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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Recent studies have highlighted the potential of fetal hepatic stem cells in regenerative treatments for liver diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Recent studies have highlighted the potential of fetal hepatic stem cells in regenerative treatments for liver diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of fetal stem cell transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis C.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty patients with liver cirrhosis of all Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes due to chronic hepatitis C, aged 18 to 65 years, were selected for this study. A single intravenous dose of 1 ml containing 6*106 fetal hepatic stem cells, diluted in 20.0 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, was administered. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by measuring levels of ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin before and after cell therapy.
RESULTS
Post-treatment, a significant reduction was noted in the Child-Pugh score from 8 [6-9] to 7 [6-8] (p<0.001) and the MELD index from 11 [7-15] to 10 [7-14] (p=0.004). Skin itching decreased from 36.7% to 10%. Complaints of weakness increased significantly from 3.3% to 23.3% after 30 days of therapy (p=0.014), and the incidence of reduced appetite increased from 20% to 46.7% (p=0.021). No statistical differences were observed in the frequency of nosebleeds (86.7% initially vs. 90% at day 30, p=0.655) or drowsiness (63.3% initially vs. 76.7% at day 30, p=0.157). Significant reductions were noted in ALT levels by 35% and total bilirubin by 44%. The lack of significant changes in indicators of hepatic-cell insufficiency, particularly the protein-forming function as reflected in total protein and albumin levels, is likely due to the extent of liver tissue damage and thus a delayed recovery.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study affirm the clinical efficacy and promise of fetal hepatic stem cell therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment regimen for patients with liver cirrhosis.
Topics: Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Middle Aged; Male; Female; Adult; Adolescent; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Young Adult; Aged; Hepacivirus; Stem Cell Transplantation; Follow-Up Studies; Prognosis
PubMed: 38918672
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.2099 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Gastric cancer is a prevalent cancer type worldwide, and significant research efforts are focused on finding effective treatments. Recent studies have highlighted the...
OBJECTIVE
Gastric cancer is a prevalent cancer type worldwide, and significant research efforts are focused on finding effective treatments. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of plasma membrane carriers, particularly solute carriers, in cancer progression. The SLC16A family, notably the SLC16A13 gene, plays a critical role in cancer development and tumor growth. This study aims to explore the impact of reducing SLC16A13 expression in gastric cancer cells on their survival, proliferation, and metastatic potential.
METHODS
Gastric cancer cells (KATO2) were cultured in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The cells were then transfected with SLC16A13 si-RNA to lower gene expression. The effects of this si-RNA on cell death and apoptosis were assessed using MTT and flow cytometry assays. Cell migration capabilities were evaluated using the scratch test. Western blot and Real-Time PCR were employed to measure SLC16A13 expression levels and protein detection. Additionally, RT-PCR was used to analyze changes in genes related to apoptosis and cell migration.
RESULTS
The reduction of SLC16A13 expression following si-RNA transfection significantly increased apoptosis and cell death in the KATO2 cell line after 72 hours (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the study revealed that decreased SLC16A13 expression did not impact cancer cell migration. Cell viability, assessed by MTT assay, showed a significant decrease at 48 and 72 hours post-transfection (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that targeting SLC16A13 can effectively increase cell death and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, making it a viable therapeutic target.
