BN Group Research Articles

Photo- and thermo-responsive poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel regulated by hierarchical host–guest interactions

Supramolecular hydrogels constructed through various host–guest interactions have attracted tremendous attention in view of their excellent dynamic and multi-stimuli responsive performances. Herein, benzyl (Bn) and azobenzene (Azo) grafted poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) were prepared via a one-pot post-synthesis strategy. By virtue of the difference in binding affinity of Azo and Bn groups with the host compound cucurbituril [8] urea (CB[8]), the newly-developed supramolecular hydrogels exhibited distinctive photo- and thermo-responsive behaviors. Under UV light irradiation, PIL-Azo-Bn/CB[8] hydrogel got weaker, while a gel-to-sol transition was observed when treated by heating. Moreover, the above tunable behaviors were highly reversible. Variable-temperature measurements such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy illustrated that the photo- and thermo-regulated performances of PIL hydrogel were ascribed to the hierarchical host–guest interactions. As a prototype application in smart circuits, PIL hydrogel exhibited a photo- and thermo-tuned conductivity. Thus, our finding presented a novel and versatile platform to fabricate responsive functional hydrogels via host–guest interactions, which has great promising applications in smart materials and flexible sensors.

Evaluating the predictions of an interoceptive inference model of bulimia nervosa

ObjectiveBulimia nervosa (BN) is associated with loss-of-control (LOC) eating episodes that frequently occur in response to negative emotions. According to recent neurocomputational models, this link could be explained by a failure to accurately update beliefs about the body in states of high arousal. Specifically, these interoceptive inference models suggest that under-relying on signals from one’s body about sensory experience (“low sensory precision”) and/or over-relying on previously held beliefs (“excessively precise priors”) lead to inaccurate perception and maladaptive behaviors. We conducted an initial test of these core predictions of the interoceptive inference model in BN using self-report measures.MethodsWe compared women with BN (n = 30) and age-, BMI-, and full-scale IQ-matched controls (n = 31) on trust in sensory information from the body and two types of beliefs about what can be done to regulate high negative affect. Within the BN group, we tested interrelations among these measures and explored their associations with LOC eating frequency.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, the BN group reported lower levels of trust in sensory information and stronger beliefs that once upset, there is little one can do, apart from eating, to self-regulate. These beliefs were associated with each other and with lower body trust. Beliefs about the uncontrollability of emotion were associated with more frequent subjective binge-eating episodes.ConclusionsFindings provide initial support for the core predictions of an interoceptive inference account of BN: low trust in sensory information (“sensory precision”) may promote an overreliance on maladaptive “prior beliefs” about the effects of eating on negative emotions, ultimately interfering with accurate updating of beliefs about other strategies that could regulate emotions and maintain LOC eating. Low body trust, strong expectations about emotions, and their neurocomputational underpinnings could be promising combined treatment targets for BN.

Salivary metabolomic identification of biomarker candidates for oral melanoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs.

Oral melanoma (OM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are frequently diagnosed in dogs, presenting a challenge in distinguishing them from benign oral tumors (BN). Salivary metabolomic biomarkers offer a practical solution because of saliva's direct contact with tumors and the noninvasive nature of collection. Assess the diversity and abundance of the salivary metabolome in dogs with BN, OM, and OSCC using amine/phenol submetabolome analysis and high-performance chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CIL LC-MS). Study included 11 BN, 24 OM, 10 OSCC, and 20 healthy control dogs. Case-control cross-sectional study was conducted to assess salivary submetabolic profiles in dogs with BN, OM, and OSCC and healthy dogs. Samples were labeled with 12C-dansyl chloride and analyzed using CIL LC-MS targeted to amine- and phenol-containing metabolites for amine/phenol submetabolome analysis. Distinct clusters and significant differences in metabolite concentrations were observed among the oral cancer, BN, and control groups. A total of 154 and 66 metabolites showed significantly altered concentrations, particularly in OM and OSCC, respectively, when compared with BN (Padj < .05). Potential metabolic biomarkers were identified for each cancer, including decreased concentrations of seryl-arginine and sarcosine in OSCC. Moreover, high-confidence putative metabolites were identified, including an increase in tryptophyl-threonine and a decrease in 1,2-dihydroxynapthalene-6-sulfonic acid and hydroxyprolyl-hydroxyproline for OM. We identified high coverage of the amine/phenol submetabolome, including seryl-arginine, and sarcosine, in OSCC. Our findings emphasize the potential of these biomarkers for distinguishing between oral OSCC and BN in dogs.

