bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Daily Autobiographical Memory Training on Memory Bias, Mood and Stress Resilience in Dysphoric Individuals
Authors: Bovy Leonore , Ikani Nessa , Kraats Livia N.M. , Dresler Martin , Tendolkar Indira , Vrijsen Janna N.
Published: April 2022

Negative memory bias refers to the enhanced recall of negative memories and is a prominent cognitive factor causing and maintaining depression. Surprisingly few studies modify this negative recall. The current study used a smartphone-based autobiographical memory training to increase positive memory recall and thereby alter negative memory bias. A total of 96 dysphoric (≥ 13 BDI-II) participants were randomly allocated to a positive, sham or no-training condition, conducted over a period of six days. Positive memory bias (i.e., recalled event evaluation) significantly increased from pre- to post-training after positive and sham intervention, suggesting an unspecific training effect. No transfer to memory specificity, implicit memory bias or depressive symptoms was found, nor was the training effect modulated by pre-existing level of positive memory bias. A post-hoc follow-up measurement during the initial COVID-19 crisis revealed that subjects who benefitted most from either of the trainings maintained their stress levels better during a natural stressful period, compared to those who responded least to the training. Future studies should carefully consider the impact of sham training design. Moreover, it is important to examine transfer effects of bias training as practice in daily life.
The oncogenic roles of GPR176 in ovarian cancer: a molecular target for aggressiveness and gene therapy
Authors: Zheng Hua-chuan , Yang Ning , Xue Hang , Yun Wen-jing , Cui Zheng-guo
Published: April 2022

Introduction:G-protein-coupled receptor 176 (GPR176) is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) 1 family and produces a 515 amino acid glycosylated protein. Materials and Methods: In the present study, GPR176 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and compared with clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian cancer using bioinformatics analysis. GPR176-related genes and pathways were analyzed using bioinformatics analysis. In addition, the effects of GPR176 on the phenotypes of ovarian cancer cells were investigated. Results:GPR176 mRNA expression positively correlated with older age, clinicopathological staging, tumor residual status, and unfavorable survival of ovarian cancer (p < 0.05) but negatively with purity loss, infiltration of B cells, and CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) showed that differential expression of the GPR176 gene was involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation, actin skeleton, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, gap junction, and cell adhesion molecules (p < 0.05). STRING and Cytoscape were used to determine the top 10 nodes (FN1, COL1A1, MMP2, COL1A2, COL3A1, THBS1, ACAN, DCN, COL5A1, LUM) which were downregulated in ovarian cancer (p < 0.05). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that GPR176-related genes were categorized into the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complication, ECM receptor interaction, protein digestion and absorption, ECM structural constituent and organization, and collagen trimer (p < 0.05). GPR176 overexpression promoted the proliferation, anti-apoptosis, anti-pyroptosis, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells with overexpression of N-cadherin, Zeb1, Snail, Twist1, and underexpression of gasdermin D, caspase 1, and E-cadherin. These results indicated that GPR176 might be involved in the progression of ovarian cancer by deteriorating aggressive phenotypes. Conclusion:GPR176 could potentially be used as a biomarker to indicate the aggressive behavior and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer and a target of genetic therapy.
Tanshione IIA reduces astrocyte swelling after oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation by inhibition of the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB/IL-6 pro-inflammatory axis and AQP4 over-clustering in the plasma membrane
Authors: Tang Zhaohua , Yang Gang , Liao Zhengbu , Chen Feilan , Chen Song , Liu Mengqi , Huo Gang , Sun Xiaochuan , Wang Xiaoshu
Published: April 2022

Background: Tanshione IIA (TSO IIA) has emerged as a powerful anti-inflammatory compound with multiple therapeutic properties. Here, we investigated the role of TSO IIA in astrocytic swelling caused by ischemia and reperfusion-like injury in an in vitro model and the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect. Methods: Primary brain astrocytes were cultured in vitro in conditions of glucose and oxygen deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). We investigated the effects of TSO IIA treatment on cell swelling and injury, and the expression levels of AQP4 protein in the plasma membrane. We then studied the involvement of the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB/IL-6 pro-inflammatory axis in TSO IIA-mediated protection. Results: Treatment with TSO IIA alleviated OGD/R-induced astrocytic swelling, changes in cell morphology and ultrastructure, the release of LDH, and the over-clustering of AQP4 protein in the plasma membrane. In addition, TSO-IIA significantly reduced over-expression of HMGB1 protein in the cytoplasm and surrounding medium, the high levels of NF-κB protein in the nucleus, and of IL-6 protein in cytoplasm and extracellular media induced by OGD/R. Combination of TSO IIA and recombinant HMGB1 (rHMGB1) reversed these effects. Inhibition of RAGE, the receptor of HMGB1, via administration of FPS-ZM1 (a RAGE antagonist) induced similar results to those of TSO IIA. The combination of HMGB1 and FPS-ZM1 did not alter the effects mediated by FPS-ZM1 alone. In addition, exogenous IL-6 reversed TSO IIA-mediated effect on AQP4 protein clustering in the plasma membrane, cell swelling and LDH activity.Conclusions: TSO IIA significantly reduced astrocyte swelling after OGD/R injury in vitro, via blocking activation of the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB/IL-6 pro-inflammatory axis and thereby decreasing the expression of AQP4 in plasma membrane.
Neonatologist Performed Bedside Ultrasound for Early Diagnosis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Pilot Before-after Study
Authors: Oulego-Erroz Ignacio , Rodríguez-Fanjul Javier , Terroba-Seara Sandra , Sorribes-Ortí Clara , Fernández-Fernández David , Fuentes-Martínez Silvia , Pou-Blázquez Alvaro
Published: April 2022