Topics: Humans; Apoptosis; Stomach Neoplasms; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Biomarkers, Tumor; Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Line, Tumor; RNA, Small Interfering
PubMed: 38918656
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1953 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Occupational diseases, characterized by the gradual accumulation of work-related harmful effects over extended periods, often lack a distinct, identifiable incident... (Review)
Review
Occupational diseases, characterized by the gradual accumulation of work-related harmful effects over extended periods, often lack a distinct, identifiable incident causative of the disease. This ambiguity in pinpointing the work-relatedness of such diseases stems from the intricate interplay between occupational risks, workers' pathophysiological predispositions, and pre-existing health conditions, all of which evolve slowly over time. Consequently, establishing a definitive causal relationship between occupational exposure and disease manifestation becomes a pivotal, yet challenging, aspect in securing industrial accident insurance benefits. In contrast to occupational accidents, where causality is relatively more discernible, the complexity escalates in the context of occupational diseases. Typically, employers maintain the majority of data pertinent to establishing causality, but this data is frequently inadequate. Furthermore, the onus of proving the work-relatedness of a disease falls on the worker, a process that necessitates specialized medical knowledge, thereby compounding the difficulty. Imposing the burden of proof on workers in occupational disease litigation could lead to a lapse in worker protection. This paper critically explores methodologies to safeguard workers, focusing specifically on the burden of proof concerning causality in occupational diseases. This analysis aims to highlight the challenges workers face in establishing a connection between their work and disease, proposing potential legal and policy solutions to ensure more equitable and just outcomes in occupational disease claims.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Occupations
PubMed: 38918647
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1875 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jun 2024This case report describes the successful use of a latissimus dorsi muscle flap attached to the femoral vessels to cover a large mass loss in a 27-year-old woman with...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
This case report describes the successful use of a latissimus dorsi muscle flap attached to the femoral vessels to cover a large mass loss in a 27-year-old woman with bladder exstrophy. The two-stage reconstruction showed excellent results six months after surgery.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 27-year-old woman with bladder exstrophy and previous enterocystoplasty with Mitrofanoff-type urinary diversion combined with a late fascial flap presented 10 years later with disembowelment near the pubic symphysis. A two-stage reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi flap and polypropylene mesh was performed with excellent aesthetic and functional results.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
The latissimus dorsi muscle flap, described by J.M. Servant in 1984 as the "apple turnover" technique, is highly reliable for reconstructing large substance losses with minimal functional sequelae. The procedure in this case resulted in very satisfactory aesthetic and functional results at six months postoperatively. This approach provided a safe and effective technique of last resort.
CONCLUSION
the two-stage latissimus dorsi flap technique was a reliable, safe and effective solution for this complex reconstructive challenge.
PubMed: 38917698
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109939 -
Ultrasonic-assisted nanofiltration separation recovering salvianolic acid B from ethanol wastewater.Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Jun 2024The transformation of salvianolic acid B brought on by heat treatment recovery of ethanol eluent, which is a difficult problem in pharmaceutical technology, affects the...
The transformation of salvianolic acid B brought on by heat treatment recovery of ethanol eluent, which is a difficult problem in pharmaceutical technology, affects the purity of raw material when the medicinal raw material salvianolic acid B is purified by resin. Ultrasonic-assisted nanofiltration separation (UANS) was first employed to improve efficiency of resource utilization by regulating rejection and separating salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid from organic pharmaceutical wastewater. The rejection was related to three variables: ultrasonic power, pH, and ethanol concentration. But there were differences in the effects of variables on the rejections of salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid. The rejections of rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B showed a decreasing trend with an increase in ultrasonic power or a decrease in pH; however, when the concentration of ethanol was increased from 5 % to 35 %, the salvianolic acid B rejection increased from 84.96 % to 96.60 % and the rosmarinic acid rejection decreased from 35.09 % to 17.51 %. On the basis of response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal UANS parameters for solution conditions involving different ethanol concentrations are as follows: 10 % ethanol solution (ultrasonic power 500 W and pH 6.15), 20 % ethanol solution (ultrasonic power 500 W and pH 6.54), and 30 % ethanol solution (ultrasonic power 460 W and pH 6.34). The molecular proportions of salvianolic acid B were 10.75 %, 7.13 %, and 8.27 % in 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % ethanol wastewater, while the molecular proportions of rosmarinic acid were 40.52 %, 33.83 %, and 69.87 %, respectively. And the recoveries of salvianolic acid B in 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % ethanol wastewater were 93.56 %, 95.04 %, and 97.30 %, respectively, while the recoveries of rosmarinic acid were 3.19 %, 2.27 %, and 0.56 %. The molecular proportion and the rejection are correlated exponentially. In comparison with conventional nanofiltration separation (CNS), UANS is able to resolve the conflict between rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B in pharmaceutical wastewater, as well as enhance resource recycling and separation efficiency to prevent pollution of the environment from pharmaceutical wastewater. Experiments using UANS at different power intensities suggest that the ultrasonic at a power intensity of 46-50 W/L and the power density of 0.92-1.00 W/cm may resolve the separation conflict between rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B. This work suggests that UANS may be a significant advancement in the field of ultrasonic separation and has several potential uses in the water treatment industry.
