The New Roles of traf6 Gene Involved in the Development of Zebrafish Liver and Gonads.

Traf6, an adaptor protein, exhibits non-conventional E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and was well studied as an important factor in immune systems and cancerogenesis. In mice, the traf6-null caused a perinatal death, so that the underlying pathophysiology of traf6-defeciency is still largely unclear in animals. Here, in the present study, a traf6 knockout zebrafish line (traf6-/-) was generated and could survive until adulthood, providing a unique opportunity to demonstrate the functions of traf6 gene in animals' organogenesis beyond the mouse model. The body of traf6-/- fish was found to be significantly shorter than that of the wildtype (WT). Likewise, a comparative transcriptome analysis showed that 866 transcripts were significantly altered in the traf6-/- liver, mainly involved in the immune system, metabolic pathways, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation. Especially, the mRNA expression of the pancreas duodenum homeobox protein 1 (pdx1), glucose-6-phosphatase (g6pcb), and the vitellogenesis genes (vtgs) were significantly decreased in the traf6-/- liver. Subsequently, the glucose was found to be accumulated in the traf6-/- liver tissues, and the meiotic germ cell was barely detected in traf6-/- testis or ovary. The findings of this study firstly implied the pivotal functions of traf6 gene in the liver and gonads' development in fish species.

Factors associated with antiretroviral treatment adherence among people living with HIV in Guangdong Province, China: a cross sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Understanding factors associated with antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence is crucial for ART success among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the "test and treat" era. Multiple psychosocial factors tend to coexist and have a syndemic effect on ART adherence. We aimed to explore factors associated with ART adherence and the syndemic effect of multiple psychosocial factors on ART adherence among PLHIV newly starting ART in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: Newly diagnosed PLHIV from six cities in Guangdong Province were recruited between May 2018 and June 2019, and then followed up from May 2019 to August 2020. Baseline and follow-up data were collected from a questionnaire and the national HIV surveillance system, the follow-up data of which were analyzed in this study. A Center for Adherence Support Evaluation (CASE) index > 10 points was defined as optimal ART adherence, which was measured via participants' self-reported adherence during follow-up survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with ART adherence. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multi-order latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to explore the syndemic effect of multiple psychosocial factors on ART adherence. RESULTS: A total of 734 (68.53%) follow-up participants were finally included in this study among the 1071 baseline participants, of whom 91.28% (670/734) had self-reported optimal ART adherence. Unemployment (aOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.01-3.02), no medication reminder (aOR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.09-4.74), low medication self-efficacy (aOR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.27-4.10), low social cohesion (aOR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.03-3.19), no social participation (aOR = 5.65, 95%CI: 1.71-18.63), and ART side effects (aOR = 0.46, 95%CI: 0.26-0.81) were barriers to optimal ART adherence. The EFA and second-order latent variable SEM showed a linear relationship (standardized coefficient = 0.43, P < 0.001) between ART adherence and the latent psychosocial (syndemic) factor, which consisted of the three latent factors of medication beliefs and self-efficacy (standardized coefficient = 0.65, P < 0.001), supportive environment (standardized coefficient = 0.50, P < 0.001), and negative emotions (standardized coefficient=-0.38, P < 0.01). The latent factors of medication beliefs and self-efficacy, supportive environment, and negative emotions explained 42.3%, 25.3%, and 14.1% of the variance in the latent psychosocial factor, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: About nine out of ten PLHIV on ART in Guangdong Province self-reported optimal ART adherence. However, more efforts should be made to address barriers to optimal ART adherence.

Association Between Dietary Factors and Chronic Sinusitis Among Korean Individuals: Insights From a Large Population-Based Study in Asia.

