Effects Of Short-term Treatment Research Articles

Effects of Short-Term Treatment with α-Lipoic Acid on Neuropathic Pain and Biomarkers of DNA Damage in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex and heterogenous disease classified as a group of metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. It leads to various complications, some of which are macrovascular or microvascular complications, like diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), having a profound impact on patients' quality of life. Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the significant mechanisms in the development and progression of DPN. Thus, targeting OS pathways by antioxidants, such as α-lipoic acid (ALA), could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating neuropathic symptoms. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether short-term (from 4 to 9 days) intravenous administration of ALA could cause any measurable improvement in subjects with DM. Sixteen subjects with DM (six type 1 and ten type 2) and sixteen nondiabetic subjects matched by sex and age were recruited to this study. Only subjects with DM received treatment with ALA (600 mg daily). Pain intensity and biomarkers of DNA damage including plasma concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes (MN), and frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs), were measured before and after the treatment with ALA. Pain intensity and 8-OHdG levels were significantly lower in DM subjects after the ALA treatment than before the treatment. However, no changes in the frequency of SCEs and MN were observed. Our results show some evidence that even a short-term intravenous treatment with ALA could be beneficial for diabetic subjects, reducing pain intensity and concentration of 8-OHdG in blood plasma.

Short-Term Effects of an Outdoor Activities Intervention on Children’s Stress, Socio emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Regulation Skills

ABSTRACT Research Findings: In recent years, interest has grown in the potential benefits of outdoor activities (OA) for children’s development, particularly in promoting socioemotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation skills and reducing stress. However, empirical evidence on the effects of OA programs for children in the first three years of life on these outcomes still needs to be provided. To address this gap, our study involved 95 infants and toddlers (girls = 48, M age = 23.3 months) attending child care centers in north and south Italy and their teachers. Participants were divided into two groups: the Outdoor group (n = 55), actively involved in the OA program for four months, and the Control group (n = 40), who followed the standard curriculum. We assessed the children’s cortisol levels and emotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation skills before (T1) and after (T2) the implementation of the OA intervention. After the 4-month intervention, improvements in the children’s adaptive behavior (particularly in social interaction) and cognitive-behavioral regulation skills were observed only in the Outdoor group. Children’s stress levels remained stable. Practice or Policy: Our findings show the benefits of daily OA on young children’s self-regulation, suggesting to schools and families that increasing OA from the first years of life may support cognitive and social growth.

Effect of Esketamine Nasal Spray on Cognition in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression: Results From Four Phase 3 Studies.

While esketamine is effective in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), detailed information about the effect of esketamine on cognition is relatively scarce. This analysis assessed the effect of short-term (3 double-blind [DB] studies: DB1, DB2, and DB4) or long-term maintenance treatment (DB3) with esketamine nasal spray (ESK) compared with a placebo (PBO) combined withactive-comparator, on cognition in patients with TRD. Patients (DB1/DB2/DB3: [18-64 years, n = 747]; DB4: [65 years or older, n = 137]) with TRD received ESK (DB1/DB2/DB3: 56/84mg; DB4: 28/56/84mg) or PBO+newly initiated oral antidepressant (OAD) as per treatment schedules. Cognitive assessments-Cogstate battery and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised-were administered at baseline, Day 28/early withdrawal, and follow-up visits in DB1/DB2/DB4 and at 12-week intervals in the DB3 maintenance phase. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze ESK effects on cognition with effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals to express the nature andmagnitude of treatment effects relative to active-comparator+PBO. Correlation between depression severity (Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale scores [MADRS]) and cognition was assessed at baseline and endpoint(s). At baseline, mild-to-moderate impairment in psychomotor function, attention, and memory (working andepisodic) were evident. For each DB1/DB2/DB4, group mean performance in Z-scores for ESK+OAD and OAD+PBO groups on all cognitive tests remained similar or slightly improved from baseline at endpoint (Day 28) and follow-up assessments. Similarly, in DB3 (maintenance phase), both groups generally showed improvement in cognitive performance at endpoint(s). Correlations between MADRSscores and performance on the cognitive test battery were small at baseline and endpoint(s). This analysis did not identify evidence of negative effects on cognition following short-term or long-term maintenance treatment with ESK+OAD in patients with TRD.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts and Stretching Exercises on Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and various associated symptoms. Non-pharmacological interventions have gained attention for managing FMS and improving patient outcomes. We reviewed past research to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese martial arts (TCMA) and stretching training (ST) on symptoms of patients with FMS. We searched Web of Science, Medline via PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from their inceptions to June 1, 2023. Across selected studies, we evaluated TCMA and ST using Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores, pain symptoms, fatigue levels, and sleep quality as outcome measures. Compared with control groups, participants receiving TCMA and ST interventions showed significantly lower FIQ scores (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) = -3.01, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [-4.83,-1.19]), improved pain symptoms (SMD = -0.77, 95% CI [-1.07,-0.47]), less fatigue (SMD = 1.31, 95% CI [0.50,2.11]), and enhanced sleep quality (SMD = -0.55, 95% CI [-0.97,-0.12]). Subgroup analyses revealed that, irrespective of intervention duration, both TCMA and ST interventions were effective in relieving pain symptoms in these patients. ST interventions showed significant improvement in fatigue symptoms, while TCMA interventions positively influenced sleep quality. These findings highlight potential non-pharmalogical benefits of TCMA and ST interventions in managing FMS. However, future research should explore the optimal duration, frequency, intensity, and types of interventions for TCMA and ST and design targeted exercise intervention programs to study the effects of these interventions on different characteristics of FMS patients. Attention should be given to the effects of short-term interventions on improving fatigue symptoms, sleep quality, and pain relief, to provide more personalized and effective FMS treatment plans.

