommitment (OC). The heart rate variability (HRV) is a valid method for objective monitoring of workload. The aim of this project is to systematically evaluate the literature on HRV as an objective indicator for mental stress in individuals with different levels of ERI or OC.

Methods

A systematic literature review examining HRV of employees in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement for reporting systematic reviews was performed. Electronic databases used were PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Libary, Scopus and Web of Science, PsyInfo, Psyndex, and Livio. Only articles from 2005 to 2021 were included. Inclusion criteria were case-control studies, intervention studies, cross-sectional studies, or longitudinal studies with different levels of ERI and/or OC, >10 participants in each group, measurement of 24h HRV by using Holter ECG or chest belt, and full-text in English or German language. The methodological quality was evaluated by using a modified STARD for HRV.

Results

Five studies matched the inclusion criteria by using HRV (24-h ECG) with a different HRV analysis at day and night. It showed an adaptation of HRV with higher ERI or OC with reduced parasympathetic HRV parameters, but the studies were not comparable.

Conclusions

There is a need for occupational health studies that examine strains and stress of different employees with predominantly mental stress. The well-established parasympathetic mediated HRV parameters seem to be suitable parameters to objectify the stress.
Stability for generalized Caputo proportional fractional delay integro-differential equations
Authors: Bohner Martin , Hristova Snezhana
Published: March 2022

A scalar nonlinear integro-differential equation with time-variable and bounded delays and generalized Caputo proportional fractional derivative is considered. The main goal of this paper is to study the stability properties of the zero solution. Results are given concerning stability, exponential stability, asymptotic stability, and boundedness of solutions. The investigations are based on an application of a quadratic Lyapunov function, its generalized Caputo proportional derivative, and a modification of the Razumikhin approach. Some auxiliary properties of the generalized Caputo proportional derivative are proved. Five illustrative examples are included.
Cerebellar morphometric and spectroscopic biomarkers for Machado-Joseph Disease
Authors: Miranda Catarina Oliveira , Nobre Rui Jorge , Paiva Vitor Hugo , Duarte João Valente , Castelhano João , Petrella Lorena Itatí , Sereno José , Santana Magda , Afonso Sónia , Januário Cristina , Castelo-Branco Miguel , de Almeida Luís Pereira
Published: March 2022

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common form of dominant SCA worldwide. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS) provide promising non-invasive diagnostic and follow-up tools, also serving to evaluate therapies efficacy. However, pre-clinical studies showing relationship between MRI-MRS based biomarkers and functional performance are missing, which hampers an efficient clinical translation of therapeutics. This study assessed motor behaviour, neurochemical profiles, and morphometry of the cerebellum of MJD transgenic mice and patients aiming at establishing magnetic-resonance-based biomarkers. 1H-MRS and structural MRI measurements of MJD transgenic mice were performed with a 9.4 Tesla scanner, correlated with motor performance on rotarod and compared with data collected from human patients. We found decreased cerebellar white and grey matter and enlargement of the fourth ventricle in both MJD mice and human patients as compared to controls. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), NAA + N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAA + NAAG), Glutamate, and Taurine, were significantly decreased in MJD mouse cerebellum regardless of age, whereas myo-Inositol (Ins) was increased at early time-points. Lower neurochemical ratios levels (NAA/Ins and NAA/total Choline), previously correlated with worse clinical status in SCAs, were also observed in MJD mice cerebella. NAA, NAA + NAAG, Glutamate, and Taurine were also positively correlated with MJD mice motor performance. Importantly, these 1H-MRS results were largely analogous to those found for MJD in human studies and in our pilot data in human patients. We have established a magnetic resonance-based biomarker approach to monitor novel therapies in preclinical studies and human clinical trials.
Evaluation of the trends in jobs and skill-sets using data analytics: a case study
Authors: Alibasic Armin , Upadhyay Himanshu , Simsekler Mecit Can Emre , Kurfess Thomas , Woon Wei Lee , Omar Mohammed Atif
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Fast-emerging technologies are making the job market dynamic, causing desirable skills to evolve continuously. It is therefore important to understand the transitions in the job market to proactively identify skill sets required.

Case description

A novel data-driven approach is developed to identify trending jobs through a case study in the oil and gas industry. The proposed approach leverages a range of data analytics tools, including Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI), Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), Factor Analysis and Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF), to study changes in the market. Further, our approach is capable of identifying disparities between skills that are covered by the educational system, and the skills that are required in the job market.