Objective: Population-based studies on chronic sinusitis have predominantly focused on Europe and the Americas, but research on chronic sinusitis within large Asian populations remains scarce. This study aims to explore the link between dietary factors and chronic sinusitis among ethnic Koreans in Asia. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Data were collected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2012. Participants: Participants in the study were included based on a doctor's diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, as determined through the ear, nose, and throat examination questionnaires. Results: Adolescents [adjusted P value (aP) < .001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.881, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.380-2.564] and individuals with college and higher education (aP = .042, aOR = 1.298, 95% CI = 1.009-1.669) were more likely to develop chronic rhinosinusitis. In addition, levels of dietary fat [P = .001, interquartile range (IQR) = 34.085] and energy intake (P = .004, IQR = 981.106) were associated with an increased risk of chronic sinusitis. Moreover, high dietary inflammatory index (aP < .001, aOR = 0.547, 95% CI = 0.415-0.721), and high intake of fried pork chops (aP = .028, aOR = 1.335, 95% CI = 1.033-1.777), bread (aP = .024, aOR = 1.364, 95% CI = 1.042-1.786), and rice (aP = .021, aOR = 1.382, 95% CI = 1.051-1.818) were risk factors for chronic sinusitis, while cucumber consumption (aP < .001, aOR = 0.547, 95% CI = 0.415-0.721) was a protective factor for chronic sinusitis. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant correlation between diet and development of chronic sinusitis. These findings suggest that promoting an anti-inflammatory dietary pattern and providing guidance on healthy eating habits could help reduce the incidence of chronic sinusitis and enhance its management.

COMPARISON AMONG PRESEPSIN, PROCALCITONIN, AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PREDICTING BLOOD CULTURE POSITIVITY AND PATHOGEN IN SEPSIS PATIENTS.

ABSTRACT: Background: Sepsis is caused by the invasion of the bloodstream by microorganisms from local sites of infection, leading to high mortality. This study aimed to compare the predictive ability of the biomarkers presepsin, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein for bacteraemia. Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre study, a dataset of patients with sepsis who were prospectively enrolled between November 2017 and June 2021 was analyzed. The performances of the biomarkers for predicting positive blood cultures and infection with specific pathogens were assessed by the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). The independent effects of the pathogen and foci of infection on presepsin and PCT levels were assessed by linear logistic regression models. Results: A total of 577 patients with 170 positive blood cultures (29.5%) were enrolled. The AUC achieved using PCT levels (0.856) was significantly higher than that achieved using presepsin (0.786, P = 0.0200) and C-reactive protein (0.550, P < 0.0001) levels in predicting bacteraemia. The combined analysis of PCT and presepsin levels led to a significantly higher AUC than the analysis of PCT levels alone for predicting blood culture positivity (0.877 vs. 0.856, P = 0.0344) and gram-negative bacteraemia (0.900 vs. 0.875, P = 0.0216). In a linear regression model, the elevated concentrations of presepsin and PCT were both independently related to Escherichia coli , Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas species, and Streptococcus species infections and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Presepsin levels were also associated with Acinetobacter species and abdominal infection, and PCT levels were positively associated with other Enterobacteriaceae and negatively associated with respiratory infection. Combined analysis of presepsin and PCT levels provided a high sensitivity and specificity in identifying E. coli or Klebsiella species infection. Conclusions: Presepsin and PCT were promising markers for predicting bacteraemia and common pathogens at the time of sepsis onset with a synergistic effect.

Association between intraoperative hyperglycemia/hyperlactatemia and acute kidney injury following on-pump cardiac surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Despite the long-lasting notion about the substantial contribution of intraoperative un-stabilization of homeostasis factors on the incidence on acute kidney injury (AKI), the possible influence of intraoperative glucose or lactate management, as a modifiable factor, on the development of AKI remains inconclusive. Objectives: To investigated the relationship between intraoperative hyperglycemia, hyperlactatemia, and postoperative AKI in cardiac surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 4,435 adult patients who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery from July 2019 to March 2022. Intraoperative hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia were defined as blood glucose levels >10 mmol/L and lactate levels >2 mmol/L, respectively. The primary outcome was the incidence of AKI. All statistical analyses, including t tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, logistic regression models, subgroup analyses, collinearity analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis, were performed using the statistical software program R version 4.1.1. Results: Among the 4,435 patients in the final analysis, a total of 734 (16.55%) patients developed AKI after on-pump cardiac surgery. All studied intraoperative metabolic disorders was associated with increased AKI risk, with most pronounced odds ratio (OR) noted for both hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia were present intraoperatively [adjusted OR 3.69, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.68-5.13, p < 0.001]. Even when hyperglycemia or hyperlactatemia was present alone, the risk of postoperative AKI remained elevated (adjusted OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.50-2.60, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The presence of intraoperative hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia may be associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. Proper and timely interventions for these metabolic disorders are crucially important in mitigating the risk of AKI.

