Nutritional Status and Post-Cardiac Surgery Outcomes: An Updated Review with Emphasis on Cognitive Function.

Background/Objectives: Nutritional status significantly influences cardiac surgery outcomes, with malnutrition contributing to poorer results and increased complications. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding by exploring the relationship between pre-operative nutritional status and post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in adult cardiac patients. Methods: A comprehensive search across key databases investigates the prevalence of malnutrition in pre-operative cardiac surgery patients, its effects, and its association with POCD. Factors exacerbating malnutrition, such as chronic illnesses and reduced functionality, are considered. The study also examines the incidence of POCD, its primary association with CABG procedures, and the impact of malnutrition on complications like inflammation, pulmonary and cardiac failure, and renal injury. Discussions: Findings reveal that 46.4% of pre-operative cardiac surgery patients experience malnutrition, linked to chronic illnesses and reduced functionality. Malnutrition significantly contributes to inflammation and complications, including POCD, with an incidence ranging from 15 to 50%. CABG procedures are particularly associated with POCD, and malnutrition prolongs intensive care stays while increasing vulnerability to surgical stress. Conclusions: The review underscores the crucial role of nutrition in recovery and advocates for a universally recognized nutrition assessment tool tailored to diverse cardiac surgery patients. Emphasizing pre-operative enhanced nutrition as a potential strategy to mitigate inflammation and improve cognitive function, the review highlights the need for integrating nutrition screening into clinical practice to optimize outcomes for high-risk cardiac surgery patients. However, to date, most data came from observational studies; hence, there is a need for future interventional studies to test the hypothesis that pre-operative enhanced nutrition can mitigate inflammation and improve cognitive function in this patient population.

The chloroplast genome inheritance pattern of the Deli-Nigerian prospection material (NPM) × Yangambi population of Elaeis guineensis Jacq.

Background: The chloroplast genome has the potential to be genetically engineered to enhance the agronomic value of major crops. As a crop plant with major economic value, it is important to understand every aspect of the genetic inheritance pattern among Elaeis guineensis individuals to ensure the traceability of agronomic traits. Methods: Two parental E. guineensis individuals and 23 of their F1 progenies were collected and sequenced using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique on the Illumina platform. Chloroplast genomes were assembled de novo from the cleaned raw reads and aligned to check for variations. The sequences were compared and analyzed with programming language scripting and relevant bioinformatic softwares. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were determined from the chloroplast genome. Results: The chloroplast genome assembly resulted in 156,983 bp, 156,988 bp, 156,982 bp, and 156,984 bp. The gene content and arrangements were consistent with the reference genome published in the GenBank database. Seventy-eight SSRs were detected in the chloroplast genome, with most located in the intergenic spacer region.The chloroplast genomes of 17 F1 progenies were exact copies of the maternal parent, while six individuals showed a single variation in the sequence. Despite the significant variation displayed by the male parent, all the nucleotide variations were synonymous. This study show highly conserve gene content and sequence in Elaeis guineensis chloroplast genomes. Maternal inheritance of chloroplast genome among F1 progenies are robust with a low possibility of mutations over generations. The findings in this study can enlighten inheritance pattern of Elaeis guineensis chloroplast genome especially among crops' scientists who consider using chloroplast genome for agronomic trait modifications.

Immunomodulating Phytochemicals: An Insight Into Their Potential Use in Cytokine Storm Situations.

Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that possess a variety of bioactive properties, including antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of phytochemicals in targeting specific signalling pathways involved in cytokine storm, a life-threatening clinical condition resulting from excessive immune cell activation and oversupply of proinflammatory cytokines. Several studies have documented the immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals on immune function, including their ability to regulate essential cellular and molecular interactions of immune system cells. This makes them a promising alternative for cytokine storm management, especially when combined with existing chemotherapies. Furthermore, phytochemicals have been found to target multiple signalling pathways, including the TNF-α/NF-κB, IL-1/NF-κB, IFN-γ/JAK/STAT, and IL-6/JAK-STAT. These pathways play critical roles in the development and progression of cytokine storm, and targeting them with phytochemicals represents a promising strategy for controlling cytokine release and the subsequent inflammation. Studies have also investigated certain families of plant-related constituents and their potential immunomodulatory actions. In vivo and in vitro studies have reported the immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals, which provide viable alternatives in the management of cytokine storm syndrome. The collective data from previous studies suggest that phytochemicals represent a potentially functional source of cytokine storm treatment and promote further exploration of these compounds as immunomodulatory agents for suppressing specific signalling cascade responses. Overall, the previous research findings support the use of phytochemicals as a complementary approach in managing cytokine storm and improving patient outcomes.

