Global Status Research Articles

Validation of the Italian version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP-RS) in an Italian Parkinson’s disease cohort

IntroductionImpulse control disorders (ICDs) frequently occur in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and an early identification is essential to prevent severe psychosocial consequences. The Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease–Rating Scale (QUIP-RS) has been developed to evaluate the severity of ICDs along with a range of impulsive-compulsive behaviors (ICBs) in PD; however, its Italian version has not yet been validated.MethodsOne hundred consecutive outpatients with PD were administered an Italian version of the QUIP-RS and a brief neuropsychological assessment to evaluate global cognitive status and scales to measure depression, apathy and impulsive disorders. We evaluated the internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and factorial structure of QUIP-RS. We also explored the possible association between QUIP-RS scores and clinical factors and dopaminergic medication.ResultsSubsyndromal ICDs manifestations were observed in 54% of the patients, and one in four (22%) reported two or more ICDs or related behaviors. The QUIP-RS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.806) and construct validity, and its factorial structure reflected different ICDs and ICBs domains. No association emerged between QUIP-RS scores and the clinical aspects of PD and dopaminergic medication.ConclusionWe provided, for the first time, an Italian translation of the QUIP-RS and demonstrated its feasibility in clinical and research settings. Severity of ICDs was independent of clinical factors and dopaminergic medication, underlining the need to adopt a broader perspective on their etiopathology in PD.

Conceptualising the Global Touristic Football Club

In recent years, tourists have incorporated visiting international football clubs as part of their travel itineraries, including taking behind-the-scenes stadium tours, visiting team museums, and attending matches. This conceptual paper considers the factors leading to football clubs becoming global tourist attractions. In considering the development of these ‘Global Touristic Football Clubs’ (GTFC), this study offers compelling evidence of how tourism plays a significant role in the global aspirations of football clubs while shedding light on how a club’s global tourism status may impact the management of match-day experiences, the design of marketing strategies and hospitality programs, the sustainability of football cultures and traditions, and players’ transfer market decisions. Additionally, the study draws attention to the recent influence of geopolitical and economic factors in making clubs with less relevant sporting achievements become tourism magnets and opens up possibilities for replication and adaptation of the concept in other sports.

Albumin Redox Modifications Promote Cell Calcification Reflecting the Impact of Oxidative Status on Aortic Valve Disease and Atherosclerosis.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are related cardiovascular diseases in which common mechanisms lead to tissue calcification. Oxidative stress plays a key role in these diseases and there is also evidence that the redox state of serum albumin exerts a significant influence on these conditions. To further explore this issue, we used multimarker scores (OxyScore and AntioxyScore) to assess the global oxidative status in patients with CAVD, with and without CAD, also evaluating their plasma thiol levels. In addition, valvular interstitial cells were treated with reduced, oxidized, and native albumin to study how this protein and its modifications affect cell calcification. The differences we found suggest that oxidative status is distinct in CAVD and CAD, with differences in redox markers and thiol levels. Importantly, the in vitro interstitial cell model revealed that modified albumin affects cell calcification, accelerating this process. Hence, we show here the importance of the redox system in the development of CAVD, emphasizing the relevance of multimarker scores, while also offering evidence of how the redox state of albumin influences vascular calcification. These data highlight the relevance of understanding the overall redox processes involved in these diseases, opening the door to new studies on antioxidants as potential therapies for these patients.

Assessing the global distribution and conservation status of the Taxus genus: An overview

Taxus, commonly known as Yew, is a non-resinous evergreen tree renowned for its anti-cancer properties, attributed to the plant alkaloid Paclitaxel. This study draws upon secondary data sourced from reputable books, journals, and authenticated websites pertaining to the taxonomy of this significant flora. Taxus thrives in moist, humid, shady environments with slightly acidic soil, often flourishing beneath the canopies of species such as Abies, Fagus, Picea, and Quercus spp. The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate the global status of the Taxus genus. Its distribution spans the northern hemisphere, with various regional common names associated with Taxus species. Through a comprehensive review, our findings reveal a total of 12 natural species and 2 hybrid species globally, including T. media Rehder and T. hunnewelliana Rehder. Notably, four Taxus species—T. chinensis Rehd., T. contorta Griff., T. globosa Schlect., and T. wallichiana Zucc—are endangered, while T. brevifolia Nuttall is categorized as near threatened according to the IUCN Red List. The updated Taxus genus database presented in this study serves as a valuable resource for diverse stakeholders, encompassing researchers, academicians, forest managers, herbal industry professionals, and policymakers. This information will help in formulating effective conservation strategies and sustainable utilization plans for this important genus.