Effectiveness of a novel multicomponent treatment in women with fibromyalgia: A randomized clinical trial.

Multicomponent treatment is commonly used. However, there are no studies that included graded motor imagery and therapeutic neuroscience education to multicomponent treatment for patients with fibromyalgia This study aims to compare the short-term effects (at 12weeks) of a multicomponent treatment combined with graded motor imagery and therapeutic neuroscience education versus standard treatment in patients with FM. The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Sixty-five women with a clinical diagnosis of FM were randomly allocated (1:1) into two groups. The experimental group (n = 33) received a novel multicomponent treatment combined with graded motor imagery and neuroscience education. The control group (n = 32) received a standard treatment including pharmacotherapy and standard physician education. The primary outcome was pain intensity assessed with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The secondary outcomes were changes in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-17), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. All of the participants completed the trial. The between-group mean differences at 12weeks were: NPRS-1.18 points (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.4 to -1.8; η2 = 0.47; p < .001); FIQ-16.21 points (95% CI -10.9 to -22.1; η2 = 0.58; p < .001); PCS total domain -12.5 points (95% CI -7.2 to -17.8; η2 = 0.61; p < .001); TSK-17-6.15 points (95% CI -3.5 to -8.7; η2 = 0.52; p < .001); and PSQI-2.74 points (95% CI -1.4 to 4.0; η2 = 0.54; p < .001). All differences were statistically significant in favor of the novel multicomponent treatment group and had a large effect size. In the short term, a novel multicomponent treatment, including graded motor imagery and neuroscience education, was an effective therapeutic intervention for improving clinical outcomes compared with standard treatment in women with FM. Additional studies are needed to support long-term clinical effectiveness in these patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Suxiao Jiuxin Pills in the Treatment of Chronic Coronary Syndrome with Intolerance to Adverse Effects of Long-acting Nitrates: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the short-term effects and safety of adjunct Suxiao Jiuxin Pills (SJPs) on conventional therapy in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients who are intolerant to the adverse effects of long-acting nitrates.MethodsThis was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 174 CCS participants from eight clinical study centers in China were included in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. Participants with CCS and intolerance to the adverse effects of long-acting nitrates were recruited and randomized to either the SJPs or the placebo group for a duration of 4 weeks.ResultsCompared to the placebo group, the SJPs group showed a significant improvement in the efficacy rate after 4 weeks (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.32 to 4.47, P = 0.004). Besides, individuals without a history of alcohol consumption showed a greater improvement in the SAQ summary score compared to those with a history of alcohol consumption.ConclusionAdjunctive SJPs enhance the effectiveness of short-term conventional anti-angina treatment for patients with CCS who experience intolerance to long-acting nitrates, without significant adverse effects during application.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ChiCTR2100050066. Registered 16 August 2021, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=131470.

Short-Term Treatment of Melatonin Improves the Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecules in the Testis of the Mouse Cryptorchidism Model.