Rare coinheritance of hemoglobin vancleave with severe beta-thalassemia mutation in a patient with secondary erythrocytosis.

Hemoglobin (Hb) Vancleave (NM_000518.5:c.431 A > T; dbSNP: rs33918338) is an extremely rare structural hemoglobin variant worldwide, and studies are limited. This report describes the case of a 16-year-old male patient who presented with secondary erythrocytosis. The diagnosis of Hb Vancleave, in combination with codon 41/42 (-TTCT) (NM_000518.5:c.126_129del; dbSNP: rs80356821), was confirmed by direct sequencing. This report highlights the importance of sequencing in the differential diagnosis of beta-thalassemia syndrome in Malaysia.

Tumor-suppressive functions of protein lysine methyltransferases.

Protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) play crucial roles in histone and nonhistone modifications, and their dysregulation has been linked to the development and progression of cancer. While the majority of studies have focused on the oncogenic functions of PKMTs, extensive evidence has indicated that these enzymes also play roles in tumor suppression by regulating the stability of p53 and ß-catenin, promoting α-tubulin-mediated genomic stability, and regulating the transcription of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Despite their contradictory roles in tumorigenesis, many PKMTs have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. However, PKMT inhibitors may have unintended negative effects depending on the specific cancer type and target enzyme. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively summarize the tumor-suppressive effects of PKMTs and to provide new insights into the development of anticancer drugs targeting PKMTs.

Clinical and haematological characteristics of 38 individuals with Hb G-Makassar in Malaysia.

Haemoglobin (Hb) G-Makassar is a rare Hb variant. It presents a diagnostic challenge as it imitates sickle Hb (Hb S) in standard electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography assays requiring DNA analysis to confirm diagnosis. Both have point mutations in codon 6, exon 1 in the ß-globin (HBB) gene with different pathogenicities. This study describes the clinical phenotype, haematology and genotype of Hb G-Makassar. Clinical and laboratory data of 38 cases of Hb G-Makassar over 8 years were analysed. Hb G-Makassar was confirmed by a direct sequencing of HBB gene and co-inheritance of α-thalassaemia determined through multiplex gap-PCR and multiplex Amplification Refractory Mutation System polymerase chain reaction. All cases were Malays, predominantly from Terengganu (n = 20, 52.6%). There were 14 (36.8%) males and 24 (63.2%) females with median age of 25 years. Majority (n = 33, 86.8%) had features of thalassaemia trait with mean ± SD for Hb, mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) as 13.21 g/dL ± 1.69, 73.06 ± 4.48 fL and 24.71 ± 1.82 pg, respectively. None had evidence of haemolysis or thromboembolic complications. Six genotypes were identified; ßG-Makassar/ß,αα/αα (n = 19, 50.0%), ßG-Makassar/ßE,αα/αα (n = 4, 10.5%), ßG-Makassar/ßNewYork,αα/αα (n = 1, 2.6%), ßG-Makassar/ß,αα/-α (n = 11, 28.9%), ßG-Makassar/ß,αα/αAdanaα (n = 2, 5.3%) and ßG-Makassar/ß,αα/-SEA (n = 1, 2.6%). The ßG-Makassar/ß,αα/αα showed that features of thalassaemia trait with mean ± SD for Hb, MCV and MCH were 13.74 g/dL ± 2.40, 76.18 ± 6.02 fL and 25.79 ± 2.41 pg, respectively. This is the largest study reporting a significant number of Hb G-Makassar in Malaysia. Although the mutation is similar to Hb S, the phenotype is benign.

Protection of c-Fos from autophagic degradation by PRMT1-mediated methylation fosters gastric tumorigenesis.

Both AP-1 and PRMT1 are vital molecules in variety of cellular progresssion, but the interaction between these proteins in the context of cellular functions is less clear. Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the pernicious diseases worldwide. An in-depth understanding of the molecular mode of action underlying gastric tumorigenesis is still elusive. In this study, we found that PRMT1 directly interacts with c-Fos and enhances AP-1 activation. PRMT1-mediated arginine methylation (mono- and dimethylation) of c-Fos synergistically enhances c-Fos-mediated AP-1 liveliness and consequently increases c-Fos protein stabilization. Consistent with this finding, PRMT1 knockdown decreases the protein level of c-Fos. We discovered that the c-Fos protein undergoes autophagic degradation and found that PRMT1-mediated methylation at R287 protects c-Fos from autophagosomal degradation and is linked to clinicopathologic variables as well as prognosis in stomach tumor. Together, our data demonstrate that PRMT1-mediated c-Fos protein stabilization promotes gastric tumorigenesis. We contend that targeting this modification could constitute a new therapeutic strategy in gastric cancer.

