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Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS Jun 2024Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in the development of therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine. However, their quality decreases during in vitro...
BACKGROUND
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in the development of therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine. However, their quality decreases during in vitro expansion because of heterogeneity and acquired cellular senescence. We investigated the potential role of podoplanin (PDPN) in minimizing cellular senescence and maintaining the stemness of tonsil-derived MSCs (TMSCs).
METHODS
TMSCs were isolated from human tonsil tissues using an enzymatic method, expanded, and divided into two groups: early-passaged TMSCs, which were cultured for 3-7 passages, and late-passaged TMSCs, which were passaged more than 15 times. The TMSCs were evaluated for cellular senescence and MSC characteristics, and PDPN-positive and -negative cells were identified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. In addition, MSC features were assessed in siRNA-mediated PDPN-depleted TMSCs.
RESULTS
TMSCs, when passaged more than 15 times and becoming senescent, exhibited reduced proliferative rates, telomere length, pluripotency marker (NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2) expression, and tri-lineage differentiation potential (adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, or osteogenesis) compared to cells passaged less than five times. Furthermore, PDPN protein levels significantly decreased in a passage-dependent manner. PDPN-positive cells maintained their stemness characteristics, such as MSC-specific surface antigen (CD14, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, and CD105) and pluripotency marker expression, and exhibited higher tri-lineage differentiation potential than PDPN-negative cells. SiRNA-mediated silencing of PDPN led to decreased cell-cycle progression, proliferation, and migration, indicating the significance of PDPN as a preliminary senescence-related factor. These reductions directly contributed to the induction of cellular senescence via p16/Rb pathway activation.
CONCLUSION
PDPN may serve as a novel biomarker to mitigate cellular senescence in the clinical application of MSCs.
Topics: Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Humans; Cellular Senescence; Membrane Glycoproteins; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Palatine Tonsil; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Signal Transduction; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38867259
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01705-8 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... May 2024Global monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic sequences and associated metadata is essential for coronavirus disease...
INTRODUCTION
Global monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic sequences and associated metadata is essential for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. Therefore, Sanger's partial genome sequencing technique was used to monitor the circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Cameroon.
METHODOLOGY
Nasopharyngeal specimen was collected from persons suspected of SARS-CoV-2 following the national guidelines between January and December 2021. All specimens with cycle threshold (Ct) below 30 after amplification were eligible for sequencing of the partial spike (S) gene of SARS-CoV-2 using the Sanger sequencing method.
RESULTS
During the year 2021, 1481 real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were selected for partial sequencing of the S gene of SARS-CoV-2. Amongst these, 878 yielded good sequencing products. A total of 231 probable variants (26.3%) were identified. The variants were mainly represented by Delta (70.6%), Alpha (15.6%), Omicron (7.4%), Beta (3.5%), Mu (1.7%) and Gamma (0.4%). Phylogenetic analysis of the probable variants from Cameroon with reference strains confirmed that all prior and current variants of concern (VOC) clustered with their respective reference sequences.
CONCLUSIONS
The surveillance strategy implemented in Cameroon, based on partial sequencing of the S gene enabled identification of the major circulating variants and provided information on the distribution of these variants, which contributed to implementing public health measures to control disease spread in the country.