Melatonin plays a major role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and enhancing testosterone production. We investigated the short-term effects of melatonin treatment for 14 consecutive days in the cryptorchidism model. We categorized experimental mice into Sham (S), Orchiopexy (O), Melatonin (Mel), and Orchiopexy + Melatonin (OMel) groups. Surgery involved inducing cryptorchidism in the left testis for seven days, followed by orchiopexy. The Mel group's testes did not descend, but they received melatonin injections after seven days of cryptorchidism. The OMel group underwent both orchiopexy and melatonin treatment. Both O and Mel groups exhibited decreased sperm and round-headed sperm in the epididymis. Significant increases were observed in the numbers of giant cells and negative Nectin-3 cells at p-value<0.05. The pattern of Cadm1 expression changed, and Nectin-2 and Nectin-3 co-expression was lacking in abnormal spermatids. Sertoli cell cytoplasm in both O and Mel groups exhibited autophagosomes and multivesicular bodies, which correlated with increased cyclooxygenase-2 expression. However, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cell numbers increased significantly in all treatment groups compared to the S group. Our study found that the combination of orchiopexy and melatonin positively influenced the expression of cell adhesion molecules (Cadm1, Nectin-2, and Nectin-3) involved in spermatogenesis, while reducing giant cells, autophagosomes, and apoptosis.

Characterization of intestine-specific TRPM6 knockout C57BL/6J mice: effects of short-term omeprazole treatment.

The transient receptor potential melastatin type 6 (TRPM6) is a divalent cation channel pivotal for gatekeeping Mg2+ balance. Disturbance in Mg2+ balance has been associated with the chronic use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole. In this study, we investigated if TRPM6 plays a role in mediating the effects of short-term (4days) omeprazole treatment on intestinal Mg2+ malabsorption using intestine-specific TRPM6 knockout (Vill1-TRPM6-/-) mice. To do this, forty-eight adult male C57BL/6J mice (50% TRPM6fl/fl and 50% Vill1-TRPM6-/-) were characterized, and the distal colon of these mice was subjected to RNA sequencing. Moreover, these mice were exposed to 20mg/kg bodyweight omeprazole or placebo for 4days. Vill1-TRPM6-/- mice had a significantly lower 25Mg2+ absorption compared to control TRPM6fl/fl mice, accompanied by lower Mg2+ serum levels, and urinary Mg2+ excretion. Furthermore, renal Slc41a3, Trpm6, and Trpm7 gene expressions were higher in these animals, indicating a compensatory mechanism via the kidney. RNA sequencing of the distal colon revealed a downregulation of the Mn2+ transporter Slc30a10. However, no changes in Mn2+ serum, urine, and feces levels were observed. Moreover, 4days omeprazole treatment did not affect Mg2+ homeostasis as no changes in serum 25Mg2+ and total Mg2+ were seen. In conclusion, we demonstrate here for the first time that Vill1-TRPM6-/- mice have a lower Mg2+ absorption in the intestines. Moreover, short-term omeprazole treatment does not alter Mg2+ absorption in both Vill1-TRPM6-/- and TRPM6fl/fl mice. This suggests that TRPM6-mediated Mg2+ absorption in the intestines is not affected by short-term PPI administration.

Effects of Short-Term Treatment of Rabbit Extraocular Muscle With Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor.

Little is known about the effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on extraocular muscles, but microarray studies suggested CNTF might play a role in the development and/or maintenance of strabismus. The effect of short-term treatment of adult rabbit extraocular muscle with injected CNTF was examined for its ability to alter muscle characteristics. Eight adult New Zealand white rabbits received an injection into one superior rectus muscle of 2 µg/100 µL CNTF on 3 consecutive days. One week after the first injection, the rabbits were euthanized, and the treated and contralateral superior rectus muscles were assessed for force generation capacity and contraction characteristics using an in vitro stimulation protocol and compared to naïve control superior rectus muscles. All muscles were analyzed to determine mean cross-sectional areas and expression of slow twitch myosin heavy chain isoform. Short-term treatment of rabbit superior rectus muscles with CNTF resulted in a significant decrease in muscle force generation, but only at the higher stimulation frequencies. Significantly decreased myofiber cross-sectional areas of the treated muscles correlated with the decreased generated force. In addition, there were significant changes to contractile properties of the treated muscles, as well as a decrease in the number of myofibers expressing slow twitch myosin heavy chain. We show that short-term treatment of a single rabbit superior rectus muscle results in decreased myofiber size, decreased force, and altered contractile characteristics. Further studies are needed to determine if it can play a role in improving alignment in animal models of strabismus.

