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Recent large-scale collaborations are generating major surveys of cell types and connections in the mouse brain, collecting large amounts of data across modalities, spatial scales, and brain areas. Successful integration of these data requires a standard 3D reference atlas. Here, we present the Allen Mouse Brain Common Coordinate Framework (CCFv3) as such a resource. We constructed an average template brain at 10 µm voxel resolution by interpolating high resolution in-plane serial two-photon tomography images with 100 µm z-sampling from 1,675 young adult C57BL/6J mice. Then, using multimodal reference data, we parcellated the entire brain directly in 3D, labeling every voxel with a brain structure spanning 43 isocortical areas and their layers, 329 subcortical gray matter structures, 81 fiber tracts, and 8 ventricular structures. CCFv3 can be used to analyze, visualize, and integrate multimodal and multiscale datasets in 3D and is openly accessible (https://atlas.brain-map.org/).
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Encéfalo/anatomía & histología , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Encéfalo/fisiología , Animales , Atlas como Asunto , Mapeo Encefálico/métodos , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador/métodos , Imagenología Tridimensional/métodos , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BLRESUMEN
The mammalian cortex is a laminar structure containing many areas and cell types that are densely interconnected in complex ways, and for which generalizable principles of organization remain mostly unknown. Here we describe a major expansion of the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas resource1, involving around a thousand new tracer experiments in the cortex and its main satellite structure, the thalamus. We used Cre driver lines (mice expressing Cre recombinase) to comprehensively and selectively label brain-wide connections by layer and class of projection neuron. Through observations of axon termination patterns, we have derived a set of generalized anatomical rules to describe corticocortical, thalamocortical and corticothalamic projections. We have built a model to assign connection patterns between areas as either feedforward or feedback, and generated testable predictions of hierarchical positions for individual cortical and thalamic areas and for cortical network modules. Our results show that cell-class-specific connections are organized in a shallow hierarchy within the mouse corticothalamic network.
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Corteza Cerebral/anatomía & histología , Corteza Cerebral/citología , Vías Nerviosas/anatomía & histología , Vías Nerviosas/citología , Tálamo/anatomía & histología , Tálamo/citología , Animales , Axones/fisiología , Corteza Cerebral/fisiología , Femenino , Integrasas/genética , Integrasas/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Vías Nerviosas/fisiología , Tálamo/fisiologíaRESUMEN
The association between sleep and pain has been investigated widely. However, inconsistent results from animal studies compared with human data show the need for a validated animal model in the sleep-pain association field. Our study aims to validate common neuropathic pain models as a tool for evaluating the sleep-pain association. Electrodes electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) were surgically implanted to measure sleep. The von Frey test was used to measure pain sensitivity. Following the baseline data acquisition, two pain-modelling procedures were performed: sciatic nerve crush injury (SCI) and common peroneal nerve ligation (CPL). Post-injury measurements were performed on days 1, 5, 10, and 15 post-surgery. The results presented decreased paw withdrawal thresholds and reduced NREM sleep duration in both models on the first post-surgery day. In the SCI model, NREM sleep duration was negatively correlated with paw withdrawal thresholds (p = 0.0466), but not in the CPL model. Wake alpha and theta EEG powers were also correlated with the pain threshold. The results confirm that the SCI model shows disturbed sleep patterns associated with increased pain sensitivity, suggesting it is a reliable tool for investigating sleep disturbances associated with neuropathic pain.
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Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The outbreak of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis has become a major challenge to prevent this disease worldwide. ClpC1 is a Clp ATPase protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, functioning as a chaperon when combined with the Clp complex. ClpC1 has emerged as a new target to discover anti-tuberculosis drugs. This study aimed to explore the ClpC1 inhibitors from actinomycetes, which have been known to provide abundant sources of antibiotics. Two cyclic peptides, including nocardamin (1), halolitoralin A (3), and a lactone pleurone (2), were isolated from the culture of Streptomyces aureus (VTCC43181). The structures of these compounds were determined based on the detailed analysis of their spectral data and comparison with references. This is the first time these compounds have been isolated from S. aureus. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their affection of ATPase activity of the recombinant ClpC1 protein. Of these compounds, halolitoralin A (1), a macrocyclic peptide, was effective for the ATPase hydrolysis of the ClpC1 protein.
