Biomedical Journal最新文献

{"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":"Epigenetic modifications of cfDNA in liquid biopsy for the cancer care continuum.","authors":"Jodie Wong, Rohit Muralidhar, Liang Wang, Chiang-Ching Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100718","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the clinical utility of liquid biopsy, with a particular focus on epigenetic approaches aimed at overcoming challenges in cancer diagnosis and treatment. It begins by elucidating key epigenetic terms, including methylomics, fragmentomics, and nucleosomics. The review progresses to discuss methods for analyzing circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and highlights recent studies showcasing the clinical relevance of epigenetic modifications in areas such as diagnosis, drug treatment response, minimal residual disease (MRD) detection, and prognosis prediction. While acknowledging hurdles like the complexity of interpreting epigenetic data and the absence of standardization, the review charts a path forward. It advocates for the integration of multi-omic data through machine learning algorithms to refine predictive models and stresses the importance of collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and data scientists. Such cooperative efforts are essential to fully leverage the potential of epigenetic features in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100718"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140206324","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":"Reflecting on the 1998 enterovirus outbreak: A 25-year retrospective and learned lessons.","authors":"Peng-Nien Huang, Shao-Hsuan Hsia, Kuan-Ying Arthur Huang, Chih-Jung Chen, En-Tzu Wang, Shin-Ru Shih, Tzou-Yien Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100715","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infections pose a significant public health concern in the Asia-Pacific region. EV-A71 is primarily responsible for causing hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. However, this virus can also lead to severe and potentially fatal neurological consequences in affected individuals. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular virology, epidemiology, and recombination events associated with EV-A71. The literature extensively covers the clinical manifestations and neurological symptoms that accompany EV-A71 infections. One of the complications explored in this review is brainstem encephalitis, which can arise as a result of EV-A71 infections. Brainstem encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brainstem, a critical region responsible for various bodily functions. The review examines the underlying mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, and prognosis for central nervous system infections involving EV-A71. Neurological complications associated with EV-A71 infections are diverse and can have severe consequences. These complications may include aseptic meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis, and acute transverse myelitis. The review delves into the pathophysiology of these complications, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms through which EV-A71 affects the central nervous system. Accurate diagnosis of EV-A71 infections is crucial for appropriate management and treatment. Treatment options for EV-A71 infections primarily focus on supportive care, as there are currently no specific antiviral drugs available for this virus. The review highlights the importance of managing symptoms, such as fever, dehydration, and pain relief, to alleviate the burden on affected individuals. Prognosis for individuals with central nervous system (CNS) infections involving EV-A71 can vary depending on the severity of the complications. The review provides insights into the long-term outcomes and potential neurological sequelae associated with EV-A71 infections. In conclusion, EV-A71 infections have emerged as a major public health concern in the Asia-Pacific region. This review aims to enhance our understanding of the molecular virology, epidemiology, and neurological complications associated with EV-A71. By examining the underlying mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, and prognosis, this review contributes to the development of effective strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of EV-A71 infections. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of worldwide data pertaining to outbreaks of EV-A71 and HFMD. The subsequent discourse delves into the advancement and strategic formulation pertaining to the creation of vaccines targeting EV-A71. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive examination of the potential obstacles and considerations involved in the management and treatment of EV-A71 infections. Additionally, it proposes suggestions for future research","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100715"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140139817","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":"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}

