tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of neurokinin B in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and intestinal lesions after COVID-19
Authors: Ye.S. Sirchak, A.V. Stehura
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

Background. The study of neuropeptides, including substance P, neurokinins, may reveal possible mechanisms of the progression of gastrointestinal lesions with the formation of motility disorders in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in metabolically associated diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aim of the research: to determine the peculiarities of changes in serum neurokinin B (NK-B) levels in patients with NAFLD after COVID-19. Materials and me­thods. The study included 104 patients with NAFLD and intestinal lesions at the outpatient stage of follow-up after COVID-19 (they formed the main group of those being treated (group I)). Group II (comparison one) included 78 patients with NAFLD who did not have neither COVID-19, nor complaints indicating intestinal lesions. All examined patients were tested for NK-B levels in blood serum. Results. Complaints indicating intestinal lesions in patients with NAFLD after COVID-19 were more often manifested by changes in the act of defecation, namely constipation was diagnosed in 51.0 % of cases (р &lt; 0.001), a tendency to diarrhea — in 26.9 %, and in 22.1 % of patients in group I, constipation followed by diarrhea was diagnosed. Among NAFLD patients, a significant increase in serum NK-B levels with minimal deviations from the norm was found in group II (1.1-fold; р &lt; 0.05), while in group I, significant deviations from the norm were diagnosed (3.0-fold; р &lt; 0.001). The lowest levels of NK-B were detected in intestinal damage manifested by constipation. In patients with diarrhea in NAFLD after COVID-19, the level of NK-B was maximal and 6.2 times (р &lt; 0.001) higher than that of the control group. Conclusions. Among patients with NAFLD, intestinal damage after COVID-19 is more often manifested by constipation (in 51.0 % of cases). In patients with NAFLD after COVID-19, changes in the level of neurokinin B in the blood serum were found, with its minimum in constipation ((0.173 ± 0.009) pg/ml; р &lt; 0.01), and maximum values in patients with diarrhea (an increase to (1.782 ± 0.023) pg/ml; р &lt; 0.001).
Psycho-emotional stress and its impact on the intestine before and after artificial abortion
Authors: Vl.V. Podolskyi, V.V. Podolskyy, N.V. Medvedovska, U.I. Botsyuk, І.V. Stovban
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

This study explores the psycho-emotional stress and related intestinal symptoms among women of fertile age who underwent an artificial abortion, utilizing a well-defined point-based questionnaire for stress levels and the revised version of the questionnaire for healthcare professionals to evaluate intestinal symptoms. The cohort consisted of 400 participants, with stress levels categorized as low (0–30 points), medium (31–70 points), or high (71+ points) according to the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS). Further, perceived helplessness and perceived self-efficacy were evaluated via negative and positive PSS items, respectively. Findings indicated that most (65.5 %) women experienced high, and 27.5 % — medium stress before an abortion. Notably, pre-abortion stress levels were generally higher compared to those after an abortion. Concurrently, the frequency of bowel symptoms declined after an abortion. A significant relationship was found between pre-abortion bowel symptoms and higher post-abortion PSS scores, and an increase in the perceived helplessness subgroup (p = 0.051, R2 = 0.156; p = 0.029, R2 = 0.138, respectively). Furthermore, higher perceived helplessness scores were linked with increased pre-abortion intestinal symptoms (p = 0.043, R2 = 0.341). The study, however, found no significant correlations between bowel symptoms and the perceived self-efficacy subgroup. These results suggest an association between pre-abortion psychological factors (lower self-efficacy and higher stress levels) and the incidence of intestinal symptoms, thus shedding light on the intersection of psychological and physical well-being in reproductive health contexts. Further research is needed to explore these mechanisms and develop effective support strategies.
The relationship between morphological manifestations, clinical and hematological indicators and lymphocyte indices in ulcerative colitis
Authors: M.V. Stoikevych, Yu.A. Gaydar, D.F. Mylostуva, T.S. Tarasova, O.P. Petishko
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

