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Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology... May 2024Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) promote the onset of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) cells. However, little is known...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) promote the onset of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) cells. However, little is known about molecular effects of IL-13 in SPEM cells. We now sought to establish a reliable organoid model, Meta1 gastroids, to model SPEM cells in vitro. We evaluated cellular and molecular effects of ILC2s and IL-13 on maturation and proliferation of SPEM cells.
METHODS
We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize Meta1 gastroids, which were derived from stomachs of Mist1-Kras transgenic mice that displayed pyloric metaplasia. Cell sorting was used to isolate activated ILC2s from stomachs of IL-13-tdTomato reporter mice treated with L635. Three-dimensional co-culture was used to determine the effects of ILC2s on Meta1 gastroids. Mouse normal or metaplastic (Meta1) and human metaplastic gastroids were cultured with IL-13 to evaluate cell responses. Air-Liquid Interface culture was performed to test long-term culture effects of IL-13. In silico analysis determined possible STAT6-binding sites in gene promoter regions. STAT6 inhibition was performed to corroborate STAT6 role in SPEM cells maturation.
RESULTS
Meta1 gastroids showed the characteristics of SPEM cell lineages in vitro even after several passages. We demonstrated that co-culture with ILC2s or IL-13 treatment can induce phosphorylation of STAT6 in Meta1 and normal gastroids and promote the maturation and proliferation of SPEM cell lineages. IL-13 upregulated expression of mucin-related proteins in human metaplastic gastroids. Inhibition of STAT6 blocked SPEM-related gene expression in Meta1 gastroids and maturation of SPEM in both normal and Meta1 gastroids.
CONCLUSIONS
IL-13 promotes the maturation and proliferation of SPEM cells consistent with gastric mucosal regeneration.
PubMed: 38815928
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.101366 -
Advances in Physiology Education May 2024The movement of air into and out of the lungs is facilitated by changes in pressure within the thoracic cavity relative to atmospheric pressure, as well as the...
The movement of air into and out of the lungs is facilitated by changes in pressure within the thoracic cavity relative to atmospheric pressure, as well as the resistance encountered by airways. In this process, the movement of air into and out of the lungs is driven by pressure gradients established by changes in lung volume and intra-alveolar pressure. However, pressure never sucks! The concept that pressure never sucks, pressure only pushes encapsulates a fundamental principle in the behavior of gases. This concept challenges common misconceptions about pressure, shedding light on the dynamic forces that govern the movement of gases. In this Illumination, we explore the essence of this concept and its applications in pulmonary ventilation. Pressure is one of the most important concepts in physics and physiology. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is equal to 1 atmosphere, or around 101,325 Pascal [Pa (1 Pa = 1 N/m2)]. This huge pressure is pushing down on everything all the time. However, this pressure is difficult to understand because we do not often observe the power of this incredible force. We used five readily available, simple, and inexpensive demonstrations to introduce the physics and power of pressure. This extraordinarily complex physics concept was approached in a straightforward and inexpensive manner while still providing an understanding of the fundamental concepts. These simple demonstrations introduced basic concepts and addressed common misconceptions about pressure.
PubMed: 38813605
DOI: 10.1152/advan.00066.2024 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024With global climate change, the health impacts of cold spells and air pollution caused by PM are increasingly aggravated, especially in high-altitude areas, which are...
BACKGROUND
With global climate change, the health impacts of cold spells and air pollution caused by PM are increasingly aggravated, especially in high-altitude areas, which are particularly sensitive. Exploring their interactions is crucial for public health.
METHODS
We collected time-series data on meteorology, air pollution, and various causes of death in Xining. This study employed a time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression models to explore the association between cold spells, PM exposure, and various causes of death, and to assess their interaction. We quantitatively analyzed the interaction using the relative excess odds due to interaction (REOI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), and synergy index (S). Moreover, we conducted stratified analyses by average altitude, sex, age, and educational level to identify potential vulnerable groups.
