BioMed Research International最新文献

Background: Considering the role of a healthy diet in preventing atherogenesis, the use of beetroot as a functional food with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-dyslipidemic effects due to its high nitrate content and bioactive compounds is one of the interesting approaches in coronary artery disease (CAD), a common worldwide chronic disease.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that was conducted on 90 male (67.8%) and female (32.2%) chronic patients with CAD for 4 weeks. This secondary analysis investigated the effect of beetroot capsules within three groups on fatty acid profile, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase.

Results: In subjects with 4 weeks of beetroot consumption, significant changes in the level of SFAs/PUFAs (-130 μg/mL, p = 0.04), PA/OA (-250 μg/mL, p = 0.02), and MPO (-9.60 U/L, p < 0.01) were established. In beetroot-vitamin C group, docosahexaenoic acid (9.3 μg/mL, p < 0.01), omega 3 (31 μg/mL, p < 0.001), EPA + DHA (10 μg/mL, p < 0.01), SFAs/PUFAs (-370 μg/mL, p < 0.001), PA/OA (-360 μg/mL, p < 0.001), TOS (-1.42 μM, p < 0.01), and MPO (-12.42 U/L, p < 0.001) had notable changes.

Conclusion: Beetroot capsule consumption had favorable effects on serum omega 3 fatty acids as well as TOS and MPO, the oxidant and atherogenesis factors.

Objective: This study is aimed at investigating the association between sleep duration and visual impairment, as well as its relationship with major eye diseases, using data from a large-scale population-based survey.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of visual impairment and major eye conditions among 5231 individuals aged 40 and older, utilizing data from the NHANES 2005-2008 survey. Sleep duration was categorized as short (< 7 h), normal (7-9 h), and long (> 9 h). Visual impairment was defined as corrected visual acuity < 20/40, and major eye diseases included cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, any retinopathy, any ocular disease, and any objectively determined ocular disease. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess associations between sleep duration, visual impairment, and major eye diseases. Stratified analyses were further conducted based on diabetes and hypertension status.

Results: The long sleep group demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of vision impairment, cataract surgery, glaucoma, as well as any ocular disease and any objectively determined ocular disease compared to the normal and short sleep groups (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, long sleep duration was significantly associated with visual impairment (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.09-5.49, p = 0.035), glaucoma (OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.06-10.8, p = 0.042), and any objectively determined ocular disease (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.08-4.65, p = 0.035). No significant associations were found between short sleep duration and visual impairment or major eye diseases after controlling for confounders. In the nondiabetic population, long sleep was significantly related to glaucoma, any objectively determined ocular disease, and visual impairment. Among hypertensive patients, long sleep was associated with glaucoma.

Conclusion: Long sleep duration is independently associated with visual impairment, glaucoma, and any objectively determined ocular disease. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate current results and explore causal mechanisms.

Background: Listeria aquatica FSL S10-1188 is a freshwater bacterium characterized by distinctive metabolic properties and a genome enriched in hypothetical proteins (HPs). Although it is not considered pathogenic, its genomic features and aquatic habitat raise concerns about potential involvement in horizontal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene transfer.

Methods: The genome of L. aquatica FSL S10-1188 (GenBank Accession: CP011539.1) contains 2789 predicted proteins that were initially screened. From these, 919 HPs were prioritized based on sequence length (> 50 amino acids), physicochemical stability assessed using ProtParam, and consistent subcellular localization predictions from CELLO, PSORTb, and PSLpred. Among these, two stable cytoplasmic, HPs EUJ18943.1 and EUJ18676.1, were selected for comprehensive characterization. Functional insights were explored through BLASTp, secondary structure prediction, and 3D structural modeling using AlphaFold3. Model quality was validated using multiple tools including SAVES v6.0 and QMEANDisCo. Virulence potential was predicted via VICMpred, VirulentPred, and DeepVF. Putative ligand-binding sites were identified using PrankWeb, and molecular docking analyses were conducted using ProBiS for ligand prediction and AutoDock to evaluate ligand-binding affinity.

Results: EUJ18943.1 (136 aa) and EUJ18676.1 (206 aa) are stable, hydrophilic proteins with acidic isoelectric points. BLASTp identified EUJ18943.1 as homologous to Imm48 immunity proteins and EUJ18676.1 as a GyrI-like detoxification protein. Both showed alpha-helix-rich secondary structures, with high-confidence AlphaFold3 models (pTM scores: 0.87 and 0.94). Structural validation confirmed the model quality. Virulence prediction tools classified both as potential virulence factors. Active sites were predicted by PrankWeb and ProBiS, identifying kanamycin A (score: 2.32) and streptomycin (score: 2.10) as top ligands. AutoDock v4.5.6 revealed strong binding affinities (Δ G = -7.17 and - 4.30 kcal/mol, respectively).

Conclusion: This study provides the first in silico structural and functional characterization of two HPs from L. aquatica FSL S10-1188, suggesting roles in stress response and virulence. These findings highlight their potential in AMR gene transfer and demonstrate the importance of computational annotation for guiding future experimental validation.

Background: Efficient analysis of patient histories is essential for dental treatment planning. Electronic health records (EHRs) facilitate the immediate identification of risk factors, such as medication allergies and sensitivities to dental materials, thereby reducing the risk of medical errors.

Objective: This study is aimed at comparing the effectiveness of an EHR interface with traditional paper medical records (PMRs) in evaluating the medical histories of dental patients.

Methods: Two hundred patient records were randomly assigned to either the PMR or EHR group. Twenty dental students reviewed the records and reported the planned dental procedure for each patient. Recording and reporting times, as well as the number of oversights, were measured for both groups.

Results: Students using EHRs identified critical systemic conditions more rapidly and with greater accuracy, with no oversights detected. In contrast, students using PMRs required more time and were more likely to overlook important health information. The mean number of oversights in the PMR group was significantly higher (9.3 ± 0.46, p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion: The use of EHRs in dental practice significantly improves the identification of critical systemic conditions, enhances patient safety, and increases clinical efficiency. Despite the benefits, the high costs of software acquisition, staff training, and technical support may pose challenges to widespread adoption.

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.