Background. The purpose of the study was to identify correlational parallels between morphological manifestations, clinical and hematological indicators and lymphocyte indices in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and methods. Ninety patients with UC were examined. Morphologically, the degree of damage to the intestinal mucosa, the presence of crypt abscesses, atrophic changes, and changes in crypt architectonics were determined. The number of cells of the inflammatory infiltrate, linear measurements of the mucosa were assessed by morphometric method. Clinical blood parameters were evaluated in the inpatients of the department of intestinal diseases at the Institute of Gastroenterology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. The severity of the disease was assessed according to the Mayo score. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the Statistica 6.1 program. Results. In patients with UC, histological changes in the intestinal mucosa were found. The activity of the disease was evaluated by the presence of an increased number of inflammatory cells in the infiltrate of the mucosa: neutrophils (212.20 ± 20.93), lymphocytes (2922.80 ± 76.63), eosinophils (332.50 ± 17.24), macrophages (369.70 ± 16.21). Multiple crypt abscesses, deformation of the musocal epithelium in the form of erosions and ulcers were also noted. Clinical indicators of peripheral blood also confirmed the exacerbation of the disease (anemic state, increased inflammatory markers). An increased depth of the crypts correlated with such a morphometric indicator as mucosal thickness (r = 0.46; p &lt; 0.01). At the same time, correlations were found between mucosal thickness and the height of the surface epithelium (r = 0.35; p &lt; 0.01). There was a relationship between the morphological and clinical and hematological indicators of UC: mucosal thickness and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.38; р &lt; 0.01), band cells (r = 0.37; р &lt; 0.01) and blood neutrophils (r = 0.21; p &lt; 0.05). The Mayo core, as an indicator of the severity of the disease, correlated with the height of the epithelium (r = 0.37; p &lt; 0.05); neutrophils (r = 0.49; p &lt; 0.01) and basophils (r = 0.28; p &lt; 0.05) of the intestinal mucosa; N/L tissue index (r = 0.50; p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions. Correlative parallels were found, which confirm our assumption regarding the connection between morphological manifestations and clinical and hematological indicators of UC. The use of T/L and N/L indices in both tissue and peripheral blood can be used as a marker of the activity of inflammatory processes in UC.
Platelet amino acid spectrum and gut microbiota, their links in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation
Authors: I.O. Melnychuk, M.L. Sharayeva, V.N. Kramarova, V.H. Lyzogub
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

Background. The aim of our work was to identify the links between platelet amino acid (AA) spectrum and gut microbiota composition in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate them. Materials and methods. Three hundred patients were enrolled in the study. They were divided into 3 groups: I (CAD) — 149 patients with CAD but without arrhythmias, II (CAD + AF) — 124 people with CAD and AF paroxysm, and control group (CG) — 27 individuals without CAD and arrhythmias. Platelet AA level was assessed by method of ion-exchange liquid column chromatography. Gut microbiota composition was studied by 16-S rRNA sequencing. Results. A significant increase in isoleucine (10.73 %), leucine (12.63 %) and a decrease in threonine (23.05 %), serine (5.06 %), glycine (32.21 %) and valine (30.83 %) platelets levels was found in patients with CAD and AF (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, they had a significant increase in Bacteroides spp., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Actinobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., Ruminococcus spp. and a decrease in Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Eubacterium rectale (P &lt; 0.05). Platelet glutamine acid, valine, glycine, asparagine acid, threonine had the highest number of significant correlations with gut microbiota species (P &lt; 0.05). Actinobacter spp., Blautia spp., Streptococcus spp., Akkermansia muciniphila and Roseburia inulinivorans had the highest number of significant correlations with platelet amino acids (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions. Platelet amino acid spectrum and gut microbiota composition in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation are closely linked.
Advancing homogeneous networking principles for the development of fatigue-resistant, low-swelling and sprayable hydrogels for sealing wet, dynamic and concealed wounds in vivo
Authors: Yi Zhang, Yanjun Pan, Ronghang Chang, Kangli Chen, Kun Wang, Haoqi Tan, Meng Yin, Changsheng Liu, Xue Qu
Journal: Bioactive Materials (2023)

