Browse publications by year: 2024

  1. Xie A, Wang H, Huang J, Sun M, Chen L
    Infect Agent Cancer, 2024 Dec 18;19(1):64.
    PMID: 39696440 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00628-w
    BACKGROUND/AIMS: microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to tumorigenesis, progression and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). miR-3191 is a newly discovered miRNA, and its function and mechanism of action in biological processes and diseases are not completely understood.

    METHODS: miR-3191 expression is determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Knockdown and overexpression of miR-3191 influence the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells, which is measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Colony Formation assay and Cell metastasis assay. Protein expression is estimated by Western blot. The interplay between miR-3191 and target is validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

    RESULTS: Here, we show that miR-3191 is upregulated in HCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. Mechanistically, p21-activated protein kinase 6 (PAK6) was identified as a direct target of miR‑3191 in HCC. PAK6 knockdown partially recovered interference of miR‑3191‑induced decrease in cell proliferation and invasion. The accuracy of HCC patient prognosis could be improved by employing a combination of miR-3191 and PAK6 values.

    CONCLUSIONS: miR-3191 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells via targeting PAK6 and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target.

  2. Nambi G, Alghadier M, Pakkir Mohamed SH, Vellaiyan A, Ebrahim EE, Sobeh DE, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2024;12:1438591.
    PMID: 39697289 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1438591
    OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to compare and investigate the combined and individual effects of workstation ergonomics, physiotherapy and patient education in improving CgH headaches and work ability in office workers.

    METHODS: 96 eligible CgH participants were divided into the ergonomics modifications group (EMG; n = 24), physiotherapy group (PTG; n = 24), and ergonomics modifications combined with physiotherapy group (EPG; n = 24) and education control group (CNG; n = 24), the participants received the respective treatment for 4 weeks. Primary (CgH frequency) and secondary (CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, flexion rotation test (right and left), neck disability index and work ability) scores were measured. The effects of treatment at various intervals were analyzed with a 4 × 4 linear mixed model analysis (LMM) between treatment groups and time intervals.

    RESULTS: Four weeks following training EPG group showed more significant changes in primary outcome CgH frequency; 4.6 CI 95% 3.63 to 5.56 when compare to control group. The same gradual improvement was noticed at 8 weeks 8.2 CI 95% 7.53 to 8.86 and at 6 months follow up 11.9 CI 95% 11.25 to 12.54 when compare to other groups (p = 0.001) which is statistically 52.97% improvement. Similar improvements can be seen in the secondary outcome measures such as CgH pain intensity, CgH disability, flexion rotation test (right and left), neck disability index and work ability in EPG group than the EMG, PTG, and CNG groups (p = 0.001) at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and at 6 months' follow-up.

    CONCLUSION: This study observed that the workstation ergonomics and physiotherapy group experienced significantly more improvements in cervicogenic headache patients.

    CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier NCT05827185.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Human Engineering*; Male; Middle Aged; Single-Blind Method; Workplace; Physical Therapy Modalities*; Post-Traumatic Headache/therapy
  3. Luo Y, Chen Y, Ai C, Huang X, Perna F, Kale BJ, et al.
    Transl Cancer Res, 2024 Nov 30;13(11):6273-6281.
    PMID: 39697751 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-24-1543
    BACKGROUND: Lenalidomide-based therapies are recommended as first-line treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) patients, regardless of the transplant eligibility. Resistance to lenalidomide is a clinical problem that urgently needs to be addressed. The expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is abnormally high in a variety of tumor tissues including MM. However, in lenalidomide-resistant MM, it is not yet known whether the abnormally high expression of PARP1 is involved in the occurrence of drug resistance, and whether the inhibition of PARP1 can reverse lenalidomide resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of PARP1 promoting lenalidomide-resistant in MM patients.