Effect of pioglitazone on vascular events in post-stroke cognitive impairment: Post hoc analysis of the IRIS trial.

In stroke patients with insulin resistance (IR), post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is associated with higher risk of recurrent stroke, but the effect of pioglitazone on that risk has not been explored. The goal of this study was to compare the secondary stroke prevention effect of pioglitazone against placebo in patients with versus without PSCI. We studied patients enrolled in the Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke (IRIS) trial with a post-stroke modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) cognitive assessment (mean time of assessment: 79 days post-stroke). We considered a baseline score of ⩽ 88 on the 3MS to indicate global PSCI, and domain-specific summary scores in the lowest quartile to indicate attention, language, memory, orientation, and visuospatial impairments. In n = 3338 patients with IR, the effect of pioglitazone versus placebo on secondary stroke significantly differed by initial post-stroke global (interaction p = 0.0127) and memory impairment status (interaction p = 0.0003). Hazard ratios (HRs) were time-dependent such that, among those with either global or memory impairment, pioglitazone has an increasingly stronger protective effect at later timepoints. There was no statistically significant effect of pioglitazone among those without either global or memory impairment. The effect of pioglitazone versus placebo on myocardial infarction (MI) also significantly differed by global impairment status (interaction p = 0.030). Pioglitazone was protective among those with global impairment (HR = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.71]) but not among those without (HR = 0.88 [95% CI: 0.59, 1.31]). These data indicate that pioglitazone treatment may be more effective at reducing risk of recurrent stroke and MI in stroke patients with PSCI. Simple cognitive testing 2-3 months post-stroke may identify patients for whom treatment would be most beneficial.

Global research trends and hotspots on tendon-derived stem cell: a bibliometric visualization study.

Purpose: This study was aimed to examine the global research status and current research hotspots in the field of tendon stem cells. Methods: Bibliometric methods were employed to retrieve relevant data from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. Additionally, Citespace, Vosviewer, SCImago, and Graphad Prism were utilized to analyze the publication status in this field, identify the current research hotspots, and present a mini-review. Results: The most active countries in this field were China and the United States. Notable authors contributing significantly to this research included Lui Pauline Po Yee, Tang Kanglai, Zhang Jianying, Yin Zi, and Chen Xiao, predominantly affiliated with institutions such as the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Third Military Medical University, University of Pittsburgh, and Zhejiang University. The most commonly published journals in this field were Stem Cells International, Journal of Orthopedic Research, and Stem Cell Research and Therapy. Moreover, the current research hotspots primarily revolved around scaffolds, molecular mechanisms, and inflammation regulation. Conclusion: Tendon stem cells hold significant potential as seed cells for tendon tissue engineering and offer promising avenues for further research Scaffolds, molecular mechanisms and inflammation regulation are currently research hotspots in this field.

Global trends and research status in ankylosing spondylitis clinical trials: a bibliometric analysis of the last 20 years.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic and autoimmune disease associated with a chronic inflammatory response, mainly characterized by pain, stiffness, or limited mobility of the spine and sacroiliac joints. Severe symptoms can lead to joint deformity, destruction, and even lifelong disability, causing a serious burden on families and society as a whole. A large number of clinical studies have been published on AS over the past 20 years. This study aimed to summarize the current research status and global trends relating to AS clinical trials through a bibliometric analysis. The Web of Science Core Collection database was searched for publications related to AS clinical trials published between January 2003 and June 2023. Bibliometric analysis and web visualization were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and a bibliometric online analysis platform (https://bibliometric.com), which included the number of publications, citations, countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. 1,212 articles published in 201 journals from 65 countries were included in this study. The number of publications related to AS clinical trials is increasing annually. The United States and the Free University of Berlin, the countries and institutions, respectively, that have published the most articles on AS, have made outstanding contributions to this field. The author with the most published papers and co-citations over the period covered by the study was Desiree Van Der Heijde. The journal with the most published and cited articles was Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. The keywords: "double-blind," "rheumatoid arthritis," "efficacy," "placebo-controlled trial," "infliximab," "etanercept," "psoriatic arthritis" and "therapy" represent the current research hotspots regarding AS. This is the first study to perform a bibliometric analysis and visualization of AS clinical trial publications, providing a reliable research focus and direction for clinicians. Future studies in the field of AS clinical trials should focus on placebo-controlled trials of targeted therapeutic drugs.