Purpose
To assess whether bedside ultrasound (BUS) improves early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Methods
Before-after controlled study in two NICUs. Infants below 37 weeks of gestational age with suspected NEC were eligible. The intervention group (October 2019-October 2021) received BUS as first imaging modality and treatment was guided by BUS findings. The control group (October 2015-September 2019) received radiography as first imaging modality and was managed accordingly. The main outcome was NEC confirmation at the time of initial imaging. Secondary outcomes included radiographic and laboratory data, treatment requirements, surgical NEC and NEC-related death:
Results
Thirty-five episodes of suspected NEC with 14 (40%) confirmed NEC cases and 49 episodes of suspected NEC with 22 (44.9%) confirmed NEC cases were included in the intervention and control group respectively. In the intervention group 14 of 14 (100%) NEC cases were confirmed at initial evaluation compared to 10 of 22 (45.4%) in the control group (p = 0.001). Infants managed with BUS developed thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy less frequently, were exposed to less radiation, progressed less frequently to Bell’s stage ≥ II and required less days of parenteral nutrition compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Surgical NEC [4 of 14 (28.6%) vs 8 of 22 (36.7%); p = 0.727] and NEC-related death [0 of 14 (0%) vs 5 of 22 (22.7%); p = 0.133] were not different.
Conclusions
The use of BUS as first imaging modality resulted in an earlier diagnosis of NEC compared to abdominal radiography. Further research should determine the potential of BUS to improve outcomes.
Intrinsic brain connectivity differentiates intact endogenous pain modulation in subjects with neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
Authors: Huynh Vincent , Lütolf Robin , Rosner Jan , Luechinger Roger , Curt Armin , Kollias Spyridon , Michels Lars , Hubli Michèle
Published: April 2022

Endogenous pain modulation in humans is frequently investigated with conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and deficient pain inhibition is a proposed mechanism that contributes to neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent studies have combined CPM testing and neuroimaging to reveal neural correlates of CPM efficiency in chronic pain. This study investigated the unexplored differences in CPM efficiency in relation to resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between 13 SCI-NP subjects and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Psychophysical readouts were analyzed to determine CPM efficiency within and between cohorts. To explore group differences of rsFC in relation to CPM efficiency, seed-to-voxel rsFC analyses were performed within pain modulatory regions, e.g., ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and amygdala. Overall, pain inhibition was not deficient in SCI-NP subjects and was greater in those with more intense NP. In addition, in SCI-NP greater pain inhibition was associated with weaker rsFC between the vlPAG and amygdala with the visual and frontal cortex, respectively, but with stronger rsFC in HC. Taken together, SCI-NP subjects present with intact pain inhibition, but can be differentiated from HC by an inverse relationship between CPM efficiency and intrinsic connectivity of supraspinal regions. Specifically, abnormal neural plasticity could be related to weaker pain modulatory function in SCI-related NP.
Heavy Metals Research in Nigeria: A Review of Studies and Prioritization of Research needs
Authors: Idowu Gideon
Published: April 2022

Nigeria is experiencing continuous economic and industrial transformations, typical of many developing nations. In addition to its well-established oil industry, which is infamous for exuding various kinds of pollutants, there is increased mining operations, indiscriminate disposal and burning of wastes, illegal oil refinery, and terroristic insurgency, all poised to increase the levels of heavy metal contaminants in the Nigerian environment. A recent revelation indicates that about 2 million people in Southwestern Nigeria alone could potentially be poisoned by lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), emanating from illegal mining operations. This further underscores the importance of investigations of toxic trace metal levels in the country. The current review of 136 research articles was conducted to provide an understanding of the scope of heavy metals research in Nigeria and to prioritise needed research. The review recognised that the scope of heavy metals studies has been wide, covering matrices such as cosmetics, human blood, hair, medicines, foods, beverages, water, air, soil and crude-oil. However, important toxic metals, especially mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) are largely under-investigated. Also, there is a need for more studies to be conducted in the Northern part of the country. Furthermore, studies need to focus on marine environments rather than the freshwater ecosystems alone. Techniques such as the inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and particle - induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analyses are herein recommended to bridge the data gap, and to overcome limitations in trace metals analyses in the Nigerian total environment.
Region-dependent meteorological conditions for the winter cold hazards with and without precipitation in China
Authors: Yu Yueyue , Wenwen Yang , Lingli Zhang , Zhaoyong Guan , Qinlan Yang , Muxin Hu , Wentian Qiu , Jingyi Wang
Published: April 2022

