Biomedical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Diagnostic Accuracy of Transthoracic Echocardiography for Acute Type A Aortic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Hsin-Tzu Yeh, Sz-Wei Lu, Tzu-Heng Cheng, Jian-Xun Lu, Chien-Han Hsiao, Chieh-Ching Yen","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100747","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100747","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is currently recognized as the potential first-line imaging test for patients with suspected acute type A aortic syndrome (AAAS). Direct TTE sign for detecting AAAS is positive if there is an intimal flap separating two aortic lumens or aortic wall thickening seen in the ascending aorta. Indirect TTE sign indicates high-risk features of AAAS, such as aortic root dilatation, pericardial effusion, and aortic regurgitation. Our aim is to summarize the existing clinical evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of TTE and to evaluate its potential role in the management of patients with suspected AAAS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We included prospective or retrospective diagnostic cohort studies, written in any language, that specifically focused on using TTE to diagnose AAAS from databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio [1], and hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic (HSROC) curve were calculated for TTE in diagnosing AAAS. We applied Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS-2) tool and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) quality assessment criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten studies (2886 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of direct TTE signs were 58% (95% CI, 38-76%) and 94% (95% CI, 89-97%). For any TTE signs, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 91% (95% CI, 85-94%) and 74% (95% CI, 61-84%). The diagnostic accuracy of direct TTE signs was significantly higher than that of any TTE signs, as measured by the area under the HSROC curve [0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.96) vs. 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.90)] in four studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study suggests that TTE could serve as the initial imaging test for patients with suspected AAAS. Given its high specificity, the presence of direct TTE signs may indicate AAAS, whereas the absence of any TTE signs, combined with low clinical suspicion, could suggest a lower likelihood of AAAS.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100747"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140910761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Charting new territory: The Plasmodium falciparum tRNA modification landscape.","authors":"Benjamin Sian Teck Lee, Ameya Sinha, Peter Dedon, Peter Preiser","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ribonucleoside modifications comprising the epitranscriptome are present in all organisms and all forms of RNA, including mRNA, rRNA and tRNA, the three major RNA components of the translational machinery. Of these, tRNA is the most heavily modified and the tRNA epitranscriptome has the greatest diversity of modifications. In addition to their roles in tRNA biogenesis, quality control, structure, cleavage, and codon recognition, tRNA modifications have been shown to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including humans. However, studies investigating the impact of tRNA modifications on gene expression in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are currently scarce. Current evidence shows that the parasite has a limited capacity for transcriptional control, which points to a heavier reliance on strategies for posttranscriptional regulation such as tRNA epitranscriptome reprogramming. This review addresses the known functions of tRNA modifications in the biology of P. falciparum while highlighting the potential therapeutic opportunities and the value of using P. falciparum as a model organism for addressing several open questions related to the tRNA epitranscriptome.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100745"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140908125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antrodia cinnamomea extract alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the mTOR pathway","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive diffuse parenchymal lung disorder with a high mortality rate. Studies have indicated that injured lung tissues release various pro-inflammatory factors, and produce a large amount of nitric oxide. There is also accumulation of collagen and oxidative stress-induced injury, collectively leading to pulmonary fibrosis. <em>Antrodia cinnamomea</em> is an endemic fungal growth in Taiwan, and its fermented extracts exert anti-inflammatory effects to alleviate liver damages. Hence, we hypothesized and tested the feasibility of using <em>A. cinnamomea</em> extracts for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The TGF-β1-induced human lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) <em>in vitro</em> cell assay were used to evaluate the effects of <em>A. cinnamomea</em> extracts on the collagen production in MRC-5. Eight-week-old ICR mice were intratracheally administered bleomycin and then fed with an <em>A. cinnamomea</em> extract on day 3 post-administration of bleomycin. At day 21 post-bleomycin administration, the pulmonary functional test, the expression level of inflammation- and fibrosis-related genes in the lung tissue, and the histopathological change were examined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The <em>A. cinnamomea</em> extract significantly attenuated the expression level of collagen in the TGF-β1-induced MRC-5 cells. In the <em>A. cinnamome</em>-treated bleomycin-induced lung fibrotic mice, the bodyweight increased, pulmonary functions improved, the lung tissues expression level of inflammatory factor and the fibrotic indicator were decreased, and the histopathological results showed the reduction of thickening of the inter-alveolar septa.