Cure & Care 1Malaysia Clinics: Measuring the Effectiveness via Dyads Lens Involving Receivers and Providers.

Drug treatment and rehabilitation programs are one of the initiatives to alleviate the global epidemic of drug addiction. The efforts were undertaken by everyone, particularly the government. However, the rising number of drug relapses among patients or clients ponders the effectiveness of the drug treatment and rehabilitation programs implemented in the country. This paper aims to study the drug relapse prevention initiatives and the effectiveness of the center in dealing with drug addiction issues. A case study of 4 drug treatment and rehabilitation centers, namely Cure & Care 1Malaysia Clinics in Selangor, Malacca, Penang, and Kelantan, was selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 participants-26 clients and 11 providers, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo version 12. The findings indicate that relapse prevention initiatives are a signal for the effectiveness of the center to reduce drug relapse cases. The implementation of drug treatment and rehabilitation programs was effective based on key aspects consisting of (1) knowledge and life skills learned; (2) staff reception; (3) individual changes; and (4) client acceptance. Therefore, by experiencing relapse prevention activities, it helps to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of drug treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Phenotypic and genotypic comparison of pathogenic group B Streptococcus isolated from human and cultured tilapia (Oreochromis species) in Malaysia.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of several infectious diseases in humans and fish. This study was conducted to compare human and fish-derived GBS in terms of their antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype, virulence and pili genes and sequence type (ST), and to determine whether there is a potential linkage of zoonotic transmission in Malaysia. GBS isolated from humans and fish had similar phenotypic characteristics and differed in virulence gene profile, antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype and sequence type. Fish GBS isolates had lower genetic diversity and higher antibiotic susceptibility than human isolates. We report a rare detection of the potentially fish-adapted ST283 in human GBS isolates. Both human and fish ST283 shared several phenotypic and genotypic features, including virulence and pilus genes and antimicrobial susceptibility, illustrating the value of monitoring GBS within the One Health scope. In this study, two human GBS ST283 isolates belonging to the variant common in fish hosts were identified, raising awareness of the zoonotic potential between the different species in Malaysia.

Association between the Internet Gaming Disorder and Anxiety and Depression among University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Internet gaming is now a major concern since its overuse has had a detrimental impact on people's well-being. This study aims to investigate the association between Internet Gaming Disorder and depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as gaming elements during the COVID-19 pandemic, among university students. Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 213 students from two different institutions who were randomly selected. The participants were required to complete three sets of online questionnaires via Google Forms. The online questionnaire consists of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGD9-SF) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: The prevalence rate of IGD among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic was 9.86%. Bivariate analysis revealed biological sex (p-value = 0.011), preferred gaming platforms (p-value = <0.001), game gameplay (p-value = 0.03), history of substance use (p-value = <0.001), and stress (p-value = <0.001) to be associated with IGD. Meanwhile, binary logistic regression demonstrated that males have a higher risk of developing IGD compared with females (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.426, p-value 0.015, CI = 1.27-9.21). Students who used consoles as their preferred gaming platform were 13 times more likely to develop IGD in comparison to another platform (AOR = 13.031, p-value = 0.010, 95% CI = 1.87-91.02). Extensive gaming duration of more than 4 h a day showed a higher risk of developing IGD (AOR = 8.929, p-value 0.011, CI = 1.659-48.050). High-stress levels significantly increased the risk of IGD (AOR = 13.729, p-value = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.81-67.1). Conclusion: The prevalence of IGD among university students was high during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, interventions for reducing stress among university students should be implemented to reduce the risk of IGD.

Antiphotoaging and Skin-Protective Activities of Ardisia silvestris Ethanol Extract in Human Keratinocytes.

