-
PLOS Global Public Health 2024The provision of tuberculosis preventive treatment is one of the critical interventions to reduce tuberculosis incidence and ultimately eliminate the disease, yet we... (Review)
Review
The provision of tuberculosis preventive treatment is one of the critical interventions to reduce tuberculosis incidence and ultimately eliminate the disease, yet we still miss appropriate tools for an impactful intervention and treatment coverage remains low. We used recent data, epidemiological estimates, and research findings to analyze the challenges of each step of the cascade of tuberculosis prevention that currently delay the strategy implementation. We addressed research gaps and implementation bottlenecks that withhold key actions in tuberculosis case finding, testing for tuberculosis infection, provision of preventive treatment with safer, shorter regimens and supporting people to complete their treatment. Empowering communities to generate demand for preventive therapy and other prevention services in a holistic manner and providing adequate financial support to sustain implementation are essential requirements. The adoption of an effective, universal monitoring and evaluation system is a prerequisite to provide general and granular insight, and to steer progress of the tuberculosis infection strategy at global and local level.
PubMed: 38954723
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003306 -
PloS One 2024Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague and a biological threat agent, presents an urgent need for novel medical countermeasures due to documented cases of...
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague and a biological threat agent, presents an urgent need for novel medical countermeasures due to documented cases of naturally acquired antibiotic resistance and potential person-to-person spread during a pneumonic infection. Immunotherapy has been proposed as a way to circumvent current and future antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe the development and characterization of two affinity matured human antibodies (αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8) that promote survival of mice after exposure to aerosolized Y. pestis. We share details of the error prone PCR and yeast display technology-based affinity maturation process that we used. The resultant matured antibodies have nanomolar affinity for Y. pestis F1 antigen, are produced in high yield, and are resilient to 37°C stress for up to 6 months. Importantly, in vitro assays using a murine macrophage cell line demonstrated that αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 are opsonic. Even more importantly, in vivo studies using pneumonic plague mouse models showed that 100% of the mice receiving 500 μg of IgGs αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 survived lethal challenge with aerosolized Y. pestis CO92. Combined, these results provide evidence of the quality and robustness of αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 and support their development as potential medical countermeasures against plague.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Yersinia pestis; Plague; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins; Female; Antibody Affinity; Medical Countermeasures; Antigens, Bacterial; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38954719
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305034 -
PloS One 2024Previous evidence suggests an individual variation in the preferred oral processing behavior. Individuals can be classified as firm processing(FPL) or soft processing...
INTRODUCTION
Previous evidence suggests an individual variation in the preferred oral processing behavior. Individuals can be classified as firm processing(FPL) or soft processing likers(SPL). FPL(crunchers and chewers) prefer using their teeth while SPL(smooshers and suckers) prefer using the tongue and the palate when processing different food items. Variation in the preferred oral processing behavior has been associated with differences in food texture preference and eating time. Time is one of the factors directly related to the development of dental caries(tooth decay). Oral retention and eating times are associated with greater caries experience. This study aims to explore if a relationship exists between the preferred oral processing behavior and the individual's caries experience.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional, dental center-based study conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Five hundred participants consented to fill out the preferred oral processing behavior(POPB) questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (including weight, height, and waist circumference) were recorded. A single trained and calibrated dentist registered each participant's caries experience and plaque levels using the DMFS index and plaque index of Silness and Loe.
RESULTS
A total of 351(70.2%) and 149(29.8%) participants were typed as FPL and SPL, respectively. SPL demonstrated higher levels of dental caries experience compared to FPL. The mean DMFS score for SPL was 28.8(±25.43) while for FPL was 18.71(± 18.34). This difference remained significant after adjustment for confounders(P<0.001). SPL exhibited a significantly higher mean score for the "M" component(P <0.001) while no significant difference in the mean score of the "D"(P = 0.076) and "F"(P = 0.272) components was observed when compared to FPL.