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The <em>Antrodia cinnamomea</em> extract significant protects mice against bleomycin-induced lung injuries through improvement of body weight gain and lung functions, and attenuation of expression of inflammatory and fibrotic indicators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 6","pages":"Article 100720"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140847471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmaceutical cost savings from the treatment of oncology patients in clinical trials.","authors":"Borja Gómez Mediavilla, Paloma Lanza León, Virginia Martínez Callejo, David Cantarero Prieto, María Lanza Postigo, Matilde Salcedo Lambea, Yolanda Blanco Mesonero, María Ochagavia Sufrategui, Ignacio Durán, Carmen María Sarabia Cobo","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100742","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100742","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was twofold: to assess the annual pharmaceutical savings associated with the treatment of cancer patients at Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital and to estimate the cost of innovative antineoplastic therapies that patients receive as experimental treatment, both during clinical trials throughout 2020.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>An observational and financial analysis of the drug cost related to clinical trials was applied. Direct cost savings to the Regional Health System of Cantabria and the cost of innovative therapies used as an experimental treatment in clinical trials were quantified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study includes 38 clinical trials with a sample of 101 patients. The clinical trials analyzed provide a total cost savings of €603,350.21 and an average cost saving of €6,630.22 per patient. Furthermore, the total investment amounts to €789,892.67, with an average investment of €15,488.09 per patient.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinical trials are essential for the advancement of science. Furthermore, clinical trials can be a significant source of income for both hospitals and Regional Health Systems, contributing to their financial sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100742"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140859710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"m⁶A landscape is more pervasive when Trypanosoma brucei exits the cell cycle.","authors":"Lúcia Serra, Sara Silva Pereira, Idálio J Viegas, Henrique Machado, Lara López-Escobar, Luisa M Figueiredo","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100728","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a mRNA modification with important roles in gene expression. In African trypanosomes, this post-transcriptional modification is detected in hundreds of transcripts and it affects the stability of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) transcript in the proliferating blood stream form. However, how the m⁶A landscape varies across the life cycle remains poorly defined. Using full-length, non-fragmented RNA, we immunoprecipitated and sequenced m⁶A-modified transcripts across three life cycle stages of Trypanosoma brucei - slender (proliferative), stumpy (quiescent), and procyclic forms (proliferative). We found that 1037 transcripts are methylated in at least one of these three life cycle stages. While 21% of methylated transcripts are common in the three stages of the life cycle, globally each stage has a distinct methylome. Interestingly, 47% of methylated transcripts are detected in the quiescent stumpy form only, suggesting a critical role for m⁶A when parasites exit the cell cycle and prepare for transmission by the Tsetse fly. In this stage, we found that a significant proportion of methylated transcripts encodes for proteins involved in RNA metabolism, which is consistent with their reduced transcription and translation. Moreover, we found that not all major surface proteins are regulated by m⁶A, as procyclins are not methylated, and that, within the VSG repertoire, not all VSG transcripts are demethylated upon parasite differentiation to procyclic form. This study reveals that the m⁶A regulatory landscape is specific to each life cycle stage, becoming more pervasive as T. brucei exits the cell cycle.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100728"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140847975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vivo SPECT imaging of Tc-99m radiolabeled exosomes from human umbilical-cord derived mesenchymal stem cells in small animals","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC-EVs) have been postulated to have therapeutic potential for various diseases. However, the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of these vesicles are still unclear. For a better understanding of the <em>in vivo</em> properties of UCMSC-EVs, in the present study, these vesicles were first radiolabeled with Technetium-99m (^99mTc-UCMSC-EVs) and evaluated using <em>in vivo</em> single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and biodistribution experiments. SPECT images demonstrated that the liver and spleen tissues mainly took up the ^99mTc-UCMSC-EVs. The biodistribution study observed slight uptake in the thyroid and stomach, indicating that ^99mTc-UCMSC-EVs was stable at 24 h <em>in vivo</em>. The pharmacokinetic analyses of the blood half-life demonstrated the quick distribution phase (0.85 ± 0.28 min) and elimination phase (25.22 ± 20.76 min) in mice. This study provides a convenient and efficient method for ^99mTc-UCMSC-EVs preparation without disturbing their properties. In conclusion, the biodistribution, quick elimination, and suitable stability <em>in vivo</em> of ^99mTc-UCMSC-EVs were quantified by the noninvasive imaging and pharmacokinetic analyses, which provides useful information for indication selection, dosage protocol design, and toxicity assessment in future applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 100721"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417024000246/pdfft?md5=f6bfd85d22f0548e875248f1e7865047&pid=1-s2.0-S2319417024000246-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140785094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome-wide association study identifies DRAM1 associated with Tourette syndrome in Taiwan","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics. Several susceptibility loci associated with TS have been identified previously in populations of European descent