Gait asymmetrical evaluation of lower limb amputees using wearable inertial sensors.

This study presents an analysis and evaluation of gait asymmetry (GA) based on the temporal gait parameters identified using a portable gait event detection system, placed on the lateral side of the shank of both lower extremities of the participants. Assessment of GA was carried out with seven control subjects (CS), one transfemoral amputee (TFA) and one transtibial amputee (TTA) while walking at different speeds on overground (OG) and treadmill (TM). Gait cycle duration (GCD), stance phase duration (SPD), swing phase duration (SwPD), and the sub-phases of the gait cycle (GC) such as Loading-Response (LR), Foot-Flat (FF), and Push-Off (PO), Swing-1 (SW-1) and Swing-2 (SW-2) were evaluated. The results revealed that GCD showed less asymmetry as compared to other temporal parameters in both groups. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the groups for SPD and SwPD with lower limb amputees (LLA) having a longer stance and shorter swing phase for their intact side compared to their amputated side, resulting, large GA for TFA compared to CS and TTA. The findings could potentially contribute towards a better understanding of gait characteristics in LLA and provide a guide in the design and control of lower limb prosthetics/orthotics.

Inverse FASN and LDHA correlation drives metabolic resistance in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer manifests as a heterogeneous pathology marked by complex metabolic reprogramming essential to satisfy its energy demands. Oncogenic signals boost the metabolism, modifying fatty acid synthesis and glucose use from the onset to progression and therapy resistant-forms. However, the exact contribution of metabolic dependencies during tumor evolution remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, we elucidate the connection between FASN and LDHA, pivotal metabolic genes, and their correlation with tumor grade and therapy response using datasets from public repositories. Subsequently, we evaluated the metabolic and proliferative functions upon FASN and LDHA inhibition in breast cancer models. Lastly, we integrated metabolomic and lipidomic analysis to define the contributions of metabolites, lipids, and precursors to the metabolic phenotypes. RESULTS: Collectively, our findings indicate metabolic shifts during breast cancer progression, unvealling two distinct functional energy phenotypes associated with aggressiveness and therapy response. Specifically, FASN exhibits reduced expression in advance-grade tumors and therapy-resistant forms, whereas LDHA demonstrates higher expression. Additionally, the biological and metabolic impact of blocking the enzymatic activity of FASN and LDHA was correlated with resistant conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These observations emphasize the intrinsic metabolic heterogeneity within breast cancer, thereby highlighting the relevance of metabolic interventions in the field of precision medicine.

A Bibliometric analysis of scientific publication on Peri-Implantitis from 1990 to 2020.

Background: Peri-implantitis can involve about 13% of implants and 20% of patients, it has been reported that its incidence increases from about 0.4 to 43.9% in 3-5 years. The purpose was to analyze, using bibliometric indicators, the scientific efficiency of different organization, countries, and researchers that published articles on Peri-implantitis in various dental journals during the period from 1990 to 2020. Material and Methods: The search was carried out using Scopus database on publications related to Peri-implantitis from 1990 to 2020 using VOSviewer 1.6.15. The selected search encompassed title of article, citation count, year of publication, authors, institution, country and keywords. Data maps were obtained from VOS viewer based on number of papers, citation count, sources, countries and authors. A density visualization analysis was performed to interpret the data. Bibliometric analysis with reference to citation and documents, authors, journals and keywords was also evaluated. Results: An upsurge in number of cumulative papers published on Peri-implantitis from 1990 to 2020 was observed. The top three countries that published most research papers on Peri-implantitis included United States, Sweden and Switzerland respectively. The most productive organization in the field was Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden. The maximum numbers of papers were published in "Clinical Oral Implants Research", while the most published and cited author was Niklaus P. Lang, with 50 papers, 5391 citations with 107.82 average citations per paper. Conclusions: There is a tremendous increase in number of publications on peri-implantitis through collaboration of authors, nations and institutes. Among the leading countries from where evidence is originating includes, USA, Sweden and Switzerland. The leading institutes whose work received most citations included, Kristiansand University (Sweden), Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden), Trinity college (Dublin) and University Of Bern (Switzerland). A positive trend of highly collaborative work was observed among the institutes and authors on peri-implantitis. Key words:Bibliometric analysis, Peri-Implantitis, Scopus, Dental implants.

Isolation and characterization of chromium-resistant bacteria and their effects on germination, growth, and Cr accumulation in Capsicum annum (L.) under Cr stress.

