Group Level Research Articles

"You Are Not Wrong About Getting Strong:" An Insight Into the Impact of Age Group and Level of Competition on Strength in Spanish Football Players.

This study aimed to compare the maximum and rapid force production of Spanish football players and explore the differences between age group and level of competition. A cross-sectional study was developed to evaluate the peak force (PF), relative PF, and rate of force development over 250ms (RFD0-250) during the isometric midthigh pull between groups of football players based on age group (senior vs junior) and level of competition (national vs regional). Using a portable isometric rig, 111 football players performed 2 isometric midthigh-pull trials on a force plate. Two-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc correction was applied, and statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. The PF, relative PF, and RFD0-250 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percentiles were also calculated and descriptively reported, separated by age group and level of competition. The analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of the level of competition for the PF (P < .001), relative PF (P = .003), and RFD0-250 (P < .001). There was a significant main effect of age group for the PF (P < .001). There was a significant interaction effect of the age group × level of competition for relative PF (P = .014). National players were stronger than regional players on the PF and RFD0-250 (P < .001). Senior players were stronger than junior players for the PF (P < .001). Maximum and rapid force production are crucial for Spanish football players as they progress in both level of competition and age group. Practitioners should encourage young football players to prioritize strength development to improve their athletic performance.

Clinicopathological features of kidney injury in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPi) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has increasingly become a promising strategy in various malignancies. However, the combination might be associated with increased risk...

Early diagnostic value of carotid artery ultrasound parameters combined with epicardial adipose layer thickness in coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease is associated with coronary atherosclerosis indicated by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) thickening and altered vascular elasticity. The epicardial adipose layer can secrete proinflammatory factors that promote the formation of coronary atherosclerosis. Thus, the epicardial fat layer thickness (EAT) may also predict coronary heart disease. AIM To determine the role of common carotid artery ultrasound parameters and EAT in the early diagnosis of coronary artery disease. METHODS Based on coronary angiography, patients with newly suspected coronary heart disease were divided into case (n = 107) and control (n = 41) groups. The carotid ultrasound parameters, including vascular stiffness (β), elastic coefficient (EP), pulse wave conduction velocity (PWV-β), CIMT, and EAT were compared between the case and control groups and among patients with different lesion numbers in the case group. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the early diagnostic value of EAT, common carotid artery elasticity, and CIMT for coronary heart disease. RESULTS EP, β, PWV-β, CIMT, and EAT were significantly higher in the case group compared with the levels in the control group (all P &lt; 0.001). In the case group, lesions were detected in one vessel in 34 patients, two vessels in 38 patients, and three vessels in 35 patients. Within the case group, β, EP, PWV-β, CIMT, and EAT levels significantly increased with an increased number of lesions (all P &lt; 0.001). EAT positively correlated with β, EP, PWV-β, and CIMT (all P &lt; 0.01). The area under the curve for diagnosing coronary heart disease using EAT combined with CIMT and carotid elasticity was 0.893, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.890 and 0.837. CONCLUSION EAT correlated well with changes in carotid artery elasticity and CIMT in patients with coronary heart disease. The combination of EAT, carotid artery elasticity, and CIMT facilitates the early diagnosis of coronary heart disease.

Optimal cut-off value of procalcitonin and procalcitonin/albumin ratio for predicting bacteremia among patients living with cancer: a test-negative case-control study

Objective The occurrence of bacteremia is critically important for the survival of cancer patients. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of procalcitonin (PCT) and the procalcitonin to albumin ratio (PAR) in predicting bacteremia among this population. Methods In this retrospective test-negative case-control study, we included 903 hospitalized cancer patients, divided into two groups: the bacteremia-positive group (BSI group, n = 384) and the bacteremia-negative group (non-BSI group, n = 519). We assessed the diagnostic significance of PCT and PAR through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and determined the optimal cut-off values using Youden’s index. Results Both the duration of hospital stay and the 30-day mortality rate were significantly higher in the BSI group. The areas under the curve (AUC) for PAR and PCT were 0.749 (95% CI: 0.715-0.782) and 0.742 (95% CI: 0.708-0.776), respectively, indicating higher levels in the BSI group. The optimal cut-off values for predicting bacteremia were 0.72 for PAR and 1.32 for PCT. PAR showed the highest specificity (92.7%) and positive predictive value (PPV = 83.4%), while PCT demonstrated the highest sensitivity (51.3%) and negative predictive value (NPV = 71.6%). Discussion This study is the first in the literature to suggest that PAR and PCT are valuable biomarkers for diagnosing bacteremia in cancer patients. The identified cut-off values offer practical thresholds for bacteremia diagnosis.

