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1.
J Agric Food Chem ; 72(26): 14557-14569, 2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38957088

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which dark septate endophytes (DSE) regulate salt tolerance and the accumulation of bioactive constituents in licorice. First, the salt stress tolerance and resynthesis with the plant effect of isolated DSE from wild licorice were tested. Second, the performance of licorice inoculated with DSE, which had the best salt-tolerant and growth-promoting effects, was examined under salt stress. All isolated DSE showed salt tolerance and promoted plant growth, withCurvularia lunata D43 being the most effective. Under salt stress, C. lunata D43 could promote growth, increase antioxidant enzyme activities, enhance glycyrrhizic acid accumulation, improve key enzyme activities in the glycyrrhizic acid synthesis pathway, and induce the expression of the key enzyme gene and salt tolerance gene of licorice. The structural equation model demonstrated that DSE alleviate the negative effects of salt stress through direct and indirect pathways. Variations in key enzyme activities, gene expression, and bioactive constituent concentration can be attributed to the effects of DSE. These results contribute to revealing the value of DSE for cultivating medicinal plants in saline soils.


Subject(s)
Endophytes , Glycyrrhiza , Glycyrrhizic Acid , Salt Stress , Glycyrrhizic Acid/metabolism , Glycyrrhiza/chemistry , Glycyrrhiza/metabolism , Glycyrrhiza/microbiology , Endophytes/metabolism , Endophytes/genetics , Salt Tolerance , Ascomycota/metabolism , Ascomycota/growth & development , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
2.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 24(1): 760, 2024 Jun 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38907254

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional collaborative care such as a split-shared care model involving family physicians and community pharmacists can reduce the economic burden of diabetes management. This study aimed to evaluate the economic outcome of a split-shared care model between family physicians and community pharmacists within a pharmacy chain in managing people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and polypharmacy. METHOD: This was a multi-center, parallel arm, open label, randomized controlled trial comparing the direct and indirect economic outcomes of people who received collaborative care involving community pharmacists (intervention) versus those who received usual care without community pharmacist involvement (control). People with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, defined as HbA1c > 7.0% and taking ≥ 5 chronic medications were included while people with missing baseline economic data (such as consultation costs, medication costs) were excluded. Direct medical costs were extracted from the institution's financial database while indirect costs were calculated from self-reported gross income and productivity loss, using Work Productivity Activity Impairment Global Health questionnaire. Separate generalized linear models with log link function and gamma distribution were used to analyze changes in direct and indirect medical costs. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients (intervention = 70, control = 105) completed the trial and were included for analysis. The mean age of the participants was 66.9 (9.2) years, with majority being male and Chinese. The direct medical costs were significantly lower in the intervention than the control group over 6 months (intervention: -US$70.51, control: -US$47.66, p < 0.001). Medication cost was the main driver in both groups. There were no significant changes in productivity loss and indirect costs in both groups. CONCLUSION: Implementation of split-shared visits with frontline community partners may reduce economic burden for patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and polypharmacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Reference Number: NCT03531944 (Date of registration: June 6, 2018).


Subject(s)
Cost of Illness , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Pharmacists , Polypharmacy , Humans , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/economics , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Physicians, Family , Patient Care Team/economics , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Community Pharmacy Services/economics , Community Pharmacy Services/organization & administration
3.
Parasitol Res ; 123(6): 256, 2024 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38935203

