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Clinical Biochemistry Jun 2024Bladder cancer (BC) represents a prevalent malignancy in North America and Europe, posing significant health burdens. The identification of a reliable biomarker for... (Review)
Review
Bladder cancer (BC) represents a prevalent malignancy in North America and Europe, posing significant health burdens. The identification of a reliable biomarker for early BC detection is imperative to enhance prognostic outcomes. Our aim for this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy and potential clinical utility of Angiogenin/Ribonuclease 5 (ANG/RNase 5) as a biomarker for detection of BC. A systematic literature search across multiple databases up to March 20, 2024, was conducted. CMA 3.7 and Meta-disk 1.4 were used to analyze specificity, sensitivity, AUC, DOR, LR+, LR-, Q*index, and SROC for ANG as a urinary biomarker in BC patients. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression asymmetry and Begg's rank correlation tests. Additional diagnosing analyses were performed using Python programming language version 3.12.1. In this meta-analysis of seven case-control studies comprising 1,051 participants (576 cases and 481 controls), pooled sensitivity was 0.701 (95 % CI: 0.662-0.738), specificity was 0.787 (95 % CI: 0.752-0.819), LR + was 3.582 (95 % CI: 2.260-5.676), LR- was 0.398 (95 % CI: 0.327-0.485), and DOR was 10.637 (95 % CI: 6.106-18.529). The AUC and Q* index values were 0.823 and 0.756, respectively. Both Begg and Mazumdar Rank Correlation Test (p = 0.229) and Egger's Test of the Intercept (p = 0.135) revealed no significant evidence of publication bias. Our meta-analysis confirms ANG/RNase 5 as a reliable biomarker for early bladder cancer detection, showing strong diagnostic accuracy and no publication bias.
PubMed: 38906363
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2024.110780 -
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Jun 2024Rhamnolipids are glycolipid surfactants composed by a hydrophilic head of either one (mono-RL) or two (di-RL) rhamnose moieties coupled to hydroxyaliphatic chains that...
Rhamnolipids are glycolipid surfactants composed by a hydrophilic head of either one (mono-RL) or two (di-RL) rhamnose moieties coupled to hydroxyaliphatic chains that can be of different lengths. In spite of their importance in different fields of applications, as bioremediation processes for instance, self-aggregation physico-chemical properties of RLs are not unique. This because a variety of aggregates morphologies (shape and size) can either exist or coexist in aqueous dispersion due to mono-RL:di-RL molar ratio, hydrophobic tails length, pH and the presence of co-surfactants and additives. Recently, a theorethical approach reported the self-assembling morphologies of either pure mono or di-RL in aqueous environment, predicting the formation of spherical to ellipsoidal micelles to worm-like and disk-like aggregates depending on RL concentration and fatty acid chain length. In order to add new information to those previously available, the present work investigated the self-assembling properties of mono-RL-C10-C10 and di-RL-C10-C10 separately in aqueous dispersion by small angle X-Ray scattering (SAXS). A novel approach was applied to the data analysis coupling the scattering length density profiles of the RLs chemical groups and Monte Carlo simulations. Such an approach allowed us to infer about the preferred mono-RL and di-RL conformations that fit better in the self-assembling morphologies. In this way, we show that mono-RL-C10-C10 self-assembles into lamella-like aggregates coexisting with 30 % of multi-lamella aggregates (circa of 5 closed stacked lamella) from a concentration ranging from 10 to 50 mM, with hydrophobic thickness of about 12 Å, a hydrated polar head thickness of 10 Å, and an area per glycolipid of 76 Å. On the other hand, di-RL prefers to self-associate into flexible cylinder-like aggregates, from 70 mM to 110 mM concentration, with hydrophobic radius on the order of 7.5 Å, a hydrated polar shell of 21.5 Å, with hydropobic/polar interface of 110 Å per glycolipid. Interestingly, the parameters obtained from the best fitting to the experimental data associated to the volume fraction distribution of the chemical groups within the aggregates revealed that the hydrophobic chains are more disordered in mono-RL planar aggregates than in di-RL worm-like aggregates, as well as the hydration properties. Further, the addition of 100 mM NaCl in di-RL aqueous dispersion leads to the formation of longer worm-like aggregates. Taking together, this work opens a new avenue regarding characterization of biosurfactants self-assembling properties by using SAXS, also contributing to prepare more efficient biosurfactant dispersions depending on the desired applications in industrial sectors and bioremediation.