CONCLUSION
The current findings provide new insight into a possible relationship between the preferred oral processing behavior and an individual's caries experience. A relationship in which the preferred oral processing behavior can potentially affect and/or be affected by the dental caries experience.
Topics: Humans; Dental Caries; Male; Female; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Feeding Behavior; Food Preferences; Jordan
PubMed: 38954716
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306143 -
PloS One 2024Mold infestations in buildings pose significant challenges to human health, affecting both private residences and hospitals. While molds commonly trigger asthma and...
Mold infestations in buildings pose significant challenges to human health, affecting both private residences and hospitals. While molds commonly trigger asthma and allergies in the immunocompetent, they can cause life-threatening diseases in the immunocompromised. Currently, there is an unmet need for new strategies to reduce or prevent mold infestations. Far-UVC technology can inactivate microorganisms while remaining safe for humans. This study investigates the inhibitory efficacy of far-UVC light at 222 nm on the growth of common mold-producing fungi, specifically Penicillium candidum, when delivered in low-dose on-off duty cycles, a configuration consistent with its use in real-world settings. The inhibitory effect of the low-dose duty cycles was assessed on growth induced by i) an adjacent spore-producing P. candidum donor and ii) P. candidum spores seeded directly onto agar plates. In both setups, the far-UVC light significantly inhibited both vertical and horizontal growth of P. candidum, even when the UV doses were below the Threshold Value Limit of 23 mJ/cm2. These results suggest that far-UVC light holds the potential to improve indoor air quality by reducing or preventing mold growth, also when people are present.
Topics: Ultraviolet Rays; Penicillium; Spores, Fungal; Fungi; Humans; Air Pollution, Indoor; Threshold Limit Values
PubMed: 38954713
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299421 -
PloS One 2024Childhood leukemia (CL) is a major global concern, accounting for 33% of all new cancer cases and 31% of all cancer deaths in children aged 0-14 years. Our study aimed...
BACKGROUND
Childhood leukemia (CL) is a major global concern, accounting for 33% of all new cancer cases and 31% of all cancer deaths in children aged 0-14 years. Our study aimed to analyze the global incidence and mortality rates of CL in 2020 and its relationship with the Human Development Index (HDI).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this ecologic study, we analyzed the 2020 cancer incidence and mortality data for children aged 0-14 years from the GLOBOCAN Project. We calculated the Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) and Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) of CL per 100,000 individuals. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the association between childhood leukemia ASIR, ASMR, and the HDI, with a statistical significance threshold of P<0.05.
RESULTS
In 2020, there were a total of 67,008 new cases of CL worldwide, with males accounting for 57.85%. The global ASIR for CL was 3.4 per 100,000 (3.9 in males, 3 in females). Additionally, there were 25,080 CL-related deaths, with males comprising 58.86%. The overall ASMR for CL was 1.3 (1.4 in males, 1.1 in females). We found a significant positive correlation (r = 0.405, P≤0.001) between the global ASIR and ASMR for CL. There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.770, P = 0.001) between the HDI and childhood leukemia ASIR, but no significant association (r = 0.077, P = 0.337) was observed with ASMR.
CONCLUSION
Our study reveals that CL remains a significant health burden worldwide. We identified a positive correlation between the ASIR of CL and the HDI, indicating a potential role of socioeconomic factors in CL incidence.
Topics: Humans; Child; Infant; Male; Child, Preschool; Female; Incidence; Adolescent; Leukemia; Infant, Newborn; Global Health
PubMed: 38954710
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304354 -
PloS One 2024To investigate the mechanism of endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ESM1) promoting cervical cancer cell proliferation and EMT characteristics through zinc finger...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanism of endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ESM1) promoting cervical cancer cell proliferation and EMT characteristics through zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/EMT pathway.