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Streptomyces , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismo , Antituberculosos/farmacología , Antituberculosos/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/química , Adenosina Trifosfatasas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Fermentation technology using endophytes is considered a potential alternative approach for producing pharmaceutical compounds like podophyllotoxin (PTOX). In this study, fungus TQN5T (VCCM 44284) was selected from endophytic fungi isolated from Dysosma versipellis in Vietnam for PTOX production through TLC. The presence of PTOX in TQN5T was further confirmed by HPLC. Molecular identification indicated TQN5T as Fusarium proliferatum with 99.43% identity. This result was asserted by morphological characteristics such as white cottony, filamentous colony, layer and branched mycelium, and clear hyphae septa. Cytotoxic assay indicated both biomass extract and culture filtrate of TQN5T presented strong cytotoxicity on LU-1 and HepG2 with IC50 of 0.11, 0.20, 0.041, and 0071, respectively, implying anti-cancer compounds were accumulated in the mycelium and secreted into the medium. Further, the production of PTOX in TQN5T was investigated in the fermentation condition supplemented with 10 µg/ml of host plant extract or phenylalanine as elicitors. The results revealed a significantly higher amount of PTOX in the PDB + PE and PDB + PA at all studied time points in comparison with PDB (control). Especially, after 168 h of culture, PTOX content in the PDB with plant extract reached the peak with 314 µg/g DW which is 10% higher than the best yield of PTOX in previous studies, denoting F. proliferatum TQN5T as a promising PTOX producer. This is the first study on enhancing the PTOX production in endophytic fungi by supplementing phenylalanine-a precursor for PTOX biosynthesis in plants into fermented media, suggesting a common PTOX biosynthetic pathway between host plant and endophytes. KEY POINTS: ⢠Fusarium proliferatum TQN5T was proven for PTOX production. ⢠Both mycelia extract and spent broth extract of Fusarium proliferatum TQN5T presented strong cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines LU-1 and HepG2. ⢠The supplementation of 10 µg/ml host plant extract and phenylalanine into fermentation media of F. proliferatum TQN5T improved the yield of PTOX.
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Fusarium , Podofilotoxina , Podofilotoxina/metabolismo , Endófitos/metabolismo , Fusarium/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/metabolismo , Plantas/metabolismoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth and identify factors associated with dental caries among secondary school children in rural highland Vietnam. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included 1985 secondary schoolchildren. Dental examination was performed at school using World Health Organization criteria. Data collection on demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practices related to dental caries was conducted by interviewing children. Descriptive and inferential statistics using a multivariate logistic regression model were applied. RESULTS: Prevalence of caries in primary and permanent teeth was 41.1 and 68.9 %, respectively. Prevalence of caries in primary teeth in the age group 11-12 years old (59.4 %) was significantly higher than in children in the age group of 13-14 years (27.8 %; p < 0.01). Factors associated with dental caries in primary teeth were age group of 11-12 years, belonging to the Jarai ethnic group, and having inadequate knowledge or attitude related to dental caries. Factors associated with dental caries in permanent teeth were having insufficient knowledge, attitude, and practices related to dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth was high among secondary school children in Vietnam's rural highlands. It is recommended that interventions focus on younger secondary school children and the Jarai minority ethnic group, and that interventions should emphasize improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dental caries.
