Predicting Mental Health Care Enrollment and Treatment Uptake among Newly Arrived Refugees in U.S. Resettlement Programs.

This article examines variables that predict mental health care enrollment and engagement among refugees. The authors explore a mental health care model designed to identify mental health needs early among refugee arrivals that may interfere with adjustment and overall health outcomes using data from a Midwest refugee resettlement program. Using ecological models of mental distress and theories on help-seeking behaviors, the authors used logistic and count regressions to predict enrollment in mental health care services and utilization rates. Gender, nationality, and presenting problems were significant predictors of enrollment and length of engagement in services. The findings provide guidance to practitioners and resettlement agencies on refugee mental health and opportunities to increasing access and engagement in mental health care.

Which side of the coin are you on regarding possible postnatal oogenesis?

It is well known that oocytes are produced during fetal development and that the total number of primary follicles is determined at birth. In humans, there is a constant loss of follicles after birth until about two years of age. The number of follicles is preserved until the resumption of meiosis at puberty and there is no renewal of the oocytes; this dogma was maintained in the last century because there were no suitable techniques to detect and obtain stem cells. However, following stem cell markers, several scientists have detected them in developing and adult human ovarian tissues, especially in the ovarian surface epithelial cells. Furthermore, many authors using different methodological strategies have indicated this possibility. This evidence has led many scientists to explore this hypothesis; there is no definitive consensus to accept this idea. Interestingly, oocyte retrieval from mature ovaries and other tissue sources of stem cells has contributed to the development of strategies for the retrieval of mature oocytes, useful for assisted reproductive technology. Here, we review the evidence and controversies on oocyte neooogenesis in adult women; in addition, we agree with the idea that this process may occur in adulthood and that its alteration may be related to various pathologies in women, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency, diminished ovarian reserve and several infertility and genetic disorders.

Lung microbial and host genomic signatures as predictors of prognosis in early-stage adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Risk of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) recurrence after surgical resection is significant, and post-recurrence median survival is approximately two years. Currently there are no commercially available biomarkers that predict recurrence. Here, we investigated whether microbial and host genomic signatures in the lung can predict recurrence. METHODS: In 91 early-stage (Stage IA/IB) LUAD-patients with extensive follow-up, we used 16s rRNA gene sequencing and host RNA-sequencing to map the microbial and host transcriptomic landscape in tumor and adjacent unaffected lung samples. RESULTS: 23 out of 91 subjects had tumor recurrence over 5-year period. In tumor samples, LUAD recurrence was associated with enrichment with Dialister, Prevotella, while in unaffected lung, recurrence was associated with enrichment with Sphyngomonas and Alloiococcus. The strengths of the associations between microbial and host genomic signatures with LUAD recurrence were greater in adjacent unaffected lung samples than in the primary tumor. Among microbial-host features in the unaffected lung samples associated with recurrence, enrichment with Stenotrophomonas geniculata and Chryseobacterium were positively correlated with upregulation of IL-2, IL-3, IL-17, EGFR, HIF-1 signaling pathways among the host transcriptome. In tumor samples, enrichment with Veillonellaceae Dialister, Ruminococcacea, Haemophilus Influenza, and Neisseria were positively correlated with upregulation of IL-1, IL-6, IL17, IFN, and Tryptophan metabolism pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, modeling suggested that a combined microbial/transcriptome approach using unaffected lung samples had the best biomarker performance (AUC=0.83). IMPACT: This study suggests that LUAD recurrence is associated with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of microbial-host interactions in the unaffected lung rather than those present in the resected tumor.

ICAM1 (CD54) Contributes to the Metastatic Capacity of Gastric Cancer Stem Cells.

Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The presence of chemoresistant cells has been used to explain this high mortality rate. These higher tumorigenic and chemoresistant cells involve cancer stem cells (CSCs), which have the potential for self-renewal, a cell differentiation capacity, and a greater tumorigenic capacity. Our research group identified gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) with the CD24+CD44+CD326+ICAM1+ immunophenotype isolated from gastric cancer patients. Interestingly, this GCSC immunophenotype was absent in cells isolated from healthy people, who presented a cell population with a CD24+CD44+CD326+ immunophenotype, lacking ICAM1. We aimed to explore the role of ICAM1 in these GCSCs; for this purpose, we isolated GCSCs from the AGS cell line and generated a GCSC line knockout for ICAM1 using CRISPR/iCas9, which we named GCSC-ICAM1KO. To assess the role of ICAM1 in the GCSCs, we analyzed the migration, invasion, and chemoresistance capabilities of the GCSCs using in vitro assays and evaluated the migratory, invasive, and tumorigenic properties in a zebrafish model. The in vitro analysis showed that ICAM1 regulated STAT3 activation (pSTAT3-ser727) in the GCSCs, which could contribute to the ability of GCSCs to migrate, invade, and metastasize. Interestingly, we demonstrated that the GCSC-ICAM1KO cells lost their capacity to migrate, invade, and metastasize, but they exhibited an increased resistance to a cisplatin treatment compared to their parental GCSCs; the GCSC-ICAM1KO cells also exhibited an increased tumorigenic capability in vivo.