    METHODS: Samples of bone marrow from patients with MM who were sensitive or resistant to lenalidomide were collected. The expression levels of PARP1 at the messenger RNA and protein levels were detected through polymerase chain reaction and western blot. MM cell lines were cultivated in vitro, cell lines resistant to lenalidomide were screened out, and the expression levels of PARP1 in the resistant cell lines were detected. The apoptosis level was also detected in the lenalidomide-resistant MM cell lines treated with a PARP1 inhibitor. The proliferation rates of the two groups of cells at different time points were evaluated by mono-methyl terephthalate (MMT) experiments. Finally, the effect of PARP1 on the proliferation of lenalidomide-resistant MM through the microRNA-192-5p-AKT signaling pathway was analyzed.

    RESULTS: In the lenalidomide-resistant cell lines, the expression level of PARP1 was higher, the proliferation more rapid, and the apoptosis rate was lower than lenalidomide-sensitive cell lines. Additionally, the activated AKT pathway was suppressed by downregulating the expression of microRNA-192-5p. MM resistance can be inhibited to some extent by impacting PARP1.

    CONCLUSIONS: PARP1 is involved in the production of lenalidomide resistance in MM, and could serve as a potential target for the treatment of MM in the future.

  4. Tafawa CR, Brar M, Sah S, Mehta R, Bushi G, Balaraman AK, et al.
    New Microbes New Infect, 2024 Dec;62:101542.
    PMID: 39697811 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101542
  5. Issitt T, Toe QK, Pedersen SL, Shackshaft T, Ghazaly MM, West L, et al.
    Pulm Circ, 2024 Oct;14(4):e70006.
    PMID: 39697901 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.70006
    Elevated circulating hepcidin levels have been reported in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Hepcidin has been shown to promote proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in vitro, suggesting a potential role in PAH pathogenesis. However, the role of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) as either a source of hepcidin, or the effect of hepcidin on PAEC function is not as well described. The objective of this study was to define the role of the hepcidin-ferroportin axis on the phenotype of PAEC and to study potential PAEC-PASMC interactions relevant to the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular remodeling and PAH. PAECs treated with hepcidin, or interleukin-6 were investigated for both ferroportin and hepcidin release and regulation using immunofluorescence, mRNA levels and cellular release assays. Effects of hepcidin on PASMC and PAEC mitochondrial function was investigated using immunofluorescence and seahorse assay. Migration and proliferation of PASMCs treated with conditioned media from hPAEC treated with hepcidin was investigated using the xCELLigence system and other tools. We demonstrate in this study that PAECs express ferroportin; hepcidin treatment of PAECs resulted in mitochondrial iron accumulation and intracellular hepcidin biosynthesis and release. Conditioned media from hepcidin treated PAECs caused PASMCs to down-regulate ferroportin expression whilst promoting migration and proliferation. Inhibition of hepcidin in PAEC conditioned media limited these responses. PASMC cellular and mitochondrial iron retention are associated with migratory and proliferative responses. This study confirms that the hepcidin ferroportin axis is present and operational in PAECs. Modulation of this axis shows distinct differences in responses seen between PAECS and PASMCs. Stimulation of this axis in PAECs with hepcidin may well institute proliferative and migratory responses in PASMCs of relevance to pathogenesis of PAH offering potential novel therapeutic targets.
  6. Hudec M, Jeong MH, Trillo R, Ijsselmuiden AJJ, Gwon HC, Chae IH, et al.
    Cardiol Res, 2024 Dec;15(6):439-452.
    PMID: 39698009 DOI: 10.14740/cr1724
    BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of BioMime sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) system, with an ultra-low strut thickness (65 µm), in real-world all-comers population with coronary artery stenosis (CAD).

    METHODS: This was a post-marketing, multicenter, single-arm, observational clinical registry among patients undergoing intervention for CAD. Patients were clinically followed up at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months after the index percutaneous coronary intervention. Four major indications, namely long stents of > 30 mm, stents with diameters of 4 and 4.5 mm, bifurcation subgroup, and chronic total occlusion (CTO) were evaluated as pre-specified subsets.

