In silico analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA signatures related to Sorafenib effectiveness in liver cancer cells

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common subtype of primary liver cancer with varied incidence and epidemiology worldwide.Sorafenib is still a recommended treatment for a large proportion of patients with advanced HCC.Different patterns of treatment responsiveness have been identified in differentiated hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and metastatic HCC SNU449 cells.AIM To define the long non-codingRNA-microRNA-mRNA(lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA)predicted signatures related to selected hallmarks of cancer(apoptosis,autophagy,cell stress,cell dedifferentiation and invasiveness)in RNAseq studies using Sorafenib-treated HepG2 and SNU449 cells.Various available software analyses allowed us to establish the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes following treatment in HepG2 and SNU449 cells.METHODS HepG2 and SNU449 cells were treated with Sorafenib(10μmol/L)for 24 hours.Total RNA,including small and long RNA,was extracted with a commercial miRNeasy kit.RNAseq was carried out for the identification of changes in lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes.RESULTS MALAT,THAP9-AS1 and SNGH17 appeared to coordinately regulate miR-374b-3p and miR-769-5p that led to upregulation of SMAD7,TIRARP,TFAP4 and FAXDC2 in HepG2 cells.SNHG12,EPB41 L4A-AS1,LINC01578,SNHG12 and GAS5 interacted with let-7b-3p,miR-195-5p and VEGFA in SNU449 cells.The axes MALAT1/hsamir-374b-3p/SMAD7 and MALAT1/hsa-mir-769-5p/TFAP4 were of high relevance for Sorafenib response in HepG2 cells,whereas PVT1/hsa-miR-195-5p/VEGFA was responsible for the differential response of SNU449 cells to Sorafenib treatment.CONCLUSION Critical lncRNAs acting as sponges of miRNA were identified that regulated mRNA expression,whose proteins mainly increased the antitumor effectiveness of the treatment(SMAD7,TIRARP,TFAP4,FAXDC2 and ADRB2).However,the broad regulatory axis leading to increased VEGFA expression may be related to the side effect of Sorafenib in SNU449 cells.

Effectiveness of Short Message Service Support on Adherence to Chemotherapy Treatment among Patients Attending Cancer Treatment Facilities in Kenya

Introduction: Cancer is a chronic debilitating disease that unnerves patients, communities, and nations. At some point in cancer patient’s disease experience, chemotherapy is used, and the patient is expected to adhere to treatment to improve survival and quality of life. Methods: This multisite Cluster Randomized Trial (CRT) evaluated the effectiveness of mobile phone Short Message Service (SMS) support on the adherence to treatment schedules among adult cancer patients in Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires. Ethical approvals were obtained from relevant Ethical Review Boards (ERBs). Results: The mean adherence was 83%. There was a significant difference between treatment arms in relation to the adherence. The intervention arm had a higher mean adherence difference, M = 3.913, 95% CI 2.632-5.193, t (402) = 6.006, p ≤ 0.001), with Cohen’s d = 0.60. Although not significant, (χ2dd = 0.151, df = 1, p = 2.064), more women were perfect adheres than males. Perfect adherers were satisfied with SMS support (χ2dd = 7.620, df = 1, p = 0.06), were in the intervention arm (χ2dd = 22.942, df = 1, p ≤ 0.001), and had trust in the care provider (χ2dd = 10.591 p ≤ 0.001). SMS support was not significant in the multivariate analysis but had an estimated effect size of 0.958 (z = 1.424, p = 0.154, CI = 0.242-3.781), indicating that mean adherence was slightly better in the presence of the intervention. Conclusions: SMS-support intervention has demonstrated superiority in influencing adherence. Further, health system-related factors have a significant influence on the adherence to chemotherapy treatment. Interventions to re-design health systems that are responsive to unmet care needs of cancer patients must be explored. .