Cold hazard is one of the major meteorological disasters in winter. However, the meteorological conditions for the cold hazard events vary significantly with both the feature of the event and the region of occurrence. This study divided winter cold hazard events in China into three categories based on the daily gridded dataset of cold hazards from November 1980 to March 2020: events without wintry precipitation (hazardous low temperature, abrupt temperature drop, and/or freezing), with wintry precipitation only (hazardous sleet and/or snowstorm), and with both. The region-dependent multivariate meteorological conditions for each category of cold hazards are investigated using ERA5 reanalysis data. Results show that the surface air temperature (T2m) and its anomaly (T2m_anom) are lower than climatology during cold hazards. But the difference in T2m among provinces exceeds 30°C, and even for the same province, the difference among different categories of cold hazards exceeds 10°C. The region- and category-dependent differences of T2m_anom and daily temperature drop (∆T24) are also large, about 5°C and 2°C d-1, respectively. The Multivariate Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis has further been applied to not only the abovementioned temperature-related variables but also the precipitation-related variables (i.e., daily accumulated total precipitation, daily accumulated snowfall, and daily mean snow depth) in the middle and lower Yangtze River region, which reveals the event-mean state and spatial-temporal coupling evolution during the progression of the event for the selected key meteorological variables. The meteorological conditions for cold hazards put forward by this study could provide region-dependent and category-dependent reference for the prediction and warning of cold hazards.
Quantitative Analysis of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) Genome in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer and Normal Tumor Margins
Authors: Hasanzadeh Ali , Sadeghi Farzin , Kamrani Ghodsieh , Mohammadi Neda , Vosough Zeinab , Ranaee Mohammad , Tabarraei Alijan , Yahyapour Yousef
Published: April 2022

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the cause of approximately 80% of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC). The common types of Non-Melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are histologically similar to MCC. In the present study, 58 NMSC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) samples including 12 SCC, 46 BCC and 58 FFPE samples of adjacent non-tumoral margins as the control were included. Determination of large Tumor antigens (LTAg) copy number in samples was performed by qReal Time PCR as a viral copy number per cell. Out of 58 samples, 36(62%) cancerous and 22(37.9%) normal tumor margins were positive for MCPyV LTAg. Median copy numbers of MCPyV LTAg among all NMSC samples and non-tumoral margins were 0.308×10-2 and 0.269×10-3 copies per cell respectively (P=0.001). In addition, although the viral load in the majority of samples was detected to belower than one copy per cell, in 4 BCC samples, a viral load higher than one LTAg copy per cell was detected. The present study revealed that the detection of higher levels of MCPyV LTAg viral load in some BCC and SCC samples may be correlated with the role of MCPyV in some cases of BCC and SCC skin cancer.
Influence of monsoon low pressure systems on South Asian disasters and implications for disaster prediction
Authors: Suhas D. L. , Ramesh Nandini , Kripa Ram M. , Boos William R.
Published: April 2022