Uncovering neural pathways underlying bulimia nervosa: resting-state neural connectivity disruptions correlate with maladaptive eating behaviors

PurposeBulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes and inappropriate compensatory behaviors. This study investigated alterations in resting-state surface-based neural activity in BN patients and explored correlations between brain activity and eating behavior.MethodsA total of 26 BN patients and 28 healthy controls were enrolled. Indirect measurement of cerebral cortical activity and functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed in Surfstat. A principal component analysis (PCA) model was used to capture the commonalities within the behavioral questionnaires from the BN group.ResultsCompared with the healthy control group, the BN group showed decreased surface-based two-dimensional regional homogeneity in the right superior parietal lobule (SPL). Additionally, the BN group showed decreased FC between the right SPL and the bilateral lingual gyrus and increased FC between the right SPL and the left caudate nucleus and right putamen. In the FC–behavior association analysis, the second principal component (PC2) was negatively correlated with FC between the right SPL and the left caudate nucleus. The third principal component (PC3) was negatively correlated with FC between the right SPL and the left lingual gyrus and positively correlated with FC between the right SPL and the right lingual gyrus.ConclusionWe revealed that the right SPL undergoes reorganization with respect to specific brain regions at the whole-brain level in BN. In addition, our results suggest a correlation between brain reorganization and maladaptive eating behavior. These findings may provide useful information to better understand the neural mechanisms of BN.Level of evidenceV, descriptive study.

Effects of wearing masks during COVID-19 pandemic on the composition and diversity of skin bacteria and fungi in medical workers

BackgroundAlthough studies have shown that wearing masks can affect the skin microbiome, more detailed and comprehensive research on wearing masks needs to be further explored.ObjectiveThis study aimed to characterize the influence of mask wearing on the diversity and structural characteristics of the facial skin microbial community of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic by means of metagenomic sequencing (mNGS).MethodsA total of 40 samples were taken by swabbing the cheek in the 2 × 2 cm2 area before and after wearing the masks. DNA was extracted for metagenomic sequencing.ResultsA statistically significant decrease was found in the α diversity between BN and AN groups and between B2 h and A2 h groups. BN and AN mean groups before and after 8 h of wearing the medical protective mask (N95), including 10 volunteers, respectively. B2 h and A2 h mean groups before and after 8 h of wearing masks, including 10 volunteers changing mask every 2 h, respectively. The β diversity was found to be statistically reduced between BS and AS groups (p = 0.025), BN and AN groups (p = 0.009), and B2 h and A2 h group (p = 0.042). The fungal beta diversity was significantly decreased in every group before and after wearing masks. The main bacteria on the face before and after wearing masks were Cutibacterium (68.02 and 71.73%). Among the fungi, Malassezia predominated the facial skin surface before and after wearing masks (35.81 and 39.63%, respectively).ConclusionWearing different types of masks and changing masks according to different frequency will have different effects on the facial skin’s microbiota.

Oxidative Deprotection of Benzyl Protecting Groups for Alcohols by an Electronically Tuned Nitroxyl-Radical Catalyst.

The oxidative deprotection of benzyl (Bn) groups using nitroxyl-radical catalyst 1 and co-oxidant phenyl iodonium bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) is reported. This catalyst is highly active for the oxidation of benzylic ethers because of the electronic tuning on account of the electron-withdrawing ester groups next to the catalytically active center. This catalytic system promotes deprotections at ambient temperature and has a broad substrate scope, including substrates possessing hydrogenation-sensitive functional groups, while the deprotection hardly proceeds when using well-known nitroxyl-radical catalysts such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl (TEMPO). The 1/PIFA system also promotes the deprotection of several benzylic protecting groups, including 2-naphthylmethyl (NAP) and 4-methylbenzyl (MBn) groups. Catalyst 1 was also effective for the direct synthesis of ketones and aldehydes from Bn ethers via deprotected alcohols using an excess of the co-oxidant PIFA.