PubMed: 38905813
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114038 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Jun 2024BACKGROUND Functional evaluation after therapeutic selective nerve root block (SNRB) has been rarely reported. We explored functional outcomes of SNRB for single-segment...
BACKGROUND Functional evaluation after therapeutic selective nerve root block (SNRB) has been rarely reported. We explored functional outcomes of SNRB for single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). MATERIAL AND METHODS Data for 117 patients with single-segment LSS who underwent single therapeutic SNRB were retrospectively collected between January 2019 and December 2021. Functional outcomes were assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores preoperatively, and 3 days, and 3, 6, and 12 months after SNRB, which were compared in subgroups stratified by age, sex, BMI, sedentary time, hypertension, diabetes, affected side, pathology level, intervertebral disk. Correlation between ODI and JOA was analyzed using univariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS Clinical symptoms of LSS significantly improved within 12 months after SNRB, especially at 6 months (P<0.05). ODI scores in each subgroup gradually decreased within 6 months after SNRB, and JOA scores gradually increased. Most subgroup analyses revealed significantly increased ODI scores and decreased JOA scores at 12 months after SNRB, compared with 6-month scores (P<0.05). Notably, ODI and JOA scores at 12 months after SNRB were not significantly different than those before SNRB in patients with BMI >25 or sedentary time >8 h (P>0.05). A significant correlation existed between ODI and JOA scores (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Therapeutic SNRB was an effective treatment for alleviating LSS within at least 6 months. Changing sedentary habits with appropriate exercise and controlling weight with a healthy diet can improve the effectiveness of SNRB, especially in patients for whom conservative treatment is ineffective and who are unsuitable for surgical treatment.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Stenosis; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Lumbar Vertebrae; Aged; Nerve Block; Treatment Outcome; Spinal Nerve Roots; Disability Evaluation
PubMed: 38905165
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943634 -
Health Science Reports Jun 2024as an opportunistic pathogen produces several virulence factors. This study evaluated the relative frequency of exoenzymes () A, U and S genes and integron classes (I,...
BACKGROUND
as an opportunistic pathogen produces several virulence factors. This study evaluated the relative frequency of exoenzymes () A, U and S genes and integron classes (I, II, and III) among multi-drug-resistant clinical isolates from burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study isolates were recovered from 355 wound samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by disk agar diffusion method on Muller-Hinton agar according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. MDR isolates were defined if they showed simultaneous resistance to 3 antibiotics. Extensively drug-resistant was defined as nonsusceptibility to at least one agent in all but two or fewer antimicrobial categories. The presence of class I, II, and III integrons and virulence genes was determined using a PCR assay on extracted DNA.
RESULTS
Overall, 145 clinical isolates were confirmed with biochemical and PCR tests. Overall, 35% (52/145) of the isolates were taken from males and 64% (93/145) from female hospitalized burn patients. The highest resistance rates of isolates to antibiotics were related to piperacillin 59% ( = 86/145) and piperacillin-tazobactam 57% ( = 83/145). A total of 100% of isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. MDR and XDR had a frequency of 60% and 29%, respectively. The prevalence of integron classes I, II, and III in was 60%, 7.58%, and 3.44%, respectively. was more common in MDR and XDR isolates. In addition, 70(48%) of isolates did not harbor integron genes. Besides, , and in had a frequency of 55%, 55%, and 56%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
It was found that as a potent pathogen with strong virulence factors and high antibiotic resistance in the health community can cause refractory diseases in burn patients.
PubMed: 38903659
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2164 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2024The most common extraintestinal pathogen and infection site is uropathogenic (UPEC), which causes urinary tract infections (UTIs). UPEC is also a common pathogen in...
OBJECTIVE
The most common extraintestinal pathogen and infection site is uropathogenic (UPEC), which causes urinary tract infections (UTIs). UPEC is also a common pathogen in bloodstream infections; in severe cases, it can lead to death. Although host and bacterial virulence factors have been demonstrated to be associated with UTI pathogenesis, the role of the related contributing factors in UTI and urinary source bacteremia is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to compare and analyze the factors contributing to urinary bacteremia in patients with UTI.
METHODS
A total of 171 strains collected from patients with UTI and urinary source bacteremia at Chiayi Christian Hospital were used. Phylogenetic groups and virulence factors were determined using PCR. Drug resistance patterns were determined using the disk diffusion assay.