Transient atmospheric vortices called monsoon low pressure systems (LPS) generate a large fraction of total rainfall over South Asia and often produce extreme precipitation. Here, we assess the influence of these storms on the occurrence of disasters, using information from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) that we geocoded and then associated with LPS tracks. We show that more than half of hydro-meteorological disasters over South Asia during summer can be attributed to these LPS events. Weaker LPS (which are called monsoon lows) occur more frequently than stronger LPS (called monsoon depressions), but the stronger LPS produce a larger number of disasters. Furthermore, although many prior studies have shown that the peak rainfall in LPS falls southwest of the vortex center, the disasters are concentrated on the northern edge of the LPS tracks, along the Himalayas and upper basins of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. Observations show a sharp peak in rainfall on the day of disasters, confirming the causal physical link between LPS and these hydro-meteorological disasters. A similar peak in rainfall is found in weather forecasts made up to five days before the disaster, suggesting that short-term forecasts of LPS tracks and LPS precipitation can be useful in disaster preparation.
COVID-19 impact on the psychological health of Latinx transgender and non-binary individuals in mainland United States and Puerto Rico: A mixed-methods study.
Authors: Ramos-Pibernus Alixida , Rodríguez-Madera Sheilla , Rosario-Hernández Ernesto , Moreta-Ávila Fabián , Silva-Reteguis Julián , Rivera-Segarra Eliut
Published: April 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to generate an unprecedented impact on all aspects of everyday life across the world. However, those with historically and currently marginalized identities (i.e., gender or ethnicity) who already experience a wide range of structural inequities have been disproportionally impacted. LTNB are a particularly at-risk population as they lie at the intersection of race/ethnicity, gender identity, language, migration status, geographical location, among others, which could further increase their COVID-19 and other health-related risks and disparities. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of key social determinants of health (i.e., gender identity, country, health insurance, employment) among a sample of LTNB individuals.
Methods
The team implemented a cross-sectional exploratory design with an online survey technique using the secure web platforms REDcap and SurveyMonkey. A total of 133 participants completed the online survey. Most of the sample self-identified as transwomen (38.8%), transmen (26.3%), and non-binary (21.8%) between the ages of 21 to 72. All participants were Latinx living in either Puerto Rico (47.7%) or mainland United States (52.3%). Descriptive statistics, reliability tests, Mann-Whitney and rapid thematic analysis test were conducted.
Results
Findings show that most participants were always (38.1%) or almost always (33.3%) worried about contracting COVID-19. Individuals living in Puerto Rico reported more difficulties than those residing in the mainland US regarding COVID-19 impact on psychosocial, emotional, and COVID-related thinking. Most participants' answers for the COVID-19 open-ended questions focused on three main domains: income, access to trans-affirmative health care, and coping strategies.
Discussion
Findings evidence that although most of LTNB participants were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple aspects of their lives, those living in Puerto Rico experienced these differently when compared to those in mainland US. More research is needed to understand better the mechanisms and pathways through which this context specifically impacts LTNB health and wellbeing, particularly in Puerto Rico. This study could help shape the public health response taking into account the geographical location and other intersectional identities that play critical roles in the production and reproduction of inequities.
Prognostic Genes of Sepsis-induced ARDS identified by Gene Co- expression Network Analysis
Authors: Zheng Yongxin , Qian Chuyun , Huang Yongbo , Xu Yonghao , Sang Ling , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Yimin
Published: April 2022

Background and objectives: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and fatal complication of sepsis. The molecular mechanisms of early recognition are still limited. The aim of the study was to identify the potential different genes between sepsis alone and sepsis-induced ARDS. Methods: The gene expression profiles of GSE66890 were selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for bioinformatic analysis. Weight gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a co-expression network to explore the associations between gene sets and clinical traits, and to identify the candidate hub genes. Then, GSE10474 and GSE32707 were used to validate our results. Results: A total of 11 modules were obtained via the average linkage hierarchical clustering. In the significant module, based on the |MM|＞0.9 and |GS|＞0.2, 4 genes TOP2A, CENPF, DLGAP5 and BIRC5 which had the highest connectivity were identified as the hub genes. Logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve validated that the expression levels of 4 hub genes exhibited a moderate diagnostic efficiency for sepsis alone and sepsis-induced ARDS. Among them, the 4 genes were significantly upregulated in sepsis-induced ARDS patients. Additionally, nomogram showed that 4 hub genes may have a good ability to predicting the probability of sepsis-induced ARDS patients. Conclusions: Our research provides a more effective understanding of the importance of biological pathways and the relationships between major genes in sepsis-induced ARDS in the perspective of searching for new molecular targets. TOP2A, CENPF, DLGAP5 and BIRC5 might be potential diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis-induced ARDS.
Genome-wide analysis of LBD transcription factors reveals PvLBD12 expression profile involved in salt stress in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)
Authors: Guan Cong , Wu Bo , Zhang Jinhong , Ma Shu , Weng Hong , Wang Guoliang , Jia Chunlin
Published: April 2022

Abiotic stresses seriously limit plant development and productivity and harm the agricultural economy. It is important, therefore, to understand the mechanism of salt tolerance in plants. Lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that have been reported to regulate plant lateral organ development, plant regeneration, and abiotic stress. In this study, we identify 69 LBD family members from switchgrass genome-wide sequences, and classify them according to their homology with LBD genes in Arabidopsis. Sixty-two cis-acting elements were identified from switchgrass LBD genes, and we found that most cis-acting elements can respond to light, control plant growth and development, regulate circadian rhythm, and respond to stress. Similarly, the results of qRT-PCR showed that PvLBD genes had different expression patterns under abiotic stress conditions, indicating that they may play important roles in stress response. In addition, candidate PvLBD target genes were enriched in many GO and KEGG pathways that play vital roles in the whole growth process and environmental stress response. PvLBD12 was selected as a candidate gene for functional analysis, and overexpression of PvLBD12 enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic switchgrass by altering a wide range of physiological responses. Overall, this study provides valuable information for better understanding the potential biological functions of LBD genes in plants.
Postoperative Analgesia In Laparoscopic and Robotic Rectal Cancer Surgeries Compared to Laparotomy approach: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: WANG Xiao , ELMAWIEH Jamie , SITBON Philippe , Jean-Louis Bourgain
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Although epidural analgesia (EA) is recommended for laparotomic (LT) rectal surgery, there is no consensus regarding pain management in laparoscopic or robotic (LR) rectal cancer surgery. According to our local guidelines, EA is usually chosen for LT rectal procedures and intravenous analgesia for LR rectal procedures. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery in our center from January 2016 to February 2020 using either laparotomy (LT) or laparoscopic or robotic (LR) techniques. Analgesia technique varied according to surgery technique, the choice of patient and anesthesia provider. Data were acquired from electronic databases and consisted of pain scores in the recovery room and the three postoperative days, morphine consumption and total length of hospital stay. Results: 151 patients were included: 92 in the LR group and 59 in the LT group. Epidural analgesia was used for 8/92 LR patients and of 48/59 LT patients. Pain scores were comparable regardless of the surgical and analgesic technique in the three postoperative days, but patients with epidural analgesia used significantly less morphine, even in the LR group. After correction for multiple pairwise comparisons, our results showed that in laparoscopic rectal surgery, the use of epidural analgesia was associated with significantly lower morphine consumption (corrected p =0.01, reduction over 3 days: 25 mg). Conclusion: Compared to other analgesia regimens, perioperative epidural analgesia for LR rectal surgery was associated with significantly less postoperative morphine consumption to achieve the same pain scores. EA appears to be beneficial even in laparoscopic rectal surgery.
Molecular docking analysis of chemical constituents from the stem barks of podocarpus falcatus and evaluation for antibacterial activity
Authors: Deresa Desalegn Abebe , Abdissa Zelalem , Gurmessa Getahun Tadesse. , Abdissa Negera
Published: April 2022