Fronto-temporal dysfunction in appetitive regulation of bulimia nervosa with affective disorders: A regional homogeneity and remote connectivity pattern analysis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess brain functional alterations in BN patients with affective disorders and their association with maladaptive eating behaviors. MethodsA total of 42 BN patients with affective disorders (anxiety and depression) and 47 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. The resting-state fMRI data were analyzed for functional changes as indicated by regional homogeneity based on Kendall's coefficient of concordance (KCC-ReHo) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC). A principal component analysis (PCA) model was used to identify the commonalities within the behavioral questionnaires from the BN group. ResultsPatients in the BN group showed decreased ReHo in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and right supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Additionally, the BN group showed increased FC between the left MFG and the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG); decreased FC between the right MFG and the bilateral insula and the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG); and decreased FC between the right SMG and the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). In the FC-behavior association analysis, the second principal component (PC2) was negatively correlated with FC between the left MFG and the right ITG. ConclusionBased on a brain functional analysis (ReHo and FC), this study revealed significant aberrant changes in the frontal-temporal regions of BN patients with affective disorders. These regions, which serve as fronto-temporal circuitry, are associated with restraint and emotional eating behaviors. Our findings shed new light on the neural mechanisms underlying the condition.

Exploratory graph analysis (EGA) of the dimensional structure of the eating disorder examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q) in women with eating disorders

This study examined the dimensional structure of the German Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in clinical groups of women with Anorexia Nervosa (AN; N = 821), Bulimia Nervosa (BN; N = 573), and Binge-Eating Disorder (BED; N = 359) using Exploratory Graph Analyses (EGA). The EGA yielded a 12-item-four-dimension structure for the AN group (subscales “Restraint”, “Body Dissatisfaction”, “Preoccupation”, “Importance”), a 20-item-five-dimension structure for the BN group (subscales “Restraint”, “Body Dissatisfaction”, “Eating Concern”, “Preoccupation”, “Importance”), and a 17-item-four-dimension structure for the BED group (subscales “Restraint”, “Body Dissatisfaction”, “Concern”, “Importance”). This first investigation of the EDE-Q's dimensional structure using EGA suggests that the original factor model may be suboptimal for specific clinical ED samples and that alternative scoring should be considered when screening specific cohorts or evaluating the effects of interventions.

Maximum amplitude and mean platelet volume in the blood as biomarkers to detect lung adenocarcinoma cancer featured with ground-glass nodules

Objectives The development and progression of malignancies are closely linked to hypercoagulability. As an early type of lung adenocarcinoma, ground glass nodules (GGNs) have been detected increasingly. Blood Maximum amplitude (MA) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are related to various conditions of hypercoagulability. Therefore, the role of MA and MPV in diagnosing lung adenocarcinoma cancer featured with GGNs was investigated in this case-control study. Methods The analyzed data of this study is derived from GGNs patients and healthy individuals in West China (Airport) Hospital Sichuan University. The differences between GGNs patients and healthy individuals were determined by one-way ANOVA, logistic regression or chi-squared test. The accuracy of diagnostic was performed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The relative mRNA expressions were studied by RT-qPCR. Results 470 patients diagnosed with GGNs which benign lesions (BN group) are inflammatory and malignant lesions (LC group) are adenocarcinoma in stage IA, and 235 healthy subjects (HC group) were enrolled in this study. Levels of MA and MPV were increased in LC group compared with BN and HC group ( p &lt; 0.001, p &lt; 0.001). When we combined MA and MPV, MA and MPV presented a sensitivity (SEN) of 0.809 and a specificity (SPE) of 0.774. And the area under the curve (AUC) increased to 0.871 (0.837–0.900) when confidence interval was 95%. Conclusion This study demonstrates that there have been systemic changes in coagulation disorders in the pathogenesis of GGNs. The diagnostic ability to different lung adenocarcinoma cancer featured with GGNs from benign or healthy controls can be improved by the combination of MA and MPV. Maximum amplitude and MPV may be used as biomarkers to detect lung adenocarcinoma cancer featured with GGNs.