Discussion and evaluation

The results of the case study show that, while the jobs most likely to be replaced are generally low-skilled, some high-skilled jobs may also be at risk. In addition, mismatches are identified between skills that are imparted by the education system and the skills required in the job market.

Conclusions

This study presents how job market and skills required evolved over time, which can help decision-makers to prepare the workforce for highly demanding jobs and skills. Our findings are in line with the concerns that automation is decreasing the demand for certain skills. On the other hand, we also identify the new skills that are required to strengthen the need for collaboration between minds and machines.
Reform of China’s taxation system: from embedment in the economy to embedment in society
Authors: Lv Bingyang , Zhang Zhaoqiang
Published: March 2022

To match national development goals and increase in the tax base, the government must embed a taxation system in economic and social contexts. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the development of taxation can be divided into three stages: one that is embedded in danwei, one that is embedded in enterprises, and one that is embedded in society. The corresponding national development goals include stimulating economic growth, promoting coordinated economic and social development, and propelling state governance. As the tax base in China shifts from production to redistribution and wealth accumulation in the circulation of the national income, the taxation system will gradually shift from embedment in the economy to embedment in society, posing new challenges to taxation system reform. Future reform should deepen the extent to which taxation is embedded in society while keeping taxation embedded in a broad economic base. This will help to achieve the goal of building a “consensually strong state.”
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens WS-10 as a potential plant growth-promoter and biocontrol agent for bacterial wilt disease of flue-cured tobacco
Authors: Ahmed Waqar , Zhou Guisu , Yang Jun , Munir Shahzad , Ahmed Ayesha , Liu Qi , Zhao Zhengxiong , Ji Guanghai
Published: March 2022

Background

Bacterial wilt disease caused by the soilborne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum is a serious threat to flue-cured tobacco production. In this study, an indigenous disease suppressive Bacillus strain was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy tobacco plants, and its biocontrol and plant growth promoting (PGP) potential were evaluated in in-vivo and in-vitro assays.

Results

Through isolation and screening of 250 isolates, WS-10 was found to be the best candidate antagonistic strain against R. solanacearum (WS-001). In-vitro assays revealed that the isolated strain WS-10 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) showed an effective antagonistic activity against R. solanacearum WS-001 and several plant-pathogenic fungi. As promising PGP rhizobacteria, WS-10 had the ability of nitrogen fixation, solubilization of inorganic potassium and phosphate, and biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic. In a co-culture assay, it significantly inhibits the growth of WS-001. Our greenhouse experiments showed that the soil physicochemical properties and accumulation of dry matter contents in different plant parts (roots, stems, and leaves) were significantly increased in the presence of B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10. The soil treated with B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 displayed significantly higher values of the average well color development index, the utilization ability of 6 types of carbon sources by rhizosphere microorganisms, and the diversity indices of the rhizosphere microbial communities. In planta assay, B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 significantly reduced tobacco bacterial wilt disease incidence by up to 73.36, 43.82, and 86.82% under three different treatments by improving the functional diversity and biological activity of the soil microbial community.

Conclusions

Obtained findings suggested that B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 had an excellent potential as a growth-promoting and biocontrol agent of tobacco bacterial wilt disease due to its multiple beneficial traits of nutrient solubilization and disease suppression. Thus, we conclude that B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 was a high potential PGP and biocontrol strain for healthy production of tobacco crop.
Short-term outcome of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy versus oral prednisolone in patients with epileptic spasms
Authors: Elsayeh Abdelsattar Abdullah , Hassan Mohammad Ali Saeed
Published: March 2022

Background

Infantile spasm (IS) is an age-specific epileptic disorder of early infancy that typically presents with epileptic spasms occurring in clusters. International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) also recommends the term “IS syndrome” for clustered spasms occurring during infancy (~ 1 year, rarely after 2 years of age) accompanied by electroencephalography (EEG) hypsarrhythmia. Older clinical studies comparing efficacy of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroids preferred ACTH, but recent studies did not observe a significant difference between both nor showed better efficacy of oral prednisolone compared to intramuscular synthetic one. Participants were 53 patients with epileptic spasms divided into two groups: 26 patients treated by intravenous methylprednisolone (group A) and 27 treated by oral prednisolone (group B). Both groups were matched in age, sex, and age of spasm onset. The outcome measures were spasms cessation at 7 and 14 days and recurrence at 6 weeks after tapering, EEG improvement at 2 and 6 weeks, and frequency of side effects.