Topics: Humans; Cameroon; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; COVID-19; Male; Female; Adult; Adolescent; Child; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Child, Preschool; Nasopharynx; Aged; Phylogeny; Infant
PubMed: 38865404
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.18155 -
JMIR Research Protocols Jun 2024Testing for SARS-CoV-2 is essential to provide early COVID-19 treatment for people at high risk of severe illness and to limit the spread of infection in society. Proper... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 From Throat Swabs Performed With or Without Specimen Collection From the Tonsils: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND
Testing for SARS-CoV-2 is essential to provide early COVID-19 treatment for people at high risk of severe illness and to limit the spread of infection in society. Proper upper respiratory specimen collection is the most critical step in the diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in public settings, and throat swabs were the preferred specimens used for mass testing in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is still a discussion about whether throat swabs have a high enough sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, as previous studies have reported a large variability in the sensitivity from 52% to 100%. Many previous studies exploring the diagnostic accuracy of throat swabs lack a detailed description of the sampling technique, which makes it difficult to compare the different diagnostic accuracy results. Some studies perform a throat swab by only collecting specimens from the posterior oropharyngeal wall, while others also include a swab of the palatine tonsils for SARS-CoV-2 testing. However, studies suggest that the palatine tonsils could have a tissue tropism for SARS-CoV-2 that may improve the SARS-CoV-2 detection during sampling. This may explain the variation of sensitivity reported, but no clinical studies have yet explored the differences in sensitivity and patient discomfort whether the palatine tonsils are included during the throat swab or not.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to examine the sensitivity and patient discomfort of a throat swab including the palatine tonsils compared to only swabbing the posterior oropharyngeal wall in molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2.
METHODS
We will conduct a randomized controlled study to compare the molecular detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 by a throat swab performed from the posterior oropharyngeal wall and the palatine tonsils (intervention group) or the posterior oropharyngeal wall only (control group). Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio. All participants fill out a baseline questionnaire upon enrollment in the trial, examining their reason for being tested, symptoms, and previous tonsillectomy. A follow-up questionnaire will be sent to participants to explore the development of symptoms after testing.
RESULTS
A total of 2315 participants were enrolled in this study between November 10, 2022, and December 22, 2022. The results from the follow-up questionnaire are expected to be completed at the beginning of 2024.
CONCLUSIONS
This randomized clinical trial will provide us with information about whether throat swabs including specimens from the palatine tonsils will improve the diagnostic sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 molecular detection. These results can, therefore, be used to improve future testing recommendations and provide additional information about tissue tropism for SARS-CoV-2.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05611203; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05611203.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/47446.
Topics: Humans; Specimen Handling; Pharynx; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Palatine Tonsil; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing; Adult; Male; Sensitivity and Specificity; Female; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Middle Aged; COVID-19 Testing
PubMed: 38865190
DOI: 10.2196/47446 -
Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) Jun 2024The objective of this study was to explore the incidence of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) among adult cancer patients in Finland diagnosed with their first primary...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to explore the incidence of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) among adult cancer patients in Finland diagnosed with their first primary cancer (FPC) in 1992-2021.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study used data from the population-based Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR). Risk estimates were calculated using the standardised incidence ratio (SIR), the ratio of observed second cancers compared to the expected numbers assuming the same cancer incidence as the corresponding sex-age-calendar year -split of the general population.
RESULTS
A total of 573,379 FPCs were diagnosed during 1992-2021. During the follow-up, 60,464 SMNs were diagnosed. Male cancer patients had neither a decreased nor an increased risk (SIR 1.00 [95% CI, 0.99-1.01]) and female patients had an 8% increased risk (SIR 1.08 [95% CI, 1.06-1.09]) of developing any SMN compared to a FPC in the general population. The highest SIR of any SMN was observed in patients aged 20-39 -years at FPC diagnosis, and the SIR decreased by increasing age at diagnosis. Patients with lymphoid and haematopoietic tissue neoplasms, cancers of the mouth and pharynx, endocrine glands, respiratory and intrathoracic organs, skin, and urinary organs had the highest SIRs, while patients with cancers of the male genital organs and the female breast had the lowest SIRs.
INTERPRETATION
Elevated SIRs were observed in cancer patients diagnosed at an early age and for FPCs known to be in large part attributable to lifestyle factors, which highlights the importance of monitoring and encouraging lifestyle changes.
Topics: Humans; Finland; Male; Registries; Female; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Adult; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Incidence; Aged; Risk Factors; Adolescent; Neoplasms; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38850051
DOI: 10.2340/1651-226X.2024.34138 -
IDCases 2024Two atypical cases of infectious mononucleosis in two teenagers with initially negative serology and non-evocative blood examinations are reported. The first patient had...