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease, is a major public health concern in Yemen, with Leishmania tropica identified as the main causative agent. This study aims to investigate the occurrence and distribution of Leishmania parasites in domestic and wild animals in CL endemic areas in the western highlands of Yemen. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Utmah District of western Yemen. Blood and skin scraping specimens were collected from 122 domestic and wild animals and tested for the Leishmania DNA using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) nested polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on 20 L. tropica sequences obtained from animals in this study and 34 sequences from human isolates (collected concurrently from the same study area) retrieved from the GenBank. Overall, L. tropica was detected in 16.4% (20/122) of the examined animals, including 11 goats, two dogs, two bulls, one cow, one donkey, one rabbit, one rat and one bat. None of the examined cats and sheep was positive. The animal sequences were segregated into four different L. tropica haplotypes, with the majority of the animal (15/20) and human (32/34) sequences composed of one dominant haplotype/genotype. These findings represent the first confirmed evidence of natural L. tropica infections in different kinds of domestic and wild animals in western Yemen, suggesting these animals potentially have a role in the transmission of CL in Yemen. Therefore, a One Health approach is required for the effective prevention and control of this devastating disease among endemic populations.


Subject(s)
Animals, Domestic , Animals, Wild , Leishmania tropica , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous , One Health , Phylogeny , Animals , Leishmania tropica/genetics , Leishmania tropica/isolation & purification , Leishmania tropica/classification , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/epidemiology , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/veterinary , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology , Yemen/epidemiology , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Animals, Wild/parasitology , Animals, Domestic/parasitology , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , Neglected Diseases/parasitology , Neglected Diseases/epidemiology , Neglected Diseases/veterinary , Endemic Diseases/veterinary , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Male
4.
Adv Sci (Weinh) ; : e2404375, 2024 Jun 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38889339

ABSTRACT

In the treatment of uveal melanoma (UVM), histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have emerged as a promising epigenetic therapy. However, their clinical efficacy is hindered by the suboptimal pharmacokinetics and the strong self-rescue of tumor cells. To overcome these limitations, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) are designed that encapsulate HDACi MS-275 and the glutamine metabolism inhibitor V-9302. Upon reaching the tumor microenvironment, these NPs can disintegrate, thereby releasing MS-275 to increase the level of ROS and V-9302 to reduce the production of glutathione (GSH) related to self-rescue. These synergistic effects lead to a lethal ROS storm and induce cell pyroptosis. When combined with programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibodies (α-PD-1), these NPs facilitate immune cell infiltration, improving anti-tumor immunity, converting "immune-cold" tumors into "immune-hot" tumors, and enhancing immune memory in mice. The findings present a nano-delivery strategy for the co-delivery of epigenetic therapeutics and metabolic inhibitors, which induces pyroptosis in tumors cells and improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

6.
J Investig Med ; : 10815589241262003, 2024 Jun 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38869155

ABSTRACT

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is one of the common hematological cancers in the United States (U.S.). The mortality rate of NHL in the U.S. is the sixth highest among all cancers. Our study aims to examine the trends and disparity in NHL mortality. We analyzed death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) U.S. to determine the NHL mortality trends among the U.S. population aged ≥ 15 years. NHL (ICD-10 C82-85) was listed as the underlying cause of death. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 individuals and joinpoint trend analysis were performed to determine the average annual percent change (AAPC) in AAMR trends. From 1999 to 2020, NHL accounted for 457,143 deaths in the United States, of which 54% are men and 46% are women. The NHL AAMR decreased significantly from 10.59 to 6.21 per 100,000 individuals with the AAPC of -2.55. Men had a higher AAMR than women (10.10 vs. 6.29 per 100,000 individuals). Whites recorded the highest AAMR (8.43 per 100,000 individuals), followed by Blacks (5.71 per 100,000 individuals), Hispanics (6.32 per 100,000 individuals), American Indians (5.31 per 100,000 individuals), and Asians (5.10 per 100,000 individuals). Those who lived in the Midwest and the rural areas had the highest AAMR at 8.60 and 8.35 per 100,000 individuals respectively. Despite the declining NHL mortality rate, this study calls for targeted intervention to improve outcomes for susceptible individuals affected by NHL.