Results

We found that both groups had similar results regarding frequency of children achieving spasms cessation at day 7 and day 14 (53.8% vs 51.9% and 38.5% vs 40.7%, p = 1.000 each), respectively. After drug tapering, there was insignificant difference between both groups regarding recurrence of spasm at 6 weeks (14.8% vs 11.5%, p = 1.000) and EEG improvement at 2 weeks (42.3% vs 33.3%, p = 0.577) with nearly similar improvement in both groups at 6 weeks (46.2% vs 48.1%, p = 1.000). With regard to adverse effects of both therapies, no difference observed between both groups.

Conclusions

No significant difference was found between oral prednisolone and intravenous methylprednisolone in treatment of epileptic spasm regarding short-term outcomes. The only advantage of intravenous therapy is decreased time to get response and the only advantage of oral therapy is its applicability at home without hospitalization. Further studies are warranted to explore the long-term outcomes.
Q-factor estimation from surface seismic data in the time-frequency domain: A comparative analysis
Authors: Xue Ya-Juan , Cao Jun-Xing , Wang Xing-Jian , Du Hao-Kun , Chen Wei , You Jia-Chun , Tan Feng
Published: March 2022

The quality factor Q is generally used to describe seismic attenuation that leads to amplitude decay (AD) and wavelet distortion. Time-frequency transforms are commonly used to measure quality factor Q on surface seismic data. These methods capture frequency changes over time using a fixed or variable sliding time window. Other adaptive transforms also can provide time localization, and they often are superior for Q estimation. In this study, we compare three time-frequency transforms and indicate how the choice of a fixed- or variable-time window or an adaptive transform affects the accuracy and robustness of Q-factor estimation. We use the short-time Fourier and continuous wavelet transforms as fixed- and variable-window transforms, respectively. The synchrosqueezed wavelet transform is used as an adaptive transform. We compare four Q-factor estimation methods in the time-frequency domain, such as the AD, spectral ratio, centroid frequency shift, and compound time-frequency variable methods. Furthermore, we study some of the difficulties associated with these estimation methods, such as quantitative attenuation sensitivity, noise robustness, regression bandwidth influence, and key parameter selection for each time-frequency transform. Real data examples are used to investigate the robustness of Q-factor estimation with different methods using different time-frequency transforms and the statistics of how well the attenuation measurements match the expected seismic attenuation behavior. Furthermore, in these real data examples, we are able to use the Q estimates to compensate for attenuation through inverse Q filtering.
The influence of curricular physical activities on the values of body balance indices in university students
Authors: Mocanu George-Danut
Published: March 2022

The investigation analyzes the effect of specific motor structures on the indicators of the static and dynamic balance of the students of Dunărea de Jos University in Galați (99 boys aged = 20.29 years, body weight = 84.17 kg, height = 180.08 cm, respectively 96 girls aged = 20.09 years, mass bodyweight = 60.88 kg, height = 164.73 cm. The members of the tested group have no concerns related to performance sports or physical activities as a lifestyle. The application of the experi-mental program was made during the 28 weeks of the academic year 2018-2019, with 3 distinct moments: T1 / initial at the beginning of the 1st semester, T2 / intermediate before the winter break, T3 / final at the end of the academic year. The battery of tests included 7 tests: One leg standing test with eyes closed (sec), Stork test (sec), Flamingo test (number of attempts), Bass test (points), Functional reach test (cm), Walk and turn field sobriety test (errors) and Fukuda test (degrees). The results of the Anova parametric test with repeated measurements revealed statis-tically significant values of F associated with critical thresholds (p <0.05), and the values of Parti-al eta squared (Ƞ2p) indicate strong influences of the proposed program on test performance in most cases, both at the level of the whole group and also for each gender. It should be noted that the performance improvements are greater in the first part of the study (differences between ini-tial and intermediate tests, with p <0.05), compared to those in semester 2 (differences between intermediate and final tests), which can be explained by the adaptation to the planned and ap-plied stimuli, so modifying or changing their dosage is necessary in order to have a better chan-ce of improving the results. Significant differences are confirmed for most tests of both genders (p <0.05), with exceptions being the Walk and turn field sobriety test for boys (at the level of the difference between intermediate and final testing) and the Fukuda test for both genders (for dif-ferences between initial and intermediate testing). However, the results should be viewed with caution, the low level of physical training and sedentary behavior of most students providing the premises for such progress, even with a single weekly physical activity.
Keywords: students, balance, postural stability, physical exercise, progress, motor skills