Search

Abstract Background Hepatic metastasis is the primary cause of colorectal cancer (CRC)-induced death. Our previous results showed the anti-metastatic effects of Coptidis rhizoma using in vitro model. Aim The present study aimed to investigate whether berberine, the main active compound of C. rhizoma, inhibits colon–liver metastasis in an animal model, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Murine colon carcinoma (CT26) tumor tissue was implanted into the cecum of balb/c mice with/without oral administration of berberine (100 mg/kg) for 21 days, after which liver metastasis was evaluated. In addition, the pharmacological actions of berberine were explored using 5-fluorouracil-resistant human colon cancer cells (HCT116/R). Result The administration of berberine significantly decreased the number of tumor nodules in the liver, while significant activation of E-cadherin (an epithelial marker), and suppression of vimentin, Snail and TGF-β (mesenchymal markers) were observed in primary colon tumor tissues. Berberine treatment also notably lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β, TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in the blood. In HCT116/R cells, berberine significantly inhibited migration and invasion and modulated the expression of TGF-β and representative molecules related to its pathway. The results obtained with a TGF-β inhibitor (SB431542) and a TGF-β siRNA, strongly suggest that the mechanism of action of berberine is linked to TGF-β signaling. Conclusion In conclusion, berberine evidently possess an anti-colon–liver metastatic effect, and its underlying mechanisms involve the inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the TGF-β signaling pathway. Thus, we cautiously propose the pharmacological potential of berberine in drug research studies targeting hepatic metastasis from CRC.

Abstract Background Risk factors for local recurrence in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) has not been clearly investigated. So, the purpose of this study was to identify risk factors causing local recurrence following surgeries in patients with MSCC. Methods We conducted a retrospective comparative study on 304 patients who underwent surgery for MSCC between March 2014 and February 2020. Local recurrence rate (LRR) was analyzed according to demographic variables, radiological variables such as level of spinal metastasis, number of non-spinal bone metastases, degree of spinal cord compression, spinal instability, and pathological fracture, and treatment-related variables such as origin of tumor, surgical treatment methods, and pre- and post- operative radiation therapy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to reveal the risk factors for local recurrence. Results Among 304 patients with MSCC, 50 patients (16.4%) experienced local recurrence after surgery. Of the surgical methods, decompression alone (26/50, 52.0%) showed higher LRR compared to decompression with fixation (9/177, 5.1%) or corpectomy (11/89, 12.4%), (P = 0.002 and P = 0.018, respectively). Patients with renal cell carcinoma revealed higher LRR compared to other types (P = 0.014). It was found that the 3 or more level of spinal metastasis (P = 0.001), the 3 or more of extraspinal bone metastases (P = 0.028), and pathologic fracture (P = 0.003) were related with higher LRR. Smoking is also an independent risk factor for local recurrence in patients who underwent fixation (P = 0.026). Conclusions Symptomatic local recurrence may be influenced by several factors, including the extent of spinal and extraspinal bone metastasis, pathologic fractures, surgical approach, and tumor origin (RCC). These factors should be carefully considered by surgeons when evaluating the risk of symptomatic local recurrence after surgery.

Pectobacterium is a major bacterial causal agent leading to soft rot disease in host plants. With the Arabidopsis-Pectobacterium pathosystem, we investigated the function of an Arabidopsis thaliana WRKY55 during defense responses to Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. carotovorum (Pcc). Pcc-infection specifically induced WRKY55 gene expression. The overexpression of WRKY55 was resistant to the Pcc infection, while wrky55 knock-out plants compromised the defense responses against Pcc. WRKY55 expression was mediated via Arabidopsis COI1-dependent signaling pathway showing that WRKY55 can contribute to the gene expression of jasmonic acid-mediated defense marker genes such as PDF1.2 and LOX2. WRKY55 physically interacts with Arabidopsis ORA59 facilitating the expression of PDF1.2. Our results suggest that WRKY55 can function as a positive regulator for resistance against Pcc in Arabidopsis.