RESULTS
We found significant associations between cold spells, PM, and various causes of death, with noticeable effects on respiratory disease mortality and COPD mortality. We identified significant synergistic effects (REOI>0, AP > 0, S > 1) between cold spells and PM on various causes of death, which generally weakened with a stricter definition of cold spells and longer duration. It was estimated that up to 9.56% of non-accidental deaths could be attributed to concurrent exposure to cold spells and high-level PM. High-altitude areas, males, the older adults, and individuals with lower educational levels were more sensitive. The interaction mainly varied among age groups, indicating significant impacts and a synergistic action that increased mortality risk.
CONCLUSION
Our study found that in high-altitude areas, exposure to cold spells and PM significantly increased the mortality risk from specific diseases among the older adults, males, and those with lower educational levels, and there was an interaction between cold spells and PM. The results underscore the importance of reducing these exposures to protect public health.
Topics: Humans; Particulate Matter; Male; Altitude; Female; Cross-Over Studies; Middle Aged; Aged; Cold Temperature; Adult; Air Pollution; China; Environmental Exposure; Cause of Death; Air Pollutants; Young Adult; Adolescent; Mortality; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38813422
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1414945 -
Heliyon May 2024In order to investigate the effects of different drying methods on the properties of porous starch. The present study used four drying methods, namely hot air drying...
In order to investigate the effects of different drying methods on the properties of porous starch. The present study used four drying methods, namely hot air drying (HD), spray drying (SPD), vacuum freeze drying (FD) and supercritical carbon dioxide drying (SCD) to prepare maize and kudzu porous starch. Findings indicated that the physicochemical properties (e.g., morphology, crystallinity, enthalpy value, porosity, surface area and water absorption capacity as well as dye absorption capacity, particle size) of porous starch were significantly affected by the drying method. Compared with other samples, SCD-treated porous starch exhibited the highest surface areas of the starch (2.943 and 3.139 m/g corresponding to kudzu and maize, respectively), amylose content (22.02 % and 16.85 % corresponding to kudzu and maize, respectively), MB and NR absorption capacity (90.63 %, 100.26 % and 90.63 %, 100.26 %, corresponding to kudzu ad maize, respectively), and thermal stability, whereas HD-treated porous starch showed the highest water-absorption capacity (123.8 % and 131.31 % corresponding to kudzu and maize, respectively). The dye absorption of the maize and kudzu porous starch was positively correlated with surface area, according to Pearson's correlation analysis. Therefore, in this study, our aim was to explore the effects of different drying methods on the Structure and properties of porous starch, and provide reference for selecting the best drying method for its application in different fields.
PubMed: 38813237
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31143 -
Heliyon May 2024It is important to accurately determine the blood ethanol concentration (BEC) to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients in the emergency department (ED)...
BACKGROUND
It is important to accurately determine the blood ethanol concentration (BEC) to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients in the emergency department (ED) and protect their legal rights. This study aimed to determine whether sterilization of venipuncture site with ethanol, which is frequently used in practice in the ED would affect BEC.
METHODS
Venous blood samples were collected by two consecutive techniques from 94 individuals who were admitted to the ED, had an indication for BEC measurement, and volunteered to participate in the study. The reference technique involved applying 3 cc of 10 % povidone-iodine solution to a gauze pad, cleaning the right arm antecubital region, and performing phlebotomy. The index technique used 3 cc of alcohol-based antiseptic (89 % ethanol) on another gauze for cleaning the left arm antecubital region. Both techniques allowed the antiseptic to air-dry for 30 s before phlebotomy. Two blood sample tubes per patient were sent to the laboratory, and BEC were measured using the alcohol dehydrogenase enzymatic method.
RESULTS
94 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 37.8 years (±15.7), with 77 % (n = 72) of them were male. The median BEC levels measured by both the reference and index techniques were 2 mg/dL (IQR: 0.97-16.25) and 2 mg/dL (IQR: 0.90-15.22), respectively, with no significant statistical difference (p = 0.536). 72 (77 %) of the patients had a BEC level below the legal driving limit of 20 mg/dL. Bland-Altman analysis, performed on these patients, revealed a small negative bias, -0.116 mg/dL with a standard deviation of 1.13 mg/dL. The upper and lower limit of the agreement was 2.092 and -2.323 respectively.
