Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine that regulates myocardial injury, cardiac overloading pressure, and inflammation and is related to the risk of cardiovascular ...diseases and events. The current study aimed to investigate the correlation of GDF-15 levels with clinical features, biochemical indices, and especially the risk of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy.
A total of 103 HER2-positive breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus chemotherapy) were included. Serum GDF-15 levels before neoadjuvant treatment were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cardiotoxicity was evaluated during neoadjuvant therapy by referring to a decline of ≥10 percentage points in the left ventricular ejection fraction from baseline to an absolute level less than 50%.
GDF-15 exhibited a skewed distribution, with a median level of 714 (range: 207-1805) pg/mL. GDF-15 was positively correlated with age (
= 0.037), diabetes (
= 0.036), and the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level (
= 0.013) and positively correlated with the total cholesterol level (
= 0.086) and troponin T level (
= 0.082), but these correlations were not statistically significant. A total of 6.8% of patients experienced cardiotoxicity during neoadjuvant therapy. By comparison, the GDF-15 level was greater in patients who experienced cardiotoxicity than in those who did not (
= 0.008). A subsequent receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that GDF-15 predicted cardiotoxicity risk, with an area under the curve of 0.803 (95% CI: 0.664-0.939). After multivariate adjustment, GDF-15 independently predicted a greater risk of cardiotoxicity (
= 0.020).
GDF-15 is a candidate biomarker for increased risk of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy.
Live attenuated Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccines have been used widely to protect chickens against Newcastle disease. However, the vaccine issues caused by genome mutations can seriously affect ...poultry health. In this study, the authors demonstrate the use of nanopore sequencing technology for rapid genome determination and variation analysis from a live attenuated NDV vaccine. NDV-specific reads were detected immediately after sequencing, and 24× genome coverage was obtained within 10 min. Variation analysis revealed 19 variant sites across the vaccine genome compared to the NDV clone 30 reference sequence . The sequencing and data analysis workflow employed enables all basic molecular biology laboratories to perform detailed genome sequencing in live attenuated vaccine, providing an effective means of quality control for vaccine production.
The study demonstrates the use of nanopore sequencing technology for rapid genome determination and variation analysis from a live attenuated Newcastle disease virus vaccine; that is, the full-length cDNA was amplified as 14 overlapping fragments and subjected to the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) library preparation. The minimap2 and Medaka were integrated to efficiently assemble the genome of the Newcastle disease virus clone 30 strain and call variants from nanopore sequencing data.
(Prunoideae: Rosaceae), a relic shrub with strong resistance and multiple application values, is endangered in China. Extensive research had been devoted to gene expression, molecular markers, ...plastid genome analysis, and genetic background investigations of
. However, the mitochondrial genome of this species has not been systematically described, owing to the complexity of the plant mitogenome.
In the present research, the complete mitochondrial genome of
was assembled, annotated, and characterized. The genomic features, gene content and repetitive sequences were analyzed. The genomic variation and phylogenetic analysis have been extensively enumerated.
The
mitogenome is a circular molecule with a total length of 405,855 bp and a GC content of 45.63%, which are the smallest size and highest GC content among the known
mitochondrial genomes. The mitogenome of
encodes 62 genes, including 34 unique protein-coding genes (PCGs, excluding three possible pseudogenes), three ribosomal RNA genes, and 19 transfer RNA genes. The mitogenome is rich in repetitive sequences, counting 112 simple sequence repeats, 15 tandem repeats, and 50 interspersed repetitive sequences, with a total repeat length of 11,793 bp, accounting for 2.91% of the complete genome. Leucine (Leu) was a predominant amino acid in PCGs, with a frequency of 10.67%, whereas cysteine (Cys) and tryptophan (Trp) were the least adopted. The most frequently used codon was UUU (Phe), with a relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) value of 1.12. Selective pressure was calculated based on 20 shared PCGs in the mitogenomes of the 32 species, most of which were subjected to purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1), whereas
and
underwent positive selection. A total of 262 potential RNA editing sites in 26 PCGs were identified. Furthermore, 56 chloroplast-derived fragments were ascertained in the mitogenome, ranging from 30 to 858 bp, and were mainly located across IGS (intergenic spacer) regions or rRNA genes. These findings verify the occurrence of intracellular gene transfer events from the chloroplast to the mitochondria. Furthermore, the phylogenetic relationship of
was supported by the mitogenome data of 30 other taxa of the Rosaceae family. Understanding the mitochondrial genome characteristics of
is of great importance to promote comprehension of its genetic background and this study provides a basis for the genetic breeding of
.