Chromatographic separation of equal ratio of CH2Cl2-MeOH extract of the stem barks of Podocarpus falcatus led to the isolation of three compounds namely: 4β-carboxy-19-nor-totarol (1), β-sitosterol (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3) and (E)-methyl-3, 4, 5-trimethylhex-2-enoate (4). The structures of the compounds were established based on the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. These compounds were reported from this plant for the first time. The crude extract and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity using disk diffusion assay method. The crude extract showed a strong activity against S. aureus. Compounds (1) and (2) showed a relatively moderate activity against S. flexineri and S. typhimurium respectively, whereas, compound (3) and (4) demonstrated a strong activity against S. aureus. The crude extract and the isolated compounds showed considerable antibacterial activity as compared to the reference gentamycin indicating that this plant has potentially antibacterial properties. Docking studies were performed with S. aureus Gyrase and human DNA topoisomerase IIβ by using AutoDock Vina. ADMET were predicted by Swiss ADME, Pre ADMET. In silico, molecular docking studies of compounds (1-3) showed strong interaction with S. aureus Gyrase with binding energy value ranging from −6.1 to −8.6 kcal/mol, with respect to ciprofloxacin and Doxycycline −8.4 kcal/mol and -13.0 kcal/mol respectively, whereas, analysis against human topoisomerase IIβ with binding energy value ranging from −6.4 to −10.1 kcal/mol, with respect to Vosaroxin and Abiraterone −10.2 and -11.8 kcal/mol respectively. The results obtained suggest that compounds (1-3) are potential S. aureus Gyrase inhibitors and might be used as antibacterial agents and compound (1 and 2) are potential topoisomerase IIβ inhibitors and might be used as anticancer agents. The ADMET studies showed the highest drug-likeness properties for studied compounds (1-3). Compounds (1-3) have no acute toxicity. The studied compounds were predicted to be non- hepatotoxic, non- cytotoxic, non-mutagenic and non-irritant. However, compound (2) is Immunotoxic
GC-MS profiling of the phytochemical constituents of the whole plant of Brillantaisia owariensis (P. Beauv) and its anti-inflammatory prospects in the management of African Trypanosomiasis
Authors: Ayawa Nafisa Garba , Mazlan Mazlina , Ramon-Yusuf Suleiman Babatunde , Wada Yunusa Adamu , Shehu Dalhatu Mukhtari , Oniye Sonnie Joshua
Published: April 2022

Brillantaisia owariensis (Acanthaceae) is evident in its traditional use in the forest region of West Africa for the treatment of several ailments, including trypanosomiasis. Despite its widespread use, the plant has not been subjected to pharmacological investigations to ascertain its phytochemical profile and efficacy in folklore medicine. This study was designed to determine the phytochemical and GC-MS profile of the whole plant of B. owariensis and elucidate its pharmacological implications in managing trypanosomiasis. The plant was collected from Nigeria's South-western Forest vegetation zone. Thirty grams of the processed powder was extracted using the Soxhlet method using methanol as solvent. The phytochemical and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analyses of the methanol extract were done. Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into six groups of five mice to test for anti-inflammatory activity. Each mouse in groups 2–6 was infected with 0.1 mL of 106 T. brucei /mL, while group 1 served as neutral non-infected control. Following the establishment of parasitaemia by three days post-infection, mice were either non-treated, treated with standard drug or treated at varying dosages of methanol extracts and sacrificed by day 9 for histopathologic evaluation. High levels of Phyto-constituents were detected, and the GC-MS profiling revealed the presence of twenty-four bioactive compounds. The extracts of B. owariensis showed ameliorative and anti-inflammatory activities on the histology of the vital organs and tissues at varying dosages. The methanol extract of B. owariensis is rich in bioactive components with promising potential in managing inflammatory diseases such as African trypanosomosis.
Polymorphisms in placental iodothyronine deiodinase genes are not associated with neural tube defects in pregnant women with high maternal serum homocysteine and low thyroid hormone levels
Authors: Wang Fang , Gu Yan-Hong , Guo Jin , Bao Yihua , Qiu ZhiYong , Zheng Ping , Ushijima Masaru , Matsuura Masaaki , Zhang Ting
Published: April 2022