Association of DNA methylation/demethylation with the functional outcome of stroke in a hyperinflammatory state.

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202410000-00024/figure1/v/2024-02-06T055622Z/r/image-tiff Inflammation is closely related to stroke prognosis, and high inflammation status leads to poor functional outcome in stroke. DNA methylation is involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of stroke. However, the effect of DNA methylation on stroke at high levels of inflammation is unclear. In this study, we constructed a hyperinflammatory cerebral ischemia mouse model and investigated the effect of hypomethylation and hypermethylation on the functional outcome. We constructed a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated the mice with lipopolysaccharide to induce a hyperinflammatory state. To investigate the effect of DNA methylation on stroke, we used small molecule inhibitors to restrain the function of key DNA methylation and demethylation enzymes. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, neurological function scores, neurobehavioral tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot assay were used to evaluate the effects after stroke in mice. We assessed changes in the global methylation status by measuring DNA 5-mc and DNA 5-hmc levels in peripheral blood after the use of the inhibitor. In the group treated with the DNA methylation inhibitor, brain tissue 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining showed an increase in infarct volume, which was accompanied by a decrease in neurological scores and worsening of neurobehavioral performance. The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin 6 and interleukin-1 beta in ischemic brain tissue and plasma were elevated, indicating increased inflammation. Related inflammatory pathway exploration showed significant overactivation of nuclear factor kappa B. These results suggested that inhibiting DNA methylation led to poor functional outcome in mice with high inflammation following stroke. Further, the effects were reversed by inhibition of DNA demethylation. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation regulates the inflammatory response in stroke and has an important role in the functional outcome of hyperinflammatory stroke.

Improved prognostic stratification of patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant astrocytoma

Prognostic factors and standards of care for astrocytoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant, CNS WHO grade 4, remain poorly defined. Here we sought to explore disease characteristics, prognostic markers, and outcome in patients with this newly defined tumor type. We determined molecular biomarkers and assembled clinical and outcome data in patients with IDH-mutant astrocytomas confirmed by central pathology review. Patients were identified in the German Glioma Network cohort study; additional cohorts of patients with CNS WHO grade 4 tumors were identified retrospectively at two sites. In total, 258 patients with IDH-mutant astrocytomas (114 CNS WHO grade 2, 73 CNS WHO grade 3, 71 CNS WHO grade 4) were studied. The median age at diagnosis was similar for all grades. Karnofsky performance status at diagnosis inversely correlated with CNS WHO grade (p < 0.001). Despite more intensive treatment upfront with higher grade, CNS WHO grade was strongly prognostic: median overall survival was not reached for grade 2 (median follow-up 10.4 years), 8.1 years (95% CI 5.4–10.8) for grade 3, and 4.7 years (95% CI 3.4–6.0) for grade 4. Among patients with CNS WHO grade 4 astrocytoma, median overall survival was 5.5 years (95% CI 4.3–6.7) without (n = 58) versus 1.8 years (95% CI 0–4.1) with (n = 12) homozygous CDKN2A deletion. Lower levels of global DNA methylation as detected by LINE-1 methylation analysis were strongly associated with CNS WHO grade 4 (p < 0.001) and poor outcome. MGMT promoter methylation status was not prognostic for overall survival. Histomolecular stratification based on CNS WHO grade, LINE-1 methylation level, and CDKN2A status revealed four subgroups of patients with significantly different outcomes. In conclusion, CNS WHO grade, global DNA methylation status, and CDKN2A homozygous deletion are prognostic in patients with IDH-mutant astrocytoma. Combination of these parameters allows for improved prediction of outcome. These data aid in designing upcoming trials using IDH inhibitors.