{"title":"Clinical significance of incidental common bile duct dilatation in children: A 10-year single medical center experience","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100717","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100717","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>With the widespread use of abdominal ultrasonography (US), incidental detection of common bile duct (CBD) dilatation is common in pediatric populations. This study investigated the causes and clinical significance of CBD dilatation in children without biliary symptoms, jaundice, or causative lesions in US.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients with CBD dilatation from July 2013 to June 2023. All cases were detected via abdominal US. We analyzed the patients’ clinical manifestations, laboratory data, diagnosis, underlying diseases, and clinical course.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In a total of 687 patients enrolled, 338 met inclusion criteria (90 in hepatobiliary, 248 in CBD dilatation group). Of 128 patients with incidental CBD dilatation who underwent regular US examinations, 91 (71.1%) experienced resolution during follow-up. The proportion of patients with intrahepatic duct dilatation was significantly higher in the non-resolution group (<em>p</em> = 0.038). General health examination group had significant smaller CBD diameter compared to the gastrointestinal and infection groups. Correlation analysis found starting point of resolution decline at 3.24 mm (all-inclusive) and 2.51 mm (infant group) CBD diameter.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Most children with incidental CBD dilatation did not have abnormal hepatobiliary function or other sonographic abnormalities. They usually remained asymptomatic and experienced uneventful clinical courses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 6","pages":"Article 100717"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140130631","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":"Mitochondrial dysfunction route as a possible biomarker and therapy target for human cancer","authors":"Rawan Al-Faze, Hoda A. Ahmed, Mohamed A. El-Atawy, Hayat Zagloul, Eida M. Alshammari, Mariusz Jaremko, Abdul-Hamid Emwas, Gehan M. Nabil, Demiana H. Hanna","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100714","url":null,"abstract":"Mitochondria are vital organelles found within living cells and have signalling, biosynthetic, and bioenergetic functions. Mitochondria play a crucial role in metabolic reprogramming, which is a characteristic of cancer cells and allows them to assure a steady supply of proteins, nucleotides, and lipids to enable rapid proliferation and development. Their dysregulated activities have been associated with the growth and metastasis of different kinds of human cancer, particularly ovarian carcinoma. In this review, we briefly demonstrated the modified mitochondrial function in cancer, including mutations in mtDNA, reactive oxygen species production, dynamics, apoptosis of cells, autophagy, and calcium excess to maintain cancer genesis, progression, and metastasis. Furthermore, the mitochondrial dysfunction pathway for some genomic, proteomic, and metabolomics modifications in ovarian cancer has been studied. Additionally, ovarian cancer has been linked to targeted therapies and biomarkers found through various alteration processes underlying mitochondrial dysfunction, notably targeting reactive oxygen species, metabolites, rewind metabolic pathways, and chemo-resistant ovarian carcinoma cells.","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"101 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140055158","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":"Altered purinergic P2X7 and A2B receptors signaling limits macrophage-mediated host defense in schistosomiasis","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100713","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100713","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The occurrence of co-infections during schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, with other parasites have been reported suggesting an impaired host immune defense. Macrophage purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) plays an important role against intracellular pathogens. Therefore, we investigated the P2X7R-mediated phagocytosis and killing capacity of <em>Leishmania amazonensis</em> by macrophages during schistosomiasis <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Swiss and C57BL/6 (Wild type) and P2X7R^−/− were randomized in two groups: control (uninfected) and <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>-infected. Alternatively, control Swiss and <em>S. mansoni</em>-infected mice were also infected with <em>L. amazonensis</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The pre-treatment of control macrophages with the P2X7R antagonist (A74003) or TGF-β reduced the phagocytosis index, mimicking the phenotype of cells from <em>S. mansoni</em>-infected mice and P2X7R^−/− mice. Apyrase also reduced the phagocytosis index in the control group corroborating the role of ATP to macrophage activation. Moreover, <span>l</span>-arginine-nitric oxide pathway was compromised during schistosomiasis, which could explain the reduced killing capacity in response to ATP <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. We found an increased extracellular nucleotide (ATP, ADP and AMP) hydrolysis along with an increased frequency of F4/80⁺ CD39⁺ macrophages from the <em>S. mansoni</em>-infected group. Moreover, the content of adenosine in the cell supernatant was higher in the <em>S. mansoni</em>-infected group in relation to controls. Schistosomiasis also increased the expression of macrophage adenosine A_2BR. In good accordance, both ADA and the selective A_2BR antagonist restored the phagocytosis index of macrophages from <em>S. mansoni</em>-infected