The pursuit of groundbreaking health care innovations has led to the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), thus marking a new frontier that demonstrates ...the promise of combining the advantages of ancient healing practices with cutting-edge advancements in modern technology. TCM, which is a holistic medical system with >2000 years of empirical support, uses unique diagnostic methods such as inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation. AI is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially via computer systems. TCM is experience oriented, holistic, and subjective, and its combination with AI has beneficial effects, which presumably arises from the perspectives of diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and prognostic veracity. The role of AI in TCM is highlighted by its use in diagnostics, with machine learning enhancing the precision of treatment through complex pattern recognition. This is exemplified by the greater accuracy of TCM syndrome differentiation via tongue images that are analyzed by AI. However, integrating AI into TCM also presents multifaceted challenges, such as data quality and ethical issues; thus, a unified strategy, such as the use of standardized data sets, is required to improve AI understanding and application of TCM principles. The evolution of TCM through the integration of AI is a key factor for elucidating new horizons in health care. As research continues to evolve, it is imperative that technologists and TCM practitioners collaborate to drive innovative solutions that push the boundaries of medical science and honor the profound legacy of TCM. We can chart a future course wherein AI-augmented TCM practices contribute to more systematic, effective, and accessible health care systems for all individuals.
Astragalus is the largest genus in Leguminosae. Several molecular studies have investigated the potential adulterants of the species within this genus; nonetheless, the evolutionary relationships ...among these species remain unclear. Herein, we sequenced and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes of three
Astragalus
species—
Astragalus adsurgens
,
Astragalus mongholicus
var.
dahuricus
, and
Astragalus melilotoides
using next-generation sequencing technology and plastid genome annotator (PGA) tool. All species belonged to the inverted repeat lacking clade (IRLC) and had similar sequences concerning gene contents and characteristics. Abundant simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were detected, with single-nucleotide repeats accounting for the highest proportion of SSRs, most of which were A/T homopolymers. Using
Astragalus membranaceus
var.
membranaceus
as reference, the divergence was evident in most non-coding regions of the complete chloroplast genomes of these species. Seven genes (
atpB
,
psbD
,
rpoB
,
rpoC1
,
trnV
,
rrn16
, and
rrn23
) showed high nucleotide variability (Pi), and could be used as DNA barcodes for
Astragalus
sp.
cemA
and
rpl33
were found undergoing positive selection by the section patterns in the coded protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed that
Astragalus
is a monophyletic group closely related to the genus
Oxytropis
within the tribe Galegeae. The newly sequenced chloroplast genomes provide insight into the unresolved evolutionary relationships within
Astragalus
spp. and are expected to contribute to species identification.
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) for the treatment of progressive keratoconus (KC). Some of the published literature, including a few ...small, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), demonstrated good results after CXL, but large RCTs with long-term follow-up to establish a cause-effect relationship are lacking. Using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database, we searched for relevant studies published between October 2007 and March 2014. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration methodology to identify the effectiveness of CXL for treating KC. The primary outcome parameters included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, corneal topography, and corneal thickness at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after CXL. A total of 1171 participants (1557 eyes) were enrolled in this meta-analysis. CXL may be effective in halting the progress of KC for at least 12 months under certain conditions. However, further research from randomized trials is needed to confirm our findings.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cough variant asthma (CVA) is one of the most common causes of chronic cough in children worldwide. The diagnosis of CVA in children remains challenging. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic ...utility of impulse oscillometry (IOS) pulmonary function in children with CVA.
This study included children aged 4 to 12 years diagnosed with CVA who underwent IOS pulmonary function and bronchodilation (BD) tests. A control group of healthy children was matched. Pre- and post-BD IOS parameters were recorded and presented as mean ± standard deviation or median. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the discriminatory potential of the IOS parameters for diagnosing CVA.
A total of 180 patients with CVA and 65 control subjects were included. The baseline IOS parameters in the CVA group, except X5%pred, were significantly greater compared to the control group. After inhalation of salbutamol sulfate, all IOS parameters improved significantly in the CVA group. However, Z5%pred, R5%pred, and R20%pred remained greater in the CVA group compared to the control group. The improvement rates of IOS parameters in the CVA group significantly surpassed those in the control group. The ROC curve results for pre-BD IOS parameters and the improvement rate during the BD test showed that the combinations of pre-Z5%pred+
Z5% and pre-R5%pred+
R5% achieved the highest AUC value of 0.920 and 0.898, respectively. The AUC values of these combined parameters surpassed those of individual ones.