Biological characteristics of Australian threatened birds

ABSTRACT Over 750 native bird species reside in or regularly migrate to Australia, many of which have experienced rapid changes in habitat extent over the past two centuries. By 2020, eight taxa were considered Extinct and 10% threatened with extinction. Understanding the underlying extrinsic and intrinsic factors that increase extinction risk can allow prioritisation of conservation management and research. Here, we use state-of-the-art phylogenetic comparative models to reveal the most important biological traits that predispose Australian bird species to elevated extinction risk. We use an extensive database of their biological traits and relate these to each species’ national and global IUCN extinction risk status as assessed over the past three decades (in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020). We show that high evolutionary distinctiveness (uniqueness), island endemism, and an inability to take advantage of agricultural habitats were the most important traits explaining elevated extinction risk in species when phylogeny is controlled for, suggesting that extinction risk is disproportionately high in species with high evolutionary distinctiveness. Extinct taxa were characterised by large body mass and island endemism compared to taxa extant in 2020. Our study provides the largest and most up-to-date analysis of the intrinsic traits of Australian birds in relation to their extinction risk, and can be used as a baseline in future studies, for prioritisation of conservation actions, and for policy advice on a broad scale.

Global research landscape on the contribution of de novo mutations to human genetic diseases over the past 20 years: bibliometric analysis

As the contribution of de novo mutations (DNMs) to human genetic diseases has been gradually uncovered, analyzing the global research landscape over the past 20 years is essential. Because of the large and rapidly increasing number of publications in this field, understanding the current landscape of the contribution of DNMs in the human genome to genetic diseases remains a challenge. Bibliometric analysis provides an approach for visualizing these studies using information in published records in a specific field. This study aimed to illustrate the current global research status and explore trends in the field of DNMs underlying genetic diseases. Bibliometric analyses were performed using the Bibliometrix Package based on the R language version 4.1.3 and CiteSpace version 6.1.R2 software for publications from 2000 to 2021 indexed under the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) about DNMs underlying genetic diseases on 17 September 2022. We identified 3435 records, which were published in 731 journals by 26,538 authors from 6052 institutes in 66 countries. There was an upward trend in the number of publications since 2013. The USA, China, and Germany contributed the majority of the records included. The University of Washington, Columbia University, and Baylor College of Medicine were the top-producing institutions. Evan E Eichler of the University of Washington, Stephan J Sanders of the Yale University School of Medicine, and Ingrid E Scheffer of the University of Melbourne were the most high-ranked authors. Keyword co-occurrence analysis suggested that DNMs in neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities were research hotspots and trends. In conclusion, our data show that DNMs have a significant effect on human genetic diseases, with a noticeable increase in annual publications over the last 5 years. Furthermore, potential hotspots are shifting toward understanding the causative role and clinical interpretation of newly identified or low-frequency DNMs observed in patients.

Global status and research priorities for rhino rays

Global status and research priorities for rhino rays

Population status of the endemic Pitcairn Reed Warbler Acrocephalus vaughani on Pitcairn Island, South Pacific

Summary Reed warblers are widespread throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia, and many species undertake long seasonal migrations. By contrast, other species of the genus Acrocephalus are sedentary and endemic to single oceanic islands. The Pitcairn Reed Warbler Acrocephalus vaughani is confined to the small volcanic island of Pitcairn in the South Pacific Ocean, and no population assessments have ever been conducted for this species. Due to its restricted range, the presence of invasive species, and the loss of natural habitat, the species is considered as globally “Endangered”, but its actual conservation status is entirely speculative. We conducted transect surveys and nest monitoring in the austral summer of 2022/23 and present abundance estimates for the species. We counted between 51 and 158 reed warblers along 54 transects that were each 100 m long and covered all habitats and roughly 13% of the vegetated island area. Using binomial mixture models accounting for imperfect detection and habitat variation in abundance, we estimated that Pitcairn may hold 1,568 (95% confidence interval 812–3,237) Pitcairn Reed Warblers, and that the species appeared to be most abundant in introduced Rose Apple Syzygium jambos stands. Based on the monitoring of 49 nests, of which only four failed to fledge any young, we estimated that Mayfield nest survival rate was 0.69 and estimated productivity was 1.07 (± 0.39 standard deviation) fledglings per nest. Assuming that Pitcairn Reed Warblers have similar annual survival probabilities as other island reed warblers, the productivity appears sufficient to maintain the population and there is no indication that the species has decreased significantly over the past three generations. Given the limited extent of occurrence, and the stable current population size between 442 and 2,774 mature individuals, we recommend that the global conservation status of the Pitcairn Reed Warbler be classified as “Vulnerable”.