Histo-anatomical mutilations of developing chick brain induced by in-ovo fluoride and bifenthrin exposure.

Comparative developing brain histo-anatomical pathologies of Fluoride ions and Bifenthrin in-ovo exposures were explored in the golden black variety of domestic chick. Three exposure groups were -the Vehicle control group (Vg); Fluoride (F) group and the Bifenthrin (Bn) group each with forty fertilized eggs and received their respective group treatment at zero day of incubation. Embryos were extracted, dissected from head region and the embryonic whole brains were recovered after 14 days of incubation. The embryonic brains were preserved in bouin fixative for 24h for further studies. The morphological results show the atrophied and hypertrophied embryonic brain in F and Bn groups respectively as compared to Vg group. The toxicological signs of encephalic anatomy and histology of F and Bn exposure were the enlarged third ventricles, optocoeles and arachnoid mater, encephalic spongiosis and decreased neuroglial density. The morphometric data showed significant decrease (p≤0.05) in mean weight and density of whole brain in F and Bn groups compared Vg. The mean length and width of whole brain in F were significantly lower than that of the Bn and Vg. whereas, the mean breadth of third ventricle in Bn remained significantly lower than F and Vg groups. On the other hand, the mean breadth of optocoele and fourth ventricle in F and Bn groups remained significantly higher than Vg. Conversely the mean optic lobe wall thickness in F remained significantly lower than Bn and Vg. Additionally, the mean neuronal density in diencephalon, optic lobe and cerebellum in F group and Bn group remained significantly (p≤0.05) lower than Vg. Results show that low dose in-ovo fluoride or bifenthrin exposure may cause neuro-developmental abnormalities in the developing chick embryos indicating that the Fluoride-ions and Bifenthrin harbor strong developmental neurotoxic capacity.

The evaluation of the analgesic effect of intraperitoneal bupivacaine versus bupivacaine with neostigmine on postoperative pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled double-blinded study

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the duration of postoperative analgesia using intraperitoneal bupivacaine plus neostigmine or bupivacaine alone. In this randomized controlled trial, we included 56 adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups bupivacaine group (B group) who received 50 ml bupivacaine 0.25% alone and bupivacaine-neostigmine group (BN group) who received 500 μg neostigmine added to 50 ml bupivacaine 0.25%. The study drug was instilled intraperitoneal according to group allocation before the start of the surgery. Primary outcome was the duration of analgesia. Other outcome included total dose of postoperative analgesic consumption and postoperative nausea and vomiting.ResultsPatients in BN group showed longer duration of analgesia after surgery and longer time for 1st analgesic dose than the patients in B group. Total dose of postoperative pethidine and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting were lower in number in the BN group than in the B group.ConclusionsIntraperitoneal instillation of neostigmine as an adjunct to bupivacaine in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy increased the duration of postoperative analgesia. Also, it might reduce postoperative pain and analgesic requirements as compared to bupivacaine 0.25% alone.Trial registrationName of the registry: Clinical trialClinical Trial registration number: NCT04244097Date of registration: 28 January 2020URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04244097

Up/Down Tuning of Poly(ionic liquid)s in Aqueous Two‐Phase Systems

AbstractThermally induced reversible up/down migration of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) in aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPSs) was achieved for the first time in this study. Novel ATPSs were fabricated using azobenzene (Azo)‐ and benzyl (Bn)‐modified PILs, and their upper and lower phases could be easily tuned using the grafting degree (GD) of the Azo and Bn groups. Bn‐PIL with higher GDBn could go up into the upper phase and Azo‐PIL come down to the lower phase when the temperature increased (&gt;65 °C); this behavior was reversed at lower temperatures. Moreover, a reversible two‐phase/single‐phase transition was realized under UV irradiation. Experimental and simulation results revealed that the difference in the hydration capacity between Bn‐PIL and Azo‐PIL accounted for their unique phase‐separation behavior. A versatile platform for fabricating ATPSs with tunable stimuli‐responsive behavior can be realized based on our findings, which can broaden their applications in the fields of smart separation systems and functional material development.