This study highlights that children with CVA exhibit greater IOS parameters compared to healthy children. The changes in IOS parameters during the BD test provided valuable diagnostic information for CVA, and the combination of various parameters can help pediatricians accurately identify CVA in children.
In this paper, we study the problem of partitioning the vertex set of a planar graph with girth restriction into parts, also referred to as color classes, such that each part induces a graph with ...components of bounded order. An ($ \mathcal{I} $, $ \mathcal{O}_{k} $)-partition of a graph $ G $ is the partition of $ V(G) $ into two non-empty subsets $ V_{1} $ and $ V_{2} $, such that $ GV_{1} $ is an edgeless graph and $ GV_{2} $ is a graph with components of order at most $ k $. We prove that every planar graph with girth 9 and without intersecting $ 9 $-face admits an ($ \mathcal{I} $, $ \mathcal{O}_{6} $)-partition. This improves a result of Choi, Dross and Ochem (2020) which says every planar graph with girth at least $ 9 $ admits an ($ \mathcal{I} $, $ \mathcal{O}_{9} $)-partition.
Stem cells derived from the human brain and grown as neurospheres (HuCNS‐SC) have been shown to be effective in treating central neurodegenerative conditions in a variety of animal models. Human ...safety data in neurodegenerative disorders are currently being accrued. In the present study, we explored the efficacy of HuCNS‐SC in a rodent model of retinal degeneration, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat, and extended our previous cell transplantation studies to include an in‐depth examination of donor cell behavior and phenotype post‐transplantation. As a first step, we have shown that HuCNS‐SC protect host photoreceptors and preserve visual function after transplantation into the subretinal space of postnatal day 21 RCS rats. Moreover, cone photoreceptor density remained relatively constant over several months, consistent with the sustained visual acuity and luminance sensitivity functional outcomes. The novel findings of this study include the characterization and quantification of donor cell radial migration from the injection site and within the subretinal space as well as the demonstration that donor cells maintain an immature phenotype throughout the 7 months of the experiment and undergo very limited proliferation with no evidence of uncontrolled growth or tumor‐like formation. Given the efficacy findings and lack of adverse events in the RCS rat in combination with the results from ongoing clinical investigations, HuCNS‐SC appear to be a well‐suited candidate for cell therapy in retinal degenerative conditions.
Stem cells derived from the human brain and grown as neurospheres (HuCNS‐SC) have been shown to be effective in treating central neurodegenerative conditions in a variety of animal models. Human safety data in neurodegenerative disorders are currently being accrued. In the present study, we explored the efficacy of HuCNS‐SC in a rodent model of retinal degeneration, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat, and extended our previous cell transplantation studies to include an in‐depth examination of donor cell behavior and phenotype post‐transplantation.
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Available for:
BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Leymus is a perennial genus that belongs to the tribe Triticeae (Poaceae) which has an adaptive capacity to ecological conditions and strong resistance to cold, drought, and salinity. Most Leymus ...species are fine herbs that can be used for agriculture, conservation, and landscaping. Due to confusion taxonomy within genera, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of 13 Leymus species was sequenced, assembled, and compared with those of three other previously published Leymus species (Leymus condensatus, Leymus angustus, and Leymus mollis) to clarify the issue. Overall, the whole cp genome size ranged between 135,057 (L. condensatus) and 136,906 bp (Leymus coreanus) and showed a typical quadripartite structure. All studied species had 129 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNAs, and 8 ribosomal RNAs. In total, 800 tandem repeats and 707 SSR loci were detected, most of which were distributed in the large single-copy region, followed by the inverted repeat (IR) and small single-copy regions. The sequence identity of all sequences was highly similar, especially concerning the protein-coding and IR regions; in particular, the protein-coding regions were significantly similar to those in the IR regions, regardless of small sequence differences in the whole cp genome. Moreover, the coding regions were more conserved than the non-coding regions. Comparisons of the IR boundaries showed that IR contraction and expansion events were reflected in different locations of rpl22, rps19, ndhH, and psbA genes. The close phylogenetic relationship of Leymus and Psathyrostachys indicated that Psathyrostachys possibly is the donor of the Ns genome sequence identified in Leymus. Altogether, the complete cp genome sequence of Leymus will lay a solid foundation for future population genetics and phylogeography studies, as well as for the analysis of the evolution of economically valuable plants.
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