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Endoscopic sphincterotomy with balloon dilation vs. monotherapy for choledocholithiasis in periampullary diverticulum: a randomized trial
Elucidation of the effects of caffeine consumption on estrous cycle, hematology, and lipid profile of female Wistar rats
Abstract The consumption of caffeinated beverages has become deeply ingrained in modern society, with coffee, tea, and energy drinks being among the most commonly consumed sources of caffeine. Its physiological effects on the cardio-metabolic system have been reported in males. Hematological parameters and lipid profiling are crucial in the diagnosis of cardio-metabolic disorders. Given the growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among women and the potential role of caffeine consumption in modulating lipid profiles and hematopoiesis, a comprehensive investigation into this relationship was warranted using a female animal model. The phase of recovery from its effects was also considered in this study. Thirty-five adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 5). Group I was the control and received distilled water (0.2 mL/Kg/day). Groups II-IV received daily oral doses of caffeine (10, 20, and 40 mg/Kg/day, respectively) for 21 days. Groups V–VII received similar caffeine doses for 21 days, followed by a 21-day withdrawal (recovery) period. The estrous cycle was assessed by unstained and staining techniques, full blood indices was determined by a hematology analyzer. Serum Tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α), lipid and hormonal profiles were assayed by ELISA techniques. Statistical analysis employed one way ANOVA with significance taken at p < 0.05. The findings of this study showed that caffeine reduced the kidney and liver weights, reduced white blood cell count, Gonadotropin releasing hormone level and further irreversibly reduced progesterone levels, but maintained the lipid profile level. Caffeine increased the level of TNF-α, but adversely impacted the phases of the estrous cycle by reducing their occurrences. These alterations were however reversed during withdrawal from caffeine. Hence, this study highlights that though caffeine may impact immune function, cardiovascular, reproductive and metabolic health, the withdrawal or stoppage of its intake can result in restoration of the altered changes in the body overtime.
An integrated TOPSIS and ARAS method multi-criteria decision-making approach for optimizing investment portfolios using goal programming and genetic algorithm model
Clone copy number diversity is linked to survival in lung cancer
Abstract Both single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) accumulate in cancer cells during tumour development, fuelling clonal evolution. However, accurate estimation of clone-specific copy numbers from bulk DNA-sequencing data is challenging. Here we present allele-specific phylogenetic analysis of copy number alterations (ALPACA), a method to infer SNV and SCNA coevolution by leveraging phylogenetic trees reconstructed from multi-sample bulk tumour sequencing data using SNV frequencies. ALPACA estimates the SCNA evolution of simulated tumours with a higher accuracy than current state-of-the-art methods1–4. ALPACA uncovers loss-of-heterozygosity and amplification events in minor clones that may be missed using standard approaches and reveals the temporal order of somatic alterations. Analysing clone-specific copy numbers in TRACERx421 lung tumours5,6, we find evidence of increased chromosomal instability in metastasis-seeding clones and enrichment for losses affecting tumour suppressor genes and amplification affecting CCND1. Furthermore, we identify increased SCNA rates in both tumours with polyclonal metastatic dissemination and tumours with extrathoracic metastases, and an association between higher clone copy number diversity and reduced disease-free survival in patients with lung cancer.
Evaluation of prostate cancer pathology reports generated by ChatGPT to enhance patient comprehension
Abstract The technical language of medical reports can be difficult for laypeople to understand. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT present an opportunity to bridge this gap. This quality improvement initiative explored ChatGPT’s potential to translate traditional prostate cancer pathology reports into patient-friendly versions. Using institutional templates, we created 25 prostate biopsy and 25 radical prostatectomy reports and converted them into patient-centered versions using ChatGPT-3.5. Nine urologists evaluated these reports. Additionally, 41 patients participating in the initiative were asked to provide feedback on their understanding of the biopsy reports. Feedback was collected using structured questionnaires and readability scores. The AI-generated biopsy and surgical pathology reports had higher mean Flesch Reading Ease Scores (49 ± 5; 50 ± 3) compared to the original reports (31 ± 15, p < 0.001; 41 ± 17, p = 0.02, respectively). Surgeons expressed positive opinions about AI-generated biopsy and surgical pathology reports, including patient-friendly language (77% and 95%, respectively). Patients also agreed that the AI-generated biopsy reports were well-structured and easy to follow (90%) and helpful in understanding their diagnosis (88%). 76% of patients preferred AI-generated reports as part of their care. These findings suggest that AI-developed reports may improve readability and support patient understanding.
Establishment of chromatin architecture interplays with embryo hypertranscription
Organization and delivery of medical services at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou China
The Moon is rusting — thanks to ‘wind’ blown all the way from Earth
Homology search confirms widespread presence of BBSome proteins in Hexapoda with implications for potential non-ciliary BBS protein functions in honey bees
Abstract Cilia were one of the characteristic traits of the last eukaryotic common ancestor and are highly conserved among eukaryotes. Their proteomic makeup is remarkably similar throughout all eukaryotic lineages. Recently, several ciliary transport proteins, namely the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) proteins, were shown to traverse the nuclear envelope, and to modulate gene expression. Insects have been critically understudied in cilia biology since they only exhibit cilia on a subset of cells. We present evidence that the BBSome is largely conserved in multiple insect lineages. To examine BBS protein expression within insects, we profiled tissues, castes, and sexes of the honeybee Apis mellifera, a species where the genome encodes for multiple behavioural and morphological phenotypes. We find variation in expression profiles of putative BBSome-associated genes across different tissues, including those lacking cilia, indicating possible non-ciliary functions. We also demonstrate that expression of individual BBS proteins varies significantly between queens’ and males’ tissues, especially in neuronal tissue. Particularly high overexpression of BBS4 in glandular tissue indicates a cilia-independent role. Our findings provide evolutionary insight into the conservation of BBSome components across insects, suggesting potential additional roles for cilia proteins in non-ciliated tissues, providing candidate genes from diverse insect orders for future experimental work.
Trump links autism and Tylenol: is there any truth to it?
DNAJC5 promotes cisplatin resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer by autophagy induced by the BiP/IRE1α/XBP1 endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway
Determinants of treatment success and cost implications in MDR/RR-TB patients: a prospective cohort study in China
Genetic diversity of Tomistoma schlegelii in Malaysia using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers
Evaluation of minimally invasive metabolomic methods for assessing the health of sturgeons
Abstract Almost all species of sturgeon are at risk of extinction throughout their natural range due to a variety of human activities. As a result, there is now a global effort focused on their preservation. For maximum success, sturgeon restoration and reintroduction activities should incorporate information-rich methods for monitoring the health and well-being of sturgeon populations. However, only non-lethal, minimally invasive techniques should be employed due to their status as endangered species. Metabolomics-based monitoring using blood and epidermal mucus has shown considerable potential for application to sensitive or endangered species such as sturgeons. Here, we report the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-detectable serum and epidermal mucous metabolomes of Russian and Siberian sturgeon, with extensive endogenous metabolite assignments. Serum samples were further characterized for higher molecular weight components (e.g., lipoproteins and acute phase proteins) that are closely associated with growth, development, and stress response. Multi- and univariate statistical analyses of these datasets suggest that the Russian sturgeon blood serum metabolome and the Siberian sturgeon epidermal mucous metabolome are notably sex specific. Thus, these datasets provided rich biochemical information useful for improving assessments of both general and sex-specific health, including impacts from environmental stressors (chemical contaminants, temperature extremes, etc.), for wild sturgeon populations.