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Caries Dental , Adolescente , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Caries Dental/epidemiología , Humanos , Prevalencia , Instituciones Académicas , Vietnam/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
A novel coronavirus associated with acute respiratory disease (named SARS-CoV-2) is recently identified in Wuhan city, China, spread rapidly worldwide. Early identification of this novel coronavirus by molecular tools is critical for surveillance and control of the epidemic outbreak. We aimed to establish a simple method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in differentiating with SARS-CoV. Primers of our in-house reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were designed to target conserved regions of the RdRP gene and E gene, selected restriction enzymes EcoRI, Tsp45I, and AluI to distinguish between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. In this report, a 396-bp fragment of the RdRp gene and 345-bp fragment of the E gene were amplified by one-step RT-PCR. Enzyme Tsp45I cuts the RdRP-amplified product of SARS-CoV-2 generating three fragments of 45, 154, and 197 bp, but it did not cut the amplicon of SARS-CoV. In contrast, the amplified product of SARS-CoV was digested with EcoRI producing two fragments of 76 and 320 bp, whereas the amplicon of SARS-CoV-2 was undigested by Tsp45I help to distinguish clearly SARS-CoV-2 from SARS-CoV on gel electrophoresis. In addition, AluI cut the amplicon of the E gene of SARS-CoV-2 generating two fragments of 248 and 97 bp without cutting to SARS-CoV. The accuracy of the assay was confirmed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. When evaluated on clinical samples showed a high sensitivity of 95%, specificity of our assay was 100% and clinical performance for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with other reference assays. In conclusion, in the present study, we successfully developed a simple method for molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in differentiating with SARS-CoV.
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Prueba de Ácido Nucleico para COVID-19/métodos , COVID-19/diagnóstico , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , China , Técnicas de Laboratorio Clínico , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Humanos , Filogenia , ARN Viral/genética , Coronavirus Relacionado al Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo/genética , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Quantification of plasma cell-free Epstein Barr virus DNA (cf EBV DNA) has been suggested as a promising liquid biopsy assay for screening and early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the diagnostic value of this assay is currently not known in the population of Vietnam, one of the countries which contributed the most to the NPC cases. Herein, we have reported a highly sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay targeting cf EBV DNA for the detection of NPC. A standard curve with linear regression, R 2 = 0.9961 (range: 25-150 000 copies/mL) and a detection limit of 25 copies/mL were obtained using an EBV standard panel provided by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The clinical performance of this assay was assessed using plasma samples obtained from 261 Vietnamese individuals. The optimized qPCR assay detected cf EBV DNA in plasma with a sensitivity of 97.4% and a specificity of 98.2%. The absolute quantitative results of pretreatment cf EBV DNA and patient overall clinical stages were statistically correlated (P < .05). In summary, the remarkably high sensitivity and specificity of our optimized qPCR assay strongly supports the wide use of cf EBV DNA quantification as a routine noninvasive method in early diagnosis and management of patients with NPC.
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Ácidos Nucleicos Libres de Células/sangre , ADN Viral/sangre , Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo/virología , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/virología , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Biomarcadores de Tumor/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Límite de Detección , Biopsia Líquida/métodos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/diagnóstico , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: While the World Health Organization (WHO) Southeast Asia region has the second highest incidence of malaria worldwide, malaria in Vietnam is focal to few provinces, where delayed parasite clearance to anti-malarial drugs is documented. This study aims to understand Plasmodium species distribution and the genetic diversity of msp1 and msp2 of parasite populations using molecular tools. METHODS: A total of 222 clinical isolates from individuals with uncomplicated malaria were subjected to Plasmodium species identification by nested real-time PCR. 166 isolates positive for Plasmodium falciparum mono infections were further genotyped for msp1 (MAD20, K1, and RO33), and msp2 allelic families (3D7 and FC27). Amplicons were resolved through capillary electrophoresis in the QIAxcel Advanced system. RESULTS: Mono-infections were high and with 75% P. falciparum, 14% Plasmodium vivax and 9% P. falciparum/P. vivax co-infections, with less than 1% Plasmodium malariae identified. For msp1, MAD20 was the most prevalent (99%), followed by K1 (46%) allelic family, with no sample testing positive for RO33 (0%). For msp2, 3D7 allelic family was predominant (97%), followed by FC27 (10%). The multiplicity of infection of msp1 and msp2 was 2.6 and 1.1, respectively, and the mean overall multiplicity of infection was 3.7, with the total number of alleles ranging from 1 to 7. CONCLUSIONS: Given the increasing importance of antimalarial drugs in the region, the genetic diversity of P. falciparum msp1 and msp2 should be regularly monitored with respect to treatment outcomes and/or efficacy studies in regions, where there are ongoing changes in the malaria epidemiology.