Circulating Gastric Cancer Stem Cells as Blood Screening and Prognosis Factor in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, associated with late diagnosis and treatment resistance. Currently, screening tests for GC are not cost-effective or have low accuracy. Previously, we described an extended phenotype of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs; CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+) that is associated with metastasis and tumor stage in GC patients. The goal of the current research is to evaluate the presence of these GCSCs in the peripheral blood of GC patients and healthy volunteers. A total of 73 blood samples were collected from 32 GC patients and 41 healthy volunteers. After peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) extraction, multiparametric flow cytometry was performed looking for GCSCs. Using clustering data through artificial intelligence (AI), we defined high/low levels of circulating GCSCs (cGCSCs) and proceeded to evaluate its association with clinical and prognostic variables. Finally, a diagnostic test analysis was performed evaluating patients and healthy volunteers. We found that cGCSCs are present in most GC patients with a mean concentration of 0.48%. The AI clustering showed two groups with different cGCSC levels and clinical characteristics. Through statistical analysis, we confirmed the association between cGCSC levels and lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and overall survival. The diagnostic test analysis showed sensibility, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of 83%, 95%, and 0.911, respectively. Our results suggest that the assessment of cGCSCs CD24+CD44+CD54+EpCAM+ could be a potential noninvasive test, with prognostic value, as well as highly sensitive and specific for screening or diagnosis of GC; however, a larger scale study will be necessary to confirm this.

Cancer Stem Cell markers: Symphonic masters of chemoresistance and immune evasion.

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic, chemoresistant, and immune evasive. They emerge as a central driver that gives rise to the bulk of tumoral mass, modifies the tumor microenvironment (TME), and exploits it, leading to poor clinical outcomes for patients with cancer. The existence of CSCs thus accounts for the failure of conventional therapies and immune surveillance. Identifying CSCs in solid tumors remains a significant challenge in modern oncology, with the use of cell surface markers being the primary strategy for studying, isolating, and enriching these cells. In this review, we explore CSC markers, focusing on the underlying signaling pathways that drive CSC self-renewal, which simultaneously makes them intrinsically chemoresistant and immune system evaders. We comprehensively discuss the autonomous and non-autonomous functions of CSCs, with particular emphasis on their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, especially immune cells. This reciprocal network enhances CSCs malignancy while compromising the surrounding niche, ultimately defining therapeutic vulnerabilities associated with each CSC marker. The most common CSCs surface markers addressed in this review-CD44, CD133, ICAM1/CD54, and LGR5-provide insights into the interplay between chemoresistance and immune evasion, two critically important phenomena in disease eradication. This new perspective on the state-of-the-art of CSCs will undoubtedly open new avenues for therapy.

Peripherical Blood hsa-miR-335-5p Quantification as a Prognostic, but Not Diagnostic, Marker of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of death, and this pathology often receives a diagnosis in an advanced stage. The development of a less invasive and cost-effective test for detection is essential for decreasing the mortality rate and increasing the life expectancy of GC patients. We evaluated the potential targeting of CD54/ICAM1, a marker of gastric cancer stem cells, with miRNAs to detect GC in blood samples. The analyses included 79 blood samples, 38 from GC patients and 41 from healthy donors, who attended INCan, México City. The total RNA was obtained from the blood plasma, and RT-PCR and qPCR were performed to obtain the relative expression of each miRNA. Hsa-miR-335-5p was detected in the plasma of GC patients and healthy donors at the same levels. The ROC curve analyses indicated that this miRNA was not a candidate for the molecular diagnosis of GC. We did not observe a correlation between the expression of hsa-miR-335-5p and clinical variables; however, the Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated that, in patients who survived more than 12 months, a lower expression of hsa-miR-335-5p was correlated with a better prognosis. It would be convenient to evaluate a larger panel of miRNAs, including miRNAs expressed in a limited number of cell types or with a low number targets, to obtain more specific candidates for developing a robust test for the diagnosis/prognosis of GC.

