Nevin Manimala

Discov Oncol. 2024 May 24;15(1):183. doi: 10.1007/s12672-024-01031-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This research strived to construct a new signature utilizing disulfidptosis-related ferroptosis (SRF) genes to anticipate response to immunotherapy, prognosis, and drug sensitivity in individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS: The data for RNA sequencing as well as corresponding clinical information of individuals with CRC, were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. SRF were constructed with the help of the random forest (RF), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and stepwise regression algorithms. To validate the SRF model, we applied it to an external cohort, GSE38832. Prognosis, immunotherapy response, drug sensitivity, molecular functions of genes, and somatic mutations of genes were compared across the high- and low-risk groups (categories). Following this, all statistical analyses were conducted with the aid of the R (version 4.23) software and various packages of the Cytoscape (version 3.8.0) tool.

RESULTS: SRF was developed based on five genes (ATG7, USP7, MMD, PLIN4, and THDC2). Both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses established SRF as an independent, prognosis-related risk factor. Individuals from the high-risk category had a more unfavorable prognosis, elevated tumor mutational burden (TMB), and significant immunosuppressive status. Hence, they might have better outcomes post-immunotherapy and might benefit from the administration of pazopanib, lapatinib, and sunitinib.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, SRF can act as a new biomarker for prognosis assessment. Moreover, it is also a good predictor of drug sensitivity and immunotherapy response in CRC but should undergo optimization before implementation in clinical settings.

PMID:38787520 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-024-01031-y

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2024 May 24;47(5):35. doi: 10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00429-4.

ABSTRACT

Sessile drying droplets manifest distinct morphological patterns, encompassing diverse systems, viz., DNA, proteins, blood, and protein-liquid crystal (LC) complexes. This study employs an integrated methodology that combines drying droplet, image texture analysis (features from First Order Statistics, Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix, Gray Level Run Length Matrix, Gray Level Size Zone Matrix, and Gray Level Dependence Matrix), and statistical data analysis (Generalized Additive Modeling and K-means clustering). It provides a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative exploration by examining LC-protein droplets at varying initial phosphate buffered concentrations (0x, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, and 1x) during the drying process under optical microscopy with crossed polarizing configuration. Notably, it unveils distinct LC-protein textures across three drying stages: initial, middle, and final. The Generalized Additive Modeling (GAM) reveals that all the features significantly contribute to differentiating LC-protein droplets. Integrating the K-means clustering method with GAM analysis elucidates how textures evolve through the three drying stages compared to the entire drying process. Notably, the final drying stage stands out with well-defined, non-overlapping clusters, supporting the visual observations of unique LC textures. Furthermore, this paper contributes valuable insights, showcasing the efficacy of drying droplets as a rapid and straightforward tool for characterizing and classifying dynamic LC textures.

PMID:38787519 | DOI:10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00429-4

Endocrine. 2024 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s12020-024-03846-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the relationship between the GRI -component of hypoglycemia (CHypo) and hyperglycemia (CHyper)- with diabetes quality of life (DQoL), diabetes-related stress (DDS), perception of hypoglycemia (Clarke Test), visual analogic scale (VAS) and diabetes-knowledge (DKQ2) in T1D.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 92 patients with T1D under intensive insulin treatment (21.7% CSII) and flash glucose monitoring (isCGM). Clinical, metabolic and glycometric parameters and quality of life/satisfaction questionnaires were analyzed.

RESULTS: 92 patients (54.3% male, BMI 25.4 ± 4.5 kg/m², HbA1c 7.5 ± 1.0%, TIR 53.9 ± 15.9%) with mean age 36.1 ± 12.6years and 17.8 ± 11.3 T1D duration. The mean GRI was 60.6 ± 22.2 with a CHypo and CHyper of 5.9 ± 4.8 and 27.3 ± 14.4, respectively. 19.1% presented a pathological Clarke’s test. Patients with TIR > 70% and GRI < 40 showed better VAS (8.8 ± 1.3 vs 9.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.05) and DDS (46.4 ± 22.1 vs 36.7 ± 16.6, p < 0.05) scores, showing no differences between groups. CHyper > 15 and Chypo > 3.4 were related to worse levels of DQoL (91.1 ± 23.9 vs 76.6 ± 18.6 and 94.6 ± 24.8 vs 79.8 ± 20.1, p < 0.01), DDS(49.8 ± 22.4 vs 35.7 ± 16.5 and 49.8 ± 22.4 vs 35.7 ± 16.5, p < 0.01),and DKQ2 (24.4 ± 4.3 vs 26.8 ± 5.2 and 24.1 ± 4.8 vs 26.0 ± 4.6, p < 0.05), respectively. Worse metabolic control defined by GRI correlated with worse scores in VAS (r = -0.209, p < 0.05), DQoL (r = 0.205, p < 0.05), and DDS (r = 0.205, p < 0.05). No difference was observed in knowledge´s scale. CHyper correlated with worse scores in VAS (r = -0.231, p < 0.05), DQoL (r = 0.422, p < 0.01), and DDS (r = 0.341, p < 0.01) and lower degree of knowledge DKQ2 (r = -0.231, p < 0.05). When analyzing DQoL as a dependent variable in a multiple lineal regression, only age (β = 0.747; p < 0.001) and CHyper (β = 0.717; p < 0.001) maintained statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher GRI was related to worse quality of life, diabetes-related stress and satisfaction with treatment, analogous to the TIR results.CHyper an Chypo were related to a greater decline in quality of life, diabetes-related stress, and lower satisfaction with treatment.However, in a multiple linear regression, only CHyper maintained statistical significance.