    RESULTS: A total of 771 patients (1,079 treated lesions) from 23 sites were included in this study. The mean length and diameter of the implanted stents were 25.57 ± 9.35 mm and 3.00 ± 0.44 mm, respectively. The mean minimum lumen diameter before and after the procedure was 1.00 ± 1.69 mm and 2.96 ± 1.35 mm, respectively. The cumulative rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and stent thrombosis (ST) at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months were 1.05%, 3.13%, 4.04%, 5.64% and 0%, 0.13%, 0.28%, 0.28%, respectively. In a subset with > 30 mm long stents, the cumulative rate of MACEs was 0.4%, 4.6%, 5.12%, and 7.01% at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The corresponding rates of ST were 0%, 0.42%, 0.43%, and 0.44%, indicating constant rate of ST after 9 months. In a subset of 4 and 4.5 mm diameter stents, the cumulative rate of MACEs was high (0%, 6.25%, 6.25%, and 10.41%) at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months, respectively. However, there was no case of ST until 24 months. In patients with bifurcation lesions, the cumulative rates of MACEs and ST were 2.46%, 6.32%, 11.53%, 16.21% and 0%, 1.27%, 1.28%, 1.35% at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months follow-up. In patients with chronic total occlusion, the cumulative rates of MACEs and ST were 0.79%, 5.04%, 6.83%, 7.07% and 0%, 0.84%, 0.85%, 0.88% at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months, respectively, indicating constant rate of ST after 9 months.

    CONCLUSIONS: The BioMime SES demonstrated good safety and efficacy outcomes at 24-month follow-up, with low rates of MACEs and ST in patients with CAD in the real-world setting.