7.
Lancet Microbe ; 2024 May 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38735303

ABSTRACT

Drug development for tuberculosis is hindered by the methodological limitations in the definitions of patient outcomes, particularly the slow organism growth and difficulty in obtaining suitable and representative samples throughout the treatment. We developed target product profiles for biomarker assays suitable for early-phase and late-phase clinical drug trials by consulting subject-matter experts on the desirable performance and operational characteristics of such assays for monitoring of tuberculosis treatment in drug trials. Minimal and optimal criteria were defined for scope, intended use, pricing, performance, and operational characteristics of the biomarkers. Early-stage trial assays should accurately quantify the number of viable bacilli, whereas late-stage trial assays should match the number, predict relapse-free cure, and replace culture conversion endpoints. The operational criteria reflect the infrastructure and resources available for drug trials. The effective tools should define the sterilising activity of the drug and lower the probability of treatment failure or relapse in people with tuberculosis. The target product profiles outlined in this Review should guide and de-risk the development of biomarker-based assays suitable for phase 2 and 3 clinical drug trials.

8.
Elife ; 132024 May 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38780011

ABSTRACT

The receptor tyrosine kinase ROR2 mediates noncanonical WNT5A signaling to orchestrate tissue morphogenetic processes, and dysfunction of the pathway causes Robinow syndrome, brachydactyly B, and metastatic diseases. The domain(s) and mechanisms required for ROR2 function, however, remain unclear. We solved the crystal structure of the extracellular cysteine-rich (CRD) and Kringle (Kr) domains of ROR2 and found that, unlike other CRDs, the ROR2 CRD lacks the signature hydrophobic pocket that binds lipids/lipid-modified proteins, such as WNTs, suggesting a novel mechanism of ligand reception. Functionally, we showed that the ROR2 CRD, but not other domains, is required and minimally sufficient to promote WNT5A signaling, and Robinow mutations in the CRD and the adjacent Kr impair ROR2 secretion and function. Moreover, using function-activating and -perturbing antibodies against the Frizzled (FZ) family of WNT receptors, we demonstrate the involvement of FZ in WNT5A-ROR signaling. Thus, ROR2 acts via its CRD to potentiate the function of a receptor super-complex that includes FZ to transduce WNT5A signals.


Subject(s)
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors , Signal Transduction , Wnt-5a Protein , Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors/metabolism , Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors/genetics , Wnt-5a Protein/metabolism , Wnt-5a Protein/genetics , Humans , Animals , Crystallography, X-Ray , Protein Domains , Mice , Protein Conformation , Wnt Proteins/metabolism , Wnt Proteins/genetics
9.
Acupunct Med ; 42(3): 146-154, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38702866

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylosis (CS) is a prevalent disorder that can have a major negative impact on quality of life. Traditional conservative treatment has limited efficacy, and electroacupuncture (EA) is a novel treatment option. We investigated the application and molecular mechanism of EA treatment in a rat model of cervical intervertebral disk degeneration (CIDD). METHODS: The CIDD rat model was established, following which rats in the electroacupuncture (EA) group received EA. For overexpression of IL-22 or inhibition of JAK2-STAT3 signaling, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with recombinant IL-22 protein (p-IL-22) or the JAK2-STAT3 (Janus kinase 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3) inhibitor AG490 after model establishment. Rat nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were isolated and cultured. Cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the viability and apoptosis of the NP cells. Expression of IL-22, JAK2 and STAT3 was determined using RT-qPCR. Expression of IL-22/JAK2-STAT3 pathway and apoptosis related proteins was detected by Western blotting (WB). RESULTS: EA protected the NP tissues of CIDD rats by regulating the IL-22/JAK2-STAT3 pathway. Overexpression of IL-22 significantly promoted the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)3 and MMP13 compared with the EA group. WB demonstrated that the expression of IL-22, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, caspase-3 and Bax in NP cells of the EA group was significantly reduced and Bcl-2 elevated compared with the model group. EA regulated cytokines and MMP through activation of IL-22/JAK2-STAT3 signaling in CIDD rat NP cells. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that EA affected apoptosis by regulating the IL-22/JAK2-STAT3 pathway in NP cells and reducing inflammatory factors in the CIDD rat model. The results extend our knowledge of the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of EA as a potential treatment approach for CS in clinical practice.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Disease Models, Animal , Electroacupuncture , Interleukin-22 , Interleukins , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration , Janus Kinase 2 , Nucleus Pulposus , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , STAT3 Transcription Factor , Signal Transduction , Animals , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/therapy , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/genetics , Nucleus Pulposus/metabolism , Nucleus Pulposus/cytology , Janus Kinase 2/metabolism , Janus Kinase 2/genetics , STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics , Rats , Interleukins/metabolism , Interleukins/genetics , Male , Humans , Cervical Vertebrae
10.
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao ; 40(5): 1469-1485, 2024 May 25.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38783809