Mitochondrial protection by low doses of insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰin experimental cirrhosis

AIM： To characterize the mitochondrial dysfunction in experimental cirrhosis and to study whether insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ （IGF-Ⅰ ） therapy （4 wk） is able to induce beneficial effects on damaged mitochondria leading to cellular protection. METHODS： Wistar rats were divided into three groups： Control group, untreated cirrhotic rats and cirrhotic rats treated with IGF-Ⅰ treatment （2 μg/1O0 g bw/d）. Mitochondrial function was analyzed by flow cytometry in isolated hepatic mitochondria, caspase 3 activation was assessed by Western blot and apoptosis by TUNEL in the three expedmental groups. RESULTS： Untreated cirrhotic rats showed a mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by a significant reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential （in status 4 and 3）; an increase of intramitochondrial reactive oxigen species （ROS） generation and a significant reduction of ATPase activity. IGF-Ⅰ therapy normalized mitochondrial function by increasing the membrane potential and ATPase activity and reducing the intramitochondrial free radical production. Activity of the electron transport complexes Ⅰ and Ⅲ was increased in both cirrhotic groups. In addition, untreated cirrhotic rats showed an increase of caspase 3 activation and apoptosis. IGF- Ⅰ therapy reduced the expression of the active peptide of caspase 3 and resulted in reduced apoptosis. CONCLUSION： These results show that IGF- Ⅰ exerts a mitochondrial protection in experimental cirrhosis leading to reduced apoptosis and increased ATP production.

Region-Specific Expression of Immunoregulatory Proteins on Microglia in the Healthy CNS

与中枢神经系统的空间结构高度一致,大部分的中枢神经系统疾病表现为区域性分布。虽然小胶质细胞已被公认在各种中枢神经系统疾病中发挥重要的作用,但是小胶质细胞是否表现为区域特异性目前还不清楚。因此,本研究目的是评估在健康成年小鼠的中枢神经系统的不同区域中小胶质细胞的不同表型。运用体外流式细胞仪分析CD11b,CD40,CD45,CD80,CD86,F4/80,TREM-2b,MHCII,CXCR3,CCR9以及CCR7的表面表达。这些免疫调节标记物大部分均存在于小胶质细胞上并且在表达水平上有明显的区域特异性差异。这些发现在很大程度上证实了在健康成年小鼠中枢神经系统的小胶质细胞中存在着免疫多样性。

Does vitamin C have the ability to augment the therapeutic effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on spinal cord injury？

Methylprednisolone（MP） is currently the only drug confirmed to exhibit a neuroprotective effect on acute spinal cord injury（SCI）. Vitamin C（VC） is a natural water-soluble antioxidant that exerts neuroprotective effects through eliminating free radical damage to nerve cells. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（BMMSCs）, as multipotent stem cells, are promising candidates in SCI repair. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of MP, VC and BMMSCs on traumatic SCI, 80 adult male rats were randomly divided into seven groups： control, SCI（SCI induction by weight-drop method）, MP（SCI induction, followed by administration of 30 mg/kg MP via the tail vein, once every other 6 hours, for five times）, VC（SCI induction, followed by intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/kg VC once a day, for 28 days）, MP ＋ VC（SCI induction, followed by administration of MP and VC as the former）, BMMSCs（SCI induction, followed by injection of 3 × 10~6 BMMSCs at the injury site）, and BMMSCs ＋ VC（SCI induction, followed by BMMSCs injection and VC administration as the former）. Locomotor recovery was assessed using the Basso Mouse Scale. Injured spinal cord tissue was evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining. Expression of transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 genes was determined using real-time quantitative PCR. BMMSCs intervention better promoted recovery of nerve function of rats with SCI, mitigated nerve cell damage, and decreased expression of transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 genes than MP and/or VC. More importantly, BMMSCs in combination with VC induced more obvious improvements. These results suggest that VC can enhance the neuroprotective effects of BMMSCs against SCI.

Protective effect of natural products and hormones in colon cancer using metabolome:A physiological overview

Globally, the third cause of males cancer and the fourth cause of females cancer is colon cancer(CC). In Egypt, high CC percentage occurs in children and in individuals below 40 years of age. The complete loss of biological enzyme function is the main cause of CC and consequently CC increased in smoking and pollution exposure. The aim of this review is to focus on the application of metabolome as a physiological tool that can play an important role in preventing CC incidence by natural products and hormones. The dietary factors, intestinal micro-flora and endogenously produced metabolites are the main three causes that produce free radicals in the colon. A correlation occurs between the enzyme activity and CC polymorphisms or property. Nowadays metabolome is applied with the progress of different analytical methods, data bases and tools for cancer predication and stimulation especially in CC cases. Metabolism is defined as intracellular chemical reactions that produce chemical substances and energies sustaining life. Metabolic pathway networks are also composed of links that are defined as transformation of chemical structures between two metabolites and an enzyme reaction. The most important advantage of metabolome is its ability to analyze metabolites from any source, regardless of origin, where the application of liquid chromatography combined with mass spectra in metabolome analysis to a series of cancer cell lines that were progressively more tumorigenic due to the induction of 1,2,3 or 4 oncogenes to cell lines could be a metabolome example application. In conclusion, natural products and hormones are very important in preventing CC in humans and animal models where both natural products and hormones play a significant and important effect in regulating physiological process especially in CC cases. In this situation, metabolome must increase in its application in the future for the diagnosis of CC cases.