METHODS
The correlation between ESM1 expression and prognosis of cervical cancer patients was analyzed by bioinformatics. SiHa, HeLa cell lines and corresponding control cell lines with stable ESM1 expression were obtained. Cell proliferation ability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The invasion and migration ability of Hela and SiHa cells were detected by Transwell assay and scratch closure assay. Expressions of EMT-related markers E-cadherin and Vimentin were detected by real-time PCR. The ability of silenced ESM1 to tumor formation in vivo was detected by tumor formation in nude mice. The effects of aloe-emodin on inhibit ESM1 expression and its inhibitory effect on cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo were analyzed by the same method.
RESULTS
ESM1 was highly expressed in cervical cancer, and the high expression of ESM1 was associated with poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients. CCK-8 results showed that the proliferation, invasion and migration of Hela and SiHa cells were significantly reduced after siRNA interfered with ESM1 expression. Overexpression of ESM1 promoted the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells. Mechanism studies have shown that the oncogenic effect of ESM1 is realized through the ZEB1/PI3K/AKT pathway. High throughput drug screening found that aloe-emodin can target ESM1. Inhibitory effect of aloe emodin on ESM1/ZEB1/EMT signaling pathway and cervical cancer cells.
CONCLUSION
The silencing of ESM1 expression may inhibit the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting ZEB1/PI3K/AKT. Aloe-emodin is a potential treatment for cervical cancer, which can play an anti-tumor role by inhibiting ESM1/ZEB1.
Topics: Humans; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1; Female; Animals; Cell Proliferation; Mice; Cell Movement; HeLa Cells; Proteoglycans; Neoplasm Proteins; Mice, Nude; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Line, Tumor; Signal Transduction; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Prognosis; Mice, Inbred BALB C
PubMed: 38954708
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304597 -
PloS One 2024Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a natural triterpenoid saponin compound with a variety of pharmacological effects, and several studies have clarified its anti-inflammatory...
The impact of Astragaloside IV on the inflammatory response and gut microbiota in cases of acute lung injury is examined through the utilization of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
OBJECTIVES
Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a natural triterpenoid saponin compound with a variety of pharmacological effects, and several studies have clarified its anti-inflammatory effects, which may make it an effective alternative treatment against inflammation. In the study, we aimed to investigate whether AS-IV could attenuate the inflammatory response to acute lung injury and its mechanisms.
METHODS
Different doses of AS-IV (20mg·kg-1, 40mg·kg-1, and 80mg·kg-1) were administered to the ALI rat model, followed by collection of serum and broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for examination of the inflammatory response, and HE staining of the lung and colon tissues, and interpretation of the potential molecular mechanisms by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB). In addition, fecal samples from ALI rats were collected and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.
RESULTS
AS-IV decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum and BALF of mice with Acute lung injury (ALI). Lung and colon histopathology confirmed that AS-IV alleviated inflammatory infiltration, tissue edema, and structural changes. qRT-PCR and WB showed that AS-IV mainly improved inflammation by inhibiting the expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR mRNA, and improved the disorder of intestinal microflora by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria and reducing the number of harmful bacteria.
CONCLUSION
AS-IV reduces the expression of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and optimizes the composition of the gut microflora in AIL rats.
Topics: Animals; Saponins; Triterpenes; Acute Lung Injury; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Signal Transduction; Rats; Male; Mice; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Inflammation; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Lung; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 38954702
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305058 -
PloS One 2024Auditory-verbal hallucinatory experiences (AVH) have a 12% prevalence in the general pediatric population. Literature reports a higher risk of developing AVH in... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Relationship between social cognition and emotional markers and acoustic-verbal hallucination in youth with post-traumatic stress disorder: Protocol for a prospective, 2-year, longitudinal case-control study.