The total saponins from Chinese onion exert pronounced anti-hypercholesterolaemia activity in mice

AbstractChinese onion (Allium chinense G. Don) is an edible vegetable as well as a traditional Chinese medicine. It is rich in steroidal saponins and possesses broad health benefits. In this study, the optimal extraction protocol of the total saponins from Chinese onion (ACS) was explored, and the content of the total steroidal saponins in ACS reached 56.62%. Network pharmacology was applied to predict the related signalling pathways and targets between the main phytochemicals in ACS and hypercholesterolaemia. Enrichment analysis showed that ACS might intervene hypercholesterolaemia through the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Meanwhile, cholesterol-lowering effects were verified by ACS intervention in high-cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia in Kunming mice. Compared with the model group, the TC and LDL-C levels of mice were decreased and the HDL-C level increased significantly after administration of ACS at a dose of 200 mg kg−1 day−1. The body weight gain, liver index, and atherosclerosis index all decreased dramatically. ACS could significantly reduce the fat content in the liver and reduce the number of fat droplets from the haematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining of mouse liver. The immunohistochemical staining indicated that ACS could up-regulate the expression of PI3K protein in the liver, thus playing an anti-hypercholesterolaemic role. This study indicated that ACS exhibited significant therapeutic and preventive effects on hypercholesterolaemia, and exerted anti-hypercholesterolaemia through the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway.

Low resilience is associated with worse health-related quality of life in caregivers of service members and veterans with traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal study.

To examine [a] the association of caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and service member/veteran (SMV) neurobehavioral outcomes with caregiver resilience; [b] longitudinal change in resilience at the group and individual level; and [c] the magnitude of change at the individual level. Caregivers (N = 232) of SMVs with traumatic brain injury completed a resilience measure, and 18 caregiver HRQOL and SMV neurobehavioral outcome measures at a baseline evaluation and follow-up evaluation three years later. Caregivers were divided into two resilience groups at baseline and follow-up: [1] Low Resilience (≤ 45T, baseline n = 99, follow-up n = 93) and [2] High Resilience (> 45T, baseline n = 133, follow-up n = 139). At baseline and follow-up, significant effects were found between Low and High Resilience groups for the majority of outcome measures. There were no significant differences in resilience from baseline to follow-up at the group-mean level. At the individual level, caregivers were classified into four longitudinal resilience groups: [1] Persistently Low Resilience (Baseline + Follow-up = Low Resilience, n = 60), [2] Reduced Resilience (Baseline = High Resilience + Follow-up = Low Resilience, n = 33), [3] Improved Resilience (Baseline = Low Resilience + Follow-up = High Resilience, n = 39), and [4] Persistently High Resilience (Baseline + Follow-up = High Resilience, n = 100). From baseline to follow-up, approximately a third of the Reduced and Improved Resilience groups reported a meaningful change in resilience (≥ 10T). Nearly all of the Persistently High and Persistently Low Resilience groups did not report meaningful change in resilience (< 10T). Resilience was not a fixed state for all caregivers. Early intervention may stall the negative caregiving stress-health trajectory and improve caregiver resilience.

Measuring Access to Mental Health Services Among Primary Care Patients.

The lifetime risk of mental health disorders is almost 50% and, in any year, about 25% of the population have a psychiatric disorder. Many of those people are cared for in primary care settings. Measure access to mental health services, such as getting counselling or prescription mental health medications, using new patient survey questions that can be added to Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys. Surveys were conducted with a stratified probability sample of patients receiving primary care services in a single state in 2018-2019. Medicaid and privately insured patients were surveyed by mail or telephone, respectively. Approximately 14% of sampled patients responded to a survey. More than 10% of privately insured respondents and about 20% of Medicaid respondents got or tried to get appointments for mental health care. About 15% of privately insured respondents and 11% of Medicaid respondents reported problems getting appointments with counselors. Only 8%-9% of respondents seeking mental health medicines reported problems getting appointments for prescriptions. A composite measure combining access to counselors and prescribers of mental health medicines evidenced adequate internal consistency reliability. Group level reliability estimates were low. Many respondents got or tried to get mental health services and a substantial number reported problems getting appointments or getting mental health prescriptions. The tested questions can be combined into an Access to Mental Health Care measure, which can be included in patient experience surveys for ambulatory care to monitor access to behavioral health care.