Influence of gastric inhibitory polypeptide on pentagastrinstimulated gastric acid secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy controls

AIM： Gastric inhibitory polypeptide is secreted from intestinal K-cells in response to nutrient ingestion and acts as an incretin hormone in human physiology. While animal experiments suggested a role for GIP as an inhibitor of gastric secretion, the GIP effects on gastric acid output in humans are still controversial. METHODS： Pentagastrin was administered at an infusion rate of 1 μg . kg^-1 . h^-1 over 300 min in 8 patients with type 2 diabetes （2 female, 6 male, 54± 10 years, BMI 30.5 ± 2.2 kg/m^2; no history of autonomic neuropathy） and 8 healthy subjects （2/6, 46 ± 6 years., 28.9 ± 5.3 kg/ m^2）. A hyperglycaemic clamp （140 mg/dl） was performed over 240 min. Placebo, GIP at a physiological dose （1 pmol . kg^-1 . min^-1）, and GIP at a pharmacological dose （4 mol . kg^-1 . min^-1） were administered over 60 min each. Boluses of placebo, 20 pmol GIP/kg, and 80 pmol GIP/kg were injected intravenously at the beginning of each infusion period, respectively. Gastric volume, acid and chloride output were analysed in 15-min intervals. Capillary and venous blood samples were drawn for the determination of glucose and total GIP. Statistics were carried out by repeated-measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS： Plasma glucose concentrations during the hyperglycaemic clamp experiments were not different between patients with type 2 diabetes and controls. Steady-state GIP plasma levels were 61 ±8 and 79 ± 12 pmol/I during the low-dose and 327±35 and 327± 17 pmol/I during the high-dose infusion of GIP, in healthy control subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes, respectively （P= 0.23 and p 0.99）. Pentagastrin markedly increased gastric acid and chloride secretion （P〈 0.001）. There were no significant differences in the rates of gastric acid or chloride output between the experimental periods with placebo or any dose of GIP. The temporal patterns of gastric acid and chloride secretion were similar in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy controls （P= 0.86 and P= 0.61, respectively）. CONCLUSION： Pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion is similar in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy controls. GIP administration does not influence gastric acid secretion at physiological or pharmacological plasma levels. Therefore, GIP appears to act as an incretin rather than as an enterogastrone in human physiology.

Long Term Perinatal Deltamethrin Exposure Alters Electrophysiological Properties of Embryonic Ventricular Cardiomyocyte

Increased use of pyrethroids and the exposure to pyrethroids for pregnant women and children have raised the concerns over the potential effect of pyrethroids on developmental cardiotoxicity and other abnormalities.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether long tenn peri natal deltamethrin exposure altered embryonic cardiac electrophysiology in mice.Pregnant mice were administered with 0 or 3 mg/kg of deltamethrin by gavage daily from gestational day(gd)10.5 to gd 17.5.Whole cell patch-clamp technique was used in electrophysiological study,and real time RT-PCR was applied to analyze the molecular changes for the electrophysiological properties.Deltamethrin exposure resulted in increased mortality of pregnant mice and decreased viability of embryos.Moreover,deltamethrin slowed the maximum depolarization velocity(Vmax),prolonged the action potential duration(APD)and depolarized the maximuin diastolic potential(MDP)of embryonic cardiomyocytes.Additionally,perinatal deltamethrin exposure decreased the mRNA expression of Na^+channel regulatory subunit Navpl,inward rectifier K^+channel subunit Kir2.1,and delayed rectifier K^+channel subunit MERG while the L-type Ca^2+channel subunit,Cavl.2 expression was increased.On the contraiy,deltamethrin administration did not significantly alter the regulation ofβ-adrenergic or muscarinic receptor on embryonic cardiomyocytes.In conclusion,deltamethrin exposure at perinatal stage significantly alters mRNA expression of embryonic cardiac ion channels and therefore influences embryonic cardiac electrophysiological properties.This highlights the need to understand the persistent effects of pyrethroid exposure on cardiac function during embryonic development due to potential for cardiac arrhythmogenicity.