Ardisia silvestris is a traditional medicinal herb used in Vietnam and several other countries. However, the skin-protective properties of A. silvestris ethanol extract (As-EE) have not been evaluated. Human keratinocytes form the outermost barrier of the skin and are the main target of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV exposure causes skin photoaging via the production of reactive oxygen species. Protection from photoaging is thus a key component of dermatological and cosmetic products. In this research, we found that As-EE can prevent UV-induced skin aging and cell death as well as enhance the barrier effect of the skin. First, the radical-scavenging ability of As-EE was checked using DPPH, ABTS, TPC, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays, and a 3-(4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to examine cytotoxicity. Reporter gene assays were used to determine the doses that affect skin-barrier-related genes. A luciferase assay was used to identify possible transcription factors. The anti-photoaging mechanism of As-EE was investigated by determining correlated signaling pathways using immunoblotting analyses. As-EE had no harmful effects on HaCaT cells, according to our findings, and As-EE revealed moderate radical-scavenging ability. With high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, rutin was found to be one of the major components. In addition, As-EE enhanced the expression levels of hyaluronic acid synthase-1 and occludin in HaCaT cells. Moreover, As-EE dose-dependently up-regulated the production of occludin and transglutaminase-1 after suppression caused by UVB blocking the activator protein-1 signaling pathway, in particular, the extracellular response kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our findings suggest that As-EE may have anti-photoaging effects by regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase, which is good news for the cosmetics and dermatology sectors.

Banana pseudo-stem biochar derived from slow and fast pyrolysis process.

This study evaluated the properties of banana pseudo-stem (BPS) biochar derived from two different types of pyrolysis. The fast pyrolysis experiment was performed using a worktable-scale fluidized-bed reactor, while a bench-scale fixed-bed reactor was used in the slow pyrolysis experiment. The preliminary analysis shows that the feedstock contains 80.6 db wt% of volatile matter, 12.5 db wt% of ash and 33.6% of carbon content. Biochar yield reduces as the pyrolysis temperature elevates for both pyrolysis experiments. Fast pyrolysis yields a higher percentage of biochar (40.3%) than biochar yield obtained from the slow pyrolysis experiment (34.9 wt%) at a similar temperature of 500 °C. The evaluation of biochar derived at 500 °C shows that the biochar obtained from the slow pyrolysis process has higher carbon content, heating value, and surface area with lower ash content. Meanwhile, FESEM images show significant differences in surface morphology and the number of pores for biochar derived from fast and slow pyrolysis. These findings indicate the potential and suitability of BPS biochar derived from the slow pyrolysis process in applications such as soil amelioration and solid biofuel.

Microarray Profiling of Differentially Expressed Genes in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts of High-Risk Patients with Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunctions.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is cognitive decline after surgery. The authors hypothesized that gene-level changes could be involved in the pathogenesis of POCD. The present study evaluated the incidence of POCD and its associated differentially expressed genes. This was a prospective cohort study conducted on high-risk coronary artery bypass graft patients aged 40 to 75 years. POCD classification was based on a one standard deviation decline in the postoperative scores compared to the preoperative scores. The differentially expressed genes were identified using microarray analysis and validated using quantitative RT-PCR. Forty-six patients were recruited and completed the study. The incidence of POCD was identified using a set of neurocognitive assessments and found to be at 17% in these high-risk CABG patients. Six samples were selected for the gene expression analyses (3 non-POCD and 3 POCD samples). The findings showed five differentially expressed genes in the POCD group compared to the non-POCD group. The upregulated gene was ERFE, whereas the downregulated genes were KIR2DS2, KIR2DS3, KIR3DL2, and LIM2. According to the results, the gene expression profiles of POCD can be used to find potential proteins for POCD diagnostic and predictive biomarkers. Understanding the molecular mechanism of POCD development will further lead to early detection and intervention to reduce the severity of POCD, and hence, reduce the mortality and morbidity rate due to the condition.

Optimization of agarose-alginate hydrogel bead components for encapsulation and transportation of stem cells.

Hydrogels have potential uses in various biological applications because of their unique characteristics. Fine-tuning of agarose-alginate (Ag-Al) hydrogel components improves the mechanical characteristics of the final construct for cell encapsulation and transportation. Formulation of suitable dissolving agents may enable the release of encapsulated cells for further applications in laboratory or clinical settings. Objectives: This study aimed at optimizing the composition of Ag-Al hydrogel beads and their dissolving agents for potential use in the transportation of stem cells. Methods: Various agarose, alginate, and CaCl2 concentrations were tested to construct hydrogel beads. The degradation rate and swelling ratio of each hydrogel sample were recorded. The optimized Ag-Al hydrogels were used for encapsulation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Optimization of dissolving agents was performed and tested with the hydrogel-encapsulated cells. Data were statistically analyzed in SPSS. Results: The selected concentration of Ag-Al hydrogels components was successfully demonstrated to encapsulate SHED, which remained viable until day 10. An average of 2 min was required for degradation of the hydrogel with encapsulated SHED by a dissolving agent consisting of 100 mM sodium citrate and 100 mM EDTA. The cell viability of SHED released after day 10 of encapsulation was 29.1%. Conclusion: Alteration of Ag-Al components has considerable influence on the mechanical properties of the constructed hydrogel. The feasibility of performing the optimized cell encapsulation protocol, as well as the dissolving step, may provide a useful guide for the transportation of viable cells between countries, for medical research.