Neurostructural, Neurofunctional, and Clinical Features of Chronic, Untreated Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review.

Studies of individuals with chronic, untreated schizophrenia (CUS) can provide important insights into the natural course of schizophrenia and how antipsychotic pharmacotherapy affects neurobiological aspects of illness course and progression. We systematically review 17 studies on the neuroimaging, cognitive, and epidemiological aspects of CUS individuals. These studies were conducted at the Shanghai Mental Health Center, Institute of Mental Health at Peking University, and Huaxi MR Research Center between 2013 and 2021. CUS is associated with cognitive impairment, severe symptoms, and specific demographic characteristics and is different significantly from those observed in antipsychotic-treated individuals. Furthermore, CUS individuals have neurostructural and neurofunctional alterations in frontal and temporal regions, corpus callosum, subcortical, and visual processing areas, as well as default-mode and somatomotor networks. As the disease progresses, significant structural deteriorations occur, such as accelerated cortical thinning in frontal and temporal lobes, greater reduction in fractional anisotropy in the genu of corpus callosum, and decline in nodal metrics of gray mater network in thalamus, correlating with worsening cognitive deficits and clinical outcomes. In addition, striatal hypertrophy also occurs, independent of antipsychotic treatment. Contrasting with the negative neurostructural and neurofunctional effects of short-term antipsychotic treatment, long-term therapy frequently results in significant improvements. It notably enhances white matter integrity and the functions of key subcortical regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and striatum, potentially improving cognitive functions. This narrative review highlights the progressive neurobiological sequelae of CUS, the importance of early detection, and long-term treatment of schizophrenia, particularly because treatment may attenuate neurobiological deterioration and improve clinical outcomes.

Study on Friction Properties of CNTs/AlSi10Mg Composites

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of eutectic silicon particle size on the properties of composites of carbon-nano tubes (CNTs) and AlSi10Mg prepared by powder metallurgy. The samples were studied using light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, friction tests and tensile experiments. The effects of short-term heat treatment (540 °C solid solution for 1 h 175 °C aging for 4, 5, and 6 h) on the microstructure, tribological properties and tensile properties of the CNTs/AlSi10Mg composites were investigated. The results showed that the composite material showed an obvious toughening effect after 1 h of solid solution treatment and 4 h of aging, and the elongation increased by 33 %. Adding CNTs can improve the friction performance of the material. The composite material has the best friction performance when aged for 5 h. After a short heat treatment, the eutectic silicon is homogenized in the α-Al matrix, and the eutectic network is broken. The eutectic silicon becomes rounded from the lath shape. The spheroidized structure reduces stress concentrations around silicon particles and improves the friction performance of the composite material.

Single-cell proteo-transcriptomic profiling reveals altered characteristics of stem and progenitor cells in patients receiving cytoreductive hydroxyurea in early-phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is frequently used in the early phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to achieve cytoreduction prior to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. However, its impact on CML stem and progenitor cells (SPC) remains largely unknown. This study utilized targeted proteo-transcriptomic expression data on 596 genes and 51 surface proteins in 60,000 CD14-CD34+ cells from chronic phase CML patients to determine effects of shortterm HU treatment (4-19 days) on CML SPC. Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were obtained from 17 CML patients eligible for short-term HU treatment (three patients before and after HU; seven patients before HU; and seven patients after HU) and subjected to single-cell CITE-seq and/or flow cytometry analysis. The analysis revealed enhanced frequencies of hemoglobin-expressing (HBA1, HBA2, HBB) erythroid progenitor cells in blood and bone marrow following HU treatment. In addition, there was an accumulation of cell subsets with S/G2/M phase-related gene and protein expression, likely representing cells arrested in, or progressing slowly through, the cell cycle. The increased frequency of cells in S/G2/M phase after HU was observed already among the most immature leukemic stem cells (LSC), and patients with a high fraction of LSC in the S/G2/M phase showed poor responsiveness to TKI treatment. We conclude that short-term HU treatment entails differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells and alters the characteristics of LSC in CML. The results imply that studies of LSC and progenitor populations in CML should take effects of initial HU therapy into account.