Protective effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) against neurotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride in rats

Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of ashwagandha extract against aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into control, aluminumintoxicated rats treated daily with aluminum trichloride(Al Cl3)(100 mg/kg, orally) for 30 d and aluminum-intoxicated animals protected by receiving daily ashwagandha extract(200 mg/kg, orally) one hour before Al Cl3 administration for 30 d. Levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. In addition, the activities of Na+, K+, ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were determined in the three studied brain regions. Results: Aluminum increased the levels of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum and decreased the reduced glutathione level in the hippocampus and striatum. In rats protected with ashwagandha extract, non significant changes were observed in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione. In addition, ashwagandha extracts prevented the increased activity of acetylcholinesterase and Na+, K+, ATPase induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. The present findings also showed that the significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex and hippocampus was prevented by ashwagandha extract. Conclusions: The present results suggest that ashwagandha extract possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against aluminum neurotoxicity. In addition, ashwagandha extract could prevent the decline in cholinergic activity by maintaining normal acetylcholinesterase activity. The later effect could recommend the use of ashwagandha as a memory enhancer.

MicroRNA-regulated cancer stemness in the patient-derived xenograft model of human cholangiocarcinoma

Objective:MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are highly conserved 19-25 nucleotide small noncoding RNAs,which are primarily involved in gene silencing.This study aims to characterize the functional roles of microRNA-regulated stemness in patientderived cholangiocarcinoma xenograft tumors.

Effect of Grains of Paradise (GP) Extract Intake on Obesity and Sympathetic Nerve Activity

The methanol extract of grains of paradise (GP), the seed of Aframomum melegueta, which is distributed throughout West Africa, was administered during an animal breeding test. The extract suppressed body weight gain and decreased the weight of adipose tissues in breeding mice, with a greater effect on mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) than on those fed a normal diet (ND). Other significant effects of GP intake included increased serum triglyceride (TG) concentration and reduced hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and TG concentrations. GP intake markedly prevented fat accumulation and improved hepatic lipid metabolism in HFD-fed mice. In addition, GP extract at a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight decreased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), while capsaicin, a major component of chili pepper, activated BAT SNA. This suggested that GP exerts a potential anti-obesity effect by a different mechanism from that of capsaicin.

Microscopy Underestimates the Prevalence of Trypanosomes’ Infection in Asymptomatic Cattle and Sheep in a Lowland Area within the Kenyan Rift Valley

Animal trypanosomosis continues to impede animal production in sub-Saharan Africa mostly in locations where tsetse flies are endemic. This has ended up devastating many livelihoods where majority of the people depend on livestock farming as source of food and income generation. The true picture on prevalence and identity of trypanosome species is scanty or unknown in most areas where tsetse flies are present. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of trypanosomes’ infection in cattle and sheep using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The use of PCR for detection and identification of trypanosomes has increased sensitivity of diagnostic method compared to conventional microscopy. Ninety asymptomatic free range grazed animals including 72 cattle and 18 sheep randomly sampled from farmers in Kerio Valley of Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya were used in the present study. Blood samples (5 ml) obtained from each of the animals were used for trypanosomes’ detection by microscopy and PCR assay methods. Microscopy results showed that only 2 cattle (2.8%) were positive for trypanosomosis infection. The microscopy results for the sheep showed zero prevalence. On the other hand, PCR results reported 26 trypanosomosis positive cattle (36.1%) and 3 (16.7%) trypanosomosis positive sheep. The PCR method was further used for trypanosomes’ species identification and the results showed that the 26 infected cattle were positive for T. congolense (12) and T. brucei (14) while the three sheep were all positive for T. brucei. The findings of the present study show that microscopy underestimates trypanosomosis detection and therefore cannot be relied upon as a tool for diagnosis. Besides, the method is weak in reporting species differentiation in a case where the morphological differences have only minor details or where the species are very close morphologically. This study recommends routine use of molecular biology-based technique for trypanosomosis detection in the Kenyan Rift Valley lowland areas.

