-
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024In recent years, managed honey bee colonies have been suffering from an increasing number of biotic and abiotic stressors, resulting in numerous losses of colonies...
UNLABELLED
In recent years, managed honey bee colonies have been suffering from an increasing number of biotic and abiotic stressors, resulting in numerous losses of colonies worldwide. A pan-European study, EPILOBEE, estimated the colony loss in Belgium to be 32.4% in 2012 and 14.8% in 2013. In the current study, absolute viral loads of four known honey bee viruses (DWV-A, DWV-B, AmFV, and BMLV) and three novel putative honey bee viruses (Apis orthomyxovirus 1, apthili virus, and apparli virus) were determined in 300 Flemish honey bee samples, and associations with winter survival were determined. This revealed that, in addition to the known influence of DWV-A and DWV-B on colony health, one of the newly described viruses (apthili virus) shows a strong yearly difference and is also associated with winter survival. Furthermore, all scrutinized viruses revealed significant spatial clustering patterns, implying that despite the limited surface area of Flanders, local virus transmission is paramount. The vast majority of samples were positive for at least one of the seven investigated viruses, and up to 20% of samples were positive for at least one of the three novel viruses. One of those three, Apis orthomyxovirus 1, was shown to be a genuine honey bee-infecting virus, able to infect all developmental stages of the honey bee, as well as the mite. These results shed light on the most prevalent viruses in Belgium and their roles in the winter survival of honey bee colonies.
IMPORTANCE
The western honey bee () is a highly effective pollinator of flowering plants, including many crops, which gives honey bees an outstanding importance both ecologically and economically. Alarmingly high annual loss rates of managed honey bee colonies are a growing concern for beekeepers and scientists and have prompted a significant research effort toward bee health. Several detrimental factors have been identified, such as varroa mite infestation and disease from various bacterial and viral agents, but annual differences are often not elucidated. In this study, we utilize the viral metagenomic survey of the EPILOBEE project, a European research program for bee health, to elaborate on the most abundant bee viruses of Flanders. We complement the existing metagenomic data with absolute viral loads and their spatial and temporal distributions. Furthermore, we identify Apis orthomyxovirus 1 as a potentially emerging pathogen, as we find evidence for its active replication honey bees.
PubMed: 38860822
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03581-23 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a specifically designed mindfulness-acceptance-insight-commitment (MAIC) training program on relevant psychological...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a specifically designed mindfulness-acceptance-insight-commitment (MAIC) training program on relevant psychological factors (i.e., mindfulness, acceptance, performance-related satisfaction) as well as sport training performance for elite adolescent athletes from Hong Kong. And it also aimed to explore the athletes' real experiences (i.e., receptiveness and perceptions) of completing the MAIC program.
METHODS AND DESIGN
The mixed-method was used in this study, including a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a qualitative exploration. The RCT employed a 2 (groups) x 3 (data collection points) design involving 40 elite adolescent athletes from the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI). These athletes were randomly assigned to either the MAIC training group (MT; = 20, = 15.65) or the control group (CG; = 20, = 15.85) to further test the effectiveness of the MAIC intervention on mindfulness, acceptance, performance-related satisfaction, and sport training performance. Subsequent to the RCT, the qualitative exploration was used to explore the athletes' real experiences towards the MAIC program. In the qualitative exploration, all athletes who participated in the MAIC program were invited to participate in voluntary semi-structured interviews. Of these, 14 athletes chose to take part in the interviews. The RCT employed a 2×3 mixed-design ANOVA, while thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative exploration.
RESULTS
The results revealed that the MAIC training program significantly enhanced athletes' mindfulness, acceptance, satisfaction with performance, and sport training performance. However, these effects diminished at the follow-up assessment compared to post-training. Notably, the acceptance level of MT athletes did not significantly differ from CG athletes at the follow-up assessment. Additionally, the qualitative analysis identified four key dimensions: (a) Attitude towards MAIC training, (b) Reflection on the MAIC learning process, (c) Outcomes of MAIC training, and (d) Recommendations for future MAIC training. Overall, the qualitative findings complemented and reinforced the quantitative results, offering deeper insights into athletes' experiences and valuable suggestions for further enhancing the MAIC program.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggested that the specifically designed MAIC training program in this study effectively enhanced sport training performance and various psychological factors among elite adolescent athletes from Hong Kong. Nevertheless, further investigations are still required to comprehensively evaluate and further develop the MAIC training program.
PubMed: 38860040
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1401763 -
Optics Express May 2024The measurement of optical rotation is fundamental to optical atomic magnetometry. Ultra-high sensitivity has been achieved by employing a quasi-Wollaston prism as the...