Effects of SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd on Functional Speech Measures in Parkinson's Disease.

This study investigated the effects of the SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd therapy program on speaking rate, percent pause time, intelligibility, naturalness, and communicative participation in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Six adults with PD completed 12 individual SPEAK OUT! sessions across four consecutive weeks followed by group-based LOUD Crowd sessions for five consecutive weeks. Most therapy sessions were conducted via telehealth, with two participants completing the SPEAK OUT! portion in person. Speech samples were recorded at six time points: three baseline time points prior to SPEAK OUT!, two post-SPEAK OUT! time points, and one post-LOUD Crowd time point. Acoustic measures of speaking rate and percent pause time and listener ratings of speech intelligibility and naturalness were obtained for each time point. Participant self-ratings of communicative participation were also collected at pre- and posttreatment time points. Results showed significant improvement in communicative participation scores at a group level following completion of the SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd treatment program. Two participants showed a significant decrease in speaking rate and increase in percent pause time following treatment. Changes in intelligibility and naturalness were not statistically significant. These findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd treatment program in improving communicative participation for people with mild-to-moderate hypokinetic dysarthria secondary to PD. This study is also the first to demonstrate positive effects of this treatment program for people receiving the therapy via telehealth.

Effect of Orally Ingested Water Containing H2-Filled Ultrafine Bubbles (UFBs) on Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Ultrafine bubbles (UFBs), which are bubbles with diameters of less than 1 µm, are widely recognized for their ability to exist stably in liquid as a result of the effects of Brownian motion. In this study, we focused on hydrogen, known for its antioxidant potential, and explored the function of H2-filled UFBs, which encapsulate hydrogen, to determine their potential use as oral carriers for the delivery bioactive gases to living organisms. To this end, rats were orally administered ethanol to induce hepatic oxidative stress, and the effects of drinking H2-filled UFBs (H2 NanoGAS®) water for two weeks were evaluated to assess the reduction of oxidative stress. Continuous alcohol consumption was found to significantly increase the blood lipid peroxidation levels in the control group, confirming the induction of oxidative stress. An increase in blood lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by the consumption of concentrated H2 NanoGAS® (C-HN) water. Furthermore, the measurement of mitochondrial activity in the liver revealed that drinking H2 NanoGAS® water helped to maintain at a normal level and/or boosted the functional activity of the electron transport system in mitochondria affected by ethanol intake. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide evidence for the use of orally ingested UFBs as carriers for the delivery gases to tissues, thereby exerting their physiological activity in the body. Our findings highlight the potential for the application of UFBs to various physiologically active gases and their utilization in the medical field in the future.

Investigating SNHG3 and BCYRN1 lncRnas expression in the peripheral blood cells of multiple sclerosis patients

ABSTRACT Background MS (Multiple sclerosis) is a progressive neurologic disorder often appearing in the third decade of life. MS is the most frequent demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The development of MS is influenced by environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. The bulk of the human transcriptome comprises lncRNAs, which play crucial regulatory roles. We aimed to assess the SNHG3 and BCYRN1 lncRNA expression in blood samples from MS patients and how these lncRNAs and disease activity are related. Methods A total of 100 MS patients, including 8 primary progressive (PP), 82 relapsing-remitting (RR), and 10 secondary progressive (SP) MS, as well as 100 healthy controls, had their blood samples taken. Gene expression was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. Recognizing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the diagnostic potential of lncRNA levels was evaluated. Results Expressions of SNHG3 and BCYRN1 were found to have significantly increased (p < 0.0001). SNHG3 expression level showed significant differences compared to age groups and MS subtypes (p value = 0.001 and p value = 0.02). Furthermore, patients with a family history showed elevated BCYRN1 expression with a p value of 0.01. Considering the age factor, BCYRN1 exhibits altered expression levels in patient groups compared to healthy controls (p value 0.04). Additionally, the novel biomarkers SNHG3 and BCYRN1 can be used to diagnose MS (AUC = 0.97 and AUC = 0.88, respectively). Discussion Increased levels of SNHG3 and BCYRN1 in the serum may serve as potential molecular biomarkers for the MS diagnosis.