The abundance and variety of benthic diatoms inhabiting tidal flats is widely acknowledged, although it has received relatively less attention than other research areas. In this investigation, we provide a formal description of a benthic diatom found in the tidal mudflat of South Korea, based on morphological and molecular characteristics and the similarities and differences between Halamphora hampyeongensis sp. nov., with morphologically similar Halamphora species are also discussed. Morphological characteristics are described from light and electron microscopy images. H. hampyeongensis is distinguished by its wide ventral sides of the valve, small and rounded areolae present across the whole valve face, and dense dorsal striae biseriate (34–38 in 10 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA and rbcL sequence data revealed that H. hampyeongensis is related to H. montana, H. mosensis, and H. specensa. The results (morphometric and molecular) provide sufficient elements to support and propose this taxon as a new species.

Differential equations are pivotal in modeling and understanding the dynamics of various systems, as they offer insights into their future states through parameter estimation fitted to time series data. In fields such as economy, politics, and biology, the observation data points in the time series are often independently obtained (i.e., Repeated Cross-Sectional (RCS) data). RCS data showed that traditional methods for parameter estimation in differential equations, such as using mean values of RCS data over time, Gaussian Process-based trajectory generation, and Bayesian-based methods, have limitations in estimating the shape of parameter distributions, leading to a significant loss of data information. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel method called Estimation of Parameter Distribution (EPD) that provides accurate distribution of parameters without loss of data information. EPD operates in three main steps: generating synthetic time trajectories by randomly selecting observed values at each time point, estimating parameters of a differential equation that minimizes the discrepancy between these trajectories and the true solution of the equation, and selecting the parameters depending on the scale of discrepancy. We then evaluated the performance of EPD across several models, including exponential growth, logistic population models, and target cell-limited models with delayed virus production, thereby demonstrating the ability of the proposed method in capturing the shape of parameter distributions. Furthermore, we applied EPD to real-world datasets, capturing various shapes of parameter distributions over a normal distribution. These results address the heterogeneity within systems, marking a substantial progression in accurately modeling systems using RCS data. Therefore, EPD marks a significant advancement in accurately modeling systems with RCS data, realizing a deeper understanding of system dynamics and parameter variability.

Abstract Conductive 2D nanosheets have evoked tremendous scientific efforts because of their high efficiency as hybridization matrices for improving diverse functionalities of nanostructured materials. To address the problems posed by previously reported conductive nanosheets like poorly‐interacting graphene and cost‐ineffective RuO2 nanosheets, economically feasible noble‐metal‐free conductive [MnxCo1−2xNix]O2 oxide nanosheets are synthesized with outstanding interfacial interaction capability. The surface‐optimized [Mn1/4Co1/2Ni1/4]O2 nanosheets outperformed RuO2/graphene nanosheets as hybridization matrices in exploring high‐performance visible‐light‐active (λ >420 nm) photocatalysts. The most efficient g‐C3N4–[Mn1/4Co1/2Ni1/4]O2 nanohybrid exhibited unusually high photocatalytic activity (NH4+ formation rate: 1.2 mmol g−1 h−1), i.e., one of the highest N2 reduction efficiencies. The outstanding hybridization effect of the defective [Mn1/4Co1/2Ni1/4]O2 nanosheets is attributed to the optimization of surface bonding character and electronic structure, allowing for improved interfacial coordination bonding with g‐C3N4 at the defect sites. Results from spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that hybridization helps optimize the bandgap energy, and improves charge separation, N2 adsorptivity, and surface reactivity. The universality of the [Mn1/4Co1/2Ni1/4]O2 nanosheet as versatile hybridization matrices is corroborated by the improvement in the electrocatalytic activity of hybridized Co−Fe‐LDH as well as the photocatalytic hydrogen production ability of hybridized CdS.