Metformin induces ZFP36 by mTORC1 inhibition in cervical cancer-derived cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Metformin, a widely prescribed antidiabetic drug, has shown several promising effects for cancer treatment. These effects have been shown to be mediated by dual modulation of the AMPK-mTORC1 axis, where AMPK acts upstream of mTORC1 to decrease its activity. Nevertheless, alternative pathways have been recently discovered suggesting that metformin can act through of different targets regulation. METHODS: We performed a transcriptome screening analysis using HeLa xenograft tumors generated in NOD-SCID mice treated with or without metformin to examine genes regulated by metformin. Western Blot analysis, Immunohistochemical staining, and RT-qPCR were used to confirm alterations in gene expression. The TNMplot and GEPIA2 platform were used for in silico analysis of genes found up-regulated by metformin, in cervical cancer patients. We performed an AMPK knock-down using AMPK-targeted siRNAs and mTOR inhibition with rapamycin to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of metformin in cervical cancer cell lines. RESULTS: We shown that metformin decreases tumor growth and increased the expression of a group of antitumoral genes involved in DNA-binding transcription activator activity, hormonal response, and Dcp1-Dcp2 mRNA-decapping complex. We demonstrated that ZFP36 could act as a new molecular target increased by metformin. mTORC1 inhibition using rapamycin induces ZFP36 expression, which could suggest that metformin increases ZFP36 expression and requires mTORC1 inhibition for such effect. Surprisingly, in HeLa cells AMPK inhibition did not affect ZFP36 expression, suggesting that additional signal transducers related to suppressing mTORC1 activity, could be involved. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of ZFP36 activation in response to metformin treatment involving mTORC1 inhibition.

Supporting Migrant Children in Pediatric Settings: Lessons Learned from the US Migrant Humanitarian Crisis Response.

This article examines the influx of migrants to the United States and highlights current global and local immigration trends. The authors focus on migrant children-specifically the effect of migration trauma in the context of humanitarian responses to the intentional movement of migrants to Democrat-led cities across the US to humanize the compounded effects of migration trauma, restrictive immigration policies, and the current resettlement landscape for migrants. The authors are directly involved with supporting migrant arrivals who have relocated to Chicago from the southern border, and apply field knowledge to articulate current barriers to accessing health care and best practices within pediatric settings supporting migrant arrivals. Clinical and practice implications for medical providers in pediatric settings are included. The article also highlights the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in providing health care to asylum-seeking migrants and implications for transdisciplinary workforce development in this area. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(5):e171-e177.].

miR-218-5p, miR-124-3p and miR-23b-3p act synergistically to modulate the expression of NACC1, proliferation, and apoptosis in C-33A and CaSki cells.

Background: In cervical cancer (CC), miR-218-5p, -124-3p, and -23b-3p act as tumor suppressors. These miRNAs have specific and common target genes that modulate apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, and migration; biological processes involved in cancer. Methods: miR-218-5p, -124-3p, and -23b-3p mimics were transfected into C-33A and CaSki cells, and RT-qPCR was used to quantify the level of each miRNA and NACC1. Proliferation was assessed by BrdU and apoptosis by Annexin V/PI. In the TCGA and The Human Protein Atlas databases, the level of NACC1 mRNA and protein (putative target of the three miRNAs) was analyzed in CC and normal tissue. The relationship of NACC1 with the overall survival in CC was analyzed in GEPIA2. NACC1 mRNA and protein levels were higher in CC tissues compared with cervical tissue without injury. Results: An increased expression of NACC1 was associated with lower overall survival in CC patients. The levels of miR-218-5p, -124-3p, and -23b-3p were lower, and NACC1 was higher in C-33A and CaSki cells compared to HaCaT cells. The increase of miR-218-5p, -124-3p, and -23b-3p induced a significant decrease in NACC1 mRNA. The transfection of the three miRNAs together caused more drastic changes in the level of NACC1, in the proliferation, and in the apoptosis with respect to the individual transfections of each miRNA. Conclusion: The results indicate that miR-218-5p, -124-3p, and -23b-3p act synergistically to decrease NACC1 expression and proliferation while promoting apoptosis in C-33A and CaSki cells. The levels of NACC1, miR-218-5p, -124-3p, and -23b-3p may be a potential prognostic indicator in CC.