PubMed: 38917596
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106967 -
PloS One 2024Existing methods for studying individual differences in adults' mindreading often lack good psychometric characteristics. Moreover, it remains unclear, even in theory,...
Existing methods for studying individual differences in adults' mindreading often lack good psychometric characteristics. Moreover, it remains unclear, even in theory, how mindreading varies in adults who already possess an understanding of mental states. In this pre-registered study, it was hypothesised that adults vary in their motivation for mindreading and in the degree to which their answers on mindreading tasks are appropriate (context-sensitive). These factors are confounded in existing measures as they do not differentiate between the frequency of mental state terms (MST), indicative of motivation, and the quality of an explanation. Using an innovative scoring system, the current study examined whether individual differences in adult undergraduate psychology students' (N = 128) answer quality and / or quantity of explicit references to others' mental states on two open-ended response mindreading tasks were separable constructs, accounted for by mindreading motivation, and related differentially to measures previously linked with mindreading (e.g., religiosity, loneliness, social network size). A two-factor and one-factor model both provided acceptable fit. Neither model showed significant associations with mindreading motivation. However, a two-factor model (with MST and response appropriateness loading onto separate factors) provided greater explanatory power. Specifically, MST was positively associated with religiosity and response appropriateness was negatively associated with religiosity, whilst the one-factor solution did not predict any socially relevant outcomes. This provides some indication that mindreading quantity and mindreading quality may be distinguishable constructs in the structure of individual differences in mindreading.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Motivation; Individuality; Young Adult; Theory of Mind; Adolescent; Psychometrics
PubMed: 38917230
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305270 -
PloS One 2024This study aims to enhance the post-training evaluation of the annual performance agreement (APA) training organized by the Bangladesh Public Administration Training...
This study aims to enhance the post-training evaluation of the annual performance agreement (APA) training organized by the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC), the apex training institute for civil servants. Utilizing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques within Kirkpatrick's four-stage model framework, data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire survey of 71 in-service civil servants who participated in the APA training program. This study employs an asymmetric, non-linear model analyzed through a configurational approach and ANN to explore interrelationships among the four Kirkpatrick levels namely, reaction, learning, behavior, and results. Findings indicate that trainees were satisfied across all levels, identifying a non-linear relationship among these levels in post-training evaluation process. The research highlights that "learning skills" are most significant in the APA post-training evaluation, followed by behavior, results, and reaction. Theoretically, this research advances Kirkpatrick's model and adds to the literature on public service post-training evaluation. Practically, it recommends prioritizing strategies that address cognitive barriers to enhance training effectiveness. This study's innovative approach lies in its concurrent use of fsQCA and ANN methods to analyze the success or failure of APA-related trainees, offering alternative pathways to desired outcomes and contrasting traditional quantitative methods that provide a single solution. The findings have practical implications for public service training institutions and bureaucratic policymakers involved in capacity development, guiding the creation of more effective in-service training courses for public officials. The methodology and analysis can be applied in other contexts, allowing bureaucratic policymakers to replicate these findings in their learning institutes to identify unique configurations that lead to successful or unsuccessful training outcomes, adopt effective strategies, and avoid detrimental ones.