Background Posterior spinal fusion (PSF), commonly used for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), causes severe postoperative pain. Intravenous (IV) administration of acetaminophen has shown promise for opioid-sparing analgesia; however, its analgesic effect and optimal timing for its standard use remain unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effect and optimal timing of IV acetaminophen administration in pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing PSF and requiring adequate pain control. Methods This prospective, randomized, triple-blind trial was conducted in patients aged 11–20 undergoing PSF. Participants were randomized into three groups: the preemptive group (received IV acetaminophen 15 mg/kg after anesthetic induction/before surgical incision), the preventive group (received IV acetaminophen 15 mg/kg at the end of surgery/before skin closure), and the placebo group. The primary outcome was cumulative opioid consumption during the first 24 h postoperatively. Results Among the 99 enrolled patients, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) amount of opioid consumption during the postoperative 24 h was 60.66 ± 23.84, 52.23 ± 22.43, and 66.70 ± 23.01 mg in the preemptive, preventive, and placebo groups, respectively (overall P = 0.043). A post hoc analysis revealed that the preventive group had significantly lower opioid consumption than the placebo group (P = 0.013). However, no significant differences between the groups were observed for the secondary outcomes. Conclusions The preventive administration of scheduled IV acetaminophen reduces cumulative opioid consumption without increasing the incidence of drug-induced adverse events in pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing PSF.

Abstract Background As the number of COVID-19 patients rises, there has been a notable increase in the workload for nurses. However, medium-sized hospitals lacked standardized protocols or consistent approaches to address the specific working conditions of nurses. Furthermore, concerns about patient care have heightened as the issue of nursing shortages coincides with the expansion of the comprehensive nursing care services project. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence patient safety management activities, such as calling, organizational commitment, job stress, and nursing work environment, among comprehensive nursing care service unit nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A conceptual framework based on the Job Demand-Resource model and literature review of patient safety management activities was used to develop structured questionnaires that were distributed to 206 participants working in 7 comprehensive nursing care service units of small and medium-sized hospitals with at least 300 beds in the S and K provinces. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and hierarchical regression with the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results The results showed that calling (β =.383, p

Abstract It is self‐evident that our chests expand and contract during breathing but, surprisingly, exactly how individual alveoli change shape over the respiratory cycle is still a matter of debate. Some argue that all the alveoli expand and contract rhythmically. Others claim that the lung volume change is due to groups of alveoli collapsing and reopening during ventilation. Although this question might seem to be an insignificant detail for healthy individuals, it might be a matter of life and death for patients with compromised lungs. Past analyses were based on static post‐mortem preparations primarily due to technological limitations, and therefore, by definition, incapable of providing dynamic information. In contrast, this study provides the first comprehensive dynamic data on how the shape of the alveoli changes, and, further, provides valuable insights into the optimal lung volume for efficient gas exchange. It is concluded that alveolar micro‐dynamics is nonlinear; and at medium lung volume, alveoli expand more than the ducts.

ObjectivesOur goal in this study to investigate the impacts of using safe delivery kits, along with education on their appropriate use, has on preventing newborn and maternal infection.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingParticipants, and Interventions: we conducted the study on 23 sites across a rural district in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Safe delivery kits were distributed by health extension workers. Participants comprised 534 mothers between the ages of 17 and 45 years, who were given a safe delivery kit at 7 months’ pregnancy for use during their subsequent delivery. Data collection was performed by the trained interviewers in rural Ethiopian communities.ResultsMultiple logistic regression analyses showed an independent association between using the cord tie provided in the kits and decreased newborn infection. Specifically, newborns whose mothers used the cord tie were 30 times less likely to develop cord infection than those not using the cord tie in the kits. Further, mothers who received education regarding safe delivery kit use had lower rates of puerperal infection.ConclusionSingle-use delivery kits, when combined with education regarding the appropriate means of using the kit, can decrease the likelihood of maternal infection.Implications for nursingNurses and health extension workers in low and middle-income countries should educate mothers on safe delivery kits by providing information regarding their usefulness and the importance of correct and consistent use. Implications for Health Policy: our findings emphasize the need for further interventions in vulnerable countries designed to increase the rate of hygienic birthing practices for deliveries outside health-care facilities.

Diverse bacterial and fungal pathogens attack plants, causing biotic stress and severe yield losses globally. These losses are expected to become more serious as climate change improves conditions for many pathogens. Therefore, identifying genes conferring broad-spectrum disease resistance and elucidating their underlying mechanisms provides important resources for plant breeding. WRKY transcription factors affect plant growth and stress responses. However, the functions of many WRKY proteins remain to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrated the role of rice (Oryza sativa) WRKY group III transcription factor OsWRKY65 in immunity. OsWRKY65 localized to the nucleus and acted as transcriptional repressor. Genetic and molecular functional analyses showed that OsWRKY65 increases resistance to the fungal pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi through downregulation of GA signaling and upregulation of JA signaling. Moreover, OsWRKY65 modulated the expression of the key genes that confer susceptibility or resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae to enhance immunity against the pathogen. In particular, OsWRKY65 directly bound to the promoter region of OsSWEET13 and repressed its expression. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the OsWRKY65 enhances resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens in rice.