The Effect of Montelukast Treatment on Elderly Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19

Abstract Background/Aims: The clinical course in COVID-19 patients can vary from asymptomatic cases to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure and multiorgan dysfunction. Clinical progression is thought to be mainly due to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, malaise, and shortness of breath. Montelukast, which is used in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma, has brought its use in COVID-19 infection due to its anti-inflammatory and cytokine secretion-reducing effect. There are many studies in the literature that montelukast treatment has a positive effect on the prognosis and mortality of COVID-19. However, there are not enough studies evaluating the efficacy of montelukast treatment in elderly patients. The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical and laboratory efficacy of montelukast treatment in patients aged 60 and over in COVID-19 disease, and to indicate the differences from the studies in the literature. Methods Our research was planned as a retrospective, single-center, observational study. The medical records of 75 COVID-19 patients aged 60 and over who were hospitalized in the internal medicine clinic of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between September 2021 and December 2022 were included. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed with a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test from nasopharyngeal swab. Results Clinical findings and results were compared between the patients who received montelukast and the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of cough, dyspnea, gastroenteritis and oxygen theraphy requirement. There is no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the need for intensive care unit admission and mortality. The length of hospital stay was compared in both groups, it was 10.88±7.24 days in the control group and 10.51±5.44 days in the montelukast group, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The laboratory parameters of the patients in both groups were compared. The neutrophil count and leukocyte count measured before hospitalization were found to be significantly lower in the patient group receiving montelukast (p=0.022, p=0.016). No significant difference was found in other laboratory parameters. Conclusions Although montelukast treatment has positive effects on prognosis in COVID-19 disease in the literature, a similar effect was not observed in the population aged 60 and over in our study. We did not find the positive effect of short-term montelukast treatment on the prognosis of patients aged 60 years and older who were hospitalized due to COVID-19. We thought that this was due to the low efficacy of montelukast in the elderly population. Our study is one of the first to examine montelukast therapy in the geriatric population with COVID-19.

Urine metabolomics unravel the effects of short-term dietary interventions on oxidative stress and inflammation: a randomized controlled crossover trial

Dietary biomarkers in urine remain elusive when evaluating diet-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. In our previous study, we conducted a randomized controlled crossover trial to compare the short-term (4-weeks) effects of the balanced Korean diet (BKD) with Western diets, including the 2010 dietary guidelines for Americans (2010 DGA) and typical American diet (TAD), on various metabolic indices in obese Korean adults. Building on this work, the current research focuses on the impact of these dietary interventions on oxidative stress (d-ROMs and BAP) and inflammation (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1) biomarkers in serum, and the concurrent urine metabolomes. Each dietary regimen was in silico and experimentally examined for their antioxidant levels using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, as well as total flavonoid (TFC) and total phenolic (TPC) contents. We assessed post-intervention variations in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in serum, as well as the urine metabolite profiles for the participants (n = 48, average age: 41 years). Antioxidant contents and associated total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were significantly higher for the recommended diets (BKD and 2010 DGA) compared to TAD (p < 0.05). Butanol extracts from recommended diets (BKD and 2010 DGA) showed significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to TAD in ABTS (p < 0.01), DPPH, and FRAP (p < 0.05) assays. Consistent results were observed in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, mirroring their respective antioxidant activities. Following the intervention period, oxidative stress & inflammation markers in serum varied marginally, however, the urine metabolite profiles were clearly demarcated for the BKD and Western dietary groups (PC1 = 5.41%). For BKD group, the pre- and post-intervention urine metabolite profiles were clearly segregated (PLS2 = 2.93%). Compared to TAD, urine extracts from the recommended dietary group showed higher abundance of benzoic acid & phenolic derivatives (VIP > 0.7, p < 0.05). Metabolites associated with oxidative stress were observed higher in the urine samples from Western dietary groups compared to BKD. Urine metabolomics data delineated the post-intervention effects of three dietary interventions which corroborates the respective findings for their effects on metabolic indices.

Analysis of short-term treatment effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma to improve germination characteristics of wheat seeds

In this work, an effort has been made to show that a cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) can be applied to promote the growth and development of wheat seedlings. A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma-based reactor has been developed having two-roller conveyor rollers running on sprockets to generate cold plasma. Wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum) are treated with cold plasma for shorter durations to examine their germination parameters. In the cold plasma, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are generated which alter the surface of the seeds. This results in enhanced germination, growth, and enduring vitality of the plants enhance seed germination. After plasma treatment, the germination rate was enhanced from 84% to 98%. Also, after treatment surfaces of wheat seeds became more hydrophilic, as confirmed by a decrease in the water contact angle which results in higher seed germination. It is inferred that plasma is a viable alternative to the conventional pre-sowing seed treatment for germination due to its uniform treatment without degradation and the use of pesticides.