ABSTRACT

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is currently the exclusive choice for preserving fertility in both young girls before reaching puberty and young women who require immediate chemotherapy. Ovarian tissue transplantation has proven to be effective in restoring hormonal cycles and fertility. However, in certain cancer cases, there is a potential risk of inadvertently reintroducing malignant cells when transplanting cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Therefore, the use of an artificial ovary as an innovative and complementary approach allows for the development of isolated follicles, facilitates oocyte maturation and ovulation, and can partially restore endocrine function. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of techniques used to preserve fertility in natural ovarian tissues, including slow freezing, vitrification and hydrogel encapsulation methods. Additionally, it reviews fertility preservation techniques for artificial ovarian tissues, such as strategies involving hydrogel-encapsulated follicle, scaffolding for constructing ovarian microtissues, and 3D printing engineering. Lastly, this article explores current challenges and difficulties encountered in preserving ovarian tissue fertility, while also anticipating future trends in development, making it a valuable reference for the implementation of ovarian tissue fertility preservation.


Subject(s)
Cryopreservation , Fertility Preservation , Ovary , Female , Fertility Preservation/methods , Humans , Cryopreservation/methods , Hydrogels , Vitrification , Artificial Organs , Ovarian Follicle , Oocytes , Printing, Three-Dimensional
11.
Cell Chem Biol ; 2024 May 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38821064

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) G-quadruplexes (G4s) have important regulatory roles in energy metabolism, yet their specific functions and underlying regulatory mechanisms have not been delineated. Using a chemical-genetic screening strategy, we demonstrated that the JAK/STAT3 pathway is the primary regulatory mechanism governing mtDNA G4 dynamics in hypoxic cancer cells. Further proteomic analysis showed that activation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway facilitates the translocation of RelA, a member of the NF-κB family, to the mitochondria, where RelA binds to mtDNA G4s and promotes their folding, resulting in increased mtDNA instability, inhibited mtDNA transcription, and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction. This binding event disrupts the equilibrium of energy metabolism, catalyzing a metabolic shift favoring glycolysis. Collectively, the results provide insights into a strategy employed by cancer cells to adapt to hypoxia through metabolic reprogramming.

12.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1349890, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38813411

ABSTRACT

Background: Improving the young college students' national identity is crucial for ensuring social stability and fostering development during public health critical events such as COVID-19. Young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities can influence their national identity, and online participation in public health criticalevents may serve as a crucial role in shaping this intricate relationship. To investigate this possibility, the present study established an intermediary model to examine the impact of online participation in public health critical events on young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities and improvement of national identity. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study employed a convenience sampling method to investigate a total of 3041 young college students in China. The correlations between study variables were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. The mediation model was established using PROCESS Model 4 with 5000 bootstrap samples in SPSS. The bias-corrected bootstrap method provided statistical efficacy and identification interval estimation. Results: Young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities (r=0.729, P<0.001) and online participation in public health critical events (r=0.609, P<0.001) were positively correlated with improvement of their national identity. The relationship between these two factors was partially mediated by online participation in public health critical events (Indirect effect estimate=0.196, P<0.001). Conclusion: Online participation in public health critical events played a mediating role in the association between college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities and the improvement of national identity. Our findings provide a novel intervention strategy for improving college students' national identity, which is to encourage their online participation in public health critical events.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Public Health , Students , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Male , Female , Students/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Young Adult , China , Universities , Surveys and Questionnaires , SARS-CoV-2 , Adolescent , Adult , Social Identification
13.
J Clin Med ; 13(5)2024 Feb 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38592105