Abstract Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a heterogeneous disorder with elusive causes, but most likely because of clinical and other biological factors. As a vital environmental factor, the gut microbiome is increasingly emphasized in various refractory diseases including ME/CFS. The present study is aimed to enhance our understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and ME/CFS through data analysis of various clinical studies. We conducted a literature search in four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) until May 31, 2023. Our analysis encompassed 11 clinical studies with 553 ME/CFS patients and 480 healthy controls. A comparative analysis of meta data revealed a significant decrease in α-diversity and a noticeable change in β-diversity in the gut microbiome of ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. The notable ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroides was 2.3 times decreased, and also, there was a significant reduction in the production of microbial metabolites such as acetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and some amino acids (alanine, serine, and hypoxanthine) observed in ME/CFS patients. The lack of comparison under similar conditions with various standardized analytical methods has impeded the optimal calculation of results in ME/CFS patients and healthy controls. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in ME/CFS patients. Additionally, we have also discussed the potentials of using microbiome-related interventions and associated challenges to alleviate ME/CFS.

Objective Even minor sacral slanting can influence T1 tilt and shoulder balance. Yet, the relationship between sacral slanting and postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) has not been previously explored. To determine risk factors for PSI in Lenke 2A adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients, with an emphasis on sacral slanting. Methods The study encompassed 96 consecutive patients who had undergone posterior correction and fusion surgery for Lenke type 2A AIS. Patients were grouped into PSI(+) and PSI(-) based on postoperative outcomes. Additionally, they were classified into left-sided slanting, no slanting, and right-sided slanting groups according to the degree of sacral slanting. Various radiological measures were compared. Results Patients in the PSI(+) group exhibited a smaller preoperative proximal thoracic curve and a higher main thoracic curve correction rate than those in the PSI(-) group. The presence or absence of sacral slanting did not exhibit a significant variation in PSI occurrence. However, the right-sided sacral slanting group showed a larger delta radiologic shoulder height compared to the other 2 groups (7.1 mm vs. 1.5 & 3.3 mm). Conclusion Sacral slanting was not directly linked to the development of PSI. Despite the common postoperative elevation of the left shoulder, the shoulder height differences decreased over the follow-up period. Especially in cases with a right-sided tilted sacrum, the PSI demonstrated progressive improvement, with an associated increase in the rightward distal wedging angle, leading to distal adding-on.

L-asparaginase (ASNase) hydrolyzes L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia and has been used as an antitumor agent for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. ASNase has also been used to mitigate the suspected carcinogenic effects of acrylamide in foods. Commercial ASNases currently used in the pharmaceutical and food industries are produced by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. However, their toxicity and poor thermal stability limit their application. Therefore, identifying novel sources of ASNase is critical. In the present study, we identified an asparaginase-producing marine bacterial strain, GH-W2b, as a Pseudomonas species. Based on the plate assay results, GH-W2b produced ASNase with marginal L-glutaminase (GLNase) activity, which has been reported to cause adverse effects in clinical ASNases. The ASNase activity of GH-W2b was maximized at 50–65 °C and pH 7.0–8.5. Notably, the activities were consistent at a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0–15%) at 37 °C. In addition, compared to the control (no pre-incubation), ASNase activities were retained (>87%) by 2 h pre-incubation at 4–37 °C. Overall, our results suggest that GH-W2b ASNase has the potential to serve as a candidate for the development of salt-tolerant and/or alternative ASNases in pharmaceutical and food products.