Individual differences in L2 proficiency moderate the effect of L1 translation knowledge on L2 lexical retrieval

Abstract The effect of translation knowledge on bilingual lexical production is mixed, with some studies showing translation interference and others showing facilitation. We considered the roles of first-language (L1) translation knowledge and second-language (L2) proficiency in lexical retrieval, testing predictions of the competition for selection, frequency lag and activation boosting accounts. In experiment 1, 54 highly proficient Spanish–English bilinguals named pictures of low-frequency nouns in English (L2). Spanish (L1) translation knowledge and English proficiency had an interactive effect on tip-of-the-tongue experiences with increased L1 translation interference at low levels of L2 proficiency and facilitation at high levels of L2 proficiency, consistent with combined predictions of competition for selection and activation boosting accounts. Experiment 2 confirmed that confounding lexical variables did not drive translation effects. By examining individual differences within bilinguals, we found support for multiple mechanisms that play a role in bilingual lexical retrieval that were not evident at the group level.

Effect of supplementing lysins and methionine to low-protein diets on growth performance, hepatic antioxidant capacity, immune status, and glycolytic activity of tibetan sheep

Reducing the levels of dietary protein is an effective nutritional approach in lowering feed cost and nitrogen emissions in ruminants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Lys/Met ratio in a low protein diet (10%, dry matter basis) on the growth performance and hepatic function (antioxidant capacity, immune status, and glycolytic activity) in Tibetan lambs. Ninety two-month-old rams with an average weight of 15.37 ± 0.92 kg were randomly assigned to LP-L (dietary Lys/Met = 1:1), LP-M (dietary Lys/Met = 2:1) and LP-H (dietary Lys/Met = 3:1) treatments. The trial was conducted over 100 d, including 10 d of adaption to the diets. Hepatic phenotypes, antioxidant capacity, immune status, glycolytic activity and gene expression profiling was detected after the conclusion of the feeding trials. The results showed that the body weight was higher in the LP-L group when compared to those on the LP-M group (P < 0.05). In addition, the activities of the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the LP-L group were significantly increased compared with the LP-M group (P < 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in LP-H group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with LP-H group, both hepatic glycogen (P < 0.01) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.05) were significantly elevated in LP-L group. For the LP-L group, the hepatocytes were arranged radially with the central vein in the center, and hepatic plates exhibited tight arrangement. Transcriptome analysis identified 29, 179, and 129 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LP-M vs. LP-L, LP-H vs. LP-M, and LP-H vs. LP-L groups, respectively (Q-values < 0.05 and |log2Fold Change| > 1). Gene Ontology (GO) and correlation analyses showed that in the LP-L group, core genes (C1QA and JUNB) enriched in oxidoreductase activity were positively correlated with antioxidant indicators, while the MYO9A core gene enriched in the immune response was positively associated with immune indicators, and core genes enriched in molecular function (PDK3 and PDP2) were positively correlated with glycolysis indicators. In summary, low-protein diet with a low Lys/Met ratio (1:1) could reduce the hepatic oxidative stress and improve the glycolytic activity by regulating the expression of related genes of Tibetan sheep.

Evaluation of the clinical application value of cytokine expression profiles in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer

BackgroundThe significance of tumor-secreted cytokines in tumor development has gained substantial attention. Nevertheless, the precise role of tumor-related inflammatory cytokines in prostate cancer (PCa) remains ambiguous.ObjectivesTo gain deeper insights into the inflammatory response in the process of PCa.MethodsA total of 233 cases were collected, including 80 cases of prostate hyperplasia as disease control, 65 cases of postoperative prostate cancer and 36 cases of prostate cancer as PCa group. Additionally, 52 patients undergoing physical examinations during the same period were collected as the healthy control. The levels of 12 inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using flow cytometric bead array technology. The levels of total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) and free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA) in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using electrochemiluminescence technology.ResultsOur findings revealed significant increases in serum IL-8 levels in PCa group compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12p70 levels were markedly elevated in the PCa group compared to the disease control group (all p < 0.05). Conversely, the level of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A and IFN-α were lower in the PCa group compared to those in control group. Following surgery, the concentration of IL-6 decreased; whereas, the concentrations of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-12p70, and IFN-α increased, demonstrating significant differences (p < 0.05). The differential upregulation of IL-6 or downregulation of IL-17A in peripheral blood exhibited diagnostic efficacy in PCa patients. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in IL-17A levels, accompanied by decreased of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-a, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-12P70 in patients with distant metastasis.ConclusionThe peripheral blood cytokines are closely associated with the occurrence and development of prostate cancer, especially the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-17A may be useful as potential predictors of PCa diagnosis.

Serum Visfatin Level in Psoriasis Patients: A Case-Control Study

Background Adipokines play imperative roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Among the adipokines, visfatin is attracting more attention in the clinical setting of dermatology. Objective The study aims to evaluate the serum visfatin level in psoriasis patients compared to the non-psoriasis individuals. Material and Methods This case-control study involved 40 psoriasis patients and 40 non-psoriasis individuals from January to October, 2023, at the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. The diagnosis of psoriasis was based on clinical signs and symptoms. Visfatin level was spectrophotometrically measured using an Enzym-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Afterward, data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results We recorded a significantly higher visfatin level in the psoriasis group than the controls (49.8 ± 26.04 versus 13.07 ±12.44, p-value &lt;0.001). The cut-off threshold of visfatin level to differentiate psoriasis from non-psoriasis was 21.7 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 85% (AUC = 0.929). We also found a positive correlation between visfatin level and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (r = 0.704; p &lt;0.001). Conclusion Our study indicated the link between serum level of visfatin and psoriasis. Visfatin is a potential biomarker in diagnosing psoriasis and classifying the disease’s severity. In further cohort studies and clinical trials, the adipokine can be validated for its use in psoriasis.

KISS1 KISSPEPTIN OF BONY FISH AND MAMMALIAN KISSPEPTIN ANALOGUES ENHANCE COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOUR OF DANIO RERIO INDUCED BY SOCIAL ISOLATION

Relevance. Rodents are often used as model of social isolation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of social isolation in Danio rerio. Danio rerio form groups, form social hierarchies and exhibit complex of social interactions similar to rodents. The expression of a number of brain genes of fish reared in isolation was found to be different from individuals reared in a group. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of kisspeptins on the social behaviour of Danio rerio exposed to social isolation. Materials and Methods. Fish were placed in 200 ml individual measuring cups for 48 hours. After the social isolation period, bony fish kisspeptins and mammalian kisspeptin analogues were tested. The animal was placed in the 1L individual tank for 15 min and then placed in the tank with a glass partition, behind which there was a group of congeners. Fish were allowed to approach or swim away from the partition. Two patterns were used to assess behaviour: latent time and number of swims to the partition. The results of the research. When comparing the control group with fish kept in social isolation, reliable differences were observed: The number of swims to the aquarium partition after isolation was 1,3 times higher compared to the control group (p 0,05). Against the background of Kiss1 and Kiss2 bony fish Kisspeptin administration, no significant changes in the number of swims to the aquarium partition were observed. At the same time, after administration of KS6 and KS10, increases in the number of swims to the aquarium partition were observed in 1,6 times (p 0,01) and 1,8 times (p 0,001), respectively. After administration of the comparison drug oxytocin, a 1,6 times (p 0.01) increase in the number of swims to the aquarium partition was observed compared to isolates without administration of the drug. The latent time of swimming to the partition increased 2,4 times in isolates without drug administration compared to the control group (p 0,001). Against the background of oxytocin administration, latent time decreased 2,3 times compared to isolates without drug administration (p 0,001). After Kiss1 administration, latent time decreased respectively 2 times (p 0,001) compared to isolates without drug administration. The latent time was decreased 5 times (p 0,001) after KS10 administration and 3,4 times (p 0,001) after KS6 administration compared to isolates without drug administration. Conclusion. Thus, social isolation in Danio rerio fish reduces communicative behaviour. Analogues of mammalian kisspeptin, Kiss1 kisspeptin of bony fish and oxytocin normalise the communicative behaviour of fish after a period of social isolation to the level of the control group.