Up/Down Tuning of Poly(ionic liquid)s in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems.

Thermally induced reversible up/down migration of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) was achieved for the first time in this study. Novel ATPSs were fabricated using azobenzene (Azo)- and benzyl (Bn)-modified PILs, and their upper and lower phases could be easily tuned using the grafting degree (GD) of the Azo and Bn groups. Bn-PIL with higher GDBn could go up into the upper phase and Azo-PIL come down to the lower phase when the temperature increased (>65 °C); this behavior was reversed at lower temperatures. Moreover, a reversible two-phase/single-phase transition was realized under UV irradiation. Experimental and simulation results revealed that the difference in the hydration capacity between Bn-PIL and Azo-PIL accounted for their unique phase-separation behavior. A versatile platform for fabricating ATPSs with tunable stimuli-responsive behavior can be realized based on our findings, which can broaden their applications in the fields of smart separation systems and functional material development.

Nut-enriched energy restricted diet has potential to decrease hunger in women at cardiometabolic risk: a randomized controlled trial (Brazilian Nuts Study)

Successful weight management represents a challenge to obesity control. Evidence suggests that nut consumption promotes a prolonged satiety response. Therefore, we hypothesize that nuts could be associated with greater weight loss in comparison to a control group, and we evaluate the acute and long-term effects of Brazilian nuts (BN: 15 g of Brazil nuts+30 g of cashew nuts) included in an energy-restricted intervention on food intake, appetite, and peptide hormones. We conducted an 8-week, randomized, open-label, controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial with 28 women at cardiometabolic risk who received an energy-restricted diet containing BN or an energy-restricted nut-free diet (control). At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention, subjective postprandial appetite ratings were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) before and after consumption (0, 10, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes) of a 437-kcal nut-enriched (BN group) or nut-free (control) breakfast meal. Subsequently, an ad libitum lunch was served, and the participants completed another VAS at 280 minutes. Plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide 1, and leptin were measured at fasting and postprandially at 60, 120, and 240 minutes. Last, subsequent reported 24-hour energy intake was assessed in a free-living setting. BN consumption did not have acute effects on food intake, appetite, or peptide hormones. However, after an 8-week intervention, postprandial ghrelin (difference between post- and preintervention area under the curve) decreased in the BN group in comparison to the control (mean difference, 1978 pg/mL/min, 95% CI, 27-3929 pg/mL/min; P=.047) and therefore, an energy-restricted diet containing demonstrated potential to decrease hunger in cardiometabolic risk women.

Continuous glucose monitoring for detection of glycemic variability, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia in women with eating disorders

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glycemic variability (GV), and eating behavior by measuring daily glucose levels through an intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) system in outpatients classified according to eating disorder subtypes.MethodsWe analyzed data for 18 patients (four ANR, nine ANBP, and five BN cases). A FreeStyle Libre Pro® device was attached to the posterior aspect of the upper arm for glucose monitoring. This device conducted measurements every 15 min for five consecutive days. We estimated the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia.ResultsThe mean glucose levels were 91.1 ± 2.2 mg/dL in the ANR group, 94.8 ± 7.5 mg/dL in the ANBP group, and 87.1 ± 8.0 mg/dL in the BN group (P = 0.174). The overall mean MAGE index was 52.8 ± 20.5 mg/dL. The mean MAGE values according to the subtypes were 42.2 ± 5.6 mg/dL in the ANR group, 57.4 ± 23.7 mg/dL in the ANBP group, and 53.0 ± 21.8 mg/dL in the BN group (P = 0.496). Over the course of five days, the frequency of hypoglycemia was as follows: three occurrences in the ANBP group, five occurrences in the BN group, and no occurrences in the ANR group (P = 0.016). Moreover, the occurrence of hypoglycemia was statistically significantly higher in the BN group than in the ANR group (P = 0.013). In the BN group, the frequency of hypoglycemia was highest between 2 and 6 AM, while hypoglycemia was observed throughout the day in the ANBP group. The frequency of hyperglycemia was one occurrence in the ANR group, one occurrence in the BN group, and zero occurrences in the ANBP group (P = 0.641).ConclusionsVarying GV, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia were observed in all subtypes of eating disorders. Our findings suggest that eating behaviors such as binge eating and purging are associated with GV and hypoglycemia. We showed the importance of developing different nutritional approaches tailored to the subtype of eating disorder to prevent hypoglycemia. Additional studies are needed to explore the relationship between glucose levels and eating behaviors in patients with eating disorders.