group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Altogether, the altered P2X7R and A_2BR signaling limits the role of macrophages to host defense against <em>L. amazonensis</em> during schistosomiasis, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology and clinically relevant co-infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 6","pages":"Article 100713"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140038632","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":"Response to \"letter to editor\" from Nicolini et al. Regarding \"Autonomic modulation and the risk of dementia in a middle-aged cohort: A 17-year follow-up study\"","authors":"Yu-Tsung Chou,&nbsp;Zih-Jie Sun,&nbsp;Shih-Chieh Shao,&nbsp;Yi-Ching Yang,&nbsp;Feng-Hwa Lu,&nbsp;Chih-Jen Chang,&nbsp;Tzu-Chi Liao,&nbsp;Chung-Yi Li,&nbsp;Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen,&nbsp;Jin-Shang Wu ,&nbsp;Edward Chia-Cheng Lai","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100704","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 2","pages":"Article 100704"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417024000076/pdfft?md5=fe79106c9fa7694ffba2852d507a8ad4&pid=1-s2.0-S2319417024000076-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139989246","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":"Reading the epitranscriptome of the human malaria parasite","authors":"Gayathri Govindaraju, Arumugam Rajavelu","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2024.100703","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2024.100703","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Epigenetic machinery has emerged as a central player in gene regulation and chromatin organization in Plasmodium spp. Epigenetic modifications on histones and their role in antigenic variation in P. falciparum are widely studied. Recent discoveries on nucleic acid methylome are exciting and provide a new dimension to the apicomplexan protozoan parasite's gene regulatory process. Reports have confirmed that N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) methylation plays a crucial role in the translational plasticity of the human malaria parasite during its development in RBC. The YTH domain (YT521-B Homology) protein in P. falciparum binds to m6A epitranscriptome modifications on the mRNA and regulates protein translation. The binding of the PfYTH domain protein to the m6A-modified mRNA is mediated through a binding pocket formed by aromatic amino acids. The P. falciparum genome encodes two members of YTH domain proteins, i.e., YTH1 and YTH2, and both have distinct roles in dictating the epitranscriptome in human malaria parasites. This review highlights recent advancements in the functions and mechanisms of YTH domain protein's role in translational plasticity in the various developmental stages of the parasite.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"254 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139678914","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":"Anti-tumor effects of ketogenic diets and their synergism with other treatments in mice: Bayesian evidence synthesis of 1755 individual mouse survival data","authors":"Rainer J. Klement","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2023.100609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2023.100609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Ketogenic diets (KDs) are high-fat diets with putative anti-tumor effects. The aim of this study was to synthesize the evidence for the anti-tumor effects of KDs in mice, with a focus on their possible synergism with chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), or targeted therapies (TT).</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Relevant studies were retrieved from a literature search. A total of 43 articles reporting on 65 mouse experiments fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 1755 individual mouse survival times were collated from the study authors or the publications. The restricted mean survival time ratio (RMSTR) between the KD and control groups served as the effect size. Bayesian evidence synthesis models were used to estimate pooled effect sizes and to assess the impact of putative confounders and synergism between KD and other therapies.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Overall, there was a significant survival-prolonging effect of KD monotherapy (RMSTR = 1.161 ± 0.040), which was confirmed in meta-regression accounting for syngeneic versus xenogeneic models, early versus late KD start and subcutaneous versus other organ growth. Combining the KD with RT or TT, but not CT, was associated with a further 30% (RT) or 21% (TT) prolongation of survival. An analysis accounting for 15 individual tumor entities showed that KDs exerted significant survival-prolonging effects in pancreatic cancer (all treatment combinations), gliomas (KD + RT and KD + TT), head and neck cancer (KD + RT), and stomach cancer (KD+RT and KD + TT).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This analytical study confirmed the overall anti-tumor effects of KDs in a large number of mouse experiments and provides evidence for synergistic effects with RT and TT.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"47 1","pages":"Article 100609"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S231941702300046X/pdfft?md5=4517daa23a5bbc021bc8529b7017d4b6&pid=1-s2.0-S231941702300046X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9532789","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}