The measurement of optical rotation is fundamental to optical atomic magnetometry. Ultra-high sensitivity has been achieved by employing a quasi-Wollaston prism as the beam splitter within a quantum entanglement state, complemented by synchronous detection. Initially, we designed a quasi-Wollaston prism and intentionally rotated the crystal axis of the exit prism element by a specific bias angle. A linearly polarized light beam, incident upon this prism, is divided into three beams, with the intensity of each beam correlated through quantum entanglement. Subsequently, we formulated the equations for optical rotation angles by synchronously detecting the intensities of these beams, distinguishing between differential and reference signals. Theoretical analysis indicates that the measurement uncertainty for optical rotation angles, when using quantum entanglement, exceeds the conventional photon shot noise limit. Moreover, we have experimentally validated the effectiveness of our method. In DC mode, the experimental results reveal that the measurement uncertainty for optical rotation angles is 4.7 × 10rad, implying a sensitivity of 4.7 × 10rad/Hz for each 0.01 s measurement duration. In light intensity modulation mode, the uncertainty is 48.9 × 10rad, indicating a sensitivity of 4.89 × 10rad/Hz per 0.01 s measurement duration. This study presents a novel approach for measuring small optical rotation angles with unprecedentedly low uncertainty and high sensitivity, potentially playing a pivotal role in advancing all-optical atomic magnetometers and magneto-optical effect research.
PubMed: 38859058
DOI: 10.1364/OE.525608 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jun 2024This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian decoction (GGQLD) in the alleviation of symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with inflammatory bowel...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian decoction (GGQLD) in the alleviation of symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by network pharmacology and experimental validation.
METHODS
The active components and targets of GGQLD were identified from the TCMSP database. The potential therapeutic targets of T2DM and IBD were identified from the GEO database and 4 online disease target databases. The PPI network and KEGG/GO analyses were performed with the common targets among GGQLD, T2DM and IBD. Molecular docking was carried out between the core compounds and hub targets. To verify the above results, UHPLC-MS technology was used to identify the chemical compounds in GGQLD, and a T2DM with IBD rat model was used to explore the mechanism by which GGQLD treats T2DM with IBD.
RESULTS
Totally, 70 potential therapeutic targets were identified among GGQLD, T2DM and IBD. Ten hub genes were selected from the PPI network. KEGG analysis revealed that GGQLD is tightly involved in the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Berberine, baicalein, wogonin, and quercitrin are the main active compounds of GGQLD. Animal experiments showed that GGQLD could decrease blood glucose and alleviate intestinal inflammation. Notably, the concentrations of AGEs, the expression of RAGE, c-JUN and NF-κB and the expression of inflammatory cytokines were decreased by GGQLD.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study initially demonstrated that GGQLD has favorable anti-hyperglycemic and anti-intestinal inflammation effects in a T2DM with IBD rat model, and the AGE-RAGE pathway plays a vital role in this process.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Rats; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Male; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Molecular Docking Simulation; Disease Models, Animal; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Network Pharmacology
PubMed: 38858747
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04526-x -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jun 2024In the past few decades, there has been a notable rise in the occurrence of several types of candidiasis. Candida albicans is the most common cause of superficial fungal...
In the past few decades, there has been a notable rise in the occurrence of several types of candidiasis. Candida albicans is the most common cause of superficial fungal infections in humans. In this study, plumieride, one of the major iridoids from Plumeria obtusa L. leaves, was isolated and investigated for its potential against Candida albicans (CA)-induced dermatitis in mice. qRT-PCR was done to assess the impact of plumieride on the expression of the major virulence genes of CA. Five groups (n = 7) of adult male BALB/c mice were categorized into: group I: non-infected mice; group II: mice infected intradermally with 10-10 CFU/mL of CA; group III: CA-infected mice treated with standard fluconazole (50 mg/kg bwt.); group IV and V: CA-infected mice treated with plumieride (25- and 50 mg/kg. bwt., respectively). All the treatments were subcutaneously injected once a day for 3 days. Skin samples were collected on the 4th day post-inoculation to perform pathological, microbial, and molecular studies. The results of the in vitro study proved that plumieride has better antifungal activity than fluconazole, manifested by a wider zone of inhibition and a lower MIC. Plumieride also downregulated the expression of CA virulence genes (ALS1, Plb1, and Hyr1). CA-infected mice showed extensive dermatitis, confirmed by strong iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB genes or immune expressions. Whereas the treatment of CA-infected mice with plumieride significantly reduced the microscopic skin lesions and modulated the expression of all measured proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers in a dose-dependent manner. Plumieride interfered with the expression of C. albicans virulence factors and modulated the inflammatory response in the skin of mice infected with CA.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Male; Candida albicans; Antifungal Agents; Iridoids; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Candidiasis; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38858704
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04508-z -
BMC Palliative Care Jun 2024Patient safety is crucial for quality of care. Preventable adverse events (AEs) occur in 1 of 20 patients in the hospital, but it is unknown whether this is different...