Community Education Challenges in Young Adults of South Western Uganda

The aim of this study was to identify the major challenges to community education and any health problem in Bushenyi district of South Western Uganda. Data collection was done through questionnaire and participants were randomly selected. This was a cross-sectional study carried out for a period of three months in 2012. A questionnaire was used to collect data and using onsite observations the responses were validated. A total of 260 participants from 65 homesteads were included in the study from 52 households. 144 were females and 116 males, of which 52.4% of the children were female and the rest male. The mean ± SEM age of females and males was 36 ± 8.6 and 29 ± 8.6 years respectively. In all the homesteads, 71% were headed by an adult male and only 29% were found to be headed by an adult female while none was headed by children. Inferential analysis showed (P = 0.02) that there are more females than male in the homesteads. Majority of the homesteads are being taken care of by women instead of men probably as a result of the high mortalities due to HIV/AIDS in the past decade and above all the movement of most men to urban centers in search of better sources of employment to support their families. Among school going age participant’s i.e. children and adolescents, only 59.6% were found to be attending school. There was no statistical significance (P = 0.16) between school attendance and age. Family responsibilities such as cooking for younger siblings by female participants, obligations on open market days are thought to be secondary limiting factors for community development and livelihood amongst young persons;thus a follow up study would be conducted to assess their associations in this community as this would raise major child abuse concerns which would need to be reported to the legal authorities for follow up.

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Total Crude Leaf Extract of <i>Phytolacca dodecandra</i>in Wistar Albino Rats

Background: Pain is a common problem encountered in daily life among humans and animal and it is commonly managed conventionally using modern medicines and traditionally by use of medicinal plants. Phytolacca dodecandra is a common herb in Uganda, used traditionally to alleviate pain and inflammatory conditions. However, its activity in alleviating pain and inflammatory diseases has not been fully scientifically evaluated. Aim of Study: To evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of total crude leaf extracts of P. dodecandra in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: It was a laboratory-based experimental study. Acetic acid-induced writhing test was used to determine the analgesic activity and the histamine-induced paw edema formation for anti-inflammatory activity of the extract. Twenty eight animals were divided into 7 groups each with 4 rats and two (2) sets of data were obtained from each animal per group as per guidance of the refinement rule of 3Rs. For analgesic activity, Group I was dosed with 1.0ml of normal saline (negative control), group II, III, IV, V, VI were dosed with 1000.0, 600.0, 150.0, 40.0 and 5.0 mg/kg bwt of extract respectively. Group VII was dosed 10.0 mg/kg bwt diclofenac sodium (Na) drug (positive control). For anti-inflammatory activity, Group I was dosed with 1.0ml of normal saline (negative control), Group II, III, IV, V, VI were dosed with 1000.0, 600.0, 300.0, 40.0 and 5.0 mg/kg bwt of extract respectively. Group VII was dosed 10.0 mg/kg bwt diclofenac Na. The percentage mean paw volume inhibition and percentage writhing protection were determined. Results: The mean percentage paw volume inhibitions were 29.1%, 74.2% and 32.3% at doses of 5.0, 40.0 mg/kg bwt and 10.0 mg/kg bwt diclofenac Na respectively. The mean percentage writhing protection was 8.9%, 10.4%, 78.5% and 98.7% at doses of 150.0, 600.0, 1000.0 mg/kg of extract and 10.0 mg/kg bwt diclofenac Na respectively. Conclusions: Total crude leaf extracts of P. dodecandra has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity that may be attributed to the presence of polyphenolic, saponins and many others phytochemicals that are present in the plant.

Busting Myths about SARS-CoV-2 Viral Pandemic to Non-medical Personnel

Background:During these moments of anxiety,fear and to some extent despair,it is imperative for everyone to have access to the right information.This can be achieved through breaking down the science and medical terminologies used to express the scenarios emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.Forward:This commentary focuses on the most asked questions that,when not answered with scientific grounds to convince the non-medics can result in non-science based“infodemics”.The brief history behind COVID-19 pandemic,the science of SARS-CoV-2,the taxonomies used,a brief on the Pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2,the genetic make up,most vulnerable indivduals,antibodies against COVID-19,mother to baby transmission,conspiracy theories reagading the virus being weaponized,mutations occurring with SARS-CoV-2 and reoccurrence of COVID-19 in the future are all explained at great length.The review made references to the existing publications regarding this pandemic.Conclusion:While the science regarding this virus is not exhausted,we confirmed that,the knowledge gap between non-medics and medics is wide.The results emerging from the pandemic to form data are questionable,so it is our collective responsibility to fight against this virus in order to stop further spreading by providing the right information to the public.If we would not come together to fight and win this battle,we might be witnessing many large cities turning into emerging epicenters of COVID-19.