Chromium (Cr) is a well-known environmental pollutant while less information is available on the role of Cr-resistant bacteria in the alleviation of Cr-stress in chili (Capsicum annum L.) plants. Effect of Cr-resistant bacterial strains on growth and Cr uptake by chili plants was investigated. The results revealed that Cr-stress showed a negative effect on germination, photosynthesis, and relative water content but the inoculation ameliorated the plant stress. Chromium-resistant bacterial strains enhanced the shoot and root growth (33% SL, 19.7% RL), shoot and root dry weight (35%, 32.9%), relative water content (32.25%), membrane stability index (46.52%) SPAD value (50.76%), Cr concentration in shoots and roots (19.87 and 18.52 mg kg-1), bioaccumulation and translocation factor (0.396 mgkg-1), and seedling vigor index (40.8%) of plants. Chromium-resistant bacterial strains enhanced the NPK uptake while reduced Cr uptake by plants. The morphological and biochemical examination of rhizobacterial strains (and NM28) resistant to Cr-stress revealed smooth, off-white colonies of bacteria composed of rod-shaped cells which are Gram positive in reaction while negative in catalase activity. High quantities of malic acid were produced by bacterial strains under study i.e. NM8 (926.12 µgmL-2) and NM28 (992.25 µgmL-2). These strains were identified as Bacillus cereus strain NM8 and Bacillus subtilis strain NM28 through 16S rRNA sequencing. Results showed that B. cereus strain NM28 is more effective than B. cereus strain NM8 in promoting the growth of Cr-stressed Chili that might be suitable to develop biofertilizer for sustainable production of vegetables under metal stress.

Surviving the Desert's Grasp: Decipherment Phreatophyte Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. Adaptive Strategies for Arid Resilience.

Phreatophytes play an important role in maintaining the ecological services in arid and semi-arid areas. Characterizing the interaction between groundwater and phreatophytes is critical for the land and water management in such areas. Therefore, the identification of key traits related to mitigating desertification in differently adapted T. aphylla populations was the focus. Fifteen naturally adapted populations of the prominent phreatophyte T. aphylla from diverse ecological regions of Punjab, Pakistan were selected. Key structural and functional modifications involved in ecological success and adaptations against heterogeneous environments for water conservation include widened metaxylem vessels in roots, enlarged brachy sclereids in stems/leaves, tissues succulence, and elevated organic osmolytes and antioxidants activity for osmoregulation and defense mechanism. Populations from hot and dry deserts (Dratio: 43.17-34.88) exhibited longer roots and fine-scaled leaves, along with enlarged vascular bundles and parenchyma cells in stems. Populations inhabiting saline deserts (Dratio: 38.59-33.29) displayed enhanced belowground biomass production, larger root cellular area, broadest phloem region in stems, and numerous large stomata in leaves. Hyper-arid populations (Dratio: 33.54-23.07) excelled in shoot biomass production, stem cellular area, epidermal thickness, pith region in stems, and lamina thickness in leaves. In conclusion, this research highlights T. aphylla as a vital model for comprehending plant resilience to environmental stresses, with implications for carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration.

Experiences of Multiple Myeloma Patients With Treatment in the Palestinian Practice: A Multicenter Qualitative Study in a Resource-Limited Healthcare System.

Background Multiple myeloma is a crippling cancer that puts a significant strain on patients and their families alike. The long and exhausting treatment journey with the disease is challenging not only for patients but also for healthcare systems. This exploratory study was conducted to look into these patients' experiences with their treatment and explore their recommendations and views to improve the Palestinian healthcare system, which can be viewed as an evolving healthcare system within a resource-limited and developing country. Methods The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used for conducting this multicenter exploratory qualitative study. A total number of eight patients with multiple myeloma who received treatment in the Palestinian healthcare system participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The semi-structured in-depth interviews followed a set interview schedule. Thematic analysis of the data was done using the qualitative interpretive description approach. Results A total of 5.48 h (329 min) of total interview time was analyzed. Among the patients, 6 (75%) were males, 5 (63.5%) lived in urban areas, 5 (62.5%) reported satisfaction with their household income, 6 (75%) underwent bone marrow transplantation, and all of them (100%) had governmental insurance. The qualitative data that emerged after analysis were classified into three major themes and multiple sub-themes. The three major themes were: (1) treatment side effects, (2) factors affecting treatment experience, and (3) recommendations to improve healthcare service. Conclusion The results of this qualitative study offer insight into how people with multiple myeloma view the healthcare system in Palestine and shed light on the variable and challenging experiences with their treatment, side effects, and communication with healthcare providers within the context of a resource-limited and developing country. Future research should involve hemato-oncology doctors and benefit from their expertise in the field.