Syk promotes phagocytosis by inducing reactive oxygen species generation and suppressing SOCS1 in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation, a vital innate immune response against infection and injury, is mediated by macrophages. Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) regulates inflammatory responses in macrophages; however, its role and underlying mechanisms are uncertain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, overexpression and knockout (KO) cell preparations, phagocytosis analysis, confocal microscopy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination, mRNA analysis, and immunoprecipitation/western blotting analyses were used to investigate the role of Syk in phagocytosis and its underlying mechanisms in macrophages during inflammatory responses. RESULTS: Syk inhibition by Syk KO, Syk-specific small interfering RNA (siSyk), and a selective Syk inhibitor (piceatannol) significantly reduced the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells. Syk inhibition also decreased cytochrome c generation by inhibiting ROS-generating enzymes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and ROS scavenging suppressed the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells. LPS induced the tyrosine nitration (N-Tyr) of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) through Syk-induced ROS generation in RAW264.7 cells. On the other hand, ROS scavenging suppressed the N-Tyr of SOCS1 and phagocytosis. Moreover, SOCS1 overexpression decreased phagocytic activity, and SOCS1 inhibition increased the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Syk plays a critical role in the phagocytic activity of macrophages by inducing ROS generation and suppressing SOCS1 through SOCS1 nitration during inflammatory responses.

Challenges and opportunities in the application of bioinspired engineered nanomaterials for the recovery of metal ions from mining industry wastewater.

Heavy-metal-bearing wastewater is among the most formidable challenges the mining industry currently faces in maintaining its social license to operate. Amongst the technologies available for metal ion adsorption, bioinspired engineering nanomaterials have emerged as one which exhibits great promise. However, current processes used for the preparation of adsorbents (including nanoscale activated carbon and biochar) represent a source of adverse impacts on the environment. In contrast, the application of biogenic-nanoparticles, i.e., those derived from processes catalysed by microbiota, has received significant attention in the last few years. Coupled with this, the use of naturally occurring reagents is of major importance for the sustainability of this emerging industry. This paper analyses the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the synthesis of adsorbents derived from agricultural wastes. Moreover, rather than simply recovering the ecotoxic metals from wastewater, the potential to valorise dissolved metals into high-value metallic nanoparticle products is discussed. LCA analysis revealed that the adsorbent had some adverse impact on the environment. The agricultural wastes contributed 27.86% to global warming, 54.64% to ozone formation, 33.06% to fine particles, and 98.24% to marine eutrophication. Mining wastewater is an important, and largely currently unexploited, source of metal value. However, the often-low concentration of such metals dictates that their conversion into high-value products (such as engineered nanoparticles) is an important new research frontier. Within this the use of biosynthesis methods has emerged as having great potential due to a range of beneficial attributes, including low cost, high efficacy and/or environmental compatibility.

Cardiometabolic and Anthropometric Outcomes of Intermittent Fasting Among Civil Servants With Overweight and Obesity: Study Protocol for a Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity among adults are a growing global public health threat and an essential risk factor for various noncommunicable diseases. Although intermittent fasting is a generally new dietary approach to weight management that has been increasingly practiced worldwide, the effectiveness of 2 days per week dry fasting remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The Cardiometabolic and Anthropometric Outcomes of Intermittent Fasting study aims to determine the cardiometabolic, anthropometric, dietary intake, and quality of life changes among civil servants with overweight and obesity, following combined intermittent fasting and healthy plate (IFHP) and healthy plate (HP) and explore the participants' experiences. METHODS: We designed a mixed methods quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of the IFHP and HP methods among adults with overweight and obesity. A total of 177 participants were recruited for this study, of which 91 (51.4%) were allocated to the IFHP group and 86 (48.6%) to the HP group. The intervention comprised 2 phases: supervised (12 weeks) and unsupervised (12 weeks). Data collection was conducted at baseline, after the supervised phase (week 12), and after the unsupervised phase (week 24). Serum and whole blood samples were collected from each participant for analysis. Data on sociodemographic factors, quality of life, physical activity, and dietary intake were also obtained using questionnaires during data collection. RESULTS: Most of the participants were female (147/177, 83.1%) and Malay (141/177, 79.7%). The expected outcomes of this study are changes in body weight, body composition, quality of life, physical activity, dietary intake, and cardiometabolic parameters such as fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin, and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: The Cardiometabolic and Anthropometric Outcomes of Intermittent Fasting study is a mixed methods study to evaluate the effectiveness of combined IFHP and HP interventions on cardiometabolic and anthropometric parameters and explore participants' experiences throughout the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05034653; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05034653. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/33801.