Compounds Consisting of Quinazoline, Ibuprofen, and Amino Acids with Cytotoxic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

In this research work, a series of 16 quinazoline derivatives bearing ibuprofen and an amino acid were designed as inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase domain (EGFR-TKD) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with the intention of presenting dual action in their biological behavior. The designed compounds were synthesized and assessed for cytotoxicity on epithelial cancer cells lines (AGS, A-431, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and epithelial non-tumorigenic cell line (HaCaT). From this evaluation, derivative 6 was observed to exhibit higher cytotoxic potency (IC50) than gefitinib (reference drug) on three cancer cell lines (0.034 µM in A-431, 2.67 µM in MCF-7, and 3.64 µM in AGS) without showing activity on the non-tumorigenic cell line (>100 µM). Furthermore, assessment of EGFR-TKD inhibition by 6 showed a discreet difference compared to gefitinib. Additionally, 6 was used to conduct an in vivo anti-inflammatory assay using the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-3-acetate (TPA) method, and it was shown to be 5 times more potent than ibuprofen. Molecular dynamics studies of EGFR-TKD revealed interactions between compound 6 and M793. On the other hand, one significant interaction was observed for COX-2, involving S531. The RMSD graph indicated that the ligand remained stable in 50 ns.

Efficacy of the methods of age determination using artificial intelligence in panoramic radiographs - a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the literature to determine whether the methods of artificial intelligence are effective in determining age in panoramic radiographs. Searches without language and year limits were conducted in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Hand searches were also performed, and unpublished manuscripts were searched in specialized journals. Thirty-six articles were included in the analysis. Significant differences in terms of root mean square error and mean absolute error were found between manual methods and artificial intelligence techniques, favoring the use of artificial intelligence (p < 0.00001). Few articles compared deep learning methods with machine learning models or manual models. Although there are advantages of machine learning in data processing and deep learning in data collection and analysis, non-comparable data was a limitation of this study. More information is needed on the comparison of these techniques, with particular emphasis on time as a variable.

Neuroprotective-Neurorestorative Effects Induced by Progesterone on Global Cerebral Ischemia: A Narrative Review.

Progesterone (P4) is a neuroactive hormone having pleiotropic effects, supporting its pharmacological potential to treat global (cardiac-arrest-related) cerebral ischemia, a condition associated with an elevated risk of dementia. This review examines the current biochemical, morphological, and functional evidence showing the neuroprotective/neurorestorative effects of P4 against global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Experimental findings show that P4 may counteract pathophysiological mechanisms and/or regulate endogenous mechanisms of plasticity induced by GCI. According to this, P4 treatment consistently improves the performance of cognitive functions, such as learning and memory, impaired by GCI. This functional recovery is related to the significant morphological preservation of brain structures vulnerable to ischemia when the hormone is administered before and/or after a moderate ischemic episode; and with long-term adaptive plastic restoration processes of altered brain morphology when treatment is given after an episode of severe ischemia. The insights presented here may be a guide for future basic research, including the study of P4 administration schemes that focus on promoting its post-ischemia neurorestorative effect. Furthermore, considering that functional recovery is a desired endpoint of pharmacological strategies in the clinic, they could support the study of P4 treatment for decreasing dementia in patients who have suffered an episode of GCI.

Mutant p53 gain-of-function stimulates canonical Wnt signaling via PI3K/AKT pathway in colon cancer.

Aberrant canonical Wnt signaling is a hallmark of colon cancer. The TP53 tumor suppressor gene is altered in many solid tumors, including colorectal cancer, resulting in mutant versions of p53 (mut-p53) that lose their tumor suppressor capacities and acquire new-oncogenic functions (GOFs) critical for disease progression. Although the mechanisms related to mut-p53 GOF have been explored extensively, the relevance of mut-p53 in the canonical Wnt pathway is not well defined. This work investigated the influence of mut-p53 compared to wt-p53 in ß-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling. Using the TCGA public data from Pan-Cancer and the GEPIA2 platform, an in silico analysis of wt-p53 versus mut-p53 genotyped colorectal cancer patients showed that TP53 (p53) and CTNNB1 (ß-catenin) are significantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer, compared with normal tissue. Using p53 overexpression or p53 knockdown assays of wt-p53 or mut-p53, we found that while wt-p53 antagonizes canonical Wnt signaling, mut-p53 induces the opposite effect, improving the ß-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity and colony formation ability of colon cancer cells, which were both decreased by mut-p53 knockdown expression. The mechanism involved in mut-p53-induced activation of canonical Wnt appears to be via AKT-mediated phosphorylation of Ser 552 of ß-catenin, which is known to stabilize and enhance its transcriptional activity. We also found that while wt-p53 expression contributes to 5-FU sensitivity in colon cancer cells, the RITA p53 reactivating molecule counteracted the resistance against 5-FU in cells expressing mut-p53. Our results indicate that mut-p53 GOF acts as a positive regulator of canonical Wnt signaling and participates in the induction of resistance to 5-FU in colon cancer cells.