Effective sealing of wet, dynamic and concealed wounds remains a formidable challenge in clinical practice. Sprayable hydrogel sealants are promising due to their ability to cover a wide area rapidly, but they face limitations in dynamic and moist environments. To address this issue, we have employed the principle of a homogeneous network to design a sprayable hydrogel sealant with enhanced fatigue resistance and reduced swelling. This network is formed by combining the spherical structure of lysozyme (LZM) with the orthotetrahedral structure of 4-arm-polyethylene glycol (4-arm-PEG). We have achieved exceptional sprayability by controlling the pH of the precursor solution. The homogeneous network, constructed through uniform cross-linking of amino groups in protein and 4-arm-PEG-NHS, provides the hydrogel with outstanding fatigue resistance, low swelling and sustained adhesion. In vitro testing demonstrated that it could endure 2000 cycles of underwater shearing, while in vivo experiments showed adhesion maintenance exceeding 24 h. Furthermore, the hydrogel excelled in sealing leaks and promoting ulcer healing in models including porcine cardiac hemorrhage, lung air leakage and rat oral ulcers, surpassing commonly used clinical materials. Therefore, our research presents an advanced biomaterial strategy with the potential to advance the clinical management of wet, dynamic and concealed wounds.
Oxidative and nitrosative stress — the leading mechanisms of chronic pancreatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease interaction and inducers of their progression
Authors: O.S. Khukhlina, I.V. Dudka, T.V. Dudka
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

Background. The frequency of chronic pancreatitis (CP) comorbidity with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has significantly increased recently. It may be accompanied by changes in oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and activates a cascade of reactions of mutual burdening of these pathologies. The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the intensity of lipid peroxidation, oxidative modification of proteins and the state of individual factors of the antioxidant defense system in the development and course of CP, depending on the comorbid COPD. Materials and methods. Three hundred and seventeen patients were examined, including 62 patients with CP alone (group 1), 132 CP patients with comorbid COPD (group 2), 123 patients with COPD alone (group 3). The content in blood of isolated double bonds in compounds, conjugated dienes, ketodienes and conjugated trienes, malonic aldehyde, nitrites/nitrates, reduced glutathione, the activity of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase were evaluated in all patients. Results. In CP patients with comorbid COPD, the maximum oxidative stress intensity among the compared groups was registered. There was a reliable increase in the content of malonic aldehyde — by 2.0 times (p &lt; 0.05), isolated double bonds — by 2.2 times (p &lt; 0.05), conjugated dienes — by 1.9 times (p &lt; 0.05), ketodienes and conjugated trienes — by 1.9 times (p &lt; 0.05), nitrites/nitrates — by 2.6 times (p &lt; 0.05). A reliable decrease in reduced glutathione content of erythrocytes was detec­ted: in group 1 — by 1.5 times, in group 2 — by 1.9 times (p &lt; 0.05), in group 3 — by 1.2 times (p &lt; 0.05). The compensatory increase in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and blood catalase was revealed: in group 1 — by 1.3, 1.2 and 1.5 times (p &lt; 0.05); in group 2 — by 1.5, 1.3 and 1.8 times (p &lt; 0.05), in group 3 — by 1.2, 1.2 and 1.4 times, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions. The comorbid course of CP and COPD is accompanied by the maximum intensity of oxidative and nitrosative stress compared to the isolated course of the disease. An increase was detected in intermediate and final metabolites of peroxide oxidation in the blood, oxidative modification of proteins, nitrites/nitrates in the blood against the background of a deep imbalance of antioxidant defense factors, an increase in ceruloplasmin content in the blood, which requires the administration of antioxidant agents to correct detected disorders and prevent the progression of both comorbid diseases.
Turning the Health Equity Lens to Diversity in Asian American Health Profiles
Authors: Lan N. Ðoàn, Michelle M. Chau, Naheed Ahmed, Jiepin Cao, Sze Wan Celine Chan, Stella S. Yi
Journal: Annual Review of Public Health (2023)

The monolithic misrepresentation of Asian American (AsAm) populations has maintained assumptions that AsAm people are not burdened by health disparities and social and economic inequities. However, the story is more nuanced. We critically review AsAm health research to present knowledge of AsAm health profiles from the past two decades and present findings and opportunities across three topical domains: (
Gastrointestinal manifestations, spectrum and frequency of sensitization to food allergens in Kyiv’s adult citizens with allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: V.V. Tsaryk, A.V. Neverovskyi, V.Р. Shypulin
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