Effects of biotin deficiency on short term memory: The role of glutamate, glutamic acid, dopamine and protein kinase A

Insufficient dietary biotin intake, biotinidase deficiency, drug-biotin interactions can cause biotin deficiency which may result in central nervous system dysfunctions. We hypothesized that biotin deficiency could disrupt learning and memory functions by altering glutamate, glutamine, dopamine levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activity in the hippocampus.Sixteen female and 4 male Wistar rats were mated and females were separated into 4 groups. Three pups were selected from each mother and a total of 48 pups were divided into the following experimental groups. NN group, normal diet in the prenatal and postnatal period. NB group, normal diet in the prenatal and a biotin-deficient diet in the postnatal period. BN group: biotin-deficient diet in the prenatal and a normal diet in the postnatal period, BB group: biotin-deficient diet in both the prenatal and postnatal period. Open Field, Y-Maze, Object Location, and Novel Object Recognition Tests were performed in all groups and rats were sacrificed. Glutamine, glutamate, dopamine levels and PKA activity were analyzed in the hippocampi.In the open field test, distance and velocity values of NB, BN and BB groups were decreased with respect to the NN group. Learning and memory functions of NB, BN and BB groups were found to be impaired in behavioral tests. Dopamine levels and PKA activity were also decreased in all rat pups fed with a biotin deficient diet.In conclusion, we demonstrated that biotin deficiency deteriorates short-term memory and locomotor activity. This impairment may relate to decreased dopamine levels and PKA activity in the hippocampus.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2: A potential diagnostic marker for discriminating benign from malignant ovarian tumors.

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), CA19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) are widely used as tumor markers and algorithms for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OC). Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) has been developed as a potential serodiagnostic marker for OC in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the six markers alone and in combination to find the best marker for discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. Frozen serum samples collected from 484 patients were divided into three groups based on histopathological results: OC (n=119), borderline ovarian tumors (BR) (n=48), and benign ovarian tumors (BN) (n=317). Diagnostic accuracy was calculated with an area under a receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve. TFPI2 achieved the highest discrimination between the OC + BR group versus the BN group (AUC 0.8076). ROMA values best discriminated patients with OC from those with BN (AUC, 0.8966), which was equivalent to TFPI2 (AUC, 0.8937). For discriminating the OC group from the BR + BN group, the highest AUC value was achieved by ROMA values (AUC, 0.8884), and TFPI2 also showed comparable diagnostic accuracy (AUC, 0.8845). Combining TFPI2 with ROMA had the highest AUC (0.8420-0.9357). TFPI2 may be a clinically useful single marker comparable to conventional ROMA values for discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

