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The Journal of Clinical Investigation Jun 2024Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type V is the second most common form of OI, distinguished by hyperplastic callus formation and calcification of the interosseous membranes...
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type V is the second most common form of OI, distinguished by hyperplastic callus formation and calcification of the interosseous membranes in addition to bone fragility. It is caused by a recurrent, dominant pathogenic variant (c.-14C>T) in IFITM5. Here, we generated a conditional Rosa26 knock-in mouse model to study the mechanistic consequences of the recurrent mutation. Expression of the mutant Ifitm5 in osteo-chondroprogenitor or chondrogenic cells resulted in low bone mass and growth retardation. Mutant limbs showed impaired endochondral ossification, cartilage overgrowth, and abnormal growth plate architecture. The cartilage phenotype correlates with the pathology reported in OI type V patients. Surprisingly, expression of mutant Ifitm5 in mature osteoblasts caused no obvious skeletal abnormalities. In contrast, earlier expression in osteo-chondroprogenitors was associated with increase in the skeletal progenitor population within the periosteum. Lineage tracing showed that chondrogenic cells expressing the mutant Ifitm5 showed decreased differentiation into osteoblastic cells in diaphyseal bone. Moreover, mutant IFITM5 disrupts early skeletal homeostasis in part by activating ERK signaling and downstream SOX9 protein, and inhibition of these pathways partially rescued the phenotype in mutant animals. These data identify the contribution of a signaling defect altering osteo-chondroprogenitor differentiation as a driver in the pathogenesis of OI type V.
PubMed: 38885336
DOI: 10.1172/JCI170369 -
BioMed Research International 2024Diabetes has a significant global prevalence. Chronic hyperglycemia affects multiple organs and tissues, including bones. A large number of diabetic patients develop... (Review)
Review
Diabetes has a significant global prevalence. Chronic hyperglycemia affects multiple organs and tissues, including bones. A large number of diabetic patients develop osteoporosis; however, the precise relationship between diabetes and osteoporosis remains incompletely elucidated. The activation of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway hinders the differentiation of osteoblasts and weakens the process of bone formation due to the presence of advanced glycation end products. High glucose environment can induce ferroptosis of osteoblasts and then develop osteoporosis. Hyperglycemia also suppresses the secretion of sex hormones, and the reduction of testosterone is difficult to effectively maintain bone mineral density. As diabetes therapy, thiazolidinediones control blood glucose by activating PPAR-. Activated PPAR- can promote osteoclast differentiation and regulate osteoblast function, triggering osteoporosis. The effects of metformin and insulin on bone are currently controversial. Currently, there are no appropriate tools available for assessing the risk of fractures in diabetic patients, despite the fact that the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures is considerably greater in diabetic individuals compared to those without diabetes. Further improving the inclusion criteria of FRAX risk factors and clarifying the early occurrence of osteoporosis sites unique to diabetic patients may be an effective way to diagnose and treat diabetic osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fracture occurrence.
Topics: Humans; Osteoporosis; Risk Factors; Osteoporotic Fractures; Fractures, Bone; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Diabetes Mellitus; Bone Density; Osteoblasts; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38884020
DOI: 10.1155/2024/6640796 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials resulting from the coordination of metal clusters or ions with organic ligands, merging macromolecular and... (Review)
Review
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials resulting from the coordination of metal clusters or ions with organic ligands, merging macromolecular and coordination chemistry features. Among these, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) stands out as a widely utilized MOF known for its robust stability in aqueous environments owing to the robust interaction between its constituent zinc ions (Zn) and 2-methylimidazole (2-MIM). ZIF-8 readily decomposes under acidic conditions, serving as a promising candidate for pH-responsive drug delivery systems. Moreover, biomimetic materials typically possess good biocompatibility, reducing immune reactions. By mimicking natural structures or surface features within the body, they enhance the targeting of nanoparticles, prolong their circulation time, and increase their bioavailability in vivo. This review explores the latest advancements in biomimetic ZIF-8 nanoparticles for drug delivery, elucidating the primary obstacles and future prospects in utilizing ZIF-8 for drug delivery applications.
Topics: Metal-Organic Frameworks; Humans; Biomimetic Materials; Zeolites; Nanoparticles; Drug Delivery Systems; Imidazoles; Animals; Zinc; Biomimetics; Drug Carriers; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 38882544
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S462480 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive therapy that has made significant progress in treating different diseases, including cancer, by utilizing new nanotechnology... (Review)
Review
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive therapy that has made significant progress in treating different diseases, including cancer, by utilizing new nanotechnology products such as graphene and its derivatives. Graphene-based materials have large surface area and photothermal effects thereby making them suitable candidates for PDT or photo-active drug carriers. The remarkable photophysical properties of graphene derivates facilitate the efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light irradiation, which destroys cancer cells. Surface functionalization of graphene and its materials can also enhance their biocompatibility and anticancer activity. The paper delves into the distinct roles played by graphene-based materials in PDT such as photosensitizers (PS) and drug carriers while at the same time considers how these materials could be used to circumvent cancer resistance. This will provide readers with an extensive discussion of various pathways contributing to PDT inefficiency. Consequently, this comprehensive review underscores the vital roles that graphene and its derivatives may play in emerging PDT strategies for cancer treatment and other medical purposes. With a better comprehension of the current state of research and the existing challenges, the integration of graphene-based materials in PDT holds great promise for developing targeted, effective, and personalized cancer treatments.