PMID:38787511 | DOI:10.1007/s12020-024-03846-9

Biochem Genet. 2024 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s10528-024-10798-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although the expression of many genes is associated with adaptation to high-altitude hypoxic environments, the role of epigenetics in the response to this harsh environmental stress is currently unclear. We explored whether abnormal DNA promoter methylation levels of six genes, namely, ABCA1, SOD2, AKT1, VEGFR2, TGF-β, and BMPR2, affect the occurrence and development of high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC) in Tibetans. The methylation levels of HAPC and the control group of 130 Tibetans from very high altitudes (> 4500 m) were examined using quantitative methylation-specific real-time PCR (QMSP). Depending on the type of data, the Pearson chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Fisher exact test were used to assess the differences between the two groups. The correlation between the methylation levels of each gene and the hemoglobin content was explored using a linear mixed model. Our experiment revealed that the methylation levels of the TGF-β and BMPR2 genes differed significantly in the two groups (p < 0.05) and linear mixed model analysis showed that the correlation between the hemoglobin and methylation of ABCA1, TGF-β, and BMPR2 was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that levels of TGF-β and BMPR2 methylation are associated with the occurrence of HAPC in extreme-altitude Tibetan populations among 6 selected genes. Epigenetics may be involved in the pathogenesis of HAPC, and future experiments could combine gene and protein levels to verify the diagnostic value of TGF-β and BMPR2 methylation levels in HAPC.

PMID:38787494 | DOI:10.1007/s10528-024-10798-2

J Cancer Surviv. 2024 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s11764-024-01585-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Long-term musculoskeletal complications represent a growing burden for survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL). This study aimed to describe physical impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in a high-risk subgroup of cALL survivors of the PETALE cohort.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study, using observational data from the PETALE cohort, included a subgroup of survivors who presented high-risk criteria for late effects. Outcomes measures consisted of hip magnetic resonance imaging, maximal isometric muscle strength (MIMS) or torque (MIMT), range of motion (ROM), Near Tandem Balance (NTB), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Five Time Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and health-related quality of life. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Survivors (n = 97, 24.2 ± 6.7 years old) showed limited grip strength, FTSST, and NTB performance compared to reference values (p < 0.001). Thirteen participants (14.6%, 18 hips) had hip osteonecrosis (ON) (53.8% male). Higher severity hip ON was found in female survivors (66.7% vs. 22.2%). Survivors with hip ON had reduced hip external rotation ROM compared to those without (p < 0.05). Relationships were found between MIMS and ROM outcomes (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and with 6MWT (r = 0.39-0.41, p < 0.001). Our multiple linear regression model explained 27.6% of the variance of the 6MWT.

CONCLUSIONS: Survivors in our subgroup had clinically significant physical impairments and activity limitations, and those with hip ON showed worst hip impairment outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: These findings emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up including physical therapy assessment to help early identification and management of physical impairments and activity limitations in survivors of cALL.

PMID:38787491 | DOI:10.1007/s11764-024-01585-4

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33753-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This theoretical investigation delves into the analysis of Reactive red 2 (RR-2) adsorption isotherms on metal hydroxide employing a sophisticated double-layer model characterized by dual-energy levels within the realm of physical adsorption phenomena. An examination of five distinct statistical physics frameworks was undertaken to elucidate the modeling and interpretation of equilibrium data. Expression for the physico-chemical parameters involved in the adsorption phenomena was derived based on statistical physics treatment. Fitting experimental adsorption isotherms (308-333 K) to a DAMTBS has revealed the number of anchored molecules per site, occupied receptor site density, and the number of adsorbed layers. The steric parameter n varies between 0.92 and 1.05. More importantly, it is evidenced that the adhesion mechanism of (RR-2) onto metal hydroxide as determined by the estimated adsorption energies (< 40 kJ/mol) supports a spontaneous and exothermic physisorption process. Thermodynamic potential functions such as entropy, Gibbs free energy, and internal energy have been computed based on the most suitable model. This research advances our physical understanding of how metal hydroxide captures dye molecules RR-2 through adsorption reaction for water depollution treatment.

PMID:38787473 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-024-33753-5

J Environ Qual. 2024 May 24. doi: 10.1002/jeq2.20570. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dredged materials are often considered as candidates for replenishing lost topsoils in the watersheds of rivers and lakes. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of Lake Erie dredged material on the microbial community in a farm soil of Northwestern Ohio. Dredged material from the Toledo Harbor, OH was mixed with a local farm soil at ratios of 0:100, 10:90, 20:80, and 100:0 for soybean growth in a greenhouse for 123 days and was subject to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. α-Diversity analysis revealed that although the original dredged material hosted a highly diverse microbiome, soils blended with the dredged material had similar levels of bacterial diversity to 100% farm soil throughout the experiment. β-Diversity analysis demonstrated that, given the same plant status, that is, with or without soybean, blended soils had similar bacterial communities to 100% farm soil during the experiment. Furthermore, by the end of the experiment, all soils with soybeans merged into one cluster distinctive from those without the plants, indicating that the growth of plants played a dominating role in defining the structure of soil microbiomes. The majority (73.8%) of the operational taxonomy units that were unique to the original dredged material were not detected by the end of the experiment. This study demonstrates that up to 20% of the dredged material can be safely blended into the farm soil without distorting the microbial communities of the latter, implying a potential beneficial use of the dredged material for topsoil restoration.

PMID:38785161 | DOI:10.1002/jeq2.20570

Mol Med Rep. 2024 Jul;30(1):126. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13249. Epub 2024 May 24.

ABSTRACT

Periodontal disease is a common infectious disease that can lead to the loss of teeth. Hower how to effectively suppress the inflammation with medication is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti‑inflammatory effect of Oroxylin A in periodontitis and its potential role through heme oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1). Primary rat gingival fibroblasts (RGFs) were cultured using the tissue block method and identified by immunofluorescence. Following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of RGFs, Oroxylin A was administered at 50, 100, 200 or 400 µg/ml. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was used to assess mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2, TNF‑α, RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Western blotting was used to detect protein expression levels of COX ‑2, TNF‑α, RANKL and OPG. Following HO‑1 knockdown, the same treatment was performed. The expression of COX‑2 in rat gingival tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry. One‑way analysis of variance and Student’s t test were used for statistical analysis. Oroxylin A downregulated mRNA expression of COX‑2, TNF‑α, RANKL and OPG in LPS‑induced RGFs. With increase of Oroxylin A dose, the expression of HO‑1 was gradually upregulated. When HO‑1 was knocked down, Oroxylin A did not downregulate the expression of COX‑2, TNF‑α, RANKL and OPG in LPS‑induced RGFs. Immunohistochemical results showed that expression of COX‑2 was downregulated by Oroxylin A, and the expression of TNF‑α, RANKL and OPG were also downregulated. Oroxylin A decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines in LPS‑induced RGFs and had a good inhibitory effect on periodontitis in rats.

PMID:38785151 | DOI:10.3892/mmr.2024.13249

J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2024 Jul;37(4):e13248. doi: 10.1111/jar.13248.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study examines the extent of exposure to verbal violence experienced by people with intellectual disabilities and whether it differs based on their housing situation: living in the community, with family, or in a residential facility.

METHOD: One hundred and eighty-nine people with intellectual disabilities were interviewed about their experience with verbal violence.

RESULTS: Eighty-six percent reported experiencing verbal violence in their lifetime and approximately 77% experienced it the past week. Participants were most likely to be yelled at, and friends were the most common perpetrators. While there were few differences by setting, people living with their families were more likely to be laughed at and marginally more likely to experience rude comments.

CONCLUSIONS: Verbal violence is prevalent in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Israel. Interventions are necessary to assist people with intellectual disabilities to deal with such incidents, with possible additional supports needed for those living with family.

PMID:38785135 | DOI:10.1111/jar.13248

Plant Genome. 2024 May 24:e20459. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20459. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38785130 | DOI:10.1002/tpg2.20459