METHODS: The frequency and length of primary cilia were determined in OKF6-TERT2 cells, HSC-2 cells, and HSC-3 cells using immunofluorescence. Additionally, primary cilia presence in non-proliferating OSCC cells was examined. OSCC cells were treated with either small interfering RNA (siRNA) negative control or siRNA targeting IFT20 for functional analysis. mRNA expression levels of IFT20 and MMP-9 were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
RESULTS: Results showed that HSC-2 cells exhibit abundant primary cilia when cultured in low serum media (2% serum) for 48 h, followed by serum starvation for over 72 h. No significant changes in cilia expression were observed in HSC-3 cells compared to OKF6-TERT2 cells. Ciliated cells were found in non-proliferating HSC-2 and HSC-3 cells. OSCC cells showed longer cilia than OKF6-TERT2 cells, indicating ciliary abnormalities. Changes in ciliation and cilium length of OSCC cells were accompanied by increased expression of IFT20, an intraflagellar transport protein crucial for the primary cilia assembly. However, IFT20 knockdown did not affect MMP-9 at the mRNA level in these cells.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the differences in primary cilia expression among OSCC cells. Furthermore, the increased abundance and elongation of primary cilia in OSCC cells are accompanied by elevated expression of IFT20. Nonetheless, IFT20 did not affect MMP-9 mRNA expression in OSCC cells.
METHODS: Thirty-eight participants were divided into control (n = 19) and MBI (n = 19) groups. Control participants were normal, healthy people, and participants with MBI were assigned into two groups: MBI 1st Test (7 days after a road traffic accident (RTA)) and MBI 2nd Test (2-6 months after RTA with the same participants of the 1st Test group). The 128-ERP nets were used on the heads of the participants during the experiments. Under the auditory oddball paradigm, all participants silently counted the target tones, while ignoring the standard tones. This study used the sLORETA tool in the Net Station software for the source localization of the P300 ERP component. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare intensities between groups, while the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was applied for paired observations within groups.
RESULTS: Standard stimuli evoked P300 sources in the superior frontal gyrus (BA11) of the right frontal lobe in the control group, the superior temporal gyrus (BA38) of the right temporal lobe in the MBI 1st Test group, and the inferior frontal gyrus (BA47) of the left frontal lobe in the MBI 2nd Test group. Meanwhile, target stimuli evoked P300 sources at BA11 for all groups but in different gyrus: the superior frontal gyrus, orbital gyrus, and rectal gyrus in the control, MBI 1st Test, and MBI 2nd Test groups, respectively. In addition, there were significant differences in dipole intensities between and within groups among control and MBI patients in both standard and target stimuli.
CONCLUSION: P300 source localization was shifted presumably due to the auditory cognitive impairment, and the dipole intensities were significantly higher in the MBI group than in the control group, indicating that the MBI group compensated for both standard and target tone stimuli, reflected in the sLORETA investigation.
AIMS: This study examines whether community members define their sense of flourishing in terms of the presence of wellbeing and/or the absence of psychopathology.
METHODS: Participants (n = 1,094) were stratified by sex and age (18-39 years, 40-59 years and 60 years+), resided in Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa and Malaysia. Participants were presented with 12 items from the European Social Survey Wellbeing Module and 9 symptoms from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder; mental health items were rephrased to reflect an absence of psychopathology. Respondents selected and ranked the five statements that best reflected their sense of flourishing.
RESULTS: Wellbeing statements were the most frequently endorsed items for example, 'Feeling calm and peaceful', 'Life is valuable and worthwhile', 'Having people who care' and 'Feeling positive about oneself', but they were only endorsed by approximately 35% to 38% of respondents. Three pathology items were amongst the top 10 items endorsed.
CONCLUSIONS: That not one indicator was endorsed by the majority of respondents suggests that flourishing definitions of positive mental health need to be defined by both the presence of wellbeing and absence of psychopathology. Notably, there were few between-nation differences in items endorsed, and those differences reported were not of a large magnitude suggesting consistency in the endorsement of indicators between nations.
OBJECTIVE: To find association between excessive screen time, dry eye disease, and inflammatory conjunctivitis in children aged 3 to 11 years.
METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital Islamabad. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted. Detailed ophthalmic examinations, including TBUT and blink rate assessments, were performed. The relationship between excessive screen time, TBUT, blink rate, and inflammatory conjunctivitis was assessed using multivariate analysis. A 95% confidence interval was kept significant.
RESULTS: A total of 479 participants aged 6.7 ± 1.9 were included. The mean screen time was 4.52 ± 1.49 hour/day, while mean TBUT was 10.29 ± 3.17. A significant negative relationship was found between screen time and TBUT (B = - 0.351, p
OBJECTIVE: This scoping review explores strategies for alleviating pain while administering ILCSIs for hypertrophic scarring and keloid management. ILCSI is a second-line treatment for HTSs and a first-line treatment for keloids.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: This scoping review included studies where HTSs and keloids were treated with ILCSI and considered diverse demographics and injection methods. This review excludes other methods of corticosteroid drug delivery where injection is not involved and where the pain assessed is unrelated to injection or infiltration of the scar.
SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: This review systematically searched critical databases from inception to December 2023, including ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science, and handpicked articles traced from available review papers. Only English-language publications focused on pain management during ILCSIs for HTSs and keloids were included. All levels of scientific evidence were considered. An in-depth evaluation of the injection technique, type of analgesia or anaesthesia administered, effectiveness of pain management and overall treatment outcomes was conducted.
CHARTING METHODS: Citations were compiled in an Excel spreadsheet, with three authors screening the titles and abstracts based on inclusion criteria. Decisions were finalised collaboratively, exclusions were documented and results were presented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram.
RESULTS: 16 prospective studies, 2 retrospective studies, 1 case study and 15 journal articles were included. These studies examined ILCSI for hypertrophic scarring and keloid treatment. No differences in pain intensity between HTSs and keloids were reported. 11 studies systematically explored pain reduction methods such as topical analgesia, cryoanaesthesia, mixing triamcinolone acetonide with local analgesics, slow infiltration techniques, vibration analgesia and needle-free injectors.
CONCLUSION: Pain can significantly impact patient compliance and treatment outcomes. This review offers a foundational reference for healthcare providers and researchers in the field of scar management, providing insights into current practices and highlighting areas for future research and development.
DESIGN: Experts in microbiome research, microbiology, gastroenterology, internal medicine and biotherapeutics industry were invited to form a panel. During the 2023 Inauguration Conference of the Asia-Pacific Microbiota Consortium, an organised, iterative roundtable discussion was conducted to build expert consensus on critical issues surrounding the development of LBP.
RESULTS: The consensus statements were organised into three main aspects: (a) rationales of LBP development, (b) preclinical studies and (c) preparation for clinical studies. The panel strongly recommended to prioritise human-derived and food-sourced strains for development, with indications based on clinical need and efficacy shown in studies. Preclinical evaluation should involve thorough screening, genotyping and phenotyping, as well as comprehensive in vitro and animal studies to assess functional mechanisms and microbiological safety. Rigorous cell banking practices and genetic monitoring are essential to ensure product consistency and safety throughout the manufacturing process. Clinical trials, including postmarketing surveillance, must be carefully designed and closely monitored, with robust safety and risk management protocols in place.
CONCLUSIONS: The development of LBP should be approached with a strong emphasis on microbiological evaluation, clinical relevance, scientific mechanisms and safety at every stage. These measures are essential to ensure the safety, effectiveness and long-term success of the product.