Occurrence, characteristics, and antibiotic sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wild birds in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan.

Staphylococcus aureus is gaining worldwide attention because of its substantial impact on public health. The current study aimed to characterize S. aureus strains isolated from wild birds in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan from 2021 to 2022. A total of one hundred samples were collected from five wild bird species. The samples were enriched, inoculated on selective agars and cultured for 24 hr at 37.00 ˚C. All isolates were verified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after Gram staining. Positive isolates were screened for phenotypic (Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration s), genotypic antibiotic resistance, and virulence genes. These samples yielded 30 (30.00%) S. aureus isolates, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction utilizing the 16S rRNA gene. Staphylococcus aureus was more prevalent in cloacal samples (16.00%) than oral samples (14.00%). Various S. aureus isolates showed varying degrees of resistance to three different antibiotics. Oxacillin (56.66%; n = 17) and tetracycline (33.33%; n = 10) showed the highest resistance rates with the lowest susceptibility (43.33%; n = 13). In contrast, vancomycin, rifampicin, linezolid, and daptomycin were 100% susceptible. Further disc diffusion study revealed resistance to tetracycline (33.33%), erythromycin (16.66%), and gentamicin (10.00%). The tetK gene was found in 33.33% of wild bird samples, while the ermA gene was found in 16.66% of samples. The aacA-D gene was only found in three (10.00%) isolates. None of the isolates tested positive for virulence genes. In conclusion, S. aureus is carried by wild birds in this area, posing a potentail threat to both humans and animals.

Arthroscopic Confirmation of Femoral Button Deployment During Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) ruptures are uncommonly seen in knee ligament injuries. Cconservative treatment is often suitable for isolated tears with mild-to-moderate posterior knee laxity (grades I or II). However, surgical intervention is indicated for symptomatic grade III or multiligament knee injuries. PCL reconstruction has experienced continuous development due to the progress made in arthroscopic techniques and instruments. Abnormal positioning and tensioning of the femoral button result in multiple complications such as residual laxity, loss of quadriceps muscle strength, and joint stiffness. In this Technical Note, we describe direct arthroscopic visualization of the femoral button deployment in PCL reconstruction technique, and we discuss its importance to prevent complications related to button malposition.

A New Capillary-Channel Agarose Sponge Assembled with Deep Eutectic Solvent Based Magnetic Fluid for Rapid Hemostasis and Prevention of Bacterial Infection.

A new composite sponge assisted by magnetic field-mediated guidance was developed for effective hemostasis. It was based on polydopamine capillary-channel agarose (PDA-CAGA) sponge as matrix; meanwhile, the combination of deep eutectic solvent (DES, choline chloride:glycerol = 1:1, M/M)-dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles after fabrication by tannic acid (DES-Fe3O4@TA) was applied as hemostatic magnetic fluid. This sponge had oriented and aligned capillary channels realized by a 3D printed pattern, which endowed them with obvious shape memory and liquid absorption performance. Computational simulation was performed to describe the fluid status in channels; DES-Fe3O4@TA exhibited good magnetic properties, fluidity, and stability. In addition, the sponge driven to react rapidly with the bleeding site under the effect of a magnetic field presented a shorter hemostasis time (reduced by 85.02% in the tail and 81.07% in the liver of rats) and less blood loss (reduced by 97.08% in the tail and 91.50% in the liver) than those of medical gelatin sponge (GS). Meanwhile, the multifunctional material also exhibited better biocompatibility, procoagulant performance, and significant inhibition on S. aureus and E. coli than GS. As a whole, this work proposed a new strategy for rapid hemostasis by designing a magnetic field assisted composite bacteriostatic material, which also expanded the applications of green solvents in the clinical management field.

Microencapsulation of highly concentrated polyphenolic compounds from purple corn pericarp by spray-drying with various biomacromolecules.