Adverse events at the end of life of hospital patients with or without a condition relevant for palliative care: a nationwide retrospective record review study in the Netherlands.
BACKGROUND
Patient safety is crucial for quality of care. Preventable adverse events (AEs) occur in 1 of 20 patients in the hospital, but it is unknown whether this is different for patients with a condition relevant for palliative care. The majority of the limited available research on this topic is only focused on patients already receiving palliative care, and do not make comparisons with other patients at the end-of-life. We identified and compared the prevalence, preventability, nature and causes of AEs in patients with and without a condition relevant for palliative care.
METHODS
A nationwide retrospective record review study was performed in 20 Dutch hospitals. A total of 2,998 records of patients who died in hospital in 2019 was included. Records were reviewed for AEs. We identified two subgroups: patients with (n = 2,370) or without (n = 248) a condition relevant for palliative care through the selection method of Etkind (2017). Descriptive analyses were performed to calculate prevalence, nature, causes and prevention strategies. T-tests were performed to calculate differences between subgroups.
RESULTS
We found no significant differences between subgroups regarding AE prevalence, this was 15.3% in patients with a condition relevant for palliative care, versus 12.0% in patients without a condition relevant for palliative care (p = 0.148). Potentially preventable AE prevalence was 4.3% versus 4.4% (p = 0.975). Potentially preventable death prevalence in both groups was 3.2% (p = 0.938). There were differences in the nature of AEs: in patients with a condition relevant for palliative care this was mostly related to medication (33.1%), and in patients without a condition relevant for palliative care to surgery (50.8%). In both subgroups in the majority of AEs a patient related cause was identified. For the potentially preventable AEs in both subgroups the two most important prevention strategies as suggested by the medical reviewers were reflection and evaluation and quality assurance.
DISCUSSION
Patient safety risks appeared to be equally prevalent in both subgroups. The nature of AEs does differ between subgroups: medication- versus surgery-related, indicating that tailored safety measures are needed. Recommendations for practice are to focus on reflecting on AEs, complemented with case evaluations.
Topics: Humans; Netherlands; Retrospective Studies; Palliative Care; Male; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Terminal Care; Adult; Medical Errors; Patient Safety
PubMed: 38858703
DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01461-z -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jun 2024Previous studies have shown that fraxetin has antitumor activity in a variety of tumors, but its role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. In this study, we...
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have shown that fraxetin has antitumor activity in a variety of tumors, but its role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-AML effect of fraxetin through cell experiments and network pharmacology analysis.
METHODS
The inhibitory and apoptotic effects of fraxetin on AML cells were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry experiments. Potential targets of fraxetin and AML-related targets were screened using public databases. PPI network, GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to predict the hub targets and signaling pathways by which fraxetin alleviates AML. Molecular docking was used to determine the fraxetin binding sites on hub targets. Using the GEPIA database, the expression of hub targets was analyzed in relation to the overall survival of AML patients.
RESULTS
Cell experiments showed that fraxetin inhibits AML cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. To explore the potential mechanism of fraxetin, 29 shared targets of fraxetin and AML were obtained through screening online public databases. Among them, AKT1, TNF, SRC, etc., are related to AML cell apoptosis. The expression levels of SRC, NOS3, VAV1, LYN, and PTGS1 were associated with the overall survival of AML patients (p value < 0.05). The enrichment analysis results identified the main pathways, namely, focal adhesion and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, that affected the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells. The analysis of hub targets of the PPI network showed that AKT1, TNF, CTNNB1, etc., were hub targets, which were related to the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells. The results of molecular docking showed that the hub targets had good binding with fraxetin.
CONCLUSION
Fraxetin may inhibit AML cell proliferation and induce AML cell apoptosis through multiple targets, such as AKT1, SRC, and EGFR, and multiple pathways, such as focal adhesion and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.