  7. Mubarak AS, Ameen ZS, Mati S, Lasisi A, Naveed QN, Abdulkadir RA
    Heliyon, 2024 Dec 15;10(23):e40799.
    PMID: 39698096 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40799
    Having accurate and effective wind energy forecasting that can be easily incorporated into smart networks is important. Appropriate planning and energy generation predictions are necessary for these infrastructures. The production of wind energy is linked to instability and unpredictability. Wind energy forecasting has traditionally been performed using statistical models, but with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), research indicates that AI is more accurate than the statical technique. In this study, the nominal power of six wind farms in China was predicted using Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KAN) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) models. KAN as an alternative to the conventional MLP, has the ability to handle problems with scalability, vanishing gradients, and interpretability associated with MLP. The KAN uses learnable B-Spline as activation functions prompting it to address the issues of the MLP. We employed the Radial Basis Function (RBF) with Gaussian kernels to approximate the 3-order B-spline basis. In most deep learning models stochastic gradient-based optimization algorithms such as Adaptive Moment Estimation (ADAM) and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) optimizer are mostly employed, a quasi-Newton optimization technique Limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm LBFGS was employed in this work to approximate the Hessian matrix and estimate the parameter space's curvature. Also, in the preprocessing of the data, the Interquartile Range (IQR) technique is used to handle outliers and a clustering-based K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) imputer to handle missing values. Based on different sites, the KAN-LBFGS shows superior performance based on the performance evaluation metrics with site 5 achieving MSE of 0.0039, RMSE of 0.0622, MAE of 0.0352, and DC of 0.9468. The study highlights the importance of the model's architecture, preprocessing and optimization techniques.
  8. Md Fauzi F, Hamzah MF, Mahmud MZ, Amanah A, Mohd Noor MH, Zainuddin Z, et al.
    Heliyon, 2024 Dec 15;10(23):e40518.
    PMID: 39698098 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40518
    Obesity is a major health concern associated to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Brown adipocytes, which specialise in thermogenesis, offer a potential therapeutic target for obesity prevention and related conditions. This study builds on previous findings of the browning activity of Averrhoa bilimbi hexane fractions and aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Squalene and phytol, key phytocompounds from bilimbi leaf extract and fractions, were assessed for their ability to induce thermogenic adipocyte using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and C2C12 myoblasts in vitro models. The result shows that bilimbi fractions F7, F8, and F9, along with squalene and phytol, effectively induced thermogenic adipocyte differentiation. This was evidenced by the upregulation of key markers, including Ucp1, Prdm16, and Pgc1α, and increased expression of the brown adipocyte-specific protein CIDEA in treated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Notably, all treatments promoted thermogenic adipocytes differentiation in C2C12 myoblasts via the upregulation of Pgc1α, Ucp1 genes, and UCP1 protein. These findings suggest that bilimbi fractions and its phytocompounds may hold potential as nutraceutical interventions for obesity management.
  9. Nusrat N, Chowdhury K, Sinha S, Mehta M, Kumar S, Haque M
    Cureus, 2024 Dec;16(12):e75840.
    PMID: 39698191 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.75840
    Background Globally, dengue fever (DF) is the leading cause of arthropod-borne viral illness, which considerably contributes to an atrocious death rate. The disease is now endemic in some parts of the world, including Bangladesh. The disorder exhibits a wide range of clinical and laboratory features in children. Judicial fluid resuscitation during the critical phase and prompt referral to the appropriate health facility can be lifesaving. Objectives This research appraised clinical and laboratory features and treatment outcomes of DF in pediatric cases. Methods This prospective investigative work was conducted at Islami Bank Hospital, Dhaka, India, from July to October 2023. The study included 135 admitted pediatric cases of DF, either dengue nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) or anti-dengue antibody IgM or IgG positive. Results Among the selected cases, boys were more predominant than girls, and most patients were in the age group of 5 to 10 years (n=46, 34%), most of them belonging to lower-middle-class families (n=56, 41.5%). All of the study participants had raised body temperatures, and most had abdominal pain (n=82, 60.7%), vomiting (n=77, 57%), cough (n=43, 31.9%), headache (n=38, 28.2%), body aches (n=32, 23.7%), and diarrhea (n=23, 17%). Dengue NS1 was positive in 91.1% (n=123) of cases. Raised hematocrit was found in 36.3% (n=49) of cases, leukopenia in 47% (n=63), and thrombocytopenia in 69.6% (n=94) of cases. Most of our patients were categorized as having DF (68.1%, n=92), followed by dengue with warning signs (16.3%, n=22), and severe dengue was present in 15.6% (n=21) of patients. Most were treated with crystalloid, and some with crystalloid and colloid solution. Fortunately, most of them recovered with no death. Conclusion DF may manifest with varied clinical and laboratory features in children. Appropriate treatment of critical phases, depending on clinical and laboratory features, is crucial to reducing dengue-induced miseries and fatal clinical outcomes among the pediatric population.
  10. Ong HS, Krishnasamy S, Rajandram R, Amirthalingam A, Yusof TNT, Sivalingam S
    Ann Pediatr Cardiol, 2024;17(4):264-271.
    PMID: 39698423 DOI: 10.4103/apc.apc_110_24
    BACKGROUND: The management of ventricular septal defect (VSD) alongside mitral regurgitation (MR) in pediatric patients remains a contentious issue due to the intricacies of cardiac surgery and the need to minimize ischemic time. Despite observations of MR regression following VSD closure, definitive guidelines for this patient subset are lacking, particularly concerning the management of the subgroup of patients with moderate MR. The objective of the study is to explore the factors influencing the choice between surgical intervention and conservative management for the mitral valve (MV) in VSD patients with moderate MR.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study from January 2000 to December 2015, we analyzed management trends and focused on 53 patients with both VSD and moderate MR. This cohort was subdivided into four groups: first by their MV pathology, and then stratified by the receipt of intervention towards the diseased MV. Our primary goal was to identify correlations, especially concerning surgical outcomes such as mortality and need for re-operation. Statistical significance is determined when the P value is lower than 0.05.

    RESULTS: There were no notable differences in preoperative variables across four cohort groups, apart from the cross-clamp duration which was longest in Group B intervention. Outcome analysis showed survival rates that were higher in cohort groups that underwent intervention toward the disease MV regardless of existing MV morphology, although results were not statistically significant. Cox model analysis found no correlation between the cohort groups and postoperative outcomes, but cross-clamp duration significantly correlated with mortality.