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Antígenos de Protozoos/genética , Variación Genética , Malaria/parasitología , Proteína 1 de Superficie de Merozoito/genética , Plasmodium falciparum/genética , Plasmodium malariae/genética , Plasmodium vivax/genética , Proteínas Protozoarias/genética , Coinfección/parasitología , Genotipo , Malaria Falciparum/parasitología , Malaria Vivax/parasitología , VietnamRESUMEN
Comprehensive knowledge of the brain's wiring diagram is fundamental for understanding how the nervous system processes information at both local and global scales. However, with the singular exception of the C. elegans microscale connectome, there are no complete connectivity data sets in other species. Here we report a brain-wide, cellular-level, mesoscale connectome for the mouse. The Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas uses enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing adeno-associated viral vectors to trace axonal projections from defined regions and cell types, and high-throughput serial two-photon tomography to image the EGFP-labelled axons throughout the brain. This systematic and standardized approach allows spatial registration of individual experiments into a common three dimensional (3D) reference space, resulting in a whole-brain connectivity matrix. A computational model yields insights into connectional strength distribution, symmetry and other network properties. Virtual tractography illustrates 3D topography among interconnected regions. Cortico-thalamic pathway analysis demonstrates segregation and integration of parallel pathways. The Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas is a freely available, foundational resource for structural and functional investigations into the neural circuits that support behavioural and cognitive processes in health and disease.
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Encéfalo/anatomía & histología , Encéfalo/citología , Conectoma , Animales , Atlas como Asunto , Axones/fisiología , Corteza Cerebral/citología , Cuerpo Estriado/citología , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Modelos Neurológicos , Técnicas de Trazados de Vías Neuroanatómicas , Tálamo/citologíaRESUMEN
Background: ISGylation is the conjugation of ISG15 with target proteins. ISGylation occurs through an enzymatic cascade, which is similar to that of ubiquitination. Through ISGylation, ISG15 can bind to proteins involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, thus promoting genesis and progression of malignancies. The present study aims to investigate expression of genes involved in ISGylation and ubiquitination in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to correlate gene expression with clinical laboratory parameters of these patients. Methods: mRNA expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the ISGylation process (EFP, HERC5, UBA1, UBC and USP18) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR in 38 pairs of tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and correlated with distinct clinical laboratory parameters. Results: Relative mRNA expression of EFP, HERC5, UBA1 and USP18 was significantly higher in tumour tissues compared to adjacent non-tumour tissues (P=0.006; 0.012; 0.02 and 0.039, respectively). The correlation pattern of mRNA expression between genes in the tumours differed from the pattern in adjacent non-tumour tissues. Relative expression of EFP, HERC5 and UBA1 in adjacent non-tumour tissues was positively associated with direct bilirubin levels (Spearman's rho=0.31, 0.33 and 0.45; P=0.06, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) and relative expression of USP18 in adjacent non-tumour tissues correlated negatively with ALT levels (Spearman's rho= -0.33, P=0.03). Conclusions: EFP, HERC5, UBA1, and USP18 genes are upregulated in tumour tissues of patients with HCC and, thus, may be associated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Adulto , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/genética , Femenino , Humanos , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intracelular/genética , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intracelular/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/genética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Ubiquitina Tiolesterasa/genética , Ubiquitina Tiolesterasa/metabolismo , Enzimas Activadoras de Ubiquitina/genética , Enzimas Activadoras de Ubiquitina/metabolismo , Ubiquitinación , Ubiquitinas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Water clarity is the most common indicator of water quality. The purpose of the study was to develop an instrument which can automatically measure water clarity in place of manual measurement by Secchi disk. The instrument is suspended by buoys at the water surface and uses solar energy to measure the light intensity of LED bulbs after passing through a water column; the result is then converted to Secchi depth by using a regression function. Measurement data are stored in a cloud server so that mobile users can access via an Internet connection. Three experiments were conducted to examine the instrument performance: (i) to ensure light intensity of the LED bulbs is strong enough to pass through the water column; (ii) to determine the regression relationship between the measured light intensity of the instrument and Secchi depth; and (iii) to evaluate the coefficient of variation (CV) of the measured water clarity when using our instrument and a conventional Secchi disk. Experiment results show that the measured values of light intensity are stable with the average CV = 5.25%. Moreover, although there are slight differences between the Secchi depth measured by our instrument and those measured by Secchi disk, the measurements by our instrument can efficiently replace the measurements by conventional Secchi disk, which can be affected by weather conditions as well as by human subjectivity.