Abstract Exsolution is an effective method for synthesizing robust nanostructured metal‐based functional materials. However, no studies have investigated the exsolution of metal nanoparticles into metal nitride substrates. In this study, a versatile nitridation‐driven exsolution method is developed for embedding catalytically active metal nanoparticles in conductive metal nitride substrates via the ammonolysis of multimetallic oxides. Using this approach, Ti1−xRuxO2 nanowires are phase‐transformed into holey TiN nanotubes embedded with exsolved Ru nanoparticles. These Ru‐exsolved holey TiN nanotubes exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction with excellent durability, which is significantly higher than that of Ru‐deposited TiN nanotubes. The enhanced stability of the Ru‐exsolved TiN nanotubes can be attributed to the Ru nanoparticles embedded in the robust metal nitride matrix and the formation of interfacial Ti3+─N─Ru4+ bonds. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the exsolved Ru nanoparticles have a lower d‐band center position and optimized hydrogen affinity than deposited Ru nanoparticles, indicating the superior electrocatalyst performance of the former. In situ Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals that the electron transfer from TiN to Ru nanoparticles is enhanced during the electrocatalytic process. The proposed approach opens a new avenue for stabilizing diverse metal nanostructures in many conductive matrices like metal phosphides and chalcogenides.

Abstract Objectives Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a significant medical challenge, with no indisputable pathophysiological mechanism identified to date. Methods Based on clinical clues, we hypothesized that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) hyperactivation is implicated in the pathogenic causes of ME/CFS and the associated symptoms. We experimentally evaluated this hypothesis in a series of mouse models. Results High-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment induced intra- and extracellular serotonin spillover in the dorsal raphe nuclei of mice. This condition resulted in severe fatigue (rota-rod, fatigue rotating wheel and home-cage activity tests) and ME/CFS-associated symptoms (nest building, plantar and open field test), along with dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to exercise challenge. These ME/CFS-like features induced by excess serotonin were additionally verified using both a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor and viral vector for Htr1a (5-HT1A receptor) gene knockdown. Conclusions Our findings support the involvement of 5-HTergic hyperactivity in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. This ME/CFS-mimicking animal model would be useful for understanding ME/CFS biology and its therapeutic approaches.

This study aimed to optimize the lower articulation of low-floor trams using a meta-model technique, followed by an experimental validation. The design variables were identified through structural analyses, and the optimization reduced the weight of the lower articulation by 20% while maintaining load-bearing performance. Strain gauges were attached to failure-prone areas for structural and fatigue testing. The results of the optimized design were compared with experimental data, confirming its validity. This method effectively reduces the cost and improves the performance of tram articulation devices. This study presents an effective approach for cost reduction and performance improvement in the lower articulation of low-floor trams.

Abstract Background Ticks are ectoparasites capable of directly damaging their hosts and transmitting vector-borne diseases. The ixodid tick Haemaphysalis flava has a broad distribution that extends from East to South Asia. This tick is a reservoir of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) that causes severe hemorrhagic disease, with cases reported from China, Japan and South Korea. Recently, the distribution of H. flava in South Korea was found to overlap with the occurrence of SFTSV. Methods This study was undertaken to discover the molecular resources of H. flava female ticks using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 system, the Trinity de novo sequence assembler and annotation against public databases. The locally curated Protostome database (PANM-DB) was used to screen the putative adaptation-related transcripts classified to gene families, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme, aquaporin, adenylate cyclase, AMP-activated protein kinase, glutamate receptors, heat shock proteins, molecular chaperones, insulin receptor, mitogen-activated protein kinase and solute carrier family proteins. Also, the repeats and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were screened from the unigenes using RepeatMasker (v4.0.6) and MISA (v1.0) software tools, followed by the designing of SSRs flanking primers using BatchPrimer 3 (v1.0) software. Results The transcriptome produced a total of 69,822 unigenes, of which 46,175 annotated to the homologous proteins in the PANM-DB. The unigenes were also mapped to the EuKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) specializations. Promiscuous presence of protein kinase, zinc finger (C2H2-type), reverse transcriptase, and RNA recognition motif domains was observed in the unigenes. A total of 3480 SSRs were screened, of which 1907 and 1274 were found as tri- and dinucleotide repeats, respectively. A list of primer sequences flanking the SSR motifs was detailed for validation of polymorphism in H. flava and the related tick species. Conclusions The reference transcriptome information on H. flava female ticks will be useful for an enriched understanding of tick biology, its competency to act as a vector and the study of species diversity related to disease transmission. Graphical abstract