Topics: Humans; Neural Networks, Computer; Bangladesh; Surveys and Questionnaires; Male; Female; Adult; Learning
PubMed: 38917194
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305916 -
PloS One 2024This paper studied an integrated process planning and scheduling problem from a machining workshop for large-size valves in a valve manufacturing plant. Large-size...
This paper studied an integrated process planning and scheduling problem from a machining workshop for large-size valves in a valve manufacturing plant. Large-size valves usually contain several key parts and are generally produced in small-series production. Almost all the parts need to be manufactured in the same workshop at the same time in the plant. Facilities have to handle various items in one order, including different models, sizes, and types. It is a classical NP-hard problem on a large scale. An improved NSGA-II algorithm is suggested to obtain satisfactory solutions for makespan and manufacturing costs, which involve large optimization parameters and interactions. A two-section encoding method and an inserting greedy decoding method are chosen to enable the algorithm. The dynamic population update strategy based on dynamic population update and the adaptive mutation technique depending on the population entropy changing rate are selected for enhancing both the solution quality and population diversity. The methodology was successfully implemented in a real-life case at a major valve machining workshop operated by Yuanda Valve Company in China. By taking into account realistic factors and restrictions that have been identified from a real-world manufacturing setting, this technique aids in bridging the knowledge gap between present IPPS research and practical valve production implementations.
Topics: Algorithms; Humans; China; Manufacturing Industry
PubMed: 38917183
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306024 -
PloS One 2024Making data FAIR-findable, accessible, interoperable, reproducible-has become the recurring theme behind many research data management efforts. dtool is a lightweight...
Making data FAIR-findable, accessible, interoperable, reproducible-has become the recurring theme behind many research data management efforts. dtool is a lightweight data management tool that packages metadata with immutable data to promote accessibility, interoperability, and reproducibility. Each dataset is self-contained and does not require metadata to be stored in a centralised system. This decentralised approach means that finding datasets can be difficult. dtool's lookup server, short dserver, as defined by a REST API, makes dtool datasets findable, hence rendering the dtool ecosystem fit for a FAIR data management world. Its simplicity, modularity, accessibility and standardisation via API distinguish dtool and dserver from other solutions and enable it to serve as a common denominator for cross-disciplinary research data management. The dtool ecosystem bridges the gap between standardisation-free data management by individuals and FAIR platform solutions with rigid metadata requirements.
Topics: Software; Data Management; Metadata; Ecosystem; Reproducibility of Results; Internet
PubMed: 38917182
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306100 -
PloS One 2024Fractional calculus serves as a versatile and potent tool for the modeling and control of intricate systems. This discussion debates the system of DFDEs with two...
Well-posedness analysis and pseudo-Galerkin approximations using Tau Legendre algorithm for fractional systems of delay differential models regarding Hilfer (α,β)-framework set.
Fractional calculus serves as a versatile and potent tool for the modeling and control of intricate systems. This discussion debates the system of DFDEs with two regimes; theoretically and numerically. For theoretical analysis, we have established the EUE by leveraging the definition of Hilfer (α,β)-framework. Our investigation involved the examination of the possessions of the FRD, FCD, and FHD, utilizing their forcefulness and qualifications to convert the concerning delay system into an equivalent one of fractional DVIEs. By employing the CMT, we have successfully demonstrated the prescribed requirements. For numerical analysis, the Galerkin algorithm was implemented by leveraging OSLPs as a base function. This algorithm allows us to estimate the solution to the concerning system by transforming it into a series of algebraic equations. By employing the software MATHEMATICA 11, we have effortlessly demonstrated the requirements estimation of the nodal values. One of the key advantages of the deployed algorithm is its ability to achieve accurate results with fewer iterations compared to alternative methods. To validate the effectiveness and precision of our analysis, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation through various linear and nonlinear numerical applications. The results of these tests, accompanied by figures and tables, further support the superiority of our algorithm. Finally, an analysis of the numerical algorithm employed was provided along with insightful suggestions for potential future research directions.
Topics: Algorithms; Models, Theoretical; Software
PubMed: 38917172
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305259