Manifest anxiety and quality of life in schoolchildren with ADHD during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic generated by COVID-19 forced the governments of all countries to enter into quarantine, modifying the daily coexistence among family members.

Predicting pyrolysis decomposition of PFOA using computational nanoreactors: a thermodynamic study.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, complex, environmentally persistent, and ever-expanding group of manufactured chemicals. Disposal of these compounds could produce potentially dangerous products necessitating the need to quickly predict their decomposition products. This study focuses on the thermal decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) using nanoreactor simulations to find the decomposition products and their respective energies. Applying the nanoreactor method, which is novel for this system, allows for rapid prediction of thermal decomposition pathways with minimal researcher bias and it predicted PFOA to decompose at ∼650 °C, consistent with previously reported experimental studies.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Other Metals in Herbal Products Containing St. John's Wort in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City.

Consumption of St. John's wort plant is high worldwide due to its various medicinal properties. However, herbal products containing St. John's wort may be contaminated with toxic metals. This is often related to contamination of both water and the atmosphere, lack of proper cultivation methods, and inadequate plant storage conditions, as well as a lack of stricter sanitary supervision. A safety assessment of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) content in 23 products containing St. John's wort (pharmaceutical herbal products, food supplements and traditional herbal remedies) sold in the metropolitan area of Mexico City was conducted. The analysis of metals was determined using a graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. All herbal products were contaminated with Cu, Pb, Cd and As. The pharmaceutical herbal items showed less contamination by metals. The daily human intake (DHI) values for Pb exceeded the permissible limits in the group of traditional herbal remedies. The DHI calculation for As exceeded the permitted intake values for all items in the group of traditional herbal remedies, five food supplements and one pharmaceutical herbal product. The hazard indicator calculation of the non-carcinogenic cumulative risk values for traditional herbal remedies was greater than 1, suggesting a risk to human health.

Differences in efficacy and safety among CAR-Ts anti-CD19/CD22, anti-CD19, and anti-CD22, in adult patients with relapse/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) is a challenging disease with low rates of remission and survival in adult patients. Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-Ts) therapies have been approved for these patients. Dual-target CAR-Ts against CD19 and CD22 have recently been developed to improve the efficacy of the single-target therapy; however, extent of the improvement using this dual-target therapy has yet to be determined. We performed a meta-analysis of the outcome and safety of CAR-Ts, comparing anti-CD19 vs anti-CD22 vs dual-target anti-CD19/CD22 CAR-Ts, to elucidate the differences and limitations of these therapies in adult patients with R/R B-ALL. Although the limitations of our study derived from heterogeneity in the included publications, our results suggest that anti-CD19/CD22 CAR-Ts generate lower incidence of relapse and neurotoxicity, but similar results were obtained regarding complete remission, minimal residual disease, overall survival, and cytokine release syndrome compared with single-target anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 CAR-Ts.

Modeling subcellular specificity in the developing retina.

The precise wiring of the nervous system relies on neurons extending their processes at the right time and place to find their appropriate synaptic partner. The mechanisms that determine when and where neurons extend their neurites during synaptogenesis remains a central question in the field. In the present study, we developed a cell culture system coupled with live imaging to investigate the wiring mechanisms in the developing nervous system. We focused on horizontal cells which are interneurons in the mammalian outer retina known to synapse selectively to distinct photoreceptors. Our data shows cultured horizontal cells extend neurites in a similar manner as in vivo with horizontal cells isolated from young mice extending more complex processes compared to those from adult retinas. In addition, horizontal cells cultured alone do not extend neurites and require other retinal cells for neurite extension suggesting that there must be extrinsic cues that promote neurite outgrowth. Moreover, these extrinsic cues do not appear to be solely secreted factors as supernatant from wild-type retinas is not sufficient to promote neurite outgrowth. In summary, we established a new system that can be used to decipher the mechanisms involved in neuronal wiring of the developing central nervous system.