    CONCLUSIONS: In cases of VSD with moderate MR with associated pathologies of the valvular apparatus, opting for MV repair (MVr) appears to improve survival outcomes without significantly increasing postoperative morbidity. Similarly, for patients with moderate MR and isolated annular dilatation, surgical MVr is observed to have better survival trend compared to the control group.

  11. Hu GW, Li CY, Zhang G, Zheng CJ, Ma FZ, Quan XY, et al.
    Quant Imaging Med Surg, 2024 Dec 05;14(12):8064-8082.
    PMID: 39698640 DOI: 10.21037/qims-24-1837
    BACKGROUND: Liver hemangiomas (HGs) are characterized by cavernous venous spaces delineated by a lining of vascular endothelial cells and interspersed with connective tissue septa. Typically, a liver HG has higher apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2 values than those of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and liver metastases, and lower ADC and T2 values than those of liver simple cysts. However, a portion of HGs shows ADC and T2 overlapping with those of HCC, liver metastasis, and simple cyst. When MRI is the first line examination for the liver, contrast enhanced imaging is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of liver HG. Magnetic resonance diffusion-derived vessel density (DDVD) is a physiological surrogate of the area of microvessels per unit tissue area. DDVD is calculated according to: DDVD(b0b2) = Sb0/ROIarea0 - Sb2/ROIarea2, where Sb0 and Sb2 refer to the tissue signal when b is 0 or 2 (s/mm2). Sb2 and ROIarea2 can also be approximated by other low b-values (such as b=10) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). In this study, we conducted a preliminary evaluation of magnetic resonance DDVD pixelwise map (DDVDm) for liver HG diagnosis.

    METHODS: Three testing datasets were included. All imaging data were acquired at 3.0T. Dataset-1 consisted of 16 HGs (lesion diameter: 1.5-8.85 cm), 4 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNHs, lesion diameter: 1.72-5.7 cm), and 24 HCCs (lesion diameter: 1.83-12.77 cm), and DDVDm was reconstructed with b=0 and b=2 images. Dataset-2 consisted of 6 HGs (lesion diameter: 1.14-6.2 cm), and DDVDm was reconstructed with b=0 and b=10 images. Dataset-3 consisted of 28 HCCs (lesion diameter: 1.91-3.52 cm), and DDVDm was reconstructed with b=0 and b=2 images. For dataset-1 and dataset-2, a trained reader was required to make a diagnosis for a lesion solely based on DDVDm with 4 choices: (I) HG with confidence; (II) HG without confidence; (III) solid mass-forming lesion (MFL) with confidence; (IV) solid MFL without confidence. Then, three readers attempted to confirm whether DDVDm features summarized from dataset-1 and dataset-2 would be generalizable to dataset-3.

    RESULTS: For dataset-1 and dataset-2 together, the correct diagnosis was made by the trained reader in 90.9% (20/22) of the HGs (77.7% with confidence) and 96.4% (27/28) of the MFLs (85.7% with confidence). HG generally showed substantially higher DDVD signal relative to background liver parenchyma. Though not necessarily, HG DDVD signals could be similar to those of blood vessels. Some HGs showed DDVD signals higher or similar to that of kidneys which have a higher perfusion than the liver. MFL generally showed DDVD signals only slightly higher, similar to, or even slightly lower, than that of background liver parenchyma. The DDVDm features of dataset-3 were all consistent with MFL.

    CONCLUSIONS: When DDVDm is used to evaluate the liver, HG can be diagnosed with confidence in a substantial portion of patients without the need for a contrast enhanced scan. Our result will be relevant for HG confirmation when MRI is the first line examination for the liver.