Colored corn pericarp contains unusually high amounts of industrially valuable phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins, flavanols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Polyphenols were extracted in an aqueous solution and spray-dried to produce microencapsulates using four carrier materials, namely, maltodextrin (MD), gum arabic (GA), methylcellulose (MC), and skim milk powder (SMP) at three concentrations (1, 2, and 3 %, respectively). The encapsulates were evaluated for their polyphenolic contents using spectrophotometric techniques and HPLC analyses, and their antioxidant properties were evaluated using four different assays. The physicochemical properties of encapsulates were analyzed by measuring the zeta potential (ZP), particle size distribution, water solubility index (WSI), water absorption index (WAI), and color parameters. Structural and thermal properties were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical profilometry, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Comparative analysis of structural characteristics, particle size distribution, zeta potential, WSI, WAI, and aw of the samples confirmed the successful formulation of encapsulates. The microencapsulates embedded with 1 % concentrations of MD, MC, GA, or SMP retained polyphenolic compounds and exhibited noteworthy antioxidant properties. The samples encapsulated with GA or MD (1 %) demonstrated superior physicochemical, color, and thermal properties. Comprehensive metabolomic analysis confirmed the presence of 38 phytochemicals in extracts validating the spray-drying process.

Unraveling the genetic and molecular basis of heat stress in cotton.

Human activities and climate change have resulted in frequent and intense weather fluctuations, leading to diverse abiotic stresses on crops which hampers greatly their metabolic activities. Heat stress, a prevalent abiotic factor, significantly influences cotton plant biological activities resulting in reducing yield and production. We must deepen our understanding of how plants respond to heat stress across various dimensions, encompassing genes, RNAs, proteins, metabolites for effective cotton breeding. Multi-omics methods, primarily genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics, proves instrumental in studying cotton's responses to abiotic stresses. Integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomic is imperative for our better understanding regarding genetics and molecular basis of heat tolerance in cotton. The current review explores fundamental omics techniques, covering genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to highlight the progress made in cotton omics research.

Preliminary Investigation of Astragalus arpilobus subsp. hauarensis: LC-MS/MS Chemical Profiling, In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Cytotoxicity, and In Silico Analysis against COX-2.

The search results offer comprehensive insights into the phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic effects, LC-MS/MS analysis, molecular docking, and MD simulation of the identified phenolic compounds in the Astragalus arpilobus subsp. hauarensis extract (AAH). The analysis revealed substantial levels of total phenolic content (TPC), with a measured value of 191 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g DM. This high TPC was primarily attributed to two key phenolic compounds: total flavonoid content (TFC) and total tannin content (TTC), quantified at 80.82 ± 0.02 mg QE/g DM and 51.91 ± 0.01 mg CE/g DM, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 28 phenolic compounds, with gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, and others. In the DPPH scavenging assay, the IC50 value for the extract was determined to be 19.44 ± 0.04 µg/mL, comparable to standard antioxidants like BHA, BHT, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the extract demonstrated a notably lower IC50 value compared to both diclofenac and ketoprofen, with values of 35.73 µg/mL, 63.78 µg/mL, and 164.79 µg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed significant cytotoxicity of the A. arpilobus extract, with an LC50 value of 28.84 µg/mL, which exceeded that of potassium dichromate (15.73 µg/mL), indicating its potential as a safer alternative for various applications. Molecular docking studies have highlighted chrysin as a promising COX-2 inhibitor, with favorable binding energies and interactions. Molecular dynamic simulations further support chrysin's potential, showing stable interactions with COX-2, comparable to the reference ligand S58. Overall, the study underscores the pharmacological potential of A. arpilobus extract, particularly chrysin, as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further research is warranted to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical implications of these natural compounds.

Secondary Meniscectomy Rates and Risk Factors for Failed Repair of Ramp Lesions Performed at the Time of Primary ACL Reconstruction: An Analysis of 1037 Patients From the SANTI Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating secondary meniscectomy rates and risk factors for failure of ramp repair are sparse and limited by small numbers and heterogeneity. PURPOSES/HYPOTHESIS: The purposes were to determine the secondary meniscectomy rate for failure of ramp repair performed using a posteromedial portal suture hook at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to identify risk factors for secondary meniscectomy. It was hypothesized that patients who underwent ACLR combined with a lateral extra-articular procedure (LEAP) would experience significantly lower rates of secondary meniscectomy compared with those undergoing isolated ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary ACLR and ramp repair between 2013 and 2020 were included in the study. Final follow-up for each patient was defined by his or her last appointment recorded in a prospective database (with a study end date of March 2023). The database and medical records were used to determine whether patients had undergone secondary meniscectomy for failure of ramp repair. Survivorship of ramp repair (using secondary meniscectomy as an endpoint) was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate possible risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 1037 patients were included in the study. The secondary meniscectomy rate after ramp repair was 7.7% at a mean final follow-up of 72.4 months. Patients without combined ACLR + LEAP were >2-fold more likely to undergo a secondary medial meniscectomy compared with those with combined ACLR + LEAP (hazard ratio, 2.455; 95% CI, 1.457-4.135; P = .0007). Age, sex, preoperative Tegner score, and time between injury and surgery were not significant risk factors for failure. CONCLUSION: The rate of secondary meniscectomy after ramp repair performed through a posteromedial portal at the time of primary ACLR was low. Patients who underwent isolated ACLR (rather than ACLR + LEAP) were >2-fold more likely to undergo a secondary medial meniscectomy for failure of ramp repair. Additional risk factors for failure of ramp repair were not identified.