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This paper describes the route, from simulations toward experiments, for optimizing the magnetoelectric (ME) geometries for vortex magnetic field sensors. The research is performed on the base of the Metglas/Piezoelectric (PZT) laminates in both open and closed magnetic circuit (OMC and CMC) geometries with different widths (W), lengths (L), and diameters (D). Among these geometries, the CMC laminates demonstrate advantages not only in their magnetic flux distribution, but also in their sensitivity and in their independence of the position of the vortex center. In addition, the ME voltage signal is found to be enhanced by increasing the magnetostrictive volume fraction. Optimal issues are incorporated to realize a CMC-based ME double sandwich current sensor in the ring shape with D × W = 6 mm × 1.5 mm and four layers of Metglas. At the resonant frequency of 174.4 kHz, this sensor exhibits the record sensitivity of 5.426 V/A as compared to variety of devices such as the CMC ME sensor family, fluxgate, magnetoresistive, and Hall-effect-based devices. It opens a potential to commercialize a new generation of ME-based current and (or) vortex magnetic sensors.
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Oncolytic measles and mumps viruses (MeV, MuV) have a potential for anti-cancer treatment. We examined the anti-tumor activity of MeV, MuV, and MeV-MuV combination (MM) against human solid malignancies (HSM). MeV, MuV, and MM targeted and significantly killed various cancer cell lines of HSM but not normal cells. MM demonstrated a greater anti-tumor effect and prolonged survival in a human prostate cancer xenograft tumor model compared to MeV and MuV. MeV, MuV, and MM significantly induced the expression of immunogenic cell death markers and enhanced spleen-infiltrating immune cells. In conclusion, MM combination significantly improves the treatment of human solid malignancies.
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Efecto Citopatogénico Viral , Virus del Sarampión/fisiología , Virus de la Parotiditis/fisiología , Neoplasias/terapia , Viroterapia Oncolítica/métodos , Animales , Chlorocebus aethiops , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Ratones Desnudos , Neoplasias/patología , Neoplasias/virología , Células Tumorales Cultivadas , Células Vero , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Clinical progression of HBV-related liver diseases is largely associated with the activity of HBV-specific T cells. Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2), mainly secreted by T cells, is an important effector molecule of the immune system. METHODS: sFGL2 levels were determined by ELISA assays in sera of 296 HBV patients clinically classified into the subgroups of acute hepatitis B (AHB), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and patients with LC plus HCC. As control group, 158 healthy individuals were included. FGL2 mRNA was quantified by qRT-PCR in 32 pairs of tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. RESULTS: sFGL2 levels were elevated in HBV patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). In the patient group, sFGL2 levels were increased in AHB compared to CHB patients (P = 0.017). sFGL2 levels were higher in LC patients compared to those without LC (P = 0.006) and were increased according to the development of cirrhosis as staged by Child-Pugh scores (P = 0.024). Similarly, HCC patients had increased sFGL2 levels compared to CHB patients (P = 0.033) and FGL2 mRNA was up-regulated in tumor tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (P = 0.043). In addition, sFGL2 levels were positively correlated with HBV-DNA loads and AST (Spearman's rho = 0.21, 0.25 and P = 0.006, 0.023, respectively), but reversely correlated with platelet counts and albumin levels (Spearman's rho = - 0.27, - 0.24 and P = 0.014, 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: sFGL2 levels are induced by HBV infection and correlated with the progression and clinical outcome of HBV-related liver diseases. Thus, sFGL2 may serve as a potential indicator for HBV-related liver diseases.