CONCLUSION
In patients with a BEC level of less than 20 mg/dL, using ethanol-containing antiseptics before blood sampling does not lead to erroneously elevated BEC levels.
PubMed: 38813189
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31517 -
Heliyon May 2024One of the primary contributors to automobile exhaust pollution is the significant deviation between the actual and theoretical air-fuel ratios during transient...
One of the primary contributors to automobile exhaust pollution is the significant deviation between the actual and theoretical air-fuel ratios during transient conditions, leading to a decrease in the conversion efficiency of three-way catalytic converters. Therefore, it becomes imperative to enhance fuel economy, reduce pollutant emissions, and improve the accuracy of transient control over air-fuel ratio (AFR) in order to mitigate automobile exhaust pollution. In this study, we propose a Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control (LADRC) Hydrogen Doping Compensation Controller (HDC) to achieve precise control over the acceleration transient AFR of gasoline engines. By analyzing the dynamic effects of oil film and its impact on AFR, we establish a dynamic effect model for oil film and utilize hydrogen's exceptional auxiliary combustion characteristics as compensation for fuel loss. Comparative experimental results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm can rapidly regulate the AFR close to its ideal value under three different transient conditions while exhibiting superior anti-interference capability and effectively enhancing fuel economy.
PubMed: 38813181
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30865 -
Heliyon May 2024Poor air quality in workplaces constitutes a great concern on human health as a good fraction of our time is spent at work. In Greece, very unique workplaces are the...
Poor air quality in workplaces constitutes a great concern on human health as a good fraction of our time is spent at work. In Greece, very unique workplaces are the street corner kiosks, which are freestanding boxes placed on sidewalks next to city streets and vehicular traffic, where one can find many consumer goods. As such, its employees are exposed to both outdoor and indoor air pollutants. Very few studies have examined the occupational exposure of kiosk workers to air pollutants, and thus the magnitude of this unique indoor and outdoor exposure remains unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the levels of indoor and outdoor particulate matter (PM and PM), ultrafine particles (UFPs) and black carbon (BC) in different kiosks located in Athens, Greece, in urban-traffic and urban-background environments. Continuous measurements of the above-mentioned pollutants were carried out on a 24-h basis over 7 consecutive days at three kiosks from September to October 2019. Indoor PM concentrations in the urban kiosk ranged from 19.0 to 44.0 μg/m, PM values ranged from 14.0 to 33.0 μg/m, whereas BC concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 7.0 μg/m and UFPs from almost 9.5 to 47.0 × 10 pt/cm. Outdoor PM and PM measurements ranged from 29.0 to 59.0 μg/m and from 22.0 to 39.0 μg/m, respectively. BC outdoor concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 2.2 μg/m. The mean hazard quotient (HQ) for PM (4.9) and PM (4.7) among all participants was >1. The health risk of exposure to PM and PM was found to be at moderate hazard levels, although in some cases we observed HQ values higher than 10 due to high PM and PM concentrations in the kiosks. Overall our study indicates that people working at kiosks can be exposed to very high concentrations on particulate pollution depending on a number of factors including the traffic that strongly depends on location and the time of the day.
PubMed: 38813153
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31340 -
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2024Asthma affects the quality of life (QoL) of millions of people worldwide. Effective control is paramount to a decline in prevalence and severity. To address this, we...
BACKGROUND
Asthma affects the quality of life (QoL) of millions of people worldwide. Effective control is paramount to a decline in prevalence and severity. To address this, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an asthma home management manual and low-cost air filter in improving resource-limited settings.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This randomized controlled trial was conducted between March to July 2022. The participants were 18-55 years old outpatient with asthmatic patients. A total of 114 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: home management only, home management and air filtering, and control. Validated measurement tools were applied, and the Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate changes in QoL.