Advancements and prospects of Raman spectroscopy in urological tumors: a bibliometric analysis.

Raman spectroscopy exhibits potential as a tool for identifying the chemical composition of substances and has witnessed a growing application in urological oncology. This study undertook a bibliometric analysis to chart the present state and future prospects of Raman spectroscopy applications in urological tumors. The present study retrieved literature on the utilization of Raman spectroscopy in urological oncology from the Science Citation Index Expanded of Web of Science Core Collection, spanning from its inception to June 2023. Data from included studies were analyzed using CiteSpace, Python, and Excel. Our study examined 897 articles from 65 countries and identified a significant exponential growth in annual publications. The USA and China were prominent contributors to this field, with high publication rates and funding agencies. Shanghai Jiao Tong University emerged as the most influential institution. The journals Analytical Chemistry and Analyst were found to be the most productive. Our keyword analysis revealed an intense interest for "gold nanoparticle" and "pathology," with the most recent bursts occurring for "surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)," "biomarkers," and "prostate specific antigen." As a detection tool, Raman spectroscopy holds the potential to assist in the identification, management, and prognostication of urological tumors. Notably, adjuvant diagnosis and prognosis evaluation based on SERS of tumor markers is a hot research topic. These findings offer valuable insights into the current state of Raman spectroscopy research in urological oncology, which could inform future studies and clinical practice.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of rad51 gene associated with gametogenesis in Chinese soft-shell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis).

Rad51 is a recA-like recombinase that plays a crucial role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks through homologous recombination during mitosis and meiosis in mammals and other organisms. However, its role in reptiles remains largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the physiological role of the rad51 gene in reptiles, particularly in Pelodiscus sinensis. Firstly, the cDNA of rad51 gene was cloned and analyzed in P. sinensis. The cloned cDNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1020 bp and encodeed a peptide of 339 amino acids. The multiple alignments and phylogenetic tree analysis of Rad51 showed that P. sinensis shares the high identity with Chelonia mydas (97.95%) and Mus musculus (95.89%). Secondly, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that rad51 mRNA was highly expressed in both ovary and testis, while being weak in the somatic tissues examined in this study. Furthermore, chemical in situ hybridization (CISH) was performed to examine the expression profile of rad51 mRNA in germ cells at different stages. In the testis, rad51 mRNA expression was found to be stronger in the germ cells at early stages, specifically in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, but it was undetectable in spermatids. In the ovary, rad51 mRNA exhibited a uniform distribution in the cytoplasm of oocytes at early stages. The signal intensity of rad51 mRNA was highest in primary oocytes and gradually declined during oogenesis as the oocytes developed. These results suggest that rad51 plays a vital role in the development of germ cells, particularly during the early stages of gametogenesis in P. sinensis. The dynamic expression pattern of rad51 mRNA provides insights into the mechanisms underlying germ cell development and differentiation into gametes in turtles, even in reptiles.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Victimhood Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Guangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been a concern among men who have sex with men (MSM), but less attention has been paid to the factors associated with this population in China. AIMS: We investigated the prevalence of and factors associated with IPV victimhood among MSM in Guangzhou, China. METHODS: Men who have sex with men were recruited from May to November 2017, and data were collected using an anonymous electronic questionnaire. χ2 Tests and nonconditional logistic regressions were used to explore the factors associated with IPV victimhood. RESULTS: A total of 129 in 976 MSM (13.22%) reported experiencing IPV victimhood. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals who had condomless anal intercourse (CAI; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.17) or had sex with a female partner (aOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.15-2.83) in the past 6 months were at a higher risk of IPV victimhood. Participants who had ever experienced child sexual abuse (CSA) were more likely to experience IPV (aOR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.32-2.94). Individuals who used rush poppers before sex had a higher risk of IPV (aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.21-2.63). In addition, ever having sex with a female sex partner (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.04-2.60), ever having used rush poppers before sex (aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.22-2.64) in the past 6 months, and ever having experienced CSA (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.35-3.01) were associated with experiencing more types of IPV. CONCLUSIONS: Intimate partner violence victimhood was relatively common among MSM in Guangzhou, particularly among those who had CAI, experienced CSA, had sex with a female partner, used rush poppers before sex, and with less education.