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular/sangre , Fibrinógeno/metabolismo , Virus de la Hepatitis B , Hepatitis B Crónica/sangre , Hepatitis B/sangre , Cirrosis Hepática/sangre , Neoplasias Hepáticas/sangre , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Biomarcadores/sangre , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/complicaciones , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Fibrinógeno/análisis , Fibrinógeno/genética , Hepatitis B/complicaciones , Virus de la Hepatitis B/fisiología , Hepatitis B Crónica/complicaciones , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/complicaciones , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Solubilidad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The human major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence B (MICB) is a protein that modulates the NK and T cell activation through the NKG2D receptor and is related to several diseases including cancer. METHODS: The study investigated the prognostic role of soluble MICB (sMICB) protein in the progression of HBV-related liver diseases and to HBV-related HCC treatment. The sMICB serum levels were measured in 266 chronic HBV-infected Vietnamese patients and in healthy controls, and correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters and with therapeutic interventions for HBV-related HCC. RESULTS: Significant differences in both clinical and laboratory parameters were observed among the patient groups with different stages of hepatitis. The platelet counts were significantly decreased with disease progression (P < 0.001). The sMICB serum levels were significantly increased in HBV patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Among the patients with different stages of hepatitis, asymptomatic individuals (ASYM) revealed higher sMICB serum levels while liver cirrhosis (LC) patients revealed lower sMICB serum levels (P < 0.0001) compared to other patient groups. Notably, the sMICB serum levels were decreased in treated HCC patient group compared to not-treated HCC patient group (P = 0.05). Additionally, the sMICB levels were significantly correlated with platelet counts in ASYM and HCC patients (r = -0.37, P = 0.009; and r = 0.22, P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a potential role of sMICB serum levels and platelet counts during immune response to the HBV infection, liver disease progression and response to the HCC treatment.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular/terapia , Hepatitis B Crónica/sangre , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidad Clase I/sangre , Neoplasias Hepáticas/terapia , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Biomarcadores/sangre , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/sangre , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/virología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Terapia Combinada , Estudios Transversales , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Hepatitis B Crónica/complicaciones , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/sangre , Neoplasias Hepáticas/virología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recuento de Plaquetas , Pronóstico , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Paclitaxel is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for treating various types of cancer. However, the clinical application of paclitaxel in cancer treatment is considerably limited due to its poor water solubility and low therapeutic index. Thus, it requires an urgent solution to improve therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel. In this study, folate decorated paclitaxel loaded PLA-TPGS nanoparticles were prepared by a modified emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method. The spherical nanoparticles were around 50 nm in size with a narrow size distribution. Targeting effect of nanoparticles was investigated in vitro on cancer cell line and in vivo on tumor bearing nude mouse. The results indicated the effective targeting of folate decorated paclitaxel loaded copolymer nanoparticles on cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.