Background. Food allergy affects 1–3 % of adults worldwide. More than 160 foods can cause allergic reactions. Food allergy may precede and stimulate allergic rhinitis. Aim of the study was to assess the spectrum and frequency of sensitization to food allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis from Kyiv, Ukraine. Materials and me­thods. The investigation was conducted as a cross-sectional study. One hundred and seventy-five Kyiv adult patients with allergic rhinitis were enrolled in the trial. Sensitization to allergens and their components was determined by skin prick tests and in vitro detection of allergen specific IgE by ELISA in blood serum — a multicomponent Allergy Explorer2 ALEX2 test. Results. It was shown that sensitization to following inhalant allergens was predominant: to timothy grass — in 50.3 %, to ragweed — in 48.6 %, to birch — in 44 %, to wormwood — in 24 %, to Alternaria alternata mold — in 15.4 % of patients. One hundred and thirty-one (74.9 %) participants have co-sensitization to at least one food allergen, among them 77 (58.8 %) had gastrointestinal symptoms. Sensitization to following food allergens was predominant: to hazelnut — 27.5 %, apple — 26.3 %, peanut — 21.7 %, celery — 14.3 %, soy — 13.1 %, carp — 11.4 %, kiwi — 9.1 %, crab — 9.1 %, codfish — 8.6 %, oyster — 8.6 %, peach — 8 %, lobster — 8 %, carrot — 7.4 %, anisakis — 6.3 %, prawn — 6.3 %, tiger prawn — 5.7 %, to beef — 5.1 % of cases. It was found that the frequency of sensitization to cross-reactive proteins PR-10 was 20.5 % (95% confidence interval (CI); 9.7–33.9 %) in patients with allergic rhinitis without food co-sensitization comparing to 51.1 % (95% CI; 42.5–59.7 %) in participants with both allergic rhinitis and food co-sensitization, p &lt; 0.001; to nsLTP — 2.3 % (95% CI; 0–8.9 %) and 19.8 % (95% CI; 13.4–27.2 %), respectively, p = 0.011. Conclusions. Among Kyiv adult patients with allergic rhinitis, approximately three quarters have food co-sensitization that may be the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms and exacerbations of allergic rhinitis after consuming vegetables, fruits and nuts due to cross-reactivity with inhalant allergens. This should be considered when manage such patients.
Katerynoslav zemstvo paramedic school. To the 150 anniversary of the foundation (1870–2020)
Authors: M.P. Chaban, Z.I. Shevtsova, V.V. Gaponov
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY (2023)

The article represents the formation and development stages of the zemstvo paramedic school in Katerynoslav. Information is given on the charter, the educational process and the students’ living conditions. Data about teachers of this school have been provi­ded. It is also told about starting a private paramedic school in 1909. Surgeon Mykola Ehrlich was its founder and director. Interesting information about the activities of the school of medical assistants, i.e. paramedics, has been presented. The medical institution was headed by Professor Vincent Tomashevych. A photo of teachers and graduates of 1918 is provided. Currently, the training of the nursing staff is carried out at the Dnipro Basic Medical College.
Exocrine gland–resident memory CD8 <sup>+</sup> T cells use mechanosensing for tissue surveillance
Authors: Nora Ruef, Jose Martínez Magdaleno, Xenia Ficht, Vladimir Purvanov, Matthieu Palayret, Stefanie Wissmann, Petra Pfenninger, Bettina Stolp, Flavian Thelen, Juliana Barreto de Albuquerque, Philipp Germann, James Sharpe, Jun Abe, Daniel F. Legler, Jens V. Stein
Journal: Science Immunology (2023)