Effects of Drug-Free Pectin Hydrogel Films on Thermal Burn Wounds in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

This study aims to examine the influence of drug-free pectin hydrogel films on partial-thickness burn wounds using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats as the animal model. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were included in the wound healing study, and scalding water was used to produce wounds in the dorsum region of the rats. Two different formulations of pectin hydrogel films, PH 2.5% and PH 5%, were prepared using a solvent evaporation method. MEBO® (moist exposed burn ointment), a commercial herbal formulation was used as a positive control. The progress of the wound healing was observed and compared between untreated normal rats, untreated diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with MEBO®, diabetic rats treated with PH 2.5%, and diabetic rats treated with PH 5%. The results showed that diabetic rats treated with PH 5% healed faster than the untreated diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with PH 2.5%. Interestingly, the diabetic rats treated with PH 5% healed as well as diabetic rats treated with MEBO®, where wounds were healed entirely on day 20. Nevertheless, both PH 2.5% and PH 5% showed a greater zone of inhibition than MEBO® when tested against Staphylococcus aureus.

Antidepressant-like Effects of Polygonum minus Aqueous Extract in Chronic Ultra-Mild Stress-Induced Depressive Mice Model.

Depression is the most common behavior disorder that leads to many disabilities. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Polygonum minus (P. minus) aqueous extract on chronic ultra-mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive mice model. Chronic ultra-mild stress can disturb the neurotransmitters levels and plasticity of the hippocampus. Balb/c male mice were used in this study, which consisted of six groups (n = 14). Treatment was given for eight weeks, and chronic ultra-mild stress was applied for six weeks. Commercially available P. minus extract (BioKesum®) was used in this study. The behavior and neurochemical parameters were investigated through behavioral Tests and ELISA assays. P. minus administration significantly (p < 0.05) restored CUMS-induced behavior abnormalities, decreased the immobility time, and increased the sucrose preference and increased the spatial memory. P. minus treatment also showed the decreased level of serum corticosterone and increased the level of hippocampal neurotransmitters (Serotonin and Norepinephrine) significantly (p < 0.05). The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level also increased significantly in both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (p < 0.05). P. minus treatment exhibited significant (p < 0.05) reduction of Monoamine Oxidase-A (MAO-A) in the hippocampus. These findings indicate that P. minus aqueous extract exhibits antidepressant effects, including decreased immobility time, increased spatial memory, reduced corticosterone, increased BDNF level, and reduced MAO-A enzyme level with increasing the monoamines (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the hippocampus.

The EEF1AKMT3/MAP2K7/TP53 axis suppresses tumor invasiveness and metastasis in gastric cancer.

The importance of methylation in the tumorigenic responses of nonhistone proteins, such as TP53, PTEN, RB1, AKT, and STAT3, has been emphasized in numerous studies. In parallel, the corresponding nonhistone protein methyltransferases have been acknowledged in the pathophysiology of cancer. Thus, this study aimed to explore the pathological role of a nonhistone methyltransferase in gastric cancer (GC), identify nonhistone substrate protein, and understand the underlying mechanism. Interestingly, among the 24 methyltransferases and methyltransferase family 16 (MTF16) proteins, EEF1AKMT3 (METTL21B) expression was prominently lower in GC tissues than in normal adjacent tissues and was associated with a worse prognosis. In addition, EEF1AKMT3-knockdown induced gastric tumor invasiveness and migration. Through gain and loss-of-function studies, mass spectrometry analysis, RNA-seq, and phospho-antibody array, we identified EEF1AKMT3 as a novel tumor-suppressive methyltransferase that catalyzes the monomethylation of MAP2K7 (MKK7) at K296, thereby decreasing the phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation of TP53. Furthermore, EEF1AKMT3, p-MAP2K7, and TP53 protein levels were positively correlated in GC tissues. Collectively, our results delineate the tumor-suppressive function of the EEF1AKMT3/MAP2K7/TP53 signaling axis and suggest the dysregulation of the signaling axis as potential targeted therapy in GC.