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Aging Jun 2024The primary objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic potential of galectin-3 (Gal-3), fractalkine (FKN), interleukin (IL)-6, microRNA(miR)-21, and cardiac...
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic potential of galectin-3 (Gal-3), fractalkine (FKN), interleukin (IL)-6, microRNA(miR)-21, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).
METHOD
A total of 78 ICM patients (Case group) and 80 healthy volunteers (Control group) admitted to our hospital for treatment or physical examination from Aug. 2018 to Feb. 2020 were included in the current study. The serum concentration of Gal-3, FKN, IL-6, miR-21, and plasma expression of cTnI of both groups were determined. The severity of ICM was classified using New York Heart Association (NYHA) scale.
RESULTS
When compared with the control group, the case group had a significantly high blood concentration of Gal-3, FKN, IL-6, miR-21, and cTnI ( < 0.001). NYHA class II patients had lower blood levels of Gal-3, FKN, IL-6, miR-21, and cTnI than that in patients of NYHA class III and IV without statistical significance ( > 0.05). However, statistical significance could be achieved when comparing the above-analyzed markers in patients classified between class III and IV. Correlation analysis also revealed that serum levels of Gal-3, FKN, IL-6, miR-21, and cTnI were positively correlated with NYHA classification (R = 0.564, 0.621, 0.792, 0.981, < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed that up-regulated serum Gal-3, FKN, IL-6, miR-21, and cTnI levels were closely related to the progression of ICM. This association implies that these biomarkers have diagnostic potential, offering a promising avenue for early detection and monitoring of ICM progression.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Troponin I; Interleukin-6; MicroRNAs; Chemokine CX3CL1; Middle Aged; Galectin 3; Biomarkers; Aged; Myocardial Ischemia; Cardiomyopathies; Case-Control Studies; Galectins; Blood Proteins
PubMed: 38935941
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205953 -
PloS One 2024Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes cancer...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes cancer metastasis and a tumour-based Glasgow EMT score was associated with adverse clinical features and poor prognosis. In this study, the impact of using the established five tumour-based EMT markers consisting of E-cadherin (E-cad), β-catenin (β-cat), Snail, Zeb-1, and Fascin in combination with the stromal periostin (PN) on the prediction of CRC patients' prognosis were invesigated. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 202 CRC patients were studies the expressions of E-cad, β-cat, Snail, Zeb-1, Fascin, and PN by immunohistochemistry. Individually, cytoplasmic Fascin (Fc), cytoplasmic Snail (Sc), nuclear Snail (Sn), stromal Snail (Ss), and stromal PN (Ps) were significantly associated with reduced survival. A combination of Ps with Fc, Fs, and Sn was observed in 2 patterns including combined Fc, Fs, and Ps (FcFsPs) and Fc, Sn, and Ps (FcSnPs). These combinations enhanced the prognostic power compared to individual EMT markers and were independent prognostic markers. As the previously established scoring method required five markers and stringent criteria, its clinical use might be limited. Therefore, using these novel combined prognostic markers, either FcFsPs or FcSnPs, may be useful in predicting CRC patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Colorectal Neoplasms; Snail Family Transcription Factors; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Prognosis; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Carrier Proteins; Microfilament Proteins; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Adult; Cadherins; Transcription Factors; beta Catenin; Aged, 80 and over; Periostin
PubMed: 38935747
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304666 -
PloS One 2024Mucosal-delivered drugs have to pass through the mucus layer before absorption through the epithelial cell membrane. Although there has been increasing interest in...