ABSTRACT

Background: There have been no reports of sepsis-induced agranulocytosis causing gingival necrosis in otherwise medically healthy patients to the authors' best knowledge. Even though there are several case reports of gingival necrosis secondary to medication-induced agranulocytosis, they have not systematically described the natural progression of agranulocytosis-related gingival necrosis. Methods: This paper presents a case report of a 29-year-old female Indian patient with generalised gingival necrosis and constitutive signs of intermittent fever, nausea, and vomiting. She also complained of abdominal pains. Blood counts showed agranulocytosis, and the patient was admitted for a workup of the underlying cause. Parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered, which brought about clinical resolution. Results: Her gingival necrosis was attributed to sepsis-induced agranulocytosis triggered by Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia, and upon clinical recovery, spontaneous exfoliation left behind exposed bone. Secondary healing over the exposed alveolar bone was noted after a year-long follow-up, albeit with some residual gingival recession. Conclusions: Oral manifestations of gingival necrosis, when present with concomitant constitutive symptoms, could indicate a serious underlying systemic condition that could be potentially life-threatening if left untreated. Dentists should be cognizant of this possibility so that timely intervention is not delayed.

14.
Nat Protoc ; 2024 Apr 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38632379

ABSTRACT

The study of early human embryogenesis has relied on the use of blastocysts donated to research or simple stem cell culture systems such as pluripotent and trophoblast stem cells, which have been seminal in shedding light on many key developmental processes. However, simple culture systems lack the necessary complexity to adequately model the spatiotemporal, cellular and molecular dynamics occurring during the early phases of embryonic development. As such, an in vitro model of the human blastocyst is advantageous in many aspects to decipher human embryogenesis. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol for the generation of induced blastoids (iBlastoids), an in vitro integrated model of the human blastocyst derived via somatic reprogramming. This protocol details the workflow for reprogramming of human dermal fibroblasts and subsequent generation of iBlastoids using the reprogramming intermediates, which together takes ~27 days (21 days for reprogramming and 6 days for iBlastoid generation). We also discuss several characterization/functional assays that can be used on the iBlastoids. We believe that a person trained in cell culture with ~1 year of experience with human somatic cell and reprogramming/cell differentiation assays would be able to perform this protocol. In short, the iBlastoids present an alternative tool as a model to the blastocyst to facilitate the scientific community in the exploration of early human development.

15.
Immun Inflamm Dis ; 12(4): e1237, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38577984

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Severe myocarditis is often accompanied by cardiac fibrosis, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. CXCL4 is a chemokine that has been reported to have pro-inflammatory and profibrotic functions. The exact role of CXCL4 in cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. METHODS: Viral myocarditis (VMC) models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of Coxsackie B Type 3 (CVB3). In vivo, CVB3 (100 TCID50) and CVB3-AMG487 (CVB3: 100 TCID50; AMG487: 5 mg/kg) combination were administered in the VMC and VMC+AMG487 groups, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, severity score, Masson staining, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to measure myocardial morphology in VMC. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to quantify inflammatory factors (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and CXCL4). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) levels were analyzed by commercial kits. CXCL4, CXCR3B, α-SMA, TGF-ß1, Collagen I, and Collagen III were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: In vivo, CVB3-AMG487 reduced cardiac injury, α-SMA, Collagen I and Collagen III levels, and collagen deposition in VMC+AMG487 group. Additionally, compared with VMC group, VMC+AMG group decreased the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α). In vitro, CXCL4/CXCR3B axis activation TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 pathway promote mice cardiac fibroblasts differentiation. CONCLUSION: CXCL4 acts as a profibrotic factor in TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 pathway-induced cardiac fibroblast activation and ECM synthesis, and eventually progresses to cardiac fibrosis. Therefore, our findings revealed the role of CXCL4 in VMC and unveiled its underlying mechanism. CXCL4 appears to be a potential target for the treatment of VMC.