RESULTS
Previous studies have demonstrated that fimbriae and papGII may be associated with first-step infections and severe UTIs, respectively. As expected, highly virulent strains (belonging to the phylogenetic B2 and D groups) were dominant in the bacteremic UTI (90%) and UTI (86.27%) groups. However, our results showed that the UTI group had a significantly higher prevalence of (belonging to the S and FIC fimbriae) than the bacteremic UTI group (29.4% vs 12.5%; p=0.008). In the bacteremic group, we found that / was only detected in highly virulent strains. The bacteremic UTI group had a significantly higher prevalence of GII (belonging to P fimbriae) than the UTI group (55.8% vs 37.3%; p=0.026). In addition, the P fimbriae gene cluster, including , and , was predominant in highly virulent strains. Notably, our results show that multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were significantly less virulent than non MDR strains.
CONCLUSION
Taken together, our results provide insights into the contributing factors in patients with UTI and urinary bacteremia.
PubMed: 38903152
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S458925 -
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Jun 2024In the era of liquid biopsy, microRNAs emerge as promising candidates for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, offering valuable insights into the disease's...
In the era of liquid biopsy, microRNAs emerge as promising candidates for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, offering valuable insights into the disease's development. Among all the existing analytical approaches, even if traditional approaches such as the nucleic acid amplification ones have the advantages to be highly sensitive, they cannot be used at the point-of-care, while sensors might be poorly sensitive despite their portability. In order to improve the analytical performance of existing electroanalytical systems, we demonstrate how a simple chromatographic paper-based disk might be useful to rationally improve the sensitivity, depending on the number of preconcentration cycles. A paper-based electrochemical platform for miRNA detection has been developed by modifying a paper-based electrode with a methylene blue (MB)-modified single-stranded sequence (ssDNA) complementary to the chosen miRNA, namely miR-224 that is associated with lung cancer. A detection limit of ca. 0.6 nM has been obtained in spiked human serum samples. To further enhance the sensitivity, an external chromatographic wax-patterned paper-based disk has been adopted to preconcentrate the sample, and this has been demonstrated both in standard and in serum solutions. For each solution, three miR-224 levels have been preconcentrated, obtaining a satisfactory lowering detection limit of ca. 50 pM using a simple and sustainable procedure. This approach opens wide possibilities in the field of analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, being useful not only for electrochemistry but also for other architectures of detection and transduction.
PubMed: 38902346
DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05406-6 -
[Standardizing the diagnosis and treatment of ocular hypertension based on evidence-based medicine].Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi Jun 2024Ocular hypertension (OHT) refers to a condition in which the intraocular pressure increases without causing glaucomatous optic nerve changes or visual field damage. The...
Ocular hypertension (OHT) refers to a condition in which the intraocular pressure increases without causing glaucomatous optic nerve changes or visual field damage. The incidence rate of OHT in people over 40 years old is as high as 4% to 10%. According to the OHT Treatment Study (OHTS), the incidence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) among OHT patients is increasing year by year, so it is necessary to conduct long-term follow-up. This article elaborates on five major risk factors for the progression of OHT to POAG: age, intraocular pressure, vertical cup-disc ratio, pattern standard deviation of visual field, and central corneal thickness. It also summarizes other potential risk factors, such as long-term fluctuations in intraocular pressure, asymmetry of intraocular pressure and visual field between the two eyes, structural phenotypes of the optic disk, and optic disk hemorrhage. Predicting the risk of OHT progression to POAG based on risk factors, patients with different risk levels require different timing for treatment initiation and follow-up intervals. Those with higher risks should start preventive treatment earlier and have shorter follow-up intervals. Both drug therapy and selective laser trabeculoplasty can serve as initial treatment options for OHT. Combining evidence-based medicine research and individualized evaluation of treatment can enhance the clinical diagnosis and treatment level of OHT.
Topics: Humans; Ocular Hypertension; Evidence-Based Medicine; Risk Factors; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Intraocular Pressure; Disease Progression
PubMed: 38901976
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20240209-00309 -
Pain Jul 2024Recent evidence highlights the importance of the neuroimmune interface, including periphery-to-central nervous system (CNS) neuroimmune crosstalk, in chronic pain....
Unraveling the neuroimmune interface in chronic pain-the association between cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid and pain in patients with lumbar disk herniation or degenerative disk disease.