Mucosal-delivered drugs have to pass through the mucus layer before absorption through the epithelial cell membrane. Although there has been increasing interest in polymeric mucins, a major structural component of mucus, potentially acting as important physiological regulators of mucosal drug absorption, there are no reports that have systematically evaluated the interaction between mucins and drugs. In this study, we assessed the potential interaction between human polymeric mucins (MUC2, MUC5B, and MUC5AC) and various drugs with different chemical profiles by simple centrifugal method and fluorescence analysis. We found that paclitaxel, rifampicin, and theophylline likely induce the aggregation of MUC5B and/or MUC2. In addition, we showed that the binding affinity of drugs for polymeric mucins varied, not only between individual drugs but also among mucin subtypes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that deletion of MUC5AC and MUC5B in A549 cells increased the cytotoxic effects of cyclosporin A and paclitaxel, likely due to loss of mucin-drug interaction. In conclusion, our results indicate the necessity to determine the binding of drugs to mucins and their potential impact on the mucin network property.
Topics: Humans; Paclitaxel; Mucin 5AC; A549 Cells; Drug Interactions; Mucin-5B; Mucins; Mucin-2; Rifampin; Cyclosporine; Protein Binding
PubMed: 38935605
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306058 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2024Microplastics in the environment are considered complex pollutants as they are chemical and corrosive-resistant, non-biodegradable and ubiquitous. These microplastics...
Microplastics in the environment are considered complex pollutants as they are chemical and corrosive-resistant, non-biodegradable and ubiquitous. These microplastics may act as vectors for the dissemination of other pollutants and the transmission of microorganisms into the water environment. The currently available literature reviews focus on analysing the occurrence, environmental effects and methods of microplastic detection, however lacking a wide-scale systematic review and classification of the mathematical microplastic modelling applications. Thus, the current review provides a global overview of the modelling methodologies used for microplastic transport and fate in water environments. This review consolidates, classifies and analyses the methods, model inputs and results of 61 microplastic modelling studies in the last decade (2012-2022). It thoroughly discusses their strengths, weaknesses and common gaps in their modelling framework. Five main modelling types were classified as follows: hydrodynamic, process-based, statistical, mass-balance and machine learning models. Further, categorisations based on the water environments, location and published year of these applications were also adopted. It is concluded that addressed modelling types resulted in relatively reliable outcomes, yet each modelling framework has its strengths and weaknesses. However, common issues were found such as inputs being unrealistically assumed, especially biological processes, and the lack of sufficient field data for model calibration and validation. For future research, it is recommended to incorporate macroplastics' degradation rates, particles of different shapes and sizes and vertical mixing due to biofouling and turbulent conditions and also more experimental data to obtain precise model inputs and standardised sampling methods for surface and column waters.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Microplastics; Models, Chemical; Models, Theoretical; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38935176
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12731-x -
Indian Journal of Dental Research :... Jan 2024Wet oral environment may have deleterious effects on performance of the composites due to influences of water sorption and solubility. The study evaluated the hydrolytic...
INTRODUCTION
Wet oral environment may have deleterious effects on performance of the composites due to influences of water sorption and solubility. The study evaluated the hydrolytic degradation caused because of water sorption and solubility of silorane and methacrylate-based dental composites.
METHODS
Ten disc samples (2 mm × 10 mm) were prepared. Samples were analyzed for water solubility and sorption according to ISO 4049:2000 regulations and tested for mass gain or loss following immersion in water or in artificial saliva at 1 day, 15 days, and 30 days period. Student's 't' test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's post-hoc tests determined statistical significance of the experimental results with global significance set at P = 0.05.
RESULTS
Considerable sorption and solubility was observed with time in both materials on immersion. Silorane composites showed lower water sorption and solubility than methacrylate-based composite (MBC). Artificial saliva demonstrated higher sorption and solubility compared to distilled water.
CONCLUSION
Silorane composites display enhanced hydrolytic stability even after a month of immersion in contrast to conventional methacrylate-based composites (MBCs), making it a better alternative to MBC resins clinically.
Topics: Solubility; Methacrylates; Composite Resins; Water; Silorane Resins; Saliva, Artificial; Materials Testing; Hydrolysis; Dental Materials
PubMed: 38934754
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_195_23 -
Indian Journal of Dental Research :... Jan 2024The application of direct current can have a significant impact on the rate of tooth movement and surrounding periodontal ligament collagen turnover. This study aims to... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
An Immunohistochemical and Histological Study of the Animal Periodontal Ligament During Orthodontic Force Application with Concomitant Application of Electric Current - An Animal Study.