A Spatial Analysis of Urban Tree Canopy Using High-Resolution Land Cover Data for Chattanooga, Tennessee

Urban tree canopy (UTC) provides urban residents with numerous benefits, including positive mental and physical health, the mitigation and prevention of urban heat islands, and a sense of place. Numerous studies have shown that as the wealth of a community decreases, so does the amount of UTC found in the community; thus, wealthier communities are more likely to enjoy the benefits that urban forests provide. Emerging technologies in remote sensing and GIS are allowing for new opportunities to study and understand the relationships between urban neighborhoods and UTC. In this study, land cover data for Chattanooga, Tennessee were derived from high-resolution (50 cm) multispectral imagery to assess the previously unknown extent and distribution of UTC and to measure the extent of UTC by neighborhood and census block group level. Using exploratory regression analysis, variables representing income, population density, race, educational attainment, and urban heat islands were analyzed to investigate the influence of UTC on neighborhood characteristics. This study found that UTC represented half of the total land cover composition, the tree equity was not as profound as shown in other cities, and the lack of UTC likely influences the prevalence of urban heat islands. This study also shows the importance and utility of using high-resolution imagery and land cover to assess and understand the impact and distribution of UTC in urban environments.

Study Analysis of Serum Phosphorylated Tau (P-Tau) Levels with Severity and Outcome in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Single Center Observational Study at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital, Padang, Indonesia

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health problem that can cause death and disability in people of productive age. The diagnosis and assessment of TBI severity currently still rely on clinical examination and neuroimaging. However, limited access and cost of neuroimaging are obstacles in many health facilities. Therefore, blood-based biomarkers are needed that can help the diagnosis and prognosis of TBI. Phosphorylated Tau (p-tau) is a potential biomarker that can be measured in serum. This study aims to assess the relationship between serum p-tau levels and severity and outcome in TBI patients. Methods: This research is a comparative study with a cross-sectional design involving 70 TBI patients who came to the emergency room (ER) of Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital Padang. TBI severity was assessed using the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and grouped into mild (GCS 13-15) and moderate to severe (GCS 3-12). Outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and grouped into good (GOS 4-5) and poor (GOS 1-3). Serum p-tau levels were measured using the ELISA method. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS. Results: The median serum p-tau level in the mild TBI group was 165.84 ng/L (IQR 126.18-463.85), while in the moderate to severe TBI group, it was 177.68 ng/L (IQR 87.62-591 .93). There was a significant difference between serum p-tau levels in the mild and moderate to severe TBI groups (p=0.029). The median serum p-tau level in the good outcome group was 167.21 ng/L (IQR 87.62-463.85), while in the poor outcome group it was 187.04 ng/L (IQR 137.75-591.93). There was a significant difference between serum p-tau levels in the good and bad outcome groups (p=0.014). Conclusion: Serum p-tau levels have a significant relationship with severity and outcome in TBI patients. Elevated serum p-tau levels are associated with increased severity of TBI and poor outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential of p-tau as a biomarker in TBI management.

Pars Opercularis Underlies Efferent Predictions and Successful Auditory Feedback Processing in Speech: Evidence From Left-Hemisphere Stroke.

Hearing one's own speech allows for acoustic self-monitoring in real time. Left-hemisphere motor planning regions are thought to give rise to efferent predictions that can be compared to true feedback in sensory cortices, resulting in neural suppression commensurate with the degree of overlap between predicted and actual sensations. Sensory prediction errors thus serve as a possible mechanism of detection of deviant speech sounds, which can then feed back into corrective action, allowing for online control of speech acoustics. The goal of this study was to assess the integrity of this detection-correction circuit in persons with aphasia (PWA) whose left-hemisphere lesions may limit their ability to control variability in speech output. We recorded magnetoencephalography (MEG) while 15 PWA and age-matched controls spoke monosyllabic words and listened to playback of their utterances. From this, we measured speaking-induced suppression of the M100 neural response and related it to lesion profiles and speech behavior. Both speaking-induced suppression and cortical sensitivity to deviance were preserved at the group level in PWA. PWA with more spared tissue in pars opercularis had greater left-hemisphere neural suppression and greater behavioral correction of acoustically deviant pronunciations, whereas sparing of superior temporal gyrus was not related to neural suppression or acoustic behavior. In turn, PWA who made greater corrections had fewer overt speech errors in the MEG task. Thus, the motor planning regions that generate the efferent prediction are integral to performing corrections when that prediction is violated.