  12. Umoru GU, Atangwho IJ, David-Oku E, Uti DE, Agwupuye EI, Obeten UN, et al.
    J Cell Mol Med, 2024 Dec;28(24):e70086.
    PMID: 39698791 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.70086
    Tetracarpidium conophorum nuts are nutrient-dense Nigerian snacks associated with weight regulation. This study explores the nuts' impact on adipose tissue gene expression associated with low-grade inflammation. Ethanol whole extract (EWE), ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) and the resulting residue (RES) were orally administered once daily to MSG-induced obese rats for 6 weeks (n = 6). Afterward, the RNA synthesis of inflammation-associated genes was measured, and GC-MS ligands in the extract and fractions were docked against their protein products in silico. The study found that in obese animals, PPAR-γ and Adiponectin expressions were down-regulated, while TNF-α was up-regulated, indicating an increased low-grade inflammatory process in adipose tissue. After 6-week oral treatments with EWE, EAF and RES, PPAR-γ and Adiponectin expressions increased significantly, while TNF-α expression decreased, suggesting the modulation of obesity-induced inflammation in adipose tissue. The in silico molecular docking analysis identified four lead compounds likely responsible for the observed effect, namely 6-Isopropenyl-4,8a-dimethyl-4a,5,67,8,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-2-one, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic methyl ester (Z,Z,Z), 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid and Hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl). Of these compounds, 6-Isopropenyl-4,8a-dimethyl-4a,5,67,8,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-2-one demonstrated the strongest affinity to the binding cavities of PPARγ (-7.3 kcal/mol), Leptin (-5.2 kcal/mol), Adiponectin (-7.1 kcal/mol) and TNF-α (-6.3 kcal/mol) and was better than the standard drug, Orlistat (-6.7, -4.4, -6.8 and - 4.5 kcal/mol, respectively). The study reveals that T. conophorum nuts possess bioactive compounds/drug candidates that can exert positive modulation, at the molecular level, the low-grade inflammatory process associated with obesity, which normally facilitates the outset of complications.
    MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue/drug effects; Adipose Tissue/metabolism; Animals; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects; Male; Up-Regulation/drug effects; Rats, Wistar; Rats; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  13. Lawrence JM, Tan SH, Kim DC, Tan KE, Schroeder SE, Yeo KS, et al.
    Zebrafish, 2024 Dec;21(6):385-393.
    PMID: 39316469 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2024.0160
    Xenotransplantation of neuroblastoma cells into larval zebrafish allows the characterization of their in vivo tumorigenic abilities and high-throughput treatment screening. This established preclinical model traditionally relies on microinjection into the yolk or perivitelline space, leaving the engraftment ability of cells at the hindbrain ventricle (HBV) and pericardial space (PCS), sites valuable for evaluating metastasis, angiogenesis, and the brain microenvironment, unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, Casper zebrafish at 48 h postfertilization were microinjected with approximately 200 Kelly, Be(2)-C, SK-N-AS, or SY5Y cells into either the HBV or PCS. Fish were imaged at 1, 3, and 6 days postinjection and tumor growth was monitored at each timepoint. We hypothesized that engraftment ability and location preference would be cell line dependent. Kelly and SK-N-AS cells were able to engraft at both the HBV and PCS, with a near doubling in size of tumor volume during the 6 days observation period, with cells appearing to grow better in the HBV. Be(2)-C tumors remained static while SY5Y tumors decreased in size, with almost complete loss of volume at both sites. Therefore, the capability of neuroblastoma cell engraftment in zebrafish larvae is cell line dependent with a location preference.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Neoplasm Transplantation; Pericardium; Rhombencephalon; Transplantation, Heterologous; Zebrafish*; Cell Line, Tumor
  14. Tosi G, Kalckert A, Sivasubramanian AK, Romano D
    Atten Percept Psychophys, 2024 Nov;86(8):2866-2876.
    PMID: 39349922 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-024-02964-w