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Background N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is used to diagnose acute and chronic heart failure, but many studies show a strong and independent correlation between NT-proBNP serum levels and the severity and number of coronary artery damage. Meanwhile, the serum of high-sensitivity Troponin T (hs-Troponin T) has a very high prognostic value for the degree of coronary artery damage in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The SYNTAX score was developed to better predict the risks of percutaneous or surgical revascularization by considering the functional impact of the coronary circulation with all of its anatomic components, such as the presence of bifurcations, total occlusions, thrombus, calcification, and small vessels. Therefore, we conducted this study to understand the role of NT-proBNP and hs-troponin T in SYNTAX score evaluation in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methodology A cross-sectional descriptive study of 86 patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome with indications for coronary angiography and intervention in the Department of Emergency and Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Hue Central Hospital, was conducted from June 2020 to May 2022. Results The mean age was 66.94 ± 10.61 years. The concentrations of NT-proBNP and hs-Troponin T in our study were 1115.9 ± 1623.3 pg/mL and 0.86 ± 1.55 ng/mL, respectively. The mean SYNTAX score in the study was 16.5 ± 7.5. There was a positive moderate correlation between the mean levels of NT-proBNP and the degree of coronary artery damage, as indicated by the SYNTAX score (P < 0.01, rho = +0.453). Conversely, there was a weak positive correlation between hs-Troponin T concentrations and the severity of coronary artery disease, based on the SYNTAX score (P < 0.01, rho = +0.387). The area under the curve (AUC) of the hs-Troponin T concentration value was 0.701, using a cutoff point of 0.109 ng/mL for hs-Troponin T concentration. This predicted the intermediate and high SYNTAX scores, with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 59%. In comparison, the AUC of the NT-proBNP concentration value was 0.75, utilizing a cutoff point of 1120.5 pg/mL for NT-proBNP concentration. This predicted the intermediate and high SYNTAX scores, with a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 80.3%. Conclusions The levels of NT-proBNP had a positive moderate correlation with the degree of coronary artery damage according to the SYNTAX score in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Hs-Troponin T levels of 0.109 ng/mL had higher sensitivity (76%) but lower specificity (59%) in predicting intermediate and high SYNTAX scores in patients with acute coronary syndromes than those of NT-proBNP levels of 1120.5 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 80.3%.
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BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are recommended for treatment of dyslipidemia to reduce the overall cardiovascular risk in patients with NAFLD. However, statin treatment was underutilized and the effect of statins on liver enzymes remained unclear in this patient population. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide real-world evidence of the safety and effect of statin use in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of adults with NAFLD using pooled data from the US NHANES database 2009-2018. NAFLD was defined by Fatty Liver Index (FLI) ≥ 60 and United States Fatty Liver Index (USFLI) ≥ 30. Multivariate regression analyses adjusted for baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were performed to compare the liver enzymes and lipid profile between statin and non-statin users. RESULTS: The study included 2,533 adults with NAFLD, representing 22.6 million individuals in the US, with 27% receiving statin treatment between 2009 and 2018. The mean differences of liver enzymes for AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT between statin and non-statin users were -0.86 (p=0.539), -3.49 (p=0.042), -0.25 (p=0.913), and 0.57 (p=0.901), respectively. In individuals with NAFLD and dyslipidemia, total cholesterol and LDL levels were significantly lower in statin users compared to non-statin users (mean difference, -28.9; p<0.001 and -27.7; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of statins was not associated with elevated liver enzymes in patients with NAFLD. Significantly lower levels of ALT, total cholesterol, and LDL were observed in statin users compared to non-statin users.
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Inhibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Reductasas , Hígado , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Humanos , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/sangre , Inhibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Reductasas/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Transversales , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/enzimología , Adulto , Lípidos/sangre , AncianoRESUMEN
AIM: This study purposed to determine nursing students' self-directed learning abilities and related factors. BACKGROUND: Self-directed learning is a significant and practical approach for nursing students in their lifelong learning. DESIGN: In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional study was used to assess the level of SDL undergraduate of 411 undergraduate nursing students from four academic years. METHODS: The Self-directed Learning Abilities and Related Factors Questionnaire was used to measure the Self-directed Learning Abilities of the Nursing Students. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and a logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors influencing self-directed learning abilities. RESULTS: Of the 411 nursing students, most belonged to the female group. Moreover, most of the nursing students have permanent residence in rural areas. The average score of general self-directed learning abilities of nursing students was 3.88 ± 0.3. Only 33.8â¯% of the respondents had a high level (mean score ≥ 4) of self-directed learning abilities. There was a significant relationship between place of residence, grade obtained in previous level education, current grade point average, academic workload, assessment methods, learning resources and self-directed learning abilities (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The self-directed learning ability level was low in this nursing student sample. Therefore, this study may increase nursing educators' attention to designing appropriate strategies to improve students' self-directed learning abilities.