Topics: Graphite; Photochemotherapy; Humans; Neoplasms; Photosensitizing Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Drug Carriers; Animals
PubMed: 38882538
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S461300 -
RSC Advances Jun 2024Cesium-based lead-free double perovskite materials (CsAgBiBr) have garnered significant attention in the X-ray detection field due to their environment friendly...
Cesium-based lead-free double perovskite materials (CsAgBiBr) have garnered significant attention in the X-ray detection field due to their environment friendly characteristics. However, their substantial ion migration properties lead to large dark currents and detection limits in CsAgBiBr-based X-ray detectors, restricting the detection performance of the device. In terms of process technology, ultrasonic spraying is more suitable than a spin-coating method for fabricating large-area, micron-scale perovskite thick films, with higher cost-effectiveness, which is crucial for X-ray detection. This work introduces a BA (BA = CHCHCHCHNH , -butyl) source into the precursor solution and employs ultrasonic spraying to fabricate quasi-two-dimensional structured polycrystalline (BA)CsAgBiBr perovskite thick films, developing a low-cost, eco-friendly X-ray detector with low dark current density and low detection limit. Characterization results reveal that the ion migration activation energy of (BA)CsAgBiBr reaches 419 meV, approximately 17% higher than that of traditional three-dimensional perovskites, effectively suppressing perovskite ion migration and subsequently reducing the dark current. The (BA)CsAgBiBr-based X-ray detectors exhibit high resistivity (about 1.75 × 10 Ω cm), low dark current density (66 nA cm), minimal dark current drift (0.016 pA cm s V), and detection limit (138 nGy s), holding considerable promise for applications in low-noise, low-dose X-ray detection.
PubMed: 38882481
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02606c -
Aesthetic Procedures and Psychological Wellbeing in Saudi College Students: An In-Depth Exploration.Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2024Minimally invasive aesthetic procedures are widely popular among the youth. Despite their prevalence, there is a significant gap in the research concerning the...
PURPOSE
Minimally invasive aesthetic procedures are widely popular among the youth. Despite their prevalence, there is a significant gap in the research concerning the relationship between these procedures and psychological wellbeing, as well as an insufficient exploration of the barriers and motivators influencing their adoption, this study aims to address these gaps.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study has utilized a secure online survey directed at Saudi university students as the target population. The survey was consisting of 18-item electronic questionnaire including of 4 parts (demographical data, history of psychological illness and screening of current psychological wellbeing using WHO-5 well-being tool, history of doing cosmetic procedure, or willingness to do in the future, barriers and motivators to do cosmetic procedures), and it was distributed across multiple social media platforms.
RESULTS
A total of 8443 college students completed the study questionnaire. Exactly 1096 (13%) of the students underwent a cosmetic procedure. The most reported procedures were laser hair removal (9.1%), filler (5.3%), skin boosters (2.8%), and Botulinum toxin A injections (Botox) (2.6%). The most ranked motivators were being painless, with no side effects (8.8 out of 10), followed by being free (8.0 out of 10) and enhancing self-confidence (7.4 out of 10).
CONCLUSION
No significant difference recorded at the overall psychological well-being score between who underwent cosmetic procedures and who did not.
PubMed: 38881698
DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S462841 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Conservation tillage (CT) is an important agronomic measure that facilitates soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation by reducing soil disturbance and plant residue...
Conservation tillage (CT) is an important agronomic measure that facilitates soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation by reducing soil disturbance and plant residue mulching, thus increasing crop yields, improving soil fertility and achieving C neutrality. However, our understanding of the microbial mechanism underlying SOC fraction accumulation under different tillage practices is still lacking. Here, a 6-year field experiment was carried out to explore the effects of CT and traditional tillage (CK) practices on SOC fractions in an eolian sandy soil. Compared with CK, CT increased the particulate OC (POC) content in the 0-30 cm soil layer and the mineral-associated OC (MAOC) content in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Moreover, tillage type and soil depth had significant influences on the bacterial, fungal and protistan community compositions and structures. The co-occurrence network was divided into 4 ecological modules, and module 1 exhibited significant correlations with the POC and MOC contents. After determining their topological roles, we identified the keystone taxa in the network. The results indicated that the most common bacterial taxa may result in SOC loss due to low C use efficiency, while specific fungal (Cephalotrichum) and protistan (Cercozoa) species could facilitate SOC fraction accumulation by promoting macroaggregate formation and predation. Therefore, the increase in keystone fungi and protists, as well as the reduction in bacteria, drove module 1 community function, which in turn promoted SOC sequestration under CT. These results strengthen our understanding of microbial functions in the accrual of SOC fractions, which contributes to the development of conservation agriculture on the Northeast China Plain.