Subject(s)
Acetamides , Coxsackievirus Infections , Myocarditis , Pyrimidinones , Mice , Animals , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Interleukin-6 , Collagen , Fibrosis
16.
Diagnostics (Basel) ; 14(8)2024 Apr 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38667457

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Connexins (Cx) 43 and 40 play a role in leukocytes recruitment in acute inflammation. They are expressed in the endothelial cells. They are also found in the placenta and involved in the placenta development. Acute chorioamnionitis is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the expressions of Cx43 and Cx40 in the placenta of mothers with acute chorioamnionitis, and to correlate their association with the severity of chorioamnionitis and adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This study comprised a total of 81 cases, consisting of 39 placenta samples of mothers with acute chorioamnionitis and 42 non-acute chorioamnionitis controls. Cx43 and Cx40 immunohistochemistry were performed on all cases and their expressions were evaluated on cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, chorionic villi endothelial cells, stem villi endothelial cells, maternal endothelial cells and decidua of the placenta. RESULTS: Primigravida has a significantly higher risk of developing acute chorioamnionitis (p < 0.001). Neonates of mothers with a higher stage of fetal inflammatory response was significantly associated with lung complications (p = 0.041) compared to neonates of mothers with a lower stage. The expression of Cx40 was significantly higher in fetal and maternal vascular endothelial cells in acute chorioamnionitis (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037, respectively) compared to controls. Notably, Cx43 was not expressed in most of the types of cells in the placenta, except for decidua. Both Cx43 and Cx40 expressions did not have correlation with the severity of acute chorioamnionitis and adverse perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Cx40 was overexpressed in the fetal and maternal vascular endothelial cells in the placenta of mothers with acute chorioamnionitis, and it may have a role in the development of inflammation in placenta.

17.
J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater ; 112(5): e35408, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38676958

ABSTRACT

Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels are expected to be ideal skin tissue engineering dressings for a wide range of clinical treatments. Herein, we report the preparation of GelMA or antifreeze GelMA hydrogel sheets with different GelMA concentrations, crosslinking times, and cryoprotectant (CPA) concentrations. The crystallization properties of GelMA or antifreeze GelMA hydrogel sheets were studied by cryomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the growth of ice crystals was slower when GelMA hydrogel concentration was more than 7%. The 10% DMSO-7% GelMA hydrogel sheets crosslinked for 60 min showed no ice crystal formation and growth during cooling and warming. The DSC results showed that the vitrification temperature of the 10% DMSO-7% GelMA hydrogel sheet was -111°C. Furthermore, slow freezing and rapid freezing of fibroblast-laden GelMA or antifreeze GelMA hydrogel sheets, and tissue-engineered skin constructs were studied. The results showed no significant difference in cell survival between slow (88.8% ± 1.51) and rapid (89.2% ± 3.00) freezing of fibroblast-loaded 10% DMSO-7% GelMA hydrogel sheets, and significantly higher than that of 7% GelMA hydrogel sheets (33.4% ± 5.46). The cell viability was higher in tissue-engineered skin constructs after slow freezing (86.34% ± 1.45) than rapid freezing (72.74% ± 1.34). We believe that the combination of antifreeze hydrogels and tissue engineering will facilitate the cryopreservation of tissue engineering constructs.


