BioMed Research International最新文献

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the foremost cause of morbidity and mortality globally, posing a significant threat to human health. The regulatory mechanisms underlying CVD are still not fully elucidated. MicroRNA (miRNA), a class of noncoding short-chain RNA molecules, modulates individual genes or gene networks by binding to the complementary sequences of specific target genes, thereby influencing various biological processes including cell genesis, metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Among these, miR-138 plays a significant role in the onset and progression of CVDs. This article reviews the involvement of miR-138 in various cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis (AS), myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R), heart failure (HF), and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), thereby offering novel insights for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVDs.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the potential mechanisms of Andrographis paniculata in treating influenza using network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches.

Methods: The active components of A. paniculata were identified through the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database (TCMSP), and potential targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. Gene targets associated with influenza were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Venny 2.1.0 was used to create a Venn diagram to determine overlapping targets between A. paniculata and influenza. A "drug-component-target" interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.2. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed with STRING 12.0 and visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted via the DAVID database, and the results were visualized using an online bioinformatics platform. Molecular docking was performed between major components and core targets using AutoDock 4.2.6 software.

Results: A total of 24 active components of A. paniculata were identified, yielding 646 predicted drug targets, 1876 influenza-associated gene targets, and 176 intersecting targets. GO enrichment analysis revealed 919 terms, primarily related to inflammatory responses and protein phosphorylation. KEGG analysis identified 173 enriched pathways, notably those related to lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and cancer. The principal active compounds demonstrated strong binding affinities with the core targets.

Conclusion: A. paniculata may exert therapeutic effects against influenza by acting on core targets, such as TNF, IL-6, AKT1, GAPDH, and STAT3. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of influenza.

Background: Patients with chronic medical and mental illnesses are more vulnerable to poor sleep quality. However, there is little aggregated evidence about poor sleep quality among this population and its determinants in Ethiopia. This study was aimed at assessing the pooled prevalence of sleep quality and its determinants among patients with chronic diseases in Ethiopia.

Methods: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to write this review. Primary articles were retrieved from PubMed, PsycINFO, Hinari, ScienceDirect, African Journal Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar databases. A random-effects model was applied for analysis. I ², Cochran's, and tau² were checked to determine the degree of heterogeneity between the included studies. Egger's test and sensitivity analysis were conducted to check publication bias.

Results: The pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality among patients with chronic medical and mental illnesses was 53.12% (95% CI: 47.66, 58.58). Eight factors were associated with poor sleep quality: advanced age (POR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07), female sex (POR = 2.95, 95% CI: 2.21, 3.93), social support (POR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.90, 3.61), substance use (POR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.51, 2.04), anxiety symptoms (POR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.40, 3.56), comorbidity (POR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.83, 3.33), sleep hygiene practice (POR: 2.86, 95% CI: 2.02, 4.04), and depression symptoms (POR = 3.73, 95% CI: 2.96, 4.69).

Conclusion and recommendation: More than half of patients with chronic diseases experienced poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality was connected with advanced age, female sex, substance use, having comorbidity, inadequate social support and sleep hygiene practices, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Substance use should be restricted, and patients with chronic mental and medical illnesses should be counseled to avoid substance use. Moreover, special focus should be given to female patients, patients with other comorbid conditions, elderly individuals, and those who have poor sleep hygiene and social support. Lastly, patients with chronic medical and mental illnesses should be screened for anxiety and depression symptoms.

Objective: Urinary tract infections are the most common bacterial infections encountered in clinical practice. Among the pathogens responsible, bacteria of the Klebsiella spp. are the second most frequently isolated uropathogenic agents worldwide. These bacteria are constantly evolving, both epidemiologically and in terms of the development of antimicrobial resistance. In Central Africa, available data on the spread of Klebsiella spp. are mainly derived from isolated studies, making it difficult to obtain an overview of their epidemiology in the subregion. Consequently, these systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed at estimating the pooled prevalence of urinary tract infections in Central Africa and to describe the epidemiology of the Klebsiella spp. strains responsible for these infections.

Methods: Relevant articles were searched in the SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The study selection process was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA flowchart recommendations. Systematic review and meta-analysis were used to summarize data on urinary tract infections. Prevalence was determined and visualized using a forest plot with R software Version 4.4.1. Also, finally, geographical mapping of the data distribution was carried out using QGIS software (Version 3.34.15-Prizren).

Result: Out of all the articles retrieved, 34 studies were deemed eligible for this analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of urinary tract infections in Central Africa was estimated at 28% (95% IC: 28, 29). The overall isolation rate of Klebsiella spp. responsible for urinary tract infections was 12% (95% IC: 11, 12). Analysis of the distribution of Klebsiella spp. isolation rates in urinary tract infections across Central Africa revealed variability by country, ranging from 10% to 25%. The species Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated, present in 96.15% of the studies. Furthermore, Klebsiella spp. strains responsible for urinary tract infections were predominantly identified in females, with an overall isolation rate of 82.23%, compared to 17.77% in males.