Knowledge mapping and bibliometric analysis of medical knee magnetic resonance imaging for knee osteoarthritis (2004-2023).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to detect knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In this study, we aimed to systematically examine the global research status on the application of medical knee MRI in the treatment of KOA, analyze research hotspots, explore future trends, and present results in the form of a knowledge graph. The Web of Science core database was searched for studies on medical knee MRI scans in patients with KOA between 2004 and 2023. CiteSpace, SCImago Graphica, and VOSviewer were used for the country, institution, journal, author, reference, and keyword analyses. A total of 2,904 articles were included. The United States and Europe are leading countries. Boston University is the main institution. Osteoarthritis and cartilage is the main magazine. The most frequently cocited article was "Radiological assessment of osteoarthrosis". Guermazi A was the author with the highest number of publications and total references. The keywords most closely linked to MRI and KOA were "cartilage", "pain", and "injury". The application of medical knee MRI in KOA can be divided into the following parts: (1). MRI was used to assess the relationship between the characteristics of local tissue damage and pathological changes and clinical symptoms. (2).The risk factors of KOA were analyzed by MRI to determine the early diagnosis of KOA. (3). MRI was used to evaluate the efficacy of multiple interventions for KOA tissue damage (e.g., cartilage defects, bone marrow edema, bone marrow microfracture, and subchondral bone remodeling). Artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, has become the focus of research on MRI applications for KOA.

Ethnic Return Migrants in Korea and Japan: A Comparative Study of Nationalism and Citizenship

Abstract: This study explores the complicated nature of the citizenship of ethnic return migrants from Japan and Korea, Nikkeijin and Joseonjok. It aims to contribute to the scholarship by demonstrating that racism and nationalism are layered concepts by examining the reasons why Nikkeijin and Joseonjok enjoy preferential treatment to some extent but at the same time become targets of discrimination in Korea and Japan. I draw on Christian Joppke's position that citizenship is composed not only of legal status but also of social and identity elements and utilize two relatively novel concepts that shed new light on the complex nature of Nikkeijin and Joseonjok citizenship. One is Takeyuki Tsuda's concept of ethnoracism, which helps capture the type of racism aimed at groups that are not racially distinct but whose ostensible background differences are essentialized as inferior. The other is Gil-Soo Han's nouveau-riche nationalism, which argues that migrants are evaluated according to the global and developmental status of their country of origin. This comparative analysis helps demonstrate how the lives of Joseonjok and Nikkeijin are shaped by multiple layers of nationalism, racism, and status perceptions in their respective countries of residence.

The impact of digital trade rule networks on the advancement of global value chains in the Internet era

Abstract In the context of the digital era, global value chains are facing unprecedented reconstruction and upgrading. The development of global trade is influenced by the importance of digital trade in upgrading the status of global value chains. Based on the research of digital trade and global value chain theory, we construct a mechanism model of digital trade to enhance the status of the global value chain and measure digital trade and global value chain by combining the multi-indicator panel hierarchical factor analysis method and the trade value-added accounting method, respectively. Benchmark regression analysis of digital trade and global value chain status indices of major economies is used to explore the impact of digital trade on the status of global value chains. There is a positive correlation between the level of digital trade and the GVC status index, with the GVC status index increasing by 1.6 percentage points for every 1 percentage point increase in the level of digital trade. The level of digital trade has a positive impact on the GVC position of both developed and developing economies. For every 1% increase in the level of digital trade, the GVC position index of developed and developing economies increases by 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively.

Functional Data Analysis of Hand Rotation for Open Surgical Suturing Skill Assessment.

This study explores the application of functional data analysis (FDA) to hand roll velocity during radial suturing on the SutureCoach bench simulator for evaluating open suturing performance. By treating temporal sensor data as mathematical functions, FDA provides a holistic view of the dynamic changes in hand roll, offering comprehensive assessments that are easily interpretable and clinically relevant. Cluster analysis was performed on hand roll profiles from 96 subjects, categorized into advanced surgeons, trainee surgeons, and novices. Functional k-means, using dynamic time-warping to align curves, were used to partition the data into two preset numbers of clusters (3 and 6). Both clustering models (3-cluster and 6-cluster) effectively clustered performance into groups with distinct characteristics and levels of skill (evident from visual inspection of cluster centroids). The relationship between cluster membership and suturing skills was corroborated using proxy measures of skill: expert global rating scale ratings, clinical status and expertise, and simulator-derived metrics. The findings of this study offer valuable insight into essential components of suturing skill and can improve the autonomy and efficiency of simulation-based suturing training. The clinical relevance of our results is immediately pertinent to the field of surgical skill assessment, where FDA-based methods could potentially be employed for objective feedback and training.