Two atypical cases of infectious mononucleosis in two teenagers with initially negative serology and non-evocative blood examinations are reported. The first patient had recently traveled to Africa, and Epstein-Barr virus negative serology led us to make many extensive investigations. The second patient complained of asthenia for a month, and PET/CT was performed to suspicion of lymphoma. PET scan revealed hypermetabolic lymph nodes in the supradiaphragmatic and subdiaphragmatic stations, along withF-FDG uptake in the spleen and pharynx, raising more suspicion of lymphoma. Fortunately, Epstein-Barr virus DNA testing was performed and turned positive in both cases, and Epstein-Barr virus serology subsequently became positive. Diagnosing EBV infection can be challenging in rare cases, as EBV-specific serology may be negative in the early stages and confounding factors may be present. Therefore, Epstein-Barr virus DNA testing should be considered early in the diagnostic algorithm to prevent unnecessary investigations in similar cases.
PubMed: 38846027
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e02001 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Herbal medicine combined with nanoparticles has caught much interest in clinical dental practice, yet the incorporation of chitosan with Salvadora persica (S. persica)...
Herbal medicine combined with nanoparticles has caught much interest in clinical dental practice, yet the incorporation of chitosan with Salvadora persica (S. persica) extract as an oral care product has not been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effectiveness of Salvadora persica(S. persica) and Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) against oropharyngeal microorganisms. Agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimal lethal concentration assays were used to assess the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of S. persica and ChNPs against selected fungal strains, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria. A mixture of 10% S. persica and 0.5% ChNPs was prepared (SChNPs) and its synergistic effect against the tested microbes was evaluated. Furthermore, the strain that was considered most sensitive was subjected to a 24-h treatment with SChNPs mixture; and examined using SEM, FT-IR and GC-MS analysis. S. persica extract and ChNPs exhibited concentration-dependent antimicrobial activities against all tested strains. S. persica extract and ChNPs at 10% were most effective against S. pneumoni, K. pneumoni, and C. albicans. SEM images confirmed the synergistic effect of the SChNPs mixture, revealing S. pneumonia cells with increased irregularity and higher cell lysis compared to the individual solutions. GC-MS and FT-IR analysis of SChNPs showed many active antimicrobial phytocompounds and some additional peaks, respectively. The synergy of the mixture of SChNPs in the form of mouth-rinsing solutions can be a promising approach for the control of oropharyngeal microbes that are implicated in viral secondary bacterial infections.
Topics: Chitosan; Nanoparticles; Plant Extracts; Drug Synergism; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Salvadoraceae; Oropharynx; Anti-Infective Agents; Candida albicans; Humans; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 38844768
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63636-1 -
Technology in Cancer Research &... 2024The purpose of this research was to compare two treatment techniques for oropharyngeal cancers: conventional linac-based static intensity-modulated radiotherapy (sIMRT)... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research was to compare two treatment techniques for oropharyngeal cancers: conventional linac-based static intensity-modulated radiotherapy (sIMRT) and helical tomotherapy (HT). The study examined several parameters, including target coverage, organs at risk, integral dose, and beam on time. Additionally, the study evaluated the doses to the parotid, temporomandibular joint, and pharyngeal constrictor muscles, which are important for swallowing.
METHOD
The present study retrospectively analyzed the data of 13 patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between 2019 and 2021. The treatment plans for each patient were regenerated using both sIMRT and HT treatment planning systems with the sequential boost method. The techniques were evaluated and compared based on dose-volume histogram, homogeneity index, and conformity index parameters. The target coverage and organs at risk were statistically compared for two techniques. Additionally, the doses received by the healthy tissue volume were obtained for integral dose evaluation. The beam on time for each technique was assessed.
RESULTS
When considering planning target volume evaluation, there was no difference in D between the two techniques and sIMRT demonstrated higher D values compared to the HT. The HT technique had better results for all organs at risk, such as the parotid, temporomandibular joint, and pharyngeal constrictor muscle. As for integral dose, it has been shown that the sIMRT technique provides better protection compared to HT. In addition, the beam on time was also longer with the HT technique.
