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American Journal of Translational... 2024Bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1) is a metalloprotease that plays a role in activating both transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and BMP signaling pathways. TGF-β...
BACKGROUND
Bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1) is a metalloprotease that plays a role in activating both transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and BMP signaling pathways. TGF-β has been identified as a factor initiating and facilitating cancer development. Consequently, we propose the hypothesis that dysregulation of BMP1 could potentially contribute to the onset and advancement of human cancers.
METHODS
In this research, we aimed to analyze BMP1 expression level and the associated clinical outcomes across various cancers using online cancer OMICS databases, advanced Bioinformatics tools, and molecular analyses.
RESULTS
The outcomes of our web server-based expression analysis indicated an up-regulation of BMP1 in a majority of the human cancers examined. External validation using clinical samples also showed higher expression of BMP1. Moreover, heightened BMP1 expression exhibited a noteworthy correlation with reduced overall survival (OS) duration in Bladder Cancer (BLCA), Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC), and Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. This suggests a substantial involvement of the BMP1 gene in the development and progression of these three types of cancers. The major signaling pathways related with BMP1 enriched genes were "ECM-receptor interaction, Amoebiasis, Focal adhesion, Protein digestion and absorption, progesterone-mediated, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and platelet activation". Moreover, we also explored some interesting correlations among BMP1 expression and its DNA promoter methylation level, CD8+ T immune cells level, and genetic variations.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our study has provided some solid basis for BMP1 to be used as a reliable common biomarker for BLCA, KIRC, and LUAD patients.
PubMed: 38463598
DOI: 10.62347/PWZA6242 -
Infectious Diseases and Therapy Mar 2024Amoebic liver abscess is a severe and potentially life-threatening infection requiring prompt diagnosis and early targeted treatment. Diagnosis is challenging because...
Amoebic liver abscess is a severe and potentially life-threatening infection requiring prompt diagnosis and early targeted treatment. Diagnosis is challenging because conventional diagnostic methods such as light microscopy and serology are often unreliable. Molecular techniques have emerged as an additional diagnostic tool, suddenly becoming the new diagnostic reference standard. More recently, commercial multiplex PCR panels, including FilmArray, have been introduced, which permit the simultaneous detection of several enteric pathogens including Entamoeba histolytica in stool samples. We report a case of an amoebic liver abscess promptly diagnosed by FilmArray gastrointestinal panel performed on liver drainage fluid.
PubMed: 38459236
DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00934-1 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Apr 2024This is a comprehensive review after a thorough literature search in PubMed-indexed journals, incorporating current information on the pathophysiology, clinical... (Review)
Review
This is a comprehensive review after a thorough literature search in PubMed-indexed journals, incorporating current information on the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, medical and surgical therapy, as well as outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). AK is a significant cause of ocular morbidity, and early diagnosis with timely institution of appropriate therapy is the key to obtaining good outcomes. The varied presentations result in frequent misdiagnosis, and co-infections can increase the morbidity of the disease. The first line of therapy continues to be biguanides and diamidines, with surgery as a last resort.
Topics: Humans; Acanthamoeba Keratitis; Pentamidine; Biguanides
PubMed: 38454853
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2627_23 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases Feb 2024Acanthamoeba infection is associated with keratitis in humans; however, its association with keratitis in dogs remains unclear. To investigate this possibility, we...
Acanthamoeba infection is associated with keratitis in humans; however, its association with keratitis in dogs remains unclear. To investigate this possibility, we collected 171 conjunctival swab samples from dogs with eye-related diseases (65 with keratitis and 106 without keratitis) at Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Korea, from August 2021 to September 2022. Polymerase chain reaction identified 9 samples (5.3%) as Acanthamoeba positive; of these, 3 were from dogs with keratitis (4.6%) and 6 were from dogs without keratitis (5.7%). Our results indicated no significant association between Acanthamoeba infection and keratitis, season, sex, or age. All Acanthamoeba organisms found in this study had the genotype T4, according to 18S ribosomal RNA analysis. Acanthamoeba infection in dogs might have only a limited association with keratitis.