using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, the exact pathogenic mechanism underlying TS is unknown; additionally, the results of previous GWAS for TS were based on Western populations, which may not translate to other populations. Therefore, we conducted a GWAS in Taiwanese patients with TS and chronic tic disorders (CTDs), with an aim to elucidate the genetic basis and potential risk factors for TS in this population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>GWAS was performed on a Taiwanese TS/CTDs cohort with a sample size of 1007 patients with TS and 25,522 ancestry-matched controls. Additionally, polygenic risk score was calculated and assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Genome-wide significant locus, rs12313062 (<em>p</em> = 1.43 × 10⁻⁸) and other 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms, were identified in chromosomes 12q23.2, associated with <em>DRAM1</em> and was a novel susceptibility locus identified in TS/CTDs group. DRAM1, a lysosomal transmembrane protein regulated by p53, modulates autophagy and apoptosis, with potential implications for neuropsychiatric conditions associated with autophagy disruption.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study conducted the first GWAS for TS in a Taiwanese population, identifying a significant locus on chromosome 12q23.2 associated with <em>DRAM1</em>. These findings provide novel insights into the neurobiology of TS and potential directions for future research in this area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 6","pages":"Article 100725"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140847472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blood oxygenation state in COVID-19 patients: Unexplored role of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>COVID-19 reduces lung functionality causing a decrease of blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) often related to a decreased cellular oxygenation (hypoxia). Besides lung injury, other factors are implicated in the regulation of oxygen availability such as pH, partial arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO₂), temperature, and erythrocytic 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) levels, all factors affecting hemoglobin saturation curve. However, few data are currently available regarding the 2,3-BPG modulation in SARS-CoV-2 affected patients at the hospital admission.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>Sixty-eight COVID-19 patients were enrolled at hospital admission. The lung involvement was quantified using chest-Computer Tomography (CT) analysed with automatic software (CALIPER). Haemoglobin concentrations, glycemia, and routine analysis were evaluated in the whole blood, while partial arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂), PaCO₂, pH, and HCO₃⁻ were assessed by arterial blood gas analysis. 2,3-BPG levels were assessed by specific immunoenzymatic assays in RBCs.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A higher percentage of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and vascular pulmonary-related structure (VRS) volume on chest-CT quantified with CALIPER had been found in COVID-19 patients with a worse disease outcome (R = 0.4342; and R = 0.3641, respectively). Furthermore, patients with lower PaO₂ showed an imbalanced acid-base equilibrium (pH, <em>p</em> = 0.0208; PaCO₂, <em>p</em> = 0.0496) and a higher 2,3-BPG levels (<em>p</em> = 0.0221). The 2,3-BPG levels were also lower in patients with metabolic alkalosis (<em>p</em> = 0.0012 vs. no alkalosis; and <em>p</em> = 0.0383 vs. respiratory alkalosis).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Overall, the data reveal a different pattern of activation of blood oxygenation compensatory mechanisms reflecting a different course of the COVID-19 disease specifically focusing on 2,3-BPG modulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 6","pages":"Article 100723"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140765485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aging like fine wine: Mischievous microbes and other factors influencing senescence","authors":"Aila Akosua Kattner","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100722","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100722","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this issue, a special section is dedicated to the factors affecting senescence. It examines the interplay between immunosenescence and chronic kidney disease, probes into Peto's paradox, and explores how epigenetic switches can potentially mitigate senescence and inflammation. Additionally, insights are offered on understanding a specific Ras mechanism in yeast for potential therapeutic interventions against cancer and for longevity. Furthermore, the remarkable endurance of last year's Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine is also highlighted. Moreover, the discovery of potential biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma, the link between osteoarthritis and the circadian clock, and the multifaceted role of DNAJA3 in B cell lifecycle are discussed. Further, study findings shed light on the influence of extracellular matrix molecules on cleft palate formation, the renal protective effects of combination therapy in diabetic kidney disease, and novel approaches to detect developmental dysplasia of the hip. Finally, a correspondence delves into the role of autonomic regulation in cognitive decline.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 2","pages":"Article 100722"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417024000258/pdfft?md5=b91f08cf6b26d64f5df5146facdf5c73&pid=1-s2.0-S2319417024000258-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140334557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A tale of Science - The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023","authors":"Sophia Julia Häfner","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100716","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100716","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 2","pages":"Article 100716"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417024000192/pdfft?md5=f3346e8401960db4d5c3c7b5c3b4fae1&pid=1-s2.0-S2319417024000192-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140136448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}