CONCLUSION
Both techniques may provide optimal target coverage for patients with oropharyngeal cancer. HT conferred notable advantages, especially with regard to critical structures implicated in swallowing, such as the parotid, temporomandibular joint, and pharyngeal constrictor muscle, in comparison to sIMRT.
Topics: Humans; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Parotid Gland; Radiotherapy Dosage; Organs at Risk; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Temporomandibular Joint; Male; Retrospective Studies; Pharyngeal Muscles; Female; Aged; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38841792
DOI: 10.1177/15330338241260646 -
Acta Medica Philippina 2024Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that has recently gained popularity. This involves the use of a robotic system to access and...
Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that has recently gained popularity. This involves the use of a robotic system to access and operate on hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as the base of tongue and pharynx. General anesthesia is the technique of choice in TORS as this procedure poses unique challenges due to the patient's airway anatomy, the need for precise surgical movements, and the potential for postoperative complications. Awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) is the gold standard for an anticipated difficult airway. This case report describes the anesthetic management for a patient undergoing TORS for a tongue base mass.
PubMed: 38836074
DOI: 10.47895/amp.v58i9.8791 -
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology Aug 2024Needle biopsy is a common technique used to obtain cell and tissue samples for diagnostics. Currently, two biopsy methods are widely used: (i) fine-needle aspiration...
OBJECTIVE
Needle biopsy is a common technique used to obtain cell and tissue samples for diagnostics. Currently, two biopsy methods are widely used: (i) fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and (ii) core needle biopsy (CNB). However, these methods have limitations. Recently, we developed ultrasound-enhanced fine-needle aspiration biopsy (USeFNAB), which employs a needle that flexurally oscillates at an ultrasonic frequency of ∼32 kHz. The needle motion contributes to increased tissue collection while preserving cells and tissue constructs for pathological assessment. Previously, USeFNAB has been investigated only in ex vivo animal tissue. The present study was aimed at determining the feasibility of using USeFNAB in human epithelial and lymphoid tissue.
METHODS
Needle biopsy samples were acquired using FNAB, CNB and USeFNAB on ex vivo human tonsils (N = 10). The tissue yield and quality were quantified by weight measurement and blinded pathologists' assessments. The biopsy methods were then compared.
RESULTS
The results revealed sample mass increases of, on average, 2.3- and 5.4-fold with USeFNAB compared with the state-of-the-art FNAB and CNB, respectively. The quality of tissue fragments collected by USeFNAB was equivalent to that collected by the state-of-the-art methods in terms of morphology and immunohistochemical stainings made from cell blocks as judged by pathologists.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicates that USeFNAB is a promising method that could improve tissue yield to ensure sufficient material for ancillary histochemical and molecular studies for diagnostic pathology, thereby potentially increasing diagnostic accuracy.
Topics: Humans; Palatine Tonsil; Lymphoid Tissue; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Feasibility Studies; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Image-Guided Biopsy; Epithelium
PubMed: 38834492
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.04.015 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Jun 2024Early infant feeding and swallowing are complex motor processes involving numerous muscles in coordination, e.g. the orofacial muscles as well as the muscles of the... (Review)
Review
Early infant feeding and swallowing are complex motor processes involving numerous muscles in coordination, e.g. the orofacial muscles as well as the muscles of the pharynx, larynx and esophagus. The newborn's reflexive drinking develops into the ability to ingest pureed complementary food as infancy progresses. Finally, in the last part of the first year of life, a differentiated eating, chewing and swallowing process develops allowing the voluntary intake of different foods of the family diet. The dietary schedule for the first year of life, which describes the recommended nutrition of infants in Germany, corresponds to these milestones in eating development. Disturbances in gross motor development, sensory processing issues, and organic and behavioral problems are known to interfere with the development of eating skills. Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) in children can have a detrimental effect on food intake and pose a serious risk to growth and development. Their prevention treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach with the aim of enabling the child to eat independently in the long term.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Child, Preschool; Child Development; Feeding Behavior; Deglutition Disorders; Eating; Infant, Newborn; Deglutition; Female; Male
PubMed: 38831369
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01683-0