Paraphoma chrysanthemicola Affects the Carbohydrate and Lobetyolin Metabolism Regulated by Salicylic Acid in the Soilless Cultivation of Codonopsis pilosula.

Paraphoma chrysanthemicola, an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula, influences salicylic acid (SA) levels. The interaction mechanism between SA and P. chrysanthemicola within C. pilosula remains elusive. To elucidate this, an experiment was conducted with four treatments: sterile water (CK), P. chrysanthemicola (FG), SA, and a combination of P. chrysanthemicola with salicylic acid (FG+SA). Results indicated that P. chrysanthemicola enhanced plant growth and counteracted the growth inhibition caused by exogenous SA. Physiological analysis showed that P. chrysanthemicola reduced carbohydrate content and enzymatic activity in C. pilosula without affecting total chlorophyll concentration and attenuated the increase in these parameters induced by exogenous SA. Secondary metabolite profiling showed a decrease in soluble proteins and lobetyolin levels in the FG group, whereas SA treatment led to an increase. Both P. chrysanthemicola and SA treatments decreased antioxidase-like activity. Notably, the FG group exhibited higher nitric oxide (NO) levels, and the SA group exhibited higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in the stems. This study elucidated the intricate context of the symbiotic dynamics between the plant species P. chrysanthemicola and C. pilosula, where an antagonistic interaction involving salicylic acid was prominently observed. This antagonism was observed in the equilibrium between carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolism. This equilibrium had the potential to engage reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO).

Qingxiong Ointment and Its Active Ingredient, Shikonin Treat Psoriasis through HIF-1 Signaling Pathway.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Qingxiong ointment (QX) is a natural medicinal combination frequently employed in clinical treatment of psoriasis. However, the active ingredients of QX and its precise mechanisms of improving psoriasis remain unclear. This study elucidated the effects of QX on an Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model of psoriasis while also exploring the regulation of the active ingredient of QX, shikonin, on the HIF-1 signaling pathway in HaCaT cells. A mouse model of psoriasis was established through topical application of IMQ, and the local therapeutic effect of QX was evaluated using dorsal skin tissue with mouse psoriatic lesion and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemical staining. Elisa and qPCR were employed to identify changes in the expression of inflammation-related factors in the mouse dorsal skin. Immunofluorescence was used to assess changes in the expression of T cell subsets before and after treatment with various doses of QX. HPLC was used to analyze the content of shikonin, and network pharmacology was employed to analyze the main targets of shikonin. Immunofluorescence was used to identify the effects of shikonin on the HIF-1 signaling pathway in IL6-induced psoriasis HaCaT cells. Finally, qPCR was used to identify the differential expression of the HIF-1 signaling pathway in skin tissues. QX significantly reduces PASI scores on the backs of IMQ-induced psoriasis mice. HE staining reveals alleviated epidermal thickness in the QX group. Immunohistochemical analysis shows a significant reduction in ICAM, KI67, and IL17 expression levels in the QX group. Immunofluorescence results indicate that QX can notably decrease the proportions of CD4+ T cells, γδ T cells, and CD8+ T cells while increasing the proportion of Treg cells. Network pharmacology analysis demonstrates that the main targets of shikonin are concentrated in the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Molecular docking results show favorable binding affinity between shikonin and key genes of the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Immunofluorescence results reveal that shikonin significantly reduces p-STAT3, SLC2A1, HIF1α, and NOS2 expression levels. qPCR results show significant downregulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway at cellular and tissue levels. Our study revealed that QX can significantly reduce the dorsal inflammatory response in the IMQ-induced psoriasis mouse model. Furthermore, we discovered that its main component, shikonin, exerts its therapeutic effect by diminishing the HIF-1 signaling pathway in HaCaT cells.