Knowledge mapping of interleukin-33: a bibliometric study.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. IL-33 is associated with the expression of tissue damage or necrosis after increasing and being released into the cell, it influences the suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) receptor expression of a variety of immune cells (including mast cells and type 2 congenital lymphocytes). Furthermore, during type 2 innate immune reactions and allergic inflammation IL-33 plays a central role in immune amplification and "alarming"; thus, regulating immune responeses. IL-33 is closely related to inflammation-related diseases such as allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and tumors. It is essential in maintaining tissue homeostasis, eliminating inflammation, and repairing tissue damage. We searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database for relevant publications on IL-33 from 2005 to 2021 and screened them according to specific inclusion criteria. A total of 2626 articles were included in our analysis. Using Microsoft Excel 2019 (Redmond, WA), VOSviewer 1.6.11 (The Centre for Science and Technology Studies, CWTS), and Citespace5.8. R2 (Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA) were used for data processing and visualization. Countries/regions, journals, authors, co-cited references, and keywords were analyzed. We discovered that IL-33 plays an important role as a cytokine in numerous diseases, especially allergic diseases. Studying its mechanism of action is of great importance for developing novel drugs and therapeutics.

Factors Predicting Long-term Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Decrease, a Reliable Indicator of Renal Function After Adrenalectomy in Primary Aldosteronism.

OBJECTIVE: The long-term decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after adrenalectomy may be influenced by multiple preoperative factors. The present study aimed to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of these factors. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to determine eligible observational studies on the possible association between preoperative factors and postoperative long-term eGFR decrease in patients with PA using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS: A total of 8 relevant studies with 1159 patients were included. Old age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.09, P = .001), high systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P = .01), baseline hypokalemia (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02-0.30, P < .001), and low eGFR (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97, P = .001) presented a strong association with long-term eGFR decrease after adrenalectomy. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that old age, high systolic blood pressure, baseline hypokalemia, and low eGFR are associated with an increased risk of postoperative long-term eGFR decrease in patients with PA postoperatively. More attention should be given to the above factors for the timely prevention and management of renal impairment.

Dynamics of Acute Postsurgical Pain over the Last Decade: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Objective: Minimizing acute postsurgical pain (APSP) remains a challenge, despite extensive research about it. This study comprehensively analyzed the literature on APSP to assess how the field has developed and where it may go in the future. Methods: Studies on APSP indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection and published from 2012 to 2021 were assessed for eligibility. Data from included studies were analyzed using CiteSpace, Python, and Microsoft. Results: Analysis of 5,236 publications on APSP showed that the number of articles per year has increased linearly. The United States leads other countries in terms of the number and centrality of publications. Cocitation analysis suggests that the field focused earlier on the incidence and risk factors of APSP, shifting later to a focus on the reduction and management of adverse outcomes due to APSP. The top-ranked keyword cluster during the study period was "short-term outcomes" (#0), followed by "risk factors" (#1). The strongest burst occurred for the keyword "combination," followed by "multimodal analgesia." The most recent burst occurred for the keywords "regional analgesia," "opioid use," "erector spinae plane block," and "infiltration." Conclusions: Hotspots in APSP research since 2012 have been incidence, risk factors, and control of negative outcomes. Future research is likely to concentrate on the use of opioids and technological innovations in regional anesthesia. Our findings may help APSP researchers and clinicians understand their field, optimize clinical practice, and plan future research.