Oridonin from Rabdosia rubescens: An emerging potential in cancer therapy - A comprehensive review.

Cancer incidences are rising each year. In 2020, approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer-related deaths were recorded. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2024 the incidence of cancer will increase to 30.2 million individuals annually. Considering the invasive characteristics of its diagnostic procedures and therapeutic methods side effects, scientists are searching for different solutions, including using plant-derived bioactive compounds, that could reduce the probability of cancer occurrence and make its treatment more comfortable. In this regard, oridonin (ORI), an ent-kaurane diterpenoid, naturally found in the leaves of Rabdosia rubescens species, has been found to have antitumor, antiangiogenesis, antiasthmatic, antiinflammatory, and apoptosis induction properties. Extensive research has been performed on ORI to find various mechanisms involved in its anticancer activities. This review article provides an overview of ORI's effectiveness on murine and human cancer populations from 1976 to 2022 and provides insight into the future application of ORI in different cancer therapies.

Comparative analysis of prokaryotic microbiomes in high-altitude active layer soils: insights from Ladakh and global analogues using In-Silico approaches.

The active layer is the portion of soil overlaying the permafrost that freezes and thaws seasonally. It is a harsh habitat in which a varied and vigorous microbial population thrives. The high-altitude active layer soil in northern India is a unique and important cryo-ecosystem. However, its microbiology remains largely unexplored. It represents a unique reservoir for microbial communities with adaptability to harsh environmental conditions. In the Changthang region of Ladakh, the Tsokar area is a high-altitude permafrost-affected area situated in the southern part of Ladakh, at a height of 4530 m above sea level. Results of the comparison study with the QTP, Himalayan, Alaskan, Russian, Canadian and Polar active layers showed that the alpha diversity was significantly higher in the Ladakh and QTP active layers as the environmental condition of both the sites were similar. Moreover, the sampling site in the Ladakh region was in a thawing condition at the time of sampling which possibly provided nutrients and access to alternative nitrogen and carbon sources to the microorganisms thriving in it. Analysis of the samples suggested that the geochemical parameters and environmental conditions shape the microbial alpha diversity and community composition. Further analysis revealed that the cold-adapted methanogens were present in the Ladakh, Himalayan, Polar and Alaskan samples and absent in QTP, Russian and Canadian active layer samples. These methanogens could produce methane at slow rates in the active layer soils that could increase the atmospheric temperature owing to climate change.

Effect of Lateral Extra-Articular Procedures Combined With ACL Reconstruction on the Rate of Graft Rupture in Patients Aged Older Than 30 Years: A Matched-Pair Analysis of 1102 Patients From the SANTI Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have demonstrated significant advantages of combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) and lateral extra-articular procedures (LEAPs) over isolated ACLR in terms of reducing graft rupture and reoperation rates. However, most of the published studies have included young patients, and no studies have focused on patients aged >30 years. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of isolated ACLR versus ACLR + LEAP at midterm follow-up in patients aged >30 years. The hypothesis was that patients who underwent combined procedures would experience significantly lower rates of graft rupture. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients >30 years of age who underwent primary ACLR + LEAP between January 2003 and December 2020 were propensity matched at a 1:1 ratio to patients who underwent isolated ACLR. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed to determine graft rupture rates, knee stability, reoperation rates, and complications. Graft survivorship was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of graft failure were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Two groups of 551 patients each were included in the study, and the mean follow-up was 97.19 ± 47.23 months. The overall mean age was 37.01 ± 6.24 years. The LEAP group consisted of 503 (91.3%) patients who had anterolateral ligament reconstruction and 48 (8.7%) patients who had a Lemaire procedure. Overall, 19 (1.7%) patients had graft failure: 15 (2.7%) in the no-LEAP group and 4 (0.7%) in the LEAP group (P = .0116). The risk of graft failure was significantly associated with the absence of LEAP (31 vs 12; hazard ratio, 3.309; 95% CI, 1.088-10.065; P = .0350) and age between 30 and 35 years (hazard ratio, 4.533; 95% CI, 1.484-13.841; P = .0080). A higher rate of reoperation for secondary meniscectomy was found in the no-LEAP group (5.6% vs 2.2%; P = .0031). CONCLUSION: Patients aged >30 years who underwent combined ACLR and LEAP experienced a >3-fold lower risk of ACL graft failure compared with those who underwent isolated ACLR. Furthermore, the group without LEAP experienced a higher rate of secondary meniscectomy.