INTRODUCTION
The application of direct current can have a significant impact on the rate of tooth movement and surrounding periodontal ligament collagen turnover. This study aims to provide insight into the optimal characteristics of applied current to achieve enhanced tissue response.
METHOD
Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (I, II, and III). Split mouth design was used, and each side was allocated into an experimental group or control group. Experimental sides of groups I, II, and III received 20, 10, and 15 μA of current (15 min, twice daily for 3 days). Both the experimental and control groups receive an orthodontic force via the NiTi closed coil spring. The amount of tooth movement was determined daily. Immunohistochemistry slides were scored using the immunoreactive scoring (IRS) system for collagen types I and III. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyse the rate of tooth movement, while Mann-Whitney test was used to analyse IRS distribution between control and experimental groups.
RESULTS
Compared with the control group, there was a statistically significant difference in tooth movement in all the experimental groups, with group 3 showing the maximum rate on days 2 and 3. This was supported by immunoreactive scores for both collagen types I and III.
CONCLUSIONS
After 72 hours, the expression of collagen types 1 and 3 increased significantly for group III. This finding was in harmony with the rate of tooth movement, which was maximum for group 3 (15 μA) as compared to other groups.
Topics: Periodontal Ligament; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Tooth Movement Techniques; Male; Rats; Collagen Type I; Immunohistochemistry; Collagen Type III; Orthodontic Wires; Dental Alloys; Nickel; Stress, Mechanical; Titanium
PubMed: 38934753
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_905_22 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2024This study aimed to compare the tissue damage caused by barbed sutures and conventional sutures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Porcine myocardium was incised... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
This study aimed to compare the tissue damage caused by barbed sutures and conventional sutures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Porcine myocardium was incised and sutured using different thread types: barbed suture, (STRATAFIX Spiral PDS PLUS) and conventional sutures, (VICRYL and PDS Plus). Needle hole shapes were examined at magnifications of 30×-100×. VICRYL suture damaged the tissue and created large gaps around the needle holes. The tissue around the needle holes was smoother and less damaged in the single suture ligations with PDS; however, a large gap had formed. In the continuous suture with STRATAFIX, the tissue around the needle holes was significantly smoother and minimally damaged, with no noticeable gaps around the needle holes. Barbed sutures reduced the load on needle holes and minimised tissue damage owing to the dispersion of traction forces by the barbs compared with conventional sutures.
Topics: Animals; Sutures; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Swine; Suture Techniques; Models, Animal; Polyglactin 910; Myocardium
PubMed: 38934494
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2024.2370973 -
Polymer Chemistry Jun 2024Polythiophenes are one of the most widely studied conjugated polymers. With the discovery of the chain mechanism of Kumada catalyst-transfer polymerisation (KCTP),...
Polythiophenes are one of the most widely studied conjugated polymers. With the discovery of the chain mechanism of Kumada catalyst-transfer polymerisation (KCTP), various polythiophene copolymer structures, such as random, block, and gradient copolymers, have been synthesized batch or semi-batch (sequential addition) methods. However, the lack of quantitative kinetic data for thiophene monomers brings challenges to experimental design and structure prediction when synthesizing the copolymers. In this study, the reactivity ratios and the polymerisation rate constants of 3-hexylthiophene with 4 thiophene comonomers in KCTP are measured by adapting the Mayo-Lewis equation and the first-order kinetic behaviour of chain polymerisation. The obtained kinetic information highlights the impact of the monomer structure on the reactivity in the copolymerisations. The kinetic data are used to predict the copolymer structure of equimolar batch copolymerisations of the 4 thiophene derivatives with 3-hexylthiophene, with the experimental data agreeing well with the predictions. 3-Dodecylthiophene and 3-(6-bromo)hexylthiophene, which have higher structural similarity to 3-hexylthiophene, show nearly equivalent reactivity to 3-hexylthiophene and give random copolymers in the batch copolymerisation. 3-(2-Ethylhexyl)thiophene with a branched side chain is less reactive compared to 3-hexylthiophene and failed to homopolymerize at room temperature, but produced gradient copolymers with 3-hexylthiophene. Finally, the bulkiest 3-(4-octylphenyl)thiophene, despite its ability to homopolymerize, failed to maintain chain polymerisation in the copolymerisation with 3-hexylthiophene, possibly due to the large steric hindrance caused by the phenyl ring directly attached to the thiophene center. This study highlights the importance of monomer structures in copolymerisations and the need for accurate kinetic data.