Variations in the Gut Microbiota in Breast Cancer Occurrence and Bone Metastasis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. Although advancements in the early diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer have occurred in recent years, the prognosis of breast cancer bone metastasis remains poor and this type of cancer is rarely cured. The gut microbiota is indispensable for internal homeostasis and regulates various biological processes. Understanding the gut microbiota profiles in normal controls (NCs), breast cancer patients with no metastasis (BNs), and breast cancer patients with bone metastasis (BMs) may shed light on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for breast cancer and bone metastasis. We comprehensively analyzed the gut microbiota from NCs, BNs, and BMs and found that the community diversity decreased in the order of NCs, BNs, and BMs. Streptococcus, Campylobacter and Moraxellaceae showed higher abundances in BNs and BMs than in NCs. The lack of Megamonas and Akkermansia in the BM compared with those in the NC and BN groups was considered related to bone metastasis. Additionally, based on the distinct gut microbiota profiles, we predicted that lipid transportation and metabolism, as well as folate biosynthesis, participate in breast cancer occurrence and that steroid hormone biosynthesis influences bone metastasis. Our study demonstrated that variations in gut microbiota are associated with breast cancer occurrence and bone metastasis, providing attractive targets to develop therapeutic and diagnostic methods.

A comparative study between the efficacy of bupivacaine plus nalbuphine versus bupivacaine alone in pectoral nerve block for management of postoperative pain in patients undergoing breast fibroadenoma excision

BackgroundBreast surgeries, even the relatively minor ones, can be associated with significant postoperative pain affecting patients’ physical and psychological well-being. As a result, regional anaesthetic approaches have been used for breast surgery anaesthesia and analgesia. PECS I and II blocks have been proven to be relatively easy and safe in such regards. Moreover, using adjuvants, such as nalbuphine, have been proposed by many studies to intensify the block and decrease postoperative analgesic intake.This current study aims to assess the effects of using nalbuphine (20 mg) as a bupivacaine 0.25% (10 ml) adjuvant in PECS I block compared to injecting bupivacaine 0.25% (10 ml) alone in fibroadenoma excision patients.This trial enrolled 60 patients, 30 of whom received bupivacaine plus nalbuphine (group BN) and 30 in the bupivacaine only (group B). Postoperative VAS, SpO2 and vital signs at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h as well as the amount of morphine consumed, the time it took for the first analgesic to be administered and adverse effects were both recorded and compared.ResultsRegarding postoperative outcomes, a statistically significant difference between the two groups was not detected regarding VAS, SpO2, vital signs and adverse effects. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in total morphine intake in the 24 h following surgery between the two groups (p-value = 0.65). Only 9 out of 60 patients needed analgesia, 5 in the BN group and 4 in the B group, and time to the first analgesic was not of statistically significant difference between BN and B groups (211.8 ± 71.29 and 183.5 ± 29.872 min respectively) (p-value = 0.73). In terms of postoperative complications, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionsAdding nalbuphine (20 mg) to bupivacaine in PECS I block in fibroadenoma patients undergoing excision is not accompanied by a difference with statistical significance in postoperative VAS, morphine consumption and duration to the first analgesia when compared to bupivacaine alone.

A Comparative Study of Nalbuphine and Fentanyl as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine in Spinal Anesthesia in Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgeries

Background: Subarachnoid block is the most common technique employed for lower limb orthopedic surgeries. Adjuvants such as fentanyl and nalbuphine are added to increase the duration of post-operative analgesia. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of nalbuphine and fentanyl as adjuvants to bupivacaine in providing intra-operative anesthesia and post-operative analgesia in lower limb orthopedic surgeries. Objectives: The aim of this article is to compare the characteristics of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic parameter, time of first rescue analgesia, and adverse effects between the two groups. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 80 patients undergoing elective lower limb orthopedic surgeries under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. In group BN, the patients received 0.5% 3 mL (H) bupivacaine + 800 mcg nalbuphine. In group BF, the patients received 0.5% 3 mL (H) bupivacaine + 25 mcg fentanyl. In both the groups, characteristics of sensory and motor block and time for first rescue analgesia were compared. Results: The onset of motor block, the maximum level of the block, and time to reach the peak level of the block were significantly faster in the BF group. Duration of motor block and time for first rescue analgesia were significantly prolonged in the BN group. However, there was no significant difference in time for two-segment regression [P = 0.157 (NS)] and hemodynamic changes. Conclusion: We conclude that combination of fentanyl as adjuvant to bupivacaine provides higher segmental level sensory blockage and faster sensory and motor blockage than nalbuphine. But nalbuphine gives longer time of post-operative analgesia than fentanyl did.