Topics: Humans; Dogs; Animals; Hospitals, Animal; Hospitals, Teaching; Amebiasis; Keratitis; Acanthamoeba; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 38443777
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.23112 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Mar 2024To compare the outcomes of big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (BB-DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the management of medically unresponsive...
PURPOSE
To compare the outcomes of big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (BB-DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the management of medically unresponsive Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).
METHODS
This retrospective study included 27 eyes of BB-DALK and 24 eyes of PKP from a tertiary ophthalmology care centre. Glucocorticoid eye drops were subsequently added to the treatment plan 2 months postoperatively based on the evaluation using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The clinical presentations, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative refractive outcomes, graft survival, and Acanthamoeba recurrence were analyzed.
RESULTS
The AK patients included in the study were in stage 2 or stage 3, and the percentage of patients in stage 3 was higher in the PKP group (P = 0.003). Clinical presentations were mainly corneal ulcers and ring infiltrates, and endothelial plaques, hypopyon, uveitis and glaucoma were more common in the PKP group (P = 0.007). The BCVA and the graft survival rate showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups at 1 year after surgery. However, 3 years postoperatively, the BCVA of 0.71 ± 0.64 logMAR, the graft survival rate of 89.5%, and the endothelial cell density of 1899 ± 125 cells per square millimeter in the BB-DALK group were significantly better than those of the PKP group (P = 0.010, 0.046, and 0.032, respectively). 3 eyes (11.1%) in the BB-DALK group and 2 eyes (8.3%) in the PKP group experienced Acanthamoeba recurrence, but the rates showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 1.000). In the PKP group, immune rejection and elevated intraocular pressure were observed in 5 and 6 eyes, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Corneal transplantation is recommended for AK patients unresponsive to antiamoebic agents. The visual acuity and graft survival can be maintained after BB-DALK surgery. Acanthamoeba recurrence is not related to the surgical approach performed, whereas complete dissection of the infected corneal stroma and delayed prescribing of glucocorticoid eye drops were important to prevent recurrence.
Topics: Humans; Acanthamoeba Keratitis; Keratoplasty, Penetrating; Glucocorticoids; Retrospective Studies; Corneal Transplantation; Glaucoma; Ophthalmic Solutions
PubMed: 38438857
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09147-w -
Polish Journal of Microbiology Mar 2024infects the large intestine of humans, causing a spectrum of clinical appearances ranging from asymptomatic colonization to severe intestinal and extra-intestinal...
infects the large intestine of humans, causing a spectrum of clinical appearances ranging from asymptomatic colonization to severe intestinal and extra-intestinal disease. The parasite is identical microscopically to commensal nonpathogenic amoeba. To detect the pathogenic and estimate the precise prevalence of the parasite among the symptomatic pediatric population using molecular techniques. 323 fecal samples were collected from symptomatic children admitted to Sulaimani Pediatric Teaching Hospital, Sulaimaniyah Province, Iraq, from June to October 2021. A structured, validated questionnaire was prepared and used to report participants' gender, residency, and drinking water source. Then, stool samples were microscopically examined, and the positive samples were submitted to molecular analysis by amplifying the 18s rRNA gene using nested PCR to differentiate from other nonpathogenic . Finally, gene sequences were done to confirm the species. Microscopically, 58 positive samples represented species infection rate of 18% among symptomatic patients. However, only 18 samples were positive for based on molecular methods, which accounts for 31% of the positive by microscopy and 5.6% among the 323 symptomatic populations. NCBI, available in their database, gives the gene sequence and accession number. Patients' sociodemographic data and water sources were directly related to the infection rate. Classical microscopic examination provides a misleading profile about the prevalence of in an endemic region that might lead to unnecessary treatments and a lack of appropriate management for patients.