PubMed: 38933685
DOI: 10.1039/d4py00009a -
Cureus May 2024Periodontitis, a persistent inflammatory condition, results in the deterioration of both the hard and soft tissues in the periodontium, leading to the formation of...
INTRODUCTION
Periodontitis, a persistent inflammatory condition, results in the deterioration of both the hard and soft tissues in the periodontium, leading to the formation of intrabony defects. Restoring the lost tissues, particularly bone, is possible through tissue engineering techniques utilizing scaffolds made from different polymers. Consequently, this research focuses on creating and assessing a scaffold infused with alginate (Sigma Aldrich, Gillingham, UK) and carrageenan (Sigma Aldrich, Gillingham, UK) for the purpose of bone regeneration.
METHODS
An in vitro investigation was conducted to assess the characteristics of the recently formulated scaffold. Spectroscopic analysis, tensile strength testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and degradation testing were carried out to evaluate both the physical and biological attributes of the scaffold.
RESULTS
IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, V. 1.2 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis. A one-way ANOVA test was done to determine the significance of tensile strength, and a paired t-test was done to check the significance of the degradation test. The in vitro research unveiled notable distinctions in the physical and biological attributes between the scaffold infused with alginate and carrageenan and the PerioCol® (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The scaffold incorporating alginate and carrageenan demonstrated superior outcomes concerning parameters such as tensile stress and strain, degradation rate, percentage bone volume, and object surface density when contrasted with the conventional PerioCol®. Therefore, the scaffold infused with alginate and carrageenan emerges as a promising candidate for bone regeneration.
PubMed: 38933614
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61139 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Autotetraploid rice holds high resistance to abiotic stress and substantial promise for yield increase, but it could not be commercially used because of low fertility....
INTRODUCTION
Autotetraploid rice holds high resistance to abiotic stress and substantial promise for yield increase, but it could not be commercially used because of low fertility. Thus, our team developed neo-tetraploid rice with high fertility and hybrid vigor when crossed with autotetraploid rice. Despite these advances, the molecular mechanisms underlying this heterosis remain poorly understood.
METHODS
An elite autotetraploid rice line (HD11) was used to cross with neo-tetraploid rice, and 34 hybrids were obtained to evaluate agronomic traits related to yield. WE-CLSM, RNA-seq, and CRISPR/Cas9 were employed to observe endosperm structure and identify candidate genes from two represent hybrids.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
These hybrids showed high seed setting and an approximately 55% increase in 1000-grain weight, some of which achieved grain yields comparable to those of the diploid rice variety. The endosperm observations indicated that the starch grains in the hybrids were more compact than those in paternal lines. A total of 119 seed heterosis related genes (SHRGs) with different expressions were identified, which might contribute to high 1000-grain weight heterosis in neo-tetraploid hybrids. Among them, 12 genes had been found to regulate grain weight formation, including , and . Haplotype analyses of these 12 genes revealed the various effects on grain weight among different haplotypes. The hybrids could polymerize more dominant haplotypes of above grain weight regulators than any homozygous cultivar. Moreover, two SHRGs ( and ) mutants displayed a significant reduction in 1000-grain weight and an increase in grain chalkiness, indicating that and positively regulate grain weight. Our research has identified a valuable autotetraploid germplasm for generating strong yield heterosis in combination with neo-tetraploid lines and gaining molecular insights into the regulatory processes of heterosis in tetraploid rice.
PubMed: 38933462
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1421207