RESULTS
Asthma burden was found in at least one-third of participants in each group. At baseline, there was no difference in mAQLQ scores among participants in all group allocations (-value > 0.05), and the air filter group had an increase in the total mAQLQ score (-value = 0.044) and post-intervention activity quality of life (-value = 0.002). The environmental quality of life increased post-intervention (-value = 0.004) and remained higher after four weeks of follow-up compared to baseline (-value = 0.041) in the home management group participants.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that the enforcement of a home management manual and the application of low-cost filters in air circulation systems offer advantages in improving the quality of life of patients with moderate and mild asthma.
PubMed: 38813091
DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S397388 -
Brain & Spine 2024Surgical training traditionally adheres to the apprenticeship paradigm, potentially exposing trainees to an increased risk of complications stemming from their limited...
INTRODUCTION
Surgical training traditionally adheres to the apprenticeship paradigm, potentially exposing trainees to an increased risk of complications stemming from their limited experience. To mitigate this risk, augmented and virtual reality have been considered, though their effectiveness is difficult to assess.
RESEARCH QUESTION
The PASSION study seeks to investigate the improvement of manual dexterity following intensive training with neurosurgical simulators and to discern how surgeons' psychometric characteristics may influence their learning process and surgical performance.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Seventy-two residents were randomized into the simulation group (SG) and control group (CG). The course spanned five days, commencing with assessment of technical skills in basic procedures within a wet-lab setting on day 1. Over the subsequent core days, the SG engaged in simulated procedures, while the CG carried out routine activities in an OR. On day 5, all residents' technical competencies were evaluated. Psychometric measures of all participants were subjected to analysis.
RESULTS
The SG demonstrated superior performance (p < 0.0001) in the brain tumour removal compared to the CG. Positive learning curves were evident in the SG across the three days of simulator-based training for all tumour removal tasks (all p-values <0.05). No significant differences were noted in other tasks, and no meaningful correlations were observed between performance and any psychometric parameters.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
A brief and intensive training regimen utilizing 3D virtual reality simulators enhances residents' microsurgical proficiency in brain tumour removal models. Simulators emerge as a viable tool to expedite the learning curve of in-training neurosurgeons.
PubMed: 38812880
DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2024.102829 -
Frontiers in Pain Research (Lausanne,... 2024Fabry disease (FD) causes cold-evoked pain and impaired cold perception through small fiber damage, which also occurs in polyneuropathies (PNP) of other origins. The...
BACKGROUND
Fabry disease (FD) causes cold-evoked pain and impaired cold perception through small fiber damage, which also occurs in polyneuropathies (PNP) of other origins. The integrity of thinly myelinated fibers and the spinothalamic tract is assessable by cold-evoked potentials (CEPs). In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical value of CEP by investigating its associations with pain, autonomic measures, sensory loss, and neuropathic signs.
METHODS
CEPs were examined at the hand and foot dorsum of patients with FD ( = 16) and PNP ( = 21) and healthy controls ( = 23). Sensory phenotyping was performed using quantitative sensory testing (QST). The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), FabryScan, and measures for the autonomic nervous system were applied. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed.
RESULTS
CEPs of 87.5% of the FD and 85.7% of the PNP patients were eligible for statistical analysis. In all patients combined, CEP data correlated significantly with cold detection loss, PDQ items, pain, and autonomic measures. Abnormal CEP latency in FD patients was associated with an abnormal heart frequency variability item ( = -0.684; adjusted = 0.04). In PNP patients, CEP latency correlated significantly with PDQ items, and CEP amplitude correlated with autonomic measures ( = 0.688, adjusted = 0.008; = 0.619, adjusted = 0.024). Furthermore, mechanical pain thresholds differed significantly between FD (gain range) and PNP patients (loss range) ( = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal CEPs were associated with current pain, neuropathic signs and symptoms, and an abnormal function of the autonomic nervous system. The latter has not been mirrored by QST parameters. Therefore, CEPs appear to deliver a wider spectrum of information on the sensory nervous system than QST alone.
PubMed: 38812855
DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1352711