PubMed: 38881670
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1394179 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential element in plants and has adverse effects on the growth and development of plants. However, the molecular mechanisms of Cd phytotoxicity,...
Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential element in plants and has adverse effects on the growth and development of plants. However, the molecular mechanisms of Cd phytotoxicity, tolerance and accumulation in hyperaccumulators Solanum nigrum L. has not been well understood. Here, physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses were conducted to investigate the influence on the S. nigrum under 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM Cd concentrations for 7 days. Pot experiments demonstrated that compared with the control, Cd treatment significantly inhibited the biomass, promoted the Cd accumulation and translocation, and disturbed the balance of mineral nutrient metabolism in S. nigrum, particularly at 100 µM Cd level. Moreover, the photosynthetic pigments contents were severely decreased, while the content of total protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), HO, and antioxidant enzyme activities generally increased first and then slightly declined with increasing Cd concentrations, in both leaves and roots. Furthermore, combined with the previous transcriptomic data, numerous crucial coding-genes related to mineral nutrients and Cd ion transport, and the antioxidant enzymes biosynthesis were identified, and their expression pattern was regulated under different Cd stress. Simultaneously, metabolomic analyses revealed that Cd treatment significantly changed the expression level of many metabolites related to amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide metabolism. Metabolic pathway analysis also showed that S. nigrum roots activated some differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) involved in energy metabolism, which may enhance the energy supply for detoxification. Importantly, central common metabolism pathways of DEGs and DEMs, including the "TCA cycle", "glutathione metabolic pathway" and "glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism" were screened using conjoint transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis. Our results provide some novel evidences on the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance in hyperaccumulator S. nigrum plants.
Topics: Solanum nigrum; Cadmium; Transcriptome; Metabolome; Metabolomics; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Stress, Physiological; Plant Leaves; Plant Roots
PubMed: 38880885
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05278-z -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The correlation between lower psoas mass and the prognosis of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the...
The correlation between lower psoas mass and the prognosis of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of lower psoas mass on the prognosis of patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). One hundred and sixty-three elderly patients who underwent single-segment PVP from January 2018 to December 2021 were included. The psoas to L4 vertebral index (PLVI) via MRI were measured to assess psoas mass. Patients were divided into high PLVI (> 0.79) and low PLVI (≤ 0.79) groups based on the median PLVI in the cohort. The basic information (age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD)), surgical intervention-related elements (duration of operation, latency to ambulation, period of hospital stay, and surgical site), postoperative clinical outcomes (Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores), and incidence of secondary fractures) were compared. Patients showed no statistically significant differences in terms of age, gender, surgical sute, BMI, BMD and preoperative VAS, ODI, JOA scores (P > 0.05) between the two groups. However, there were significant differences in terms of latency to ambulation, period of hospital stay (P < 0.05). VAS, ODI, and JOA scores at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery showed that the high PLVI group had significantly better outcomes than the low PLVI group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the low PLVI group had a significantly higher incidence of recurrent fracture (P < 0.05). Lower psoas mass can reduce the clinical effect of PVP in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, and is a risk factor for recurrent vertebral fracture.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Vertebroplasty; Fractures, Compression; Osteoporotic Fractures; Spinal Fractures; Prognosis; Aged, 80 and over; Psoas Muscles; Treatment Outcome; Bone Density; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38880790
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64626-z -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The 2021 tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment guidelines in India included silicosis as a screening group, yet latent TB infection (LTBI) testing for...
The 2021 tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment guidelines in India included silicosis as a screening group, yet latent TB infection (LTBI) testing for silica-dust-exposed individuals is underemphasized. Focusing on an estimated 52 million silica-dust-exposed workers, particularly agate-stone workers in Khambhat, Gujarat, our study aims to estimate LTBI prevalence, identify predictors, and gather insights from TB and silicosis experts. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, a cross-sectional study involved 463 agate-stone workers aged ≥ 20 years in Khambhat, using IGRA kits for LTBI testing. In-depth interviews with experts complemented quantitative findings. Among agate-stone workers, 58% tested positive for LTBI, with predictors including longer exposure, type of work, and BCG vaccination. Our findings reveal a nearly double burden of LTBI compared to the general population, particularly in occupations with higher silica dust exposure. Experts advocate for including silica-dust-exposed individuals in high-risk groups for LTBI testing, exploring cost-effective alternatives like improved skin sensitivity tests, and shorter TB preventive treatment regimens to enhance compliance. Future research should explore upfront TB preventive treatment for silica-dust-exposed individuals with high LTBI prevalence and optimal exposure duration. This study underscores the urgent need for policy changes and innovative approaches to TB prevention among silica-dust-exposed populations, impacting global occupational health strategies.
Topics: Humans; India; Silicon Dioxide; Male; Latent Tuberculosis; Dust; Adult; Occupational Exposure; Cross-Sectional Studies; Silicosis; Female; Middle Aged; Prevalence
PubMed: 38879714
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64837-4