    The rubber hand illusion is a well-known experiment that allows manipulation of one's own body experience. The original questionnaire gauges both the illusion experience and unforeseen experiences acting as control statements. In particular, two statements pertain to the referral of touch originating from the rubber hand (RoT), and one concerns the feeling of ownership of the rubber hand (SoO). Despite its prominence, the rubber hand illusion questionnaire has not undergone thorough examination of its psychometric properties. The literature reveals a tendency to use RoT and SoO statements interchangeably. In this study, we employed Exploratory Graph Analysis to explore the item structure and compared the correlation between SoO and RoT items in various conditions. While SoO and RoT are closely linked, our findings suggest potential separation. SoO and RoT statements consistently correlate, yet hints emerge that RoT might represent a distinct facet of the illusion. Correlations diminish beyond the perihand space, indicating a nuanced relationship. Additionally, moderate relationships between control statements and those measuring the illusion suggest that even control statements are modulated by the illusion experience. This study underscores the need for further exploration into the psychometric properties of body illusion questionnaires, prompting reflections on the interpretation in light of these results.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Body Image; Female; Hand; Humans; Illusions*; Male; Ownership; Proprioception; Psychometrics*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Touch; Young Adult
  15. Romadhon PZ, Ashariati A, Bintoro SUY, Suryantoro SD, Windradi C, Mahdi BA, et al.
    Hemoglobin, 2024 Sep;48(5):301-307.
    PMID: 39497272 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2024.2414102
    Patients suffering from thalassemia are recipients of routine transfusions leading to hemosiderosis. Taking iron chelating agents is mandatory. Several studies have shown different results regarding the occurrence of kidney complications in thalassemia patients who received iron-chelating agents. In this study, we were looking for kidney complications by examining human NAG urine/serum and NGAL urine/serum in thalassemia community in East Java community. The study was conducted cross-sectionally in the thalassemia community in East Java with a total sample of 91 patients aged 13-48 years. All thalassemia patients filled in demographic data, transfusion routines, duration of taking iron chelating agents, and length of time diagnosed with thalassemia. Laboratory tests included routine blood tests for ferritin, ureum, serum creatinine, human NAG urine or serum, and human NGAL urine or serum. Comparison tests (t-test, Mann-Whitney, and ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis) were conducted to see if there were significant differences in the levels of human NAG urine and human NGAL urine serum based on age, sex, blood group, duration of transfusion, routine of transfusion, duration of taking iron chelating agents, and types of iron chelating drugs. Multivariate analysis was conducted to see whether some of these categories were related to abnormalities in human NAG urine or serum and human NGAL urine or serum. All 91 patients had normal creatinine values, yet some had abnormal serum NAG. There is a significant difference in urine human NAG and urine human NGAL levels at ages over 23 years (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01). Significant differences in human NGAL serum were also found in working and student patients (p = 0.028). Serum NGAL also differed in those taking deferasirox (p = 0.030) and significantly different human NGAL urine was also found in iron overload status (Ferritin ≥ 1000 ng.ml) (p = 0.006). There is no difference between human NAG urine/serum and human NGAL urine/serum based on sex, body mass index, blood type, hemoglobin less than 10 g/dl, routine transfusion once a month, duration of using iron chelation for more than 10 years, or splenomegaly status (splenomegaly, splenectomy, or no splenomegaly). The multivariate logistic regression results showed that age above 23 was a factor associated with abnormal urine human NAG levels (aOR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.08-13.28). Students (aOR = 4.89, 95% CI = 1.48-16.16) with ages above 23 years (aOR = 3.69, 95% CI = 1.09-12.43) showed higher risk for an abnormal serum human NGAL levels. Patients with beta-thalassemia major exhibit noticeable tubular damage. Further research is encouraged to determine other factors behind tubular damage in the thalassemia community, particularly in Indonesia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Indonesia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Lipocalin-2/blood; Lipocalin-2/urine
  16. Wangchuk P, Umat C, Chong FY, Zaki FM, Abdullah A
    Audiol Neurootol, 2024 Nov 08.
    PMID: 39522501 DOI: 10.1159/000540965
    INTRODUCTION: Anatomy-based fitting (ABF), a relatively new technique for cochlear implant (CI) programming, attempts to lessen the impact of the electrode insertion location-related frequency-to-place mismatch (FPM). This study aimed to compare vowels and consonant perception in quiet and in noise among experienced adult CI users using the ABF and the regular, conventional-based fitting (CBF) map (pre-ABF) over 6 months.