Background: This study hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms in placental iodothyronine deiodinase genes could be related to neural tube defects in pregnant women with high maternal serum homocysteine and low thyroid hormone levels. Methods: We performed a case-control study between 2007 and 2009 that included pregnant women from the Lüliang Mountains, Shanxi Province, China. Nine distinct single nucleotide polymorphisms in the iodothyronine deiodinase type 1, type 2, and type 3 genes were analyzed using placental samples obtained from 83 pregnant women with fetuses harboring neural tube defects (cases) and 90 pregnant women with fetuses without neural tube defects (controls). The nine single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed using the Cochran–Armitage test and the Chi-squared test (Fisher’s exact test). Results: There were no statistically significant associations between the nine placental single nucleotide polymorphisms and neural tube defects (P>0.05). Additionally, no statistically significant relationships were found between the single nucleotide polymorphisms in placental iodothyronine deiodinase genes and neural tube defects among pregnant women with high maternal serum homocysteine and low thyroid hormone levels. Conclusions: Our result in this study supports our previous report, which showed dysregulation of iodothyronine deiodinase type 3 transcription due to histone modifications of the promotor region in a mouse model of spina bifida. Our result also suggests that other factors such as histone modifications of the genes of deiodinases by a higher level of serum total homocysteine rather than single nucleotide polymorphisms of the genes contribute to neural tube defects in pregnant women with high maternal serum homocysteine and low thyroid hormone levels.
Effects of acupuncture at acupoints with lower versus higher pain threshold for knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Jiali , Li Ying , Li Ling , Luo Xiaochao , Li Ning , Yang Xuguang , Zhang Hongxing , Liu Zhibin , Kang Deying , Luo Yanan , Liu Yanmei , Jia Yulong , Ren Yan , Yao Minghong , Wang Yuning , Chen Jin , Maiji Mewujia , Zou Kang , Zhao Ling , Sun Xin , Liang Fanrong
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe acupoint selections impact the effects of acupuncture, and preliminary evidence showed potential connection between pain threshold (PT) and acupuncture response. This study examined whether acupuncture at acupoints with lower PT versus higher PT would yield different effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsIn this multicenter randomized clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive acupuncture at acupoints with lower PT (LPT group), acupuncture at acupoints with higher PT (HPT group), and no acupuncture (waiting-list group). PT was measured with electronic von Frey detector. The primary outcome was the change in WOMAC total score from baseline to 16 weeks, and the secondary outcomes were SF-12 score, and active knee range of motion (ROM). Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted with linear mixed-effect model. ResultsAmong 666 randomized patients, 625 (93.84%) completed the study. From baseline to 16 weeks, patients in the LPT group versus HPT group had similar effects in reducing WOMAC total score (adjusted mean difference (MD) 2.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.51 to 6.92, P=0.36), while a greater reduction in WOMAC total score was observed in LPT group (-9.77, 95% CI -14.47 to -5.07, P< 0.001) and HPT group (-11.97, 95% CI -16.71 to -7.24, P< 0.001) compared with waiting-list group. There were no differences in SF-12 score and knee ROM between LPT versus HPT groups. ConclusionAcupuncture at acupoints with lower versus higher PT were similarly effective for patients with KOA. This finding suggests that PT may not be a marker for selecting acupoints when acupuncturing patients with KOA.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03299439. Registered 3 October 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03299439
High expression of TLR3 in triple-negative breast cancer predicts better prognosis —data from the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center cohort and tissue microarrays
Authors: Zhou Peng , Jin Xi , Zhang Wen-Juan , Shao Zhi-Ming , Fan Lei
Published: April 2022