Global research status of localised scleroderma reported over the period 1993-2022: A 30-year bibliometric analysis.

Localised scleroderma predominantly affects the skin with an unknown aetiology. Despite its clinical importance, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis has been conducted to assess the existing research landscape and future prospects for localised scleroderma. The articles related to localised scleroderma were retrieved from the WoSCC database and analysed by VOSviewer 1.6.10.0 (Leiden University, Netherlands), CiteSpace 6.1.R1 (Dreiser University, USA), and HistCite 2.1 (New York, United States). 2049 research papers pertaining to localised scleroderma spanning the years from 1993 to 2022 were extracted from the WoSCC database. The United States exhibited the highest productivity with 644 papers, accounting for 31.43% of the total output, followed by Germany with 206 papers (10.05%) and Italy with 200 papers (9.76%). Regarding academic institutions and journals, the University of Texas System and Dermatology published the most significant number of papers, and Professor Ihn, H emerged as the most prolific contributor among scholars. The top 10 cited references primarily concentrated on the diagnosis and treatment of localised scleroderma. "Phototherapy" and "methotrexate (MTX)" surfaced as the most recent and noteworthy keywords, representing the research hotspots in the domain of localised scleroderma. This bibliometric analysis furnishes valuable insights into the contemporary research landscape of localised scleroderma.

Global trends and hotspots in the field of mitochondrial dynamics and hepatocellular carcinoma: A bibliometric analysis from 2007 to 2023

BackgroundMitochondria are dynamic organelles, and mitochondrial dynamics are important for the maintenance of mitochondrial inheritance and function. Recently, an increasing number of studies have shown that mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, bibliometric analyses of mitochondrial dynamics in HCC are scarce. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to explore the current global research status and trends in mitochondrial dynamics and HCC. MethodsGlobal publications on mitochondrial dynamics and HCC published between 2007 and May 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Bibliometric analysis was performed using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to analyze the numbers, citations, countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords. ResultsA total of 518 publications were retrieved fromthe WoSCC database. China and The Fourth Military Medical University were the most productive countries and institutions. Zorzano, A published the most literature whereas Chen, HC was the author with the highest number of co-citations. Plos One was the most popular journal, whereas the Journal of Biological Chemistry had the highest number of co-citations. The most frequently used keyword was “mitochondria”. Further analysis of the references and keywords showed that the molecular mechanisms linking them to drug therapy targets should be the focus of future studies. ConclusionsResearch on mitochondrial dynamics in HCC has received much attention, and many studies have been published. However, research on mitochondrial dynamics and HCC has been limited by insufficient regional development imbalances and global cooperation. Nevertheless, future research on mitochondrial dynamics and HCC is promising, especially regarding the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial fission and fusion and how to link the currently known molecular mechanisms with drug therapy targets for HCC.

Endothelial dysfunction in obesity

ABSTRACT Obesity is a condition caused by excess fat buildup, often measured using the body mass index (BMI) and categorized into underweight, normal weight, and obesity. Obesity is a global epidemic with an alarmingly rising incidence. Obesity is closely associated with insulin resistance, metabolic disorders, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, as well as endothelial dysfunction, which leads to numerous diseases. Noncommunicable diseases are significantly associated with high BMI and can have a negative impact on physical and psychological conditions. Endothelium, the internal lining of blood vessels, controls vascular tone, inflammation, and clotting processes. Endothelial dysfunction is a clinical complication characterized by the loss of normal endothelial cell homeostatic mechanisms. Reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide can be moderately related to endothelial dysfunction, which promotes vascular abruptions such as thrombosis, inflammation, plaque rupture, and other related conditions. The rise in obesity incidence and its global status highlights the urgent need to address responsible factors such as sedentary lifestyles, bad food habits, and globalization. Factors such as dietary modifications, low-cost food and beverages, and liberalization of international trade contribute to obesity, whereas factors such as genetics, poor diet, and lack of physical activity can also contribute to obesity.