Recent evidence highlights the importance of the neuroimmune interface, including periphery-to-central nervous system (CNS) neuroimmune crosstalk, in chronic pain. Although neuroinflammatory processes have been implicated in central sensitization for a long time, their potential neuroprotective and analgesic effects remain relatively elusive. We have explored the relationships between cytokine expression and symptom severity, and candidates for periphery-to-CNS crosstalk. Patients with degenerative disk disease (DDD) (nociceptive pain) or patients with lumbar disk herniation (LDH) with radiculopathy (predominantly neuropathic pain) completed questionnaires regarding pain and functional disability, underwent quantitative sensory testing, and provided blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Proximity extension assay (PEA) was used to measure the levels of 92 inflammatory proteins in the CSF and serum from a total of 160 patients and controls, and CSF/serum albumin quotients was calculated for patients with DDD and patients with LDH. We found signs of neuroimmune activation, in the absence of systemic inflammation. Regarding periphery-to-CNS neuroimmune crosstalk, there were significant associations between several cytokines and albumin quotient, despite the latter being primarily at subclinical levels. The cytokines CCL11, CD5, IL8, and MMP-10 were elevated in the CSF, had positive correlations between CSF and serum levels, and associated in a nonlinear manner with back, but not leg, pain intensity in the LDH, but not the DDD, group. In conclusion, we found evidence for neuroimmune activation in the CNS of both patient groups in the absence of systemic inflammation and signs of a communication between CSF and serum. Complex and disease-specific associations were found between cytokines in CSF and back pain intensity.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Cytokines; Middle Aged; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Adult; Chronic Pain; Aged; Lumbar Vertebrae; Pain Measurement; Neuroimmunomodulation
PubMed: 38900144
DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003175 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024Doping is considered a promising material engineering strategy in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), provided the role of the active site is rightly...
Doping is considered a promising material engineering strategy in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), provided the role of the active site is rightly identified. This work concerns the doping of group VIB metal in AgPO to enhance the active site density, accompanied by d-p orbital mixing at the active site/N interface. Doping induces compressive strain in the AgPO lattice and inherently accompanies vacancy generation, the latter is quantified with positron annihilation lifetime studies (PALS). This eventually alters the metal d-electronic states relative to Fermi level and manipulate the active sites for NRR resulting into side-on N adsorption at the interface. The charge density deployment reveals Mo as the most efficient dopant, attaining a minimum NRR overpotential, as confirmed by the detailed kinetic study with the rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) technique. In fact, the Pt ring of RRDE fails to detect NH, which is formed as a stable intermediate on the electrode surface, as identified from in-situ attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. This advocates the complete conversion of N to NH on Mo/AgPO-10 and the so-formed oxygen vacancies formed during doping act as proton scavengers suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction resulting into a Faradaic efficiency of 54.8% for NRR.
PubMed: 38898725
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402006 -
Health Science Reports Jun 2024Food-borne illness is a public health concern in developing countries because of improper food handling and sanitation practices, irregular medical checkups, lack of...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Food-borne illness is a public health concern in developing countries because of improper food handling and sanitation practices, irregular medical checkups, lack of clean water supplies, and inadequate education among food handlers. This study investigated the burden of bacterial food-borne illness, antibiotic resistance patterns, and associated factors among food handlers in prison and nonprison food establishment settings.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to January 2023 among asymptomatic food handlers in Shewa Robit town. A total of 384 food handlers participated. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Stool and hand swab samples were collected and cultivated onto MacConkey agar, xylose-lysine-deoxycholate, Mannitol salt agar, and blood agar, and incubated at 37°C. Bacterial species were identified using biochemical tests and gram staining. Mueller-Hinton agar was used in Kirby Bauer's disk diffusion method. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis were performed.
RESULTS
Fecal and hand carriage rate of bacterial isolates were 106 (27.6%), and 214 (55.7%), respectively. Out of the 102 bacterial isolates, the most common ones from stool samples were 71 (18.5%), 12 (3.1%), and spp. 7 (1.8%). Among 214 bacterial isolates, coagulase-negative 115 (29.9%) and 66 (17.3%) were identified from hand swab samples. Hand washing practice after restroom with water (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-3.45), irregular medical checkups (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.35-4.59), and did not receive food safety and hygiene training (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.34-4.05) were statistically significant association with food-borne illness.
CONCLUSIONS
Foodborne pathogens pose a serious health risk in the study areas. The level of antimicrobial resistance are also concerning. Food handlers should therefore get strict regular health education, medical checkups, and training programs to prevent the spread of infections to the customers.
PubMed: 38895551
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2199