Exploring short-term therapeutic Effects of Art Intervention on Emotional Expression: A Study on Grade 9 and 10 Students in Conflict-Affected Areas of Myanmar

Exploring short-term therapeutic Effects of Art Intervention on Emotional Expression: A Study on Grade 9 and 10 Students in Conflict-Affected Areas of Myanmar

Clinical profiles and molecular genetic analyses of 98 Chinese children with short statures.

Short stature is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders in children, and its genetic basis is a complex and actively researched subject. Currently, there is limited genetic research on exome sequencing for short stature, and more large-scale studies are necessary for further exploration. The retrospective study entailed investigation of 98 Chinese children with short statures (height SDS ≤ -2.5) of unknown etiologies recruited between 2017 and 2021. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on these patients to identify the potential genetic etiologies. The clinical data were reviewed retrospectively to assess the pathogenicity of the identified mutations. Additionally, 31 patients consented to and received recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy for 12 months. The short-term effects of rhGH treatment were evaluated across different etiologies of patients with short statures. The WES results were used to identify 31 different variants in 18 genes among 24 (24.5%) patients. Individuals with more severe short statures were more likely to have underlying genetic etiologies. Short stature accompanied by other phenotypes had significantly higher diagnostic yields than simple severe short stature. The rhGH therapy demonstrated efficacy in most children. Nevertheless, the treatment response was suboptimal in a boy diagnosed with 3M syndrome. WES is an important approach for confirming genetic disorders in patients with severe short statures of unknown etiologies, suggesting that it could be used as a primary diagnostic strategy. The administration of rhGH may not be suitable for all children with short statures, and the identification of the genetic cause of short stature by WES has significant guidance value for rhGH treatment.

Application of neurophysiological monitoring during tethered cord release in children

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore the effect of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) on tethered spinal cord release in children.MethodsThe clinical data of 454 children with tethered cord syndrome who underwent surgery for tethered cord release were retrospectively analyzed. The children were divided into two groups: the non-IONM group and the IONM group. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. The evaluation indices included the effective rate and incidence of new neurological dysfunction.ResultsThe short-term results showed that the effective rate of the non-IONM group was 14.8%, while that of the IONM group was 15.2%. Additionally, the incidence of new neurological dysfunction was 7.8% in the non-IONM group and 5.6% in the IONM group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The medium- to long-term follow-up had significant difference (P < 0.05), the response rate was 32.1% in the IONM group and 23.7% in the non-IONM group, and deterioration rates regarding neurological dysfunction were 3.3% in the IONM group and 8.5% in the non-IONM group.ConclusionThis study revealed that the use of IONM does not significantly improve the short-term treatment effect of patients undergoing surgery for tethered cord release or reduce the short-term incidence of postoperative new neurological dysfunction. However, the medium- to long-term prognoses of patients in the IONM group were better than those of patients in the non-IONM group.

Oxalic Acid Treatment: Short-Term Effects on Enzyme Activities, Vitellogenin Content, and Residual Oxalic Acid Content in House Bees, Apis mellifera L.

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) have to face many challenges, including Varroa destructor infestation, associated with viral transmission. Oxalic acid is one of the most common treatments against Varroa. Little is known about the physiological effects of oxalic acid, especially those on honeybees' immune systems. In this study, the short-term effects (0-96 h) of oxalic acid treatment on the immune system components (i.e., glucose oxidase, phenoloxidase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase activities, and vitellogenin contents) of house bees were preliminarily investigated. Oxalic acid contents of bee bodies and haemolymphs were also measured. The results confirm that oxalic acid is constitutively present in bee haemolymphs and its concentration is not affected by treatment. At 6 h after the treatment, a maximum peak of oxalic acid content was detected on bees' bodies, which gradually decreased after that until physiological levels were reached at 48 h. In the immune system, the oxalic acid treatment determined a peak in glucose oxidase activity at 48 h, indicating a potential defence response and an increase in vitellogenin content at 24 h. No significant changes were recorded in phenoloxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase activities. These results suggest a time-dependent response to oxalic acid, with potential immune system activation in treated bees.

Understanding the dynamics of TKI-induced changes in the tumor immune microenvironment for improved therapeutic effect

BackgroundThe dynamic interplay between tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the therapeutic trajectory of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Understanding the...