Celiac disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two disorders that share common features, such as similar symptoms and autoimmune involvement. However, the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis remain unclear. An in silico systems biology approach was performed to analyze the RNA-seq (GSE146190 and GSE166869) and microarray data (GSE164883 and GSE63379) of both diseases. Gene ontology was first identified, followed by transcriptional factors and miRNAs that regulate the mutual genes by Enrichr platform. Moreover, a protein-protein interaction network of the shared genes was constructed, and the hub genes were identified using Network Analyst and Cytoscape. Finally, the tertiary structure of the most significant hub gene product was downloaded and screened against approved drugs using DrupRep server for drug repurposing. Four hundred thirty-nine shared genes between CD and IBS were revealed, which were mainly involved in response to stimulus, proliferation regulation, metabolism of small molecules, and apoptosis. RARG, NFE2L2, VDR, NCOA1, and RXRA were the top five transcription factors that regulated these genes, whereas hsa-miR-4632-3p, hsa-miR-598-5p, hsa-miR-7108-3p, and hsa-miR-29b-3p were the top five miRNAs. SRC, STAT1, CCNB1, CDK1, CD44, RRM2, ERBB2, BUB1B, KIF11, and TOP2A were ranked as the Top 10 hub genes by the PPI network analysis. Temoporfin, rimegepant, and eltrombopag were suggested as the top three lead candidates by the virtual screening against SRC with binding affinities of -11.1, 10.9, and -10.8 kcal/mol, respectively. These drugs are potential SRC inhibitors that warrant further experimental validation. Novel insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms of CD and IBS and new therapeutic avenues for these disorders were provided by this study.

Background: Anthrax, a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, exerts considerable health consequences in resource-limited regions and is notably prevalent in India, causing persistent outbreaks that pose major animal and public health challenges. This study reviews the spatiotemporal patterns of human and animal anthrax outbreaks in India to identify high-risk areas and assess the correlation with environmental factors.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search covering the period from 1990 to 2022 was conducted across various databases including CAB Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, alongside Indian government databases like the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the National Animal Disease Referral Expert System (NADRES). We extracted data from studies published in English, using predefined keywords, and evaluated them using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Data analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and EpiInfo, with spatial mapping in ArcGIS Pro.

Results: Out of the 423 studies reviewed, 44 fulfilled our inclusion criteria, providing data on 174 human outbreaks (1778 cases, 130 fatalities) and 1775 animal outbreaks (7818 deaths). We identified key hotspots for human anthrax in West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, and significant hotspots for animal anthrax in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Majority of human outbreaks were reported between March and June, whereas the majority of animal outbreaks were reported between June and September. A strong correlation was observed between rainfall and animal outbreaks in the eastern region (correlation coefficient of 0.94).

Conclusion: The study highlights key hotspots for human and animal anthrax and discrepancies in human and animal anthrax reporting and gaps in surveillance. There is a critical need for enhanced One Health surveillance and animal anthrax vaccination programs for effective management and mitigate the disease. These strategies are essential not only for public health and livestock welfare in India but also for global health security.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2020/4914707.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/7626405.].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2015/856349.].

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, causing chronic pain and infertility. Hypoxia plays a significant role in the progression of endometriosis.

Methods: We performed bioinformatics analysis on GEO datasets to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in endometriosis, using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA)and GeneCards for hypoxia-related genes. Machine learning models identified key hub genes. CCK-8, EdU, and Transwell assays assessed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Molecular docking was performed to investigate the interactions between the drug and the protein.

Results: In the GEO dataset analysis, 2834 DEGs were identified. Using WGCNA, a green module strongly correlated with endometriosis was identified. Intersecting this module with the hypoxia-related genes resulted in the selection of 449 key genes. Machine learning models, including support vector machines (SVMs), were employed to identify hypoxia-related DEGs with significant predictive value. LASSO and SVM-RFE were used to refine this list, ultimately selecting six hub genes: DDR2, ENO3, ESM1, NMBR, PRKAB1, and PRPF19. Validation with an independent dataset confirmed DDR2 as a promising diagnostic biomarker. Functional assays demonstrated that DDR2 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in the endometriosis cell lines VK2/E6E7 and 12Z. DDR2, a receptor tyrosine kinase, mediates extracellular matrix remodeling and cell invasion under hypoxia. By interacting with collagen and HIFs, DDR2 activates pathways that promote MMP secretion, angiogenesis, and migration, facilitating endometriotic cell progression in the hypoxic microenvironment. Molecular docking identified key amino acids near DDR2's binding pocket that form hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and π-stacking with baicalein, cavidine, sitogluside, and stigmasterol, further supporting DDR2's potential as a therapeutic target.

Conclusion: DDR2 is a key hypoxia-related gene in endometriosis and a promising diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker.