Tag: nevin manimala

BMC Plant Biol. 2023 Nov 15;23(1):562. doi: 10.1186/s12870-023-04583-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Eucommia ulmoides leaves have high medicinal and economic value as a dual-purpose substance for medicine and food. Employing leaves from 13 natural populations of Eucommia ulmoides as research objects, this study reveals the variation patterns of intra-specific and inter-specific trait variation and explores the response of leaf characteristics to geographical and climatic changes, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the efficient utilization of leaf resources and the breeding of superior varieties.

RESULTS: Descriptive statistical analysis and nested analysis of variance showed significant differences in 11 leaf traits of Eucommia ulmoides inter-populations and intra-populations, with an average coefficient of variation of 17.45%. The coefficient of variation for average leaf phenotypic traits is 20.77%, and the leaf phenotypic variation is mainly from the variation intra-populations. Principal component analysis reveals that the cumulative contribution rate of the top three principal components which mainly contributed to the phenotypic variation of Eucommia ulmoides leaves reached 74.98%, which could be sorted into size traits (34.57%), color traits (25.82%) and shape traits (14.58%). In addition, correlation analysis expresses there is a specific co-variation pattern among leaf traits, with a strong connection between shape, size, and color traits. Geographic and climatic distances are significantly correlated, and mantel test and correlation analysis indicate that leaf traits of Eucommia ulmoides are mainly influenced by altitude. With the increase of altitude, the leaves become smaller. Partial correlation analysis shows that after controlling climate factors, the correlation between some characters and geographical factors disappears significantly. Temperature and precipitation have a great influence on the variation of leaf phenotypic traits, and the larger the leaves are in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to a further understanding of the leaf morphological characteristics of Eucommia ulmoides and the extent to which the environment influences leaf trait variation. They can provide a scientific basis for the protection and application of Eucommia ulmoides leaf resources in the future.

PMID:37964219 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-023-04583-3

BMC Med Imaging. 2023 Nov 14;23(1):185. doi: 10.1186/s12880-023-01136-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) can be used to study neurological disorders because it can be utilized to examine the concentrations of related metabolites. However, the diagnostic utility of different field strengths for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to make quantitative comparisons of metabolites of TLE at 1.5T and 3.0T and evaluate their efficacy.

METHODS: Our retrospective collections included the single-voxel ¹H-MRS of 23 TLE patients and 17 healthy control volunteers (HCs) with a 1.5T scanner, as well as 29 TLE patients and 17 HCs with a 3.0T scanner. Particularly, HCs were involved both the scans with 1.5T and 3.0T scanners, respectively. The metabolites, including the N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho), were measured in the left or right temporal pole of brain. To analyze the ratio of brain metabolites, including NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, NAA/(Cho + Cr) and Cho/Cr, four controlled experiments were designed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of TLE on 1.5T and 3.0T MRS, included: (1) 1.5T TLE group vs. 1.5T HCs by the Mann-Whitney U Test, (2) 3.0T TLE group vs. 3.0T HCs by the Mann-Whitney U Test, (3) the power analysis for the 1.5T and 3.0T scanner, and (4) 3.0T HCs vs. 1.5T HCs by Paired T-Test.

RESULTS: Three metabolite ratios (NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, and NAA/(Cho + Cr) showed the same statistical difference (p < 0.05) in distinguishing the TLE from HCs in the bilateral temporal poles when using 1.5T or 3.0T scanners. Similarly, the power analysis demonstrated that four metabolite ratios (NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, NAA/(Cho + Cr), Cho/Cr) had similar distinction abilities between 1.5T and 3.0T scanner, denoting both 1.5T and 3.0T scanners were provided with similar sensitivities and reproducibilities for metabolites detection. Moreover, the metabolite ratios of the same healthy volunteers were not statistically different between 1.5T and 3.0T scanners, except for NAA/Cho (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: 1.5T and 3.0T scanners may have comparable diagnostic potential when ¹H-MRS was used to diagnose patients with TLE.

PMID:37964218 | DOI:10.1186/s12880-023-01136-w

BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Nov 14;23(1):836. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05237-2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans are more likely to experience mental health (MH) conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), than the general Canadian population. Previous research suggests that an increasing number of individuals are employing cannabis for MH symptom relief, despite a lack of robust evidence for its effectiveness in treating PTSD. This research aimed to: (1) describe the prevalence of current cannabis use among MH treatment-seeking CAF members and Veterans; and (2) estimate the association between current cannabis use and a number of sociodemographic, military, and MH-related characteristics.

METHOD: Using cross-sectional intake data from 415 CAF members and Veterans attending a specialized outpatient MH clinic in Ontario, Canada, between January 2018 and December 2020, we estimated the proportion of CAF members and Veterans who reported current cannabis use for either medical or recreational purposes. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios for a number of sociodemographic, military, and MH-related variables and current cannabis use.

RESULTS: Almost half of the study participants (n = 187; 45.1%) reported current cannabis use. Respondents who reported current cannabis use for medical purposes had a higher median daily dose than those who reported current cannabis use for recreational purposes. The multivariable logistic regression identified younger age, lower income, potentially hazardous alcohol use, and increased bodily pain as statistically significant correlates of current cannabis use among our MH treatment-seeking sample. PTSD severity, depressive severity, sleep quality, and suicide ideation were not statistically associated with current cannabis use.

CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of our treatment-seeking sample reported current cannabis use for medical or recreational purposes, emphasizing the importance of screening MH treatment-seeking military members and Veterans for cannabis use prior to commencing treatment. Future research building upon this study could explore the potential impact of cannabis use on MH outcomes.

PMID:37964206 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-023-05237-2

BMC Womens Health. 2023 Nov 14;23(1):605. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02677-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinoma is molecularly categorized into four subgroups: polymerase-E exonuclease domain-mutant (POLE-mut), mismatch repair-deficient (MMR-d), p53-abnormal (p53-abn), and no specific molecular profile (NSMP). This classification scheme has been included into clinical recommendation for post-operative risk-based management, although there have been few Asian studies on this topic. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical outcomes of endometrial carcinoma using this classification in Northern Thailand and the feasibility of implementation in resource-limited settings.

METHODS: Endometrial carcinomas from hysterectomy specimens were classified using immunohistochemistry for MMR proteins and p53, as well as POLE mutation testing. Clinicopathological variables and outcomes were analyzed. The costs of the molecular information-based approach were compared to those incurred by the conventional approach (without molecular classification).

RESULTS: Of 138 patients, 52.9% in the NSMP subgroup, 28.2% were in the MMR-d, 13.8% in the p53-abn, and 5.1% in the POLE-mut. After adjusting for other variables, patients with POLE-mut showed the most favorable outcomes, while those with p53-abn had the poorest survival. When estimating the costs for post-operative management, the use of molecular classification resulted in a 10% increase over the conventional approach. However, the cost increased only by 1% if only POLE testing was used to identify patients for treatment omission.

CONCLUSION: In Northern Thailand, endometrial carcinoma had comparable subgroup distribution and prognostic implications to previous reports, supporting the implementation of management guidelines that incorporate molecular information. In resource-limited settings, at least POLE mutation testing in early-stage patients should be considered.

PMID:37964201 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-023-02677-6

BMC Gastroenterol. 2023 Nov 14;23(1):392. doi: 10.1186/s12876-023-03028-3.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement is the key endoscopic treatment for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction. The benefit of covered SEMS over uncovered SEMS remains unknown as are risk factors for SEMS dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with patency of SEMS.

METHODS: Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who underwent endoscopic SEMS placement at Ramathibodi Hospital, during January 2012 to March 2021 were included. Patient characteristics, clinical outcomes and patency of SEMS were collected. The primary outcome were stent patency and factors associated with patency of SEMS. The factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Median days of stent patency, median time of patient survival, rate of reintervention and complications after SEMS placement were collected.

RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen patients were included. SEMS dysfunction was found in 37 patients (32.5%). Size of cancer (Hazard ratio (HR), 1.20, (95% CI 1.02, 1.40), p 0.025), presence of stones or sludge during SEMS placement (Hazard ratio (HR), 3.91, (95% CI 1.74, 8.75), p 0.001), length of SEMS, 8 cm (HR 2.96, (95% CI 1.06, 8.3), p 0.039), and total bilirubin level above 2 mg/dL at one month after SEMS placement (HR 1.14, (95% CI 1.06, 1.22), p < 0.001) were associated with SEMS dysfunction. The median stent patency was 97 days. The median patient survival was 133 days, (95% CI 75-165). The rate of reintervention was 86% in patients with SEMS dysfunction.

CONCLUSION: The size of cancer, presence of stones or sludge during SEMS placement, the length of SEMS, and total bilirubin level above 2 mg/dL at 1 month after SEMS placement were associated with SEMS dysfunction. The median time of stent patency were not statistically different in each type of stent, covered stent, partially covered stent and uncovered stent. Median survival time of patients did not associate with SEMS patency or dysfunction.

PMID:37964198 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-023-03028-3

BMC Ophthalmol. 2023 Nov 14;23(1):456. doi: 10.1186/s12886-023-03192-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim was to study aqueous humour inflammatory mediators’ levels in a cohort of Egyptian patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

METHODS: This was a case-control prospective study conducted on 2 groups: 25 eyes of 22 (11 females) patients seeking treatment for DMO as patients group, and 10 eyes of 10 (4 females) cataract patients as a control group. Aqueous humour was aspirated before intravitreal injection (patients’ group) or cataract surgery (control group). Inflammatory mediators in aqueous humour were measured using a multiplex bead immunoassay kit of 27 pre-mixed cytokines.

RESULTS: Eotaxin, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) were found significantly higher in patients’ group compared to control group (p = 0.043, 0.037, 0.001, 0.015 respectively). On the contrary, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were found significantly higher in control group than patients’ group (p = 0.003, 0.019 respectively). Basic fibroblast growth factor (Basic-FGF/FGF-2) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were found higher (but not statistically significant) in controls (p = 0.100 and 0.070 respectively). Additionally, a negative and significant correlation was found between Eotaxin level in aqueous humour and central macular thickness.

CONCLUSIONS: Some mediators might be implicated in the pathogenesis of DMO either augmenting or suppressing role. Eotaxin, IP-10, MCP-1 and IL-8 might have a role in cases not responding to standard anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. IL-1ra might have a protective role; therefore, the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of IL-1ra homologue needs to be studied in future clinical trials.

PMID:37964190 | DOI:10.1186/s12886-023-03192-w

Res Vet Sci. 2023 Nov 8;166:105079. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105079. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The computing environment has revolutionized the management and analysis of data in sciences during the last decades. This study aimed to evaluate the use of R software in research articles addressing the study of wildlife worldwide, particularly focusing on the research area “Veterinary Sciences”. For this purpose, a systematic review mainly performed in the Web of Science database was conducted. Out of a total of 509 articles reviewed, our results show an increasing trend of the number of publications using the R software over time, as well as a wide geographical distribution at a global scale, particularly in North America, Europe, Australia and China. Most publications were categorized in research areas related to “Biological Sciences”, while a minority of them was included in “Veterinary Sciences” (5.9%; 30/509). About the species groups assessed, many articles evaluated a single species group (96.5%), being mammals (50.7%) and birds (14.8%) the most studied ones. The present study showed a high variety of R-packages used in the publications reviewed, all of them related to data analysis, the study of genetic/phylogenetic information and graphical representation. Interestingly, the common use of packages between different research areas is indicative of the high interest of using R software in scientific articles. Our study points the R software as an open-source programming language that allows to support research addressing the study of wildlife, becoming a key software for many research areas, including “Veterinary Sciences”. However, an in-depth methodological description about the use of R software in publications to improve the tracking, reproducibility and transparency is encouraged.

PMID:37963421 | DOI:10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105079

J Chromatogr Sci. 2023 Nov 15:bmad084. doi: 10.1093/chromsci/bmad084. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicine is widely used for the treatment and prevention of various ailments, highlighting the importance of ensuring its consistency and quality. This research focuses on the simultaneous detection of Gymnemic acid (GYM) and Resveratrol (RES) in an antidiabetic polyherbal formulation as no reported method exists for their simultaneously detection. The objective of this study is to develop and validate novel derivatization-based spectrometric and HPTLC methods for the simultaneous determination of GYM and RES. The spectrophotometric method involved derivatization of GYM with benzoyl chloride, followed by measurement of absorbance at 349 nm an isoabsorptive point. The HPTLC method utilized post derivatization with vanillin-sulfuric acid, and its separation was achieved on pre-coated silica gel 60GF254 using chloroform:methanol:glacial acetic acid (13:4:0.1, v/v/v) as mobile phase and estimated at 575 nm. The developed method exhibits linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, specificity and robustness in accordance with the ICH Q2 (R1) guideline. The percent assay of GYM and RES in the marketed capsule formulation was statistically compared using an unpaired t-test, resulting in a range of 99.51-102.65%. These indicate no significant difference between the proposed method and the marketed formulation. Therefore, both novel methods can be interchangeably used for quality control of GYM and RES in polyherbal formulations.

PMID:37963414 | DOI:10.1093/chromsci/bmad084

Rep Prog Phys. 2023 Nov 14. doi: 10.1088/1361-6633/ad0c5c. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Majorana excitations are the quasiparticle analog of Majorana fermions in solid materials. Typical examples are the Majorana zero modes (MZMs) and the dispersing Majorana modes. When probed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy, the former manifest as a pronounced conductance peak locating precisely at zero-energy, while the latter behaves as constant or slowly varying density of states. The MZMs obey non-Abelian statistics and are believed to be building blocks for topological quantum computing, which is highly immune to the environmental noise. Existing MZM platforms include hybrid structures such as topological insulator, semiconducting nanowire or 1D atomic chains on top of a conventional superconductor, and single materials such as the iron-based superconductors (IBSs) and 4Hb-TaS2. Very recently, ordered and tunable MZM lattice has also been realized in iron-based superconductor LiFeAs, providing a scalable and applicable platform for future topological quantum computation. In this review, we present an overview of the recent local probe studies on MZMs. Classified by the material platforms, we start with the MZMs in the iron-chalcogenide superconductors where FeTe0.55Se0.45 and (Li0.84Fe0.16)OHFeSe will be discussed. We then review the Majorana research in the iron-pnictide superconductors as well as other platforms beyond the IBSs. We further review recent works on ordered and tunable MZM lattice, showing that strain is a feasible tool to tune the topological superconductivity. Finally, we give our summary and perspective on future Majorana research.

PMID:37963402 | DOI:10.1088/1361-6633/ad0c5c

Global Spine J. 2023 Nov 14:21925682231216082. doi: 10.1177/21925682231216082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Polytraumatized patients with spinal injuries require tailor-made treatment plans. Severity of both spinal and concomitant injuries determine timing of spinal surgery. Aim of this study was to evaluate the role of spinal injury localization, severity and concurrent injury patterns on timing of surgery and subsequent outcome.

METHODS: The TraumaRegister DGU^® was utilized and patients, aged ≥16 years, with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16 and diagnosed with relevant spinal injuries (abbreviated injury scale, AIS ≥ 3) were selected. Concurrent spinal and non-spinal injuries were analysed and the relation between injury severity, concurrent injury patterns and timing of spinal surgery was determined.

RESULTS: 12.596 patients with a mean age of 50.8 years were included. 7.2% of patients had relevant multisegmental spinal injuries. Furthermore, 50% of patients with spine injuries AIS ≥3 had a more severe non-spinal injury to another body part. ICU and hospital stay were superior in patients treated within 48 hrs for lumbar and thoracic spinal injuries. In cervical injuries early intervention (<48 hrs) was associated with increased mortality rates (9.7 vs 6.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: The current multicentre study demonstrates that polytrauma patients frequently sustain multiple spinal injuries, and those with an index spine injury may therefore benefit from standardized whole-spine imaging. Moreover, timing of surgical spinal surgery and outcome appear to depend on the severity of concomitant injuries and spinal injury localization. Future prospective studies are needed to identify trauma characteristics that are associated with improved outcome upon early or late spinal surgery.

PMID:37963389 | DOI:10.1177/21925682231216082