INTRODUCTION: We have previously reported that Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) acts as a suppressor gene for breast cancer initiation and progression. In this study, we evaluated the role of TLR3 in breast cancer using our original Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) datasets and breast cancer tissue microarrays.METHODS: Using FUSCC multiomics datasets on triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC), we compared the mRNA expression of TLR3 in TNBC tissue and the adjacent normal tissue. A Kaplan–Meier plotter was performed to investigate the expression of TLR3 on prognosis in the FUSCC TNBC cohort. We performed immunohistochemical staining to analyze TLR3 protein expression in the TNBC tissue microarrays. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis was performed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to verify the results of our FUSCC study. The relationship between TLR3 and clinicopathological features was analyzed with logistic regression and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The association between clinical characteristics and overall survival in TCGA patients was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify signaling pathways that are differentially activated in breast cancer.RESULTS: The mRNA expression of TLR3 was lower in TNBC tissue than in the adjacent normal tissue in the FUSCC datasets. The TLR3 had high expression in immunomodulatory (IM) and mesenchymal-like (MES) subtypes and low expression in luminal androgen receptor (LAR) and basal-like immune-suppressed (BLIS) subtypes. High expression of TLR3 in TNBC predicted better prognosis in the FUSCC TNBC cohort. Immunohistochemical staining of the tissue microarrays showed that TLR3 had lower expression in breast cancer tissues than in the adject normal tissues. Furthermore, the TLR3 expression was positively associated with B cell, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells. Bioinformatic analysis using high-throughput RNA-sequencing data from the TCGA demonstrated that the reduced expression of TLR3 in breast cancer was associated with advanced clinicopathological characteristics, survival time, and poor prognosis.CONCLUSIONS: TLR3 has low expression in TNBC tissue. High expression of TLR3 in triple-negative breast cancer predicts better prognosis. TLR3 expression may be a potential prognostic molecular marker of poor survival in breast cancer.
What excited tsunami from Tonga 2022 eruption? Observation and theory
Authors: Nishikawa Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Masa-Yuki , Nakajima Kensuke , Hamama Islam , Saito Hiroaki , Kakinami Yoshihiro
Published: April 2022

Tsunamis are commonly generated by earthquakes beneath the ocean floor, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. The mysterious tsunami following the Tonga eruption of 2022 is believed to be excited by the atmospheric pressure fluctuations generated by the explosion of this volcano. However, it is not clarified observationally and theoretically that which atmospheric fluctuations excited the tsunami. We show the atmospheric waves that possibly excited the tsunami based on observations detected by our own-manufactured sensors in Japan. The atmospheric fluctuations are classified into Lamb waves, acoustic waves, and gravity waves. The arrival time of the gravity wave and atmosphere-ocean coupling simulation show that the gravity wave propagated at a phase speed of 200-220 m/s, coinciding with tsunami velocity in the Pacific Ocean and suggesting that the gravity wave resonantly excited the tsunami (Proudman resonance). These observations and theory provide an essential basis for theoretical investigations of volcano-induced meteo-tsunamis, including the Tonga event.
Detection of biomarkers related to the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer through the combination of gene expression profiling and DNA methylation
Authors: Qi Liqiang , Sun Bo , Yang Beibei , Lu Su
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Understanding the DNA changes during the development of breast cancer from the molecular level has certain guidance significance for the diagnosis and treatment of it.
Methods
To detect marker genes of breast cancer, we simultaneously analyzed the gene expression profiling and DNA methylation microarray data of breast cancer downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. The overlapped genes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were screened. Based on these overlapped genes, hypermethylated - low expression "and" hypomethylated - high expression "genes and their methylation sites were screened, which were considered to be the susceptibility genes associated with breast cancer. At the same time, we analyzed the correlation between susceptibility genes expression and clinical indicators, such as Overall Survival (OS), tumor stage and distant metastasis and so on. .
Result
It was found that there were 14 hypermethylated - low expression genes and 6 hypomethylated - high expression genes, among which fifteen genes were associated with patient OS; Seven genes were associated with tumor stage and ten genes were associated with neoplasia, metastasis, recurrence, and regional disease of tumor.
Conclusion
We have identified 20 hypermethylated-low expression and hypomethylated-high expression genes in breast cancer through the integrated analysis of gene expression profiling and DNA methylation. Among them, the expression of ITIH5 and MAMDC2 had association with clinical characteristics, including OS, tumor stage, occurrence, metastasis, recurrence and local regional disease and they were enriched by GO function annotation. They might be regarded as beneficial biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.
The effects of abscisic acid administration in PCOS rat model and H202 induced human granulosa cell damage: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Xie Yidong , Li Xiaohong , Guo Junliang , Xiao Li , Li Shangwei
Published: April 2022

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with metabolic disorders. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone present in vegetables and fruits that can be naturally supplied by the dietary intake and has been previously studied for its benefits to human health, especially in diabetes people. It has been demonstrated that ABA plays a key role in glucose metabolism, inflammation, and tumor growth.Methods: Wistar rats were implanted with letrozole-continuous-release pellets to induce a PCOS-like phenotype, subsequently treated with ABA or vehicle control. Bodyweight changes, Testosterone(T) level, fasting insulin measurements, and glucose tolerance tests have been investigated. A cell apoptosis model was established induced by H2O2. Cell viability was tested by cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry, and the oxidative stress state of cells was examined using ROS array.Results: Body weights, glucose impairment, and T level were significantly improved in the ABA treated PCOS rat than in vehicle-treated control PCOS rats. ABA significantly reduced H2O2-induced KGNs cell apoptosis and ROS levels and increased cell viability. Conclusions: The findings suggest that ABA could be a candidate adjunctive treatment for improving the insulin sensitivity and hyperandrogenemia of PCOS patients, and ameliorated H2O2-induced KGN cell apoptosis and oxidant stress.
Ground-glass opacity in a patient with right aortic arch and no left pulmonary artery
Authors: Yang Guang , Zeng Chenxi , Tu Dehao , Fu Xiangning , Xiong Jing , Liu Changyu , Cai Yixin
Published: April 2022