Effectiveness of Gardnerella vaginalis culture and Nugent scoring in identifying bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women

Background:Bacterial vaginosis(BV),a lower genital tract syndrome,has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and is regarded as the prevalent type of vaginal infection in females of childbearing age.Objectives:To determine the accuracy of Nugent scoring and Gardnerella vaginalis culture in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis(BV)among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital,Nnewi,Nigeria.Method:This cross-sectional study evaluated biospecimen from 333 pregnant women enrolled through systematic random sampling technique.Biospecimens of vaginal discharge were tested for BV infection using Amsel’s criteria,Nugent’s score and culture of G.Vaginalis.Using Amsel’s criteria as a“gold standard”,the Nugent’s score and culture of G.vaginalis were estimated.Results:Prevalence of 26.12%,25.82% and 28.20% of BV was found using Amsel criteria,Nugent’s method and culture of G.vaginalis,respectively.No statistical relationship exists between socio-demographic characteristics and BV(P>0.05).Sexual exposure,and vaginal hygienic practices influences BV(P<0.05)infection and also with fishy odor during or after sexual intercourse,Gardnerella morphotypes,Bacteroides morphotypes and BV(P<0.05).An inverse relationship existed between lactobacilli morphotypes and BV.The prevalence of HIV was 5.41% and 16 out of 18 had BV diagnosed using Amsel criteria.Nugent method correlated strongly with Amsel criteria(P<0.05).In comparison with Amsel criteria,it had 78.16% sensitivity,92.68% specificity,79.07% positive predictive value,92.31% negative predictive value and 88.89% accuracy rate.This was in contrast distinction to the culture of G.vaginalis,which had 56.32%sensitivity,81.70% specificity,52.13% positive predictive value,84.10% negative predictive value and 75.08% accuracy rate.Conclusion:Nugent method correlated strongly with Amsel criteria(P<0.05)and had 78.16% sensitivity,92.68% specificity,79.07% positive predictive value,92.31% negative predictive value and 88.89% accuracy rate.Contrariwise,the culture of G.vaginalis had 56.32% sensitivity,81.70% specificity,52.13% positive predictive value,84.10% negative predictive value and 75.08% accuracy rate for BV diagnosis.

Calculus bovis in hepatocellular carcinoma:Tumor molecular basis,Wnt/β-catenin pathway role,and protective mechanism

In this editorial,we comment on the recent article by Huang et al.The editorial focuses specifically on the molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC,and protective mechanism of Calculus bovis(CB)in HCC.Liver cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally.The most prevalent kind of primary liver cancer,HCC,is typically brought on by long-term viral infections(hepatitis B and C),non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,excessive alcohol consumption,and other conditions that can cause the liver to become chronically inflamed and cirrhotic.CB is a wellknown traditional remedy in China and Japan and has been used extensively to treat a variety of diseases,such as high fever,convulsions,and stroke.Disturbances in lipid metabolism,cholesterol metabolism,bile acid metabolism,alcohol metabolism,and xenobiotic detoxification lead to fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis.Succinate,which is a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate,is vital to energy production and mitochondrial metabolism.It is also thought to be a signaling molecule in metabolism and in the development and spread of liver malignancies.The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is made up of a group of proteins that are essential for both adult tissue homeostasis and embryonic development.Cancer is frequently caused by the dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.In HCC liver carcinogenesis,Wnt/β-catenin signaling is activated by the expression of downstream target genes.Communication between the liver and the gut exists via the portal vein,biliary tract,and systemic circulation.This"gutliver axis"controls intestinal physiology.One of the main factors contributing to the development,progression,and treatment resistance of HCC is the abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway.Therefore,understanding this pathway is essential to treating HCC.Eleven ingredients of CB,particularly oleanolic acid,ergosterol,and ursolic acid,have anti-primary liver cancer properties.Additionally,CB is important in the treatment of primary liver cancer through pathways linked to immune system function and apoptosis.CB also inhibits the proliferation of cancer stem cells and tumor cells and controls the tumor microenvironment.In the future,clinicians may be able to recommend one of many potential new drugs from CB ingredients to treat HCC expression,development,and progress.