Patient-reported outcomes in Primary Spinal Intradural Tumours: a systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: Primary Spinal Intradural Tumours (PSITs) are rare pathologies that can significantly impact quality of life. This study aimed to review patient reported outcomes (PROs) in PSITs. METHODS: A systematic search of Pubmed and Embase was performed to identify studies measuring PROs in adults with PSITs. PRO results were categorised as relating to Global, Physical, Social, or Mental health. Outcomes were summarised descriptively. RESULTS: Following review of 2382 records, 11 studies were eligible for inclusion (737 patients). All studies assessed surgically treated patients. Schwannoma was the commonest pathology (n = 190). 7 studies measured PROs before and after surgery, the remainder assessed only post-operatively. For eight studies, PROs were obtained within 12 months of treatment. 21 PRO measurement tools were used across included studies, of which Euro-Qol-5D (n = 8) and the pain visual/numerical analogue scale (n = 5) were utilised most frequently. Although overall QoL is lower than healthy controls in PSITs, improvements following surgery were found in Extramedullary tumours (EMT) in overall physical, social, and mental health. Similar improvements were not significant across studies of Intramedullary tumours (IMT). Overall QoL and symptom burden was higher in IMT patients than in brain tumour patients. No studies evaluated the effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with PSITs suffer impaired PROs before and after surgery. This is particularly true for IMTs. PRO reporting in PSITs is hindered by a heterogeneity of reporting and varied measurement tools. This calls for the establishment of a standard set of PROs as well as the use of registries.

Antiglycating Effects of Spirulina platensis Aqueous Extract on Glucose-Induced Glycation of Bovine Serum Albumin.

Glucose, the predominant carbohydrate in the human body, initiates nonenzymatic reactions in hyperglycemia, potentially leading to adverse biochemical interactions. This study investigates the interaction between glucose and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), along with the protective effects of Spirulina platensis PCC 7345 aqueous extract. Phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, and allophycocyanin) in the extract were quantified using spectrophotometry. The extract's anti-glycation potential was assessed by analyzing its effects on albumin glycation, fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs), thiol group oxidation, and ß-amyloid structure generation. Additionally, its antidiabetic potential was evaluated by measuring α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition. Results indicate that the Spirulina extract significantly mitigated ketoamine levels, fluorescence, and protein-carbonyl production induced by glucose, demonstrating a 67.81 % suppression of AGE formation after 28 days. Moreover, it effectively inhibited amyloid formation in BSA cross-linkages. These findings suggest the potential of S. platensis as an anti-glycation and antidiabetic agent, supporting its consideration for dietary inclusion to manage diabetes and associated complications.

Insights into Reactive Oxygen Species Production-Scavenging System Involved in Sugarcane Response to Xanthomonas albilineans Infection under Drought Stress.

Plants must adapt to the complex effects of several stressors brought on by global warming, which may result in interaction and superposition effects between diverse stressors. Few reports are available on how drought stress affects Xanthomonas albilineans (Xa) infection in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). Drought and leaf scald resistance were identified on 16 sugarcane cultivars using Xa inoculation and soil drought treatments, respectively. Subsequently, four cultivars contrasting to drought and leaf scald resistance were used to explore the mechanisms of drought affecting Xa-sugarcane interaction. Drought stress significantly increased the occurrence of leaf scald and Xa populations in susceptible cultivars but had no obvious effect on resistant cultivars. The ROS bursting and scavenging system was significantly activated in sugarcane in the process of Xa infection, particularly in the resistant cultivars. Compared with Xa infection alone, defense response via the ROS generating and scavenging system was obviously weakened in sugarcane (especially in susceptible cultivars) under Xa infection plus drought stress. Collectively, ROS might play a crucial role involving sugarcane defense against combined effects of Xa infection and drought stress.