Tissue-resident CD8+ T cells (TRM) continuously scan peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes in their organ of residence to intercept microbial invaders. Recent data showed that TRM lodged in exocrine glands scan tissue in the absence of any chemoattractant or adhesion receptor signaling, thus bypassing the requirement for canonical migration-promoting factors. The signals eliciting this noncanonical motility and its relevance for organ surveillance have remained unknown. Using mouse models of viral infections, we report that exocrine gland TRM autonomously generated front-to-back F-actin flow for locomotion, accompanied by high cortical actomyosin contractility, and leading-edge bleb formation. The distinctive mode of exocrine gland TRM locomotion was triggered by sensing physical confinement and was closely correlated with nuclear deformation, which acts as a mechanosensor via an arachidonic acid and Ca2+ signaling pathway. By contrast, naïve CD8+ T cells or TRM surveilling microbe-exposed epithelial barriers did not show mechanosensing capacity. Inhibition of nuclear mechanosensing disrupted exocrine gland TRM scanning and impaired their ability to intercept target cells. These findings indicate that confinement is sufficient to elicit autonomous T cell surveillance in glands with restricted chemokine expression and constitutes a scanning strategy that complements chemosensing-dependent migration.
KCNN4 links PIEZO-dependent mechanotransduction to NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Li Ran, Tao Ye, Eric Erbs, Stephan Ehl, Nathalie Spassky, Izabela Sumara, Zhirong Zhang, Romeo Ricci
Journal: Science Immunology (2023)

Immune cells sense the microenvironment to fine-tune their inflammatory responses. Patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), caused by mutations in the NLRP3 gene, develop autoinflammation triggered by nonantigenic cues such as from the environment. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we uncover that KCNN4, a calcium-activated potassium channel, links PIEZO-mediated mechanotransduction to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Yoda1, a PIEZO1 agonist, lowered the threshold for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PIEZO-mediated sensing of stiffness and shear stress increased NLRP3-dependent inflammation. Myeloid-specific deletion of PIEZO1/2 protected mice from gouty arthritis. Mechanistically, activation of PIEZO1 triggers calcium influx, which activates KCNN4 to evoke potassium efflux and promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Activation of PIEZO signaling was sufficient to activate the inflammasome in cells expressing CAPS-causing NLRP3 mutants via KCNN4. Last, pharmacological inhibition of KCNN4 alleviated autoinflammation in cells of patients with CAPS and in mice bearing a CAPS mutation. Thus, PIEZO-dependent mechanical inputs boost inflammation in NLRP3-dependent diseases, including CAPS.
Exploring the Relationship between Adherence to Therapy, Treatment Acceptability, and Clinical Outcomes in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from the COMPAS Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Carlos López-Pinar, Helena Rosen, Benjamin Selaskowski, Christian Staerk, Thomas Jans, Wolfgang Retz, Petra Retz-Junginger, Michael Roesler, Esther Sobanski, Michael Huss, Swantje Matthies, Ludger Tebartz van Elst, Mathias Berger, Christian Jacob, Bernhard Kis, Michael Colla, Barbara Alm, Mona Abdel-Hamid, Sonia Martínez-Sanchís, Enrique Carbonell-Vayá, Silke Lux, Alexandra Philipsen
Journal: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2023)

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Introduction:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be effective in treating adults with ADHD, and patients generally consider these interventions useful. While adherence, as measured by attendance at sessions, is mostly sufficient, adherence to therapy skills has not been assessed. Furthermore, the relationship between patient evaluation of therapy effectiveness, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes is understudied. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objective:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; This study aimed to examine treatment acceptability and adherence in relation to treatment outcomes in a large randomized controlled trial comparing a DBT-based intervention with a nonspecific active comparison, combined with methylphenidate or placebo. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Method:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; A total of 433 adult patients with ADHD were randomized. Participants reported how effective they found the therapy, and adherence was measured by attendance at therapy sessions and by self-reports. Descriptive, between-groups, and linear mixed model analyses were conducted. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Participants rated psychotherapy as moderately effective, attended 78.40–94.37% of sessions, and used skills regularly. The best-accepted skills were sports and mindfulness. Groups receiving placebo and/or nonspecific clinical management rated their health condition and the medication effectiveness significantly worse than the psychotherapy and methylphenidate groups. Improvements in clinical outcomes were significantly associated with treatment acceptability. Subjective (self-reported) adherence to psychotherapy was significantly associated with improvements in ADHD symptoms, clinical global efficacy and response to treatment. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Discussion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; These results further support the acceptability of DBT for adult ADHD and suggest the need to address adherence to treatment to maximize clinical improvements. Results may be limited by the retrospective assessment of treatment acceptability and adherence using an ad hoc instrument.