INTRODUCTION
Auditory-verbal hallucinatory experiences (AVH) have a 12% prevalence in the general pediatric population. Literature reports a higher risk of developing AVH in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The persistence of AVHs during adolescence represents a risk of evolution into psychotic disorders. Social cognition and emotional markers could be considered prodromes markers of this evolution. The objectives of this prospective observational study are to observe social cognition and emotional markers correlation with the presence and persistence of AVH over two years and with the evolution of PTSD and psychotic diagnosis.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This prospective case-control study, longitudinal over two years (with an interim reassessment at six months and one year), will include 40 participants aged 8 to 16 years old with a diagnosis of PTSD and without a diagnosis of psychosis according to the criteria of DSM-5 (K-SADS-PL). Subjects included are divided into two groups with AVH and without AVH matched by gender, age and diagnosis. The primary outcome measure will be the correlation between social cognition and emotional makers and the presence of AVH in the PTSD pediatric population without psychotic disorders. The social cognition marker is assessed with the NEPSY II test. The emotional marker is assessed with the Differential Emotion Scale IV and the Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures are the correlation of these markers with the persistence of AVH and the evolution of the patient's initial diagnosis two years later.
DISCUSSION
The originality of our protocol is to explore the potential progression to psychosis from PTSD by cognitive biases. This study supports the hypothesis of connections between PTSD and AVH through sensory, emotional and cognitive biases. It proposes a continuum model from PTSD to psychotic disorder due to impaired perception like AVH.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03356028.
Topics: Humans; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Adolescent; Child; Case-Control Studies; Male; Female; Prospective Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Emotions; Hallucinations; Social Cognition; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 38954699
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306338 -
PloS One 2024Developing T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents with enhanced biocompatibility and targeting capabilities is crucial owing to concerns over...
Developing T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents with enhanced biocompatibility and targeting capabilities is crucial owing to concerns over current agents' potential toxicity and suboptimal performance. Drawing inspiration from "biomimetic camouflage," we isolated cell membranes (CMs) from human glioblastoma (T98G) cell lines via the extrusion method to facilitate homotypic glioma targeting. At an 8:1 mass ratio of ferric chloride hexahydrate to gallic acid (GA), the resulting iron (Fe)-GA nanoparticles (NPs) proved effective as a T1-weighted MRI contrast agent. T98G CM-coated Fe-GA NPs demonstrated improved homotypic glioma targeting, validated through Prussian blue staining and in vitro MRI. This biomimetic camouflage strategy holds promise for the development of targeted theranostic agents in a safe and effective manner.
Topics: Gallic Acid; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cell Line, Tumor; Contrast Media; Iron; Biomimetic Materials; Glioblastoma; Nanoparticles; Ferric Compounds; Cell Membrane
PubMed: 38954698
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306142 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jul 2024Palladium (Pd)-transition metal alloys have the potential to regulate the intermediate surface adsorption strength in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), making them a...
Palladium (Pd)-transition metal alloys have the potential to regulate the intermediate surface adsorption strength in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), making them a promising substitute for platinum-based catalysts. Nonetheless, prolonged electrochemical cycling can lead to the depletion of transition metals, resulting in structural degradation and poor durability. Herein, the synthesis of alloy catalysts (PdTe) containing Pd and the metalloid tellurium (Te) through a one-step reduction method is reported. Characterizations of powder X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy demonstrated both uniform dispersion and strong binding force of elements within the PdTe alloy, along with providing crystallographic details of associated compounds. Based on density functional theory calculations, PdTe had a more negative d-band center than that of pure Pd, which reduces the adsorption capacity between active sites and intermediates in the ORR, and therefore enhances reaction kinetics. The PdTe exhibited excellent ORR activity, and its onset and half-wave potentials were ∼0.98 and ∼0.90 V, respectively, at 1600 rpm within the O-saturated 1.0 M KOH. Significantly, accelerated durability tests achieved exceptional stability, and half-wave potential just decayed by 4 mV after 30000 consecutive cycles. Moreover, this study aims to promote the preparation of Pd and metalloid alloys for other energy conversion applications.
PubMed: 38954684
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c05655