Topics: Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Network Pharmacology; Apoptosis; Molecular Docking Simulation; Cell Proliferation; Cell Line, Tumor; Coumarins; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38858650
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04529-8 -
PloS One 2024The aim of this study is to investigate the potential causal relationship between autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis,...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate the potential causal relationship between autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and Type 1 diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By utilizing the two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach, we endeavor to address this complex medical issue.
METHODS
Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for autoimmune diseases and AMD were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS database and the FinnGen consortium. A series of stringent SNP filtering steps was applied to ensure the reliability of the genetic instruments. MR analyses were conducted using the TwoSampleMR and MR-PRESSO packages in R. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method served as the primary analysis, complemented by multiple supplementary analyses and sensitivity tests.
RESULTS
Within the discovery sample, only a statistically significant inverse causal relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) and AMD was observed (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88-0.97, P = 0.003). This finding was confirmed in the replication sample (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.89, P = 3.32×10-12). No statistically significant associations were detected between systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Type 1 diabetes and AMD.
CONCLUSION
Strong evidence is provided by this study to support the existence of an inverse causal relationship between multiple sclerosis and age-related macular degeneration. However, no causal evidence was found linking other autoimmune diseases with AMD. These findings not only offer novel insights into the potential etiological mechanisms underlying AMD but also suggest possible directions for future clinical interventions.
Topics: Humans; Macular Degeneration; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Autoimmune Diseases; Genome-Wide Association Study; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Multiple Sclerosis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Male; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Female
PubMed: 38857222
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303170 -
Biomedical Optics Express May 2024Organoids, derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), are intricate three-dimensional structures that mimic many key aspects of the complex morphology...
Organoids, derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), are intricate three-dimensional structures that mimic many key aspects of the complex morphology and functions of organs such as the retina and heart. Traditional histological methods, while crucial, often fall short in analyzing these dynamic structures due to their inherently static and destructive nature. In this study, we leveraged the capabilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for rapid, non-invasive imaging of both retinal, cerebral, and cardiac organoids. Complementing this, we developed a sophisticated deep learning approach to automatically segment the organoid tissues and their internal structures, such as hollows and chambers. Utilizing this advanced imaging and analysis platform, we quantitatively assessed critical parameters, including size, area, volume, and cardiac beating, offering a comprehensive live characterization and classification of the organoids. These findings provide profound insights into the differentiation and developmental processes of organoids, positioning quantitative OCT imaging as a potentially transformative tool for future organoid research.
PubMed: 38855657
DOI: 10.1364/BOE.515781 -
Cureus Jun 2024Background The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing globally. When diet and lifestyle modifications are inadequate for control, managing GDM...
Time-in-Range With Insulin Versus Metformin in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Randomized Control Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in South India.
Background The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing globally. When diet and lifestyle modifications are inadequate for control, managing GDM often involves insulin or metformin. Metformin's oral administration option improves patient compliance and acceptance, but concerns about its use persist, necessitating careful evaluation. Comparative studies between insulin and metformin in GDM are scarce. In pregnancies complicated by diabetes, precise glucose control is crucial for maternal-fetal well-being, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) plays a valuable role in achieving recommended targets. CGM provides comprehensive glucose profiles, including postprandial glucose excursions and details about time spent in hypoglycemia, euglycemia, and hyperglycemia. The time-in-range (TIR) metric, when used alongside A1C, offers more actionable information than A1C alone. To the best of our knowledge, no published trials compare TIR in GDM with metformin or insulin aspart/detemir, specifically focusing on CGM metrics. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess TIR in women with GDM treated with either metformin or insulin. Materials and methods This study was a non-inferiority randomized control trial evaluating TIR in GDM using continuous glucose monitoring with metformin or insulin. Forty-four women with GDM were enrolled. The diagnosis of GDM was based on the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. CGM readings were collected for 14 days after sensor activation. Results In our study, 44 women with GDM completed the protocol, with 22 in the Metformin group and 22 in the Insulin group. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. Age, BMI pre-gravid, BMI at 28 weeks, parity, family history of diabetes mellitus, previous history of GDM, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) at zero hours, one hour, and two hours, as well as gestational weeks, did not significantly differ between the two groups. The metformin and insulin groups did not differ significantly in CGM metrics, including TIR, time above range, time below range, mean glucose, and glucose management indicator. Conclusion Based on our findings, the metformin and insulin groups did not differ in CGM metrics, including TIR, time above range, time below range, mean glucose, and glucose management indicator. In clinical practice, CGM metrics complement fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, and HbA1c as appropriate and useful clinical targets and outcome measurements. Metformin's oral administration option offers advantages such as improved patient compliance and acceptance in women with GDM.
PubMed: 38855483
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61849