    METHODS: Nine ears from eight experienced adult CI users were included in the experimental and longitudinal research. Using surgical planning software called Otoplan, postoperative computed computed tomography scans were used to determine the locations of intracochlear electrodes and their angle of insertion. The anatomy-based frequency bands were produced by Maestro 9.0 CI fitting software using the Otoplan data. Nonsense syllables with consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) recognition scores in quiet and noise (+5 dB SNR) were compared at baseline, 3, and 6 months after ABF. The vowels involved were /a, i, u/, while the consonants were voiced /b, d, g/ and voiceless /p, t, k/ plosives. Speech pieces were presented at 30 dB SL in a sound-treated room through a loudspeaker positioned at 0° azimuth.

    RESULTS: On average, the ABF maps shifted center frequency ranging from 0.46 semitones (0.04 octave) at (E12) to 23.94 semitones (1.99 octave) at (E1) as compared to the CBF maps. The mean vowel and consonant identification scores in quiet and in noise were significantly higher in ABF than in CBF (p < 0.05) with a large effect size and the trend of improvement was seen with time. Voiced consonants had better scores than the voiceless consonants.

    CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated improved perception of vowels and consonants, particularly for sounds containing voicing cues after using the ABF maps. The results also suggested that ABF could be more effective for voice detection in noise. Overall, the findings indicate that correcting place mismatch with an ABF map may improve speech perception, at least among experienced adult CI users.

  17. Soltanzadeh-Naderi Y, Reintam Blaser A, Björck M, Nuzzo A, Starkopf J, Forbes A, et al.
    Diagnostics (Basel), 2024 Nov 30;14(23).
    PMID: 39682613 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14232705
    BACKGROUND: There are no clinical or laboratory markers that can diagnose acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) accurately. This study aimed to find differences in clinical and laboratory markers between arterial occlusive AMI and other acute abdominal diseases where AMI was initially suspected.

    METHODS: This was a post hoc study of an international prospective multicenter study where data on patients with suspected AMI were collected. Independent factors associated with arterial occlusive AMI were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis.

    RESULTS: The number of patients with arterial occlusive AMI was 231, consisting of thrombotic (n = 104), embolic (n = 61), and indeterminate (n = 66) occlusions. The non-AMI group included 287 patients, of whom 128 had strangulated bowel obstruction. Current smoking (odds ratio [OR] 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-5.03), hypertension (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.09-3.97), bowel emptying (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.59-6.63), and leukocytosis (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.14-2.08) at admission were independently associated with arterial occlusive AMI compared to the non-AMI group.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study found clinical and laboratory data to be associated with arterial occlusive AMI in patients with suspicion of AMI, which can possibly be of value in screening for arterial occlusive AMI at the emergency department. Further studies are needed to find more accurate diagnostic markers.

  18. Li L, Yang M, Zhu L, Liu W, Li L, Cao W, et al.
    Foods, 2024 Dec 07;13(23).
    PMID: 39683023 DOI: 10.3390/foods13233951
    Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world and have a significant share in domestic and international fruit production. Drying is a common method used to extend the shelf life of apples. However, it also induces irregular morphological changes in apples, which are essential to maintaining the structural integrity of the material. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the effect of cellular changes at the microscopic level on the macroscopic deformation of the material during drying. In this paper, the evolution of cell wall pectin fractions and viscoelastic properties of apples during freeze drying combined with hot air drying was investigated. The findings indicated that during the HAD stage, a decrease in the relaxation modulus (E1) of the samples was observed in the compression tests when the sample temperature was significantly higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg). As the difference between the two decreased, the samples exhibited increased stiffness and higher E1. The results of the pectin content analysis showed that the HAD process accelerated the loss and degradation of water-soluble pectin in the samples with high moisture content at the transition point. Simultaneously, the esterification degree of chelator-soluble pectin increased, leading to a reduction in the support provided to the cellular structure of the samples, which consequently affected their mechanical properties. These findings may provide valuable information for the application of freeze drying combined with hot air drying in the efficient processing of dried fruit and vegetable products.
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