Subject(s)
Cryopreservation , Fibroblasts , Gelatin , Hydrogels , Tissue Engineering , Hydrogels/chemistry , Hydrogels/pharmacology , Gelatin/chemistry , Animals , Fibroblasts/cytology , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Crystallization , Cryoprotective Agents/pharmacology , Cryoprotective Agents/chemistry , Methacrylates/chemistry , Skin/metabolism , Mice , Antifreeze Proteins/chemistry , Antifreeze Proteins/pharmacology , Humans , Cell Survival/drug effects
18.
Autophagy ; : 1-21, 2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38686804

ABSTRACT

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic diseases around the world, which is distinguished by the abnormal buildup of triglycerides within adipose cells. Recent research has revealed that autophagy regulates lipid mobilization to maintain energy balance. TIGAR (Trp53 induced glycolysis regulatory phosphatase) has been identified as a glycolysis inhibitor, whether it plays a role in the metabolism of lipids is unknown. Here, we found that TIGAR transgenic (TIGAR+/+) mice exhibited increased fat mass and trended to obesity phenotype. Non-target metabolomics showed that TIGAR caused the dysregulation of the metabolism profile. The quantitative transcriptome sequencing identified an increased levels of LRRK2 and RAB7B in the adipose tissue of TIGAR+/+ mice. It was confirmed in vitro that TIGAR overexpression increased the levels of LRRK2 by inhibiting polyubiquitination degradation, thereby suppressing macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) while increasing lipid accumulation which were reversed by the LRRK2 inhibitor DNL201. Furthermore, TIGAR drove LRRK2 to interact with RAB7B for suppressing lysosomal degradation of lipid droplets, while the increased lipid droplets in adipocytes were blocked by the RAB7B inhibitor ML282. Additionally, fat-specific TIGAR knockdown of TIGAR+/+ mice alleviated the symptoms of obesity, and adipose tissues-targeting superiority DNL201 nano-emulsion counteracted the obesity phenotype in TIGAR+/+ mice. In summary, the current results indicated that TIGAR performed a vital function in the lipid metabolism through LRRK2-mediated negative regulation of macroautophagy and CMA in adipocyte. The findings suggest that TIGAR has the potential to serve as a viable therapeutic target for treating obesity and its associated metabolic dysfunction.

20.
Rheumatol Int ; 44(7): 1209-1218, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38625385

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to review the literature on the clinical presentation, renal pathology, treatment, and outcome of renal manifestations in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). METHODS: We used PRISMA guidelines for our systematic review and included all English-language original articles from inception till September 15, 2023, on AOSD and kidney involvement in any form. Data on patient demographics, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, renal pathology, treatment employed including dialysis, outcome, cause of death were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The median age at the diagnosis of renal issues was 37, with a higher prevalence among females (58.1%). Among the cases, 28 experienced renal problems after being diagnosed with AOSD, 12 had simultaneous diagnoses of renal issues and AOSD, and in 4 cases, renal problems appeared before AOSD diagnosis. Out of the 44 cases, 36 underwent renal biopsy, revealing various pathology findings including AA amyloidosis (25%), collapsing glomerulopathy (11.4%), thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) (11.4%), IgA nephropathy (9.1%), minimal change disease (6.8%), and others. Some cases were clinically diagnosed with TMA, proximal tubular dysfunction, or macrophage activation syndrome-related acute kidney injury. Treatment approaches varied, but glucocorticoids were commonly used. Renal involvement was associated with increased mortality and morbidity, with 6 out of 44 patients passing away, 4 progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and data on 2 cases' outcomes not available. CONCLUSION: Renal manifestations in AOSD are diverse but rarely studied owing to the rarity of the disease. Studies with larger data would be essential to study further on the pathogenesis and implications.


Subject(s)
Kidney Diseases , Still's Disease, Adult-Onset , Humans , Still's Disease, Adult-Onset/complications , Still's Disease, Adult-Onset/diagnosis , Kidney Diseases/etiology , Adult , Nephrosis, Lipoid/pathology , Nephrosis, Lipoid/complications , Kidney/pathology , Thrombotic Microangiopathies/etiology , Female , Amyloidosis/diagnosis , Amyloidosis/complications , Amyloidosis/etiology , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/complications , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/epidemiology , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/pathology , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use
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