Hormonal protection in acute pancreatitis by ghrelin, leptin and melatonin

Acute pancreatitis is a nonbacterial disease of the pancreas.The severe form of this ailment is characterized by high mortality.Whether acute pancreatitis develops as the severe type or resolves depends on the intensity of the inflammatory process which is counteracted by the recruitment of innate defense mechanisms.It has been shown that the hormones ghrelin,leptin and melatonin are able to modulate the immune function of the organism and to protect the pancreas against inflammatory damage.Experimental studies have demonstrated that the application of these substances prior to the induction of acute pancreatitis significantly attenuated the intensity of the inflammation and reduced pancreatic tissue damage.The pancreatic protective mechanisms of the above hormones have been related to the mobilization of non-specific immune defense,to the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B and modulation of cytokine production,to the stimulation of heat shock proteins and changes of apoptotic processes in the acinar cells,as well as to the activation of antioxidant system of the pancreatic tissue.The protective effect ofghrelin seems to be indirect and perhaps dependent on the release of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1.Leptin and ghrelin,but not melatonin,employ sensory nerves in their beneficial action on acute pancreatitis.It is very likely that ghrelin,leptin and melatonin could be implicated in the natural protection of the pancreatic gland against inflammatory damage because the blood levels of these substances increase in the initial phase of pancreatic inflammation.The above hormones could be a part of the innate resistance system which might remove noxious factors and could suppress or attenuate the inflammatory process in the pancreas.

Multiple sclerosis: New insights and trends

Multiple sclerosis(MS) is the most famous autoimmune disease attacking the central nervous system. It attacks people from age 20–50 years old and the females' attacks double than males' attacks. MS is an autoimmune disease affecting principally the central nervous system that cause nerve sheath demyelination followed by axon damage and paralysis. MS symptoms include muscle weakness, weak reflexes, muscle spasm, difficult in move, miss-coordination and unbalance with others. There are many factors may be responsible for MS: microbial, viral, smoking, stress, environmental toxins, contaminated diet, and gout. MS is wide spread in the populations in North Europe and this related to lack of vitamin D due to decrease of sunlight exposure. MS biomarkers include nitric oxide, interleukin-6, nitric oxide synthase, fetuin-A and osteopontin. MS is not a genetic disease where MS occurs when human leukocyte antigen system related genes are changed in chromosome 6. The physiology of MS is monitored by activation of immuneinflammatory, oxidative, and nitrosative stress pathways. MS is including two main steps:(1) myelin sheath destruction and formation of lesions and,(2) inflammation. Four types of MS can be distinguished: relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, secondary progressive and progressive relapsing. Nine treatments have been accepted for relapsingremitting MS type: interferon b-1a, interferon b-1b, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, glatiramer acetate, fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, and alemtuzumab, however,the only treatment used is mitoxantrone for progressive MS but many of MS treatments side effects are recorded. Complementary treatments also used in MS treatments such as:vitamin D, Yoga, medicinal plants, oxygen therapy, acupuncture and reflexology.

Proteomic approach in human health and disease: Preventive and cure studies

Proteomic is a branch of science that deals with various numbers of proteins where proteins are essential human constituents.Proteomic has a lot of functions inside the human and animal living organisms.This review helps to make a thought on the importance of proteomic application in human health and disease with special reference to preventive and cure studies.The human health can be divided into physical and mental health.The physical health relates to keeping human body state in a good health and to nutritional type and environmental factors.The mental health correlates to human psychological state.The main factors that affect the status of human health are human diet,exercise and sleep.The healthy diet is very important and needs to maintain the human health.The training program exercise improves human fitness and overall health and wellness.The sleep is a vital factor to sustain the human health.The human disease indicates abnormal human condition which influences the specific human part or the whole human body.There are external and internal factors which induce human disease.The external factors include pathogens while internal factors include allergies and autoimmunity.There are 4 principle types of human diseases:(1)infectious disease,(2)deficiency disease,(3)genetic disease and(4)physiological disease.There are many and various external microbes'factors that induce human infectious disease and these agents include viruses,bacteria,fungi and protozoa.The lack of necessary and vital dietary rudiments such as vitamins and minerals is the main cause of human deficiency disease.The genetic disease is initiated by hereditary disturbances that occur in the human genetic map.The physiological disease occurs when the normal human function body is affected due to human organs become malfunction.In conclusion,proteomic plays a vital and significant role in human health and disease.