Topics: Humans; Child; Entamoeba; Iraq; Entamoebiasis; Feces; Hospitalization
PubMed: 38437467
DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2024-010 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2024
Topics: Humans; Liver Abscess; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Drainage; Liver Abscess, Amebic
PubMed: 38432282
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102705 -
Journal of Fish Diseases Jun 2024Nodular gill disease (NGD) is an emerging condition associated with amoeba trophozoites in freshwater salmonid farms. However, unambiguous identification of the...
Nodular gill disease (NGD) is an emerging condition associated with amoeba trophozoites in freshwater salmonid farms. However, unambiguous identification of the pathogens still must be achieved. This study aimed to identify the amoeba species involved in periodic NGD outbreaks in two rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms in Northeastern Italy. During four episodes (February-April 2023), 88 fish were euthanized, and their gills were evaluated by macroscopic, microscopic and histopathological examination. The macroscopic and microscopic severity of the lesions and the degree of amoebae infestation were scored and statistically evaluated. One gill arch from each animal was put on non-nutrient agar (NNA) Petri dishes for amoeba isolation, cultivation and subsequent identification with SSU rDNA sequencing. Histopathology confirmed moderate to severe lesions consistent with NGD and mild to moderate amoeba infestation. The presence of amoebae was significantly correlated with lesion severity. Light microscopy of cultured amoebae strains and SSU rDNA analysis revealed the presence of a previously characterized amoeba Naegleria sp. strain GERK and several new strains: two strains from Hartmannelidae, three vannelid amoebae from the genus Ripella and cercozoan amoeba Rosculus. Despite the uncertainty in NGD etiopathogenesis and amoebae pathogenic role, identifying known and new amoebae leans towards a possible multi-aetiological origin.
Topics: Animals; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Fish Diseases; Italy; Amebiasis; Gills; Amoeba; Aquaculture; Amoebozoa; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38400598
DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13933 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Protozoal diseases, such as leishmaniasis, malaria, African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, amoebiasis, giardiasis, cryptococcosis, and toxoplasmosis (among others),...
Protozoal diseases, such as leishmaniasis, malaria, African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, amoebiasis, giardiasis, cryptococcosis, and toxoplasmosis (among others), affect and/or have the potential to infect more than one billion people worldwide [...].
PubMed: 38399391
DOI: 10.3390/ph17020176 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Reactive sulfur species (RSS) like hydrogen sulfide (HS) and cysteine persulfide (Cys-SSH) emerged as key signaling molecules with diverse physiological roles in the...
Reactive sulfur species (RSS) like hydrogen sulfide (HS) and cysteine persulfide (Cys-SSH) emerged as key signaling molecules with diverse physiological roles in the body, depending on their concentration and the cellular environment. While it is known that HS and Cys-SSH are produced by both colonocytes and by the gut microbiota through sulfur metabolism, it remains unknown how these RSS affect amebiasis caused by , a parasitic protozoan that can be present in the human gastrointestinal tract. This study investigates HS and Cys-SSH's impact on physiology and explores potential therapeutic implications. Exposing trophozoites to the HS donor, sodium sulfide (NaS), or to Cys-SSH led to rapid cytotoxicity. A proteomic analysis of Cys-SSH-challenged trophozoites resulted in the identification of >500 S-sulfurated proteins, which are involved in diverse cellular processes. Functional assessments revealed inhibited protein synthesis, altered cytoskeletal dynamics, and reduced motility in trophozoites treated with Cys-SSH. Notably, cysteine proteases (CPs) were significantly inhibited by S-sulfuration, affecting their bacterial biofilm degradation capacity. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed alterations in actin dynamics, corroborating the proteomic findings. Thus, our study reveals how RSS perturbs critical cellular functions in , potentially influencing its pathogenicity and interactions within the gut microbiota. Understanding these molecular mechanisms offers novel insights into amebiasis pathogenesis and unveils potential therapeutic avenues targeting RSS-mediated modifications in parasitic infections.
PubMed: 38397843
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020245