Background: Here we report a case of patients with mixed ground glass opacity in the left lung combined with congenital right aortic arch, which is only present in 0.01% to 0.1% of adults.Case presentation: A 60-year-old woman was referred to our department with a mixed ground-glass opacity (GGO) in the upper lobe of her left lung. She had congenital right aortic arch, and the left pulmonary artery was absent. Enhanced chest computed tomography, pulmonary perfusion imaging, and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed to confirm the blood supply in the left lung and the exact location of the GGO. Because of the unusual left pulmonary vascular structure, wedge resection was performed to prevent massive hemorrhage. The final pathological examination revealed that the mixed GGO was a well-differentiated pulmonary adenocarcinoma.Conclusion: The surgical options should be evaluated carefully in view of the complications and the prognosis of the patient, when ground glass opacity is combined with congenital cardiovascular anomalies.
Visual outcomes of observation, macular laser and anti-VEGF in diabetic macular edema in type 1 diabetes: a real-world study
Authors: Wirkkala Joonas , Kubin Anna-Maria , Ohtonen Pasi , Yliselä Joona , Siik Taru , Hautala Nina
Published: April 2022

Background: The treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) has revolutionized during the last 15 years after the introduction of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the real-world visual outcomes of diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in long-term follow-up. Methods: A real-world, descriptive, population-based cohort and follow-up of all patients with T1D and DME in 2006-2020 in 34 communities of the Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District. The main outcome measures included age, gender, duration of T1D at the onset of DME, stage of retinopathy, treatment of DME (observation, laser, intravitreal treatments, combination), and visual outcomes. Results: A total of 304 eyes of 206 T1D patients with DME were included. 75% (n=155) had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy during the onset of DME. 15% of the cases were observed, 33% had macular laser, 41% intravitreal anti-VEGF and 12% combination of laser and intravitreal injections. Patients in anti-VEGF and in combination groups gained 4.9 and 5.5 ETDRS letters after the initial DME (p<0.001 and p<0.001), and the long-term visual improvements were 4.1 and 5.1 ETDRS letters (p<0.001 and p<0.001), respectively.The average of 6.1土4.8 anti-VEGF injections were needed to dry DME. Visual impairment due to DME decreased from 2.4% to 1.0% during15 years.Conclusion: Early intensive treatment by anti-VEGF alone or in combination with macular laser seems to be beneficial in terms of better visual outcomes and treatment stability in T1D patients with DME, whereas a slight decrease in vision was noted in observation or laser groups. Moreover, satisfying long-term visual outcomes were commonly achieved with anti-VEGF treatment in a real-world setting.
Seasonally apportioning the potential sources and transport pathways of atmosphere particulate matter in Hefei City, the most rapidly developing megalopolis in China
Authors: Niu Siping , Wang Tiantian , Yu Jianghua
Published: April 2022

Trajectories cluster analysis (CA), potential source contribution function (PSCF) method and concentration weighted trajectories (CWT) method were integrated to identify the potential sources of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) during 2018 to 2020 in Hefei city of China. From 2018 to 2020 PM10 and PM2.5 were annually averaged at 66.74 ± 33.05 µg·m− 3 and 38.08 ± 23.05 µg·m− 3, respectively. Correspondingly, the mean concentrations in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 73.41 ± 30.04, 45.80 ± 16.50, 72.75 ± 35.10 and 81.81 ± 38.17 µg·m− 3 for PM10 while 38.73 ± 15.73, 24.26 ± 10.73, 37.16 ± 19.60 and 61.42 ± 32.16 µg·m− 3 for PM2.5, with the highest in winter while the lowest in summer. CA shows that Hefei’s atmosphere particulate matter pollution was mainly affected by those air flows derived from the north and northwest China in spring, autumn and winter, while south and southeast during the summer. The pressures of backjectories were in the range of 700 ~ 950 hPa during four seasons, wherein summer had a higher pressure than that of other seasons. This means that the influence of near surface air mass was stronger in summer. PSCF and CWT analysis indicate that winter had the largest number of potential contribution sources. In spring, autumn and winter several cities from the Fen-Wei Plain and ‘2 + 26’ cities were identified as the major contributor. In addition, some places in Anhui province were also the considerably potential contributor. It is found the air pollution transport pathways reaching Hefei City have changed recently. This study could benefit the prevention and control of air pollution in city clusters and metropolitan area in China.