rss_2.0Sciendo RSS Feed for Asian Biomedicinehttps://sciendo.com/journal/ABMhttps://www.sciendo.comhttps://sciendo-parsed.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/6470679b83f1392090d68d25/cover-image.jpghttps://sciendo.com/journal/ABM140216https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0023<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>BCa is the most common cancer of the urinary system. TPH1 has been reported to be associated with distinct tumorigenesis. However, the role of TPH1 in BCa remains to be clarified.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objectives</title> <p>Our aim is to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of TPH1 in BCa carcinogenesis and development.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title> <p>In research, we explored the effect of TPH1 on T24 cells. Colony formation, soft agar, and cell proliferation assays were used to determine the survival and proliferative capacity of cells. Moreover, TPH1^−/− cell lines were analyzed using <italic>CRISP-CAS9</italic>, and the recovery experiment was conducted. Realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect HIF-1α mRNA levels and TPH1 protein.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>The TPH1 expression is lower in tumor tissues than in normal tissues. Colony formation, soft agar, and cell proliferation assays revealed that the overexpression of TPH1 declined cells survival. Moreover, the deficiency of TPH1 increased the number of clones. These results suggested that survival rate of TPH1 overexpression was repressed in cells. In addition, we found that HIF-1α activity was significantly downregulated with an increase in TPH1. The transcriptional activity of survivin was increased with TPH1^−/− cells. Then, the proliferative ability of TPH1^−/− cells was almost similar to the wild type levels with the treatment of LW6, TPH1 might play a major role to repress HIF-1α activity.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Taken together, these results suggested that increasing TPH1 activity could inhibit survival and proliferation of cells via HIF-1α pathway. TPH1 may be a potential target for human BCa therapy.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00232024-09-20T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0025<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>The prognosis for relapsed or refractory childhood cancer is approximately 20%. Genetic alterations are one of the significant contributing factors to the prognosis of patients.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title> <p>To investigate the molecular profile of relapsed or refractory childhood cancers in Thai cases.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title> <p>The study design is a descriptive study of patients &lt;18 years old, suspected or diagnosed of relapsed or refractory childhood cancer who underwent whole exome sequencing (WES).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>WES was successfully performed in both the tumor and the blood or saliva samples obtained from 4 unrelated patients. Six different variants were identified in the <italic>NCOR2</italic>, <italic>COL6A3</italic>, <italic>TP53</italic>, and <italic>SMAD4</italic> genes. These alterations were found to be associated with tumor aggressiveness.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title> <p>This study is the first one to demonstrate genetic alterations by using WES in relapsed or refractory childhood cancer in Thai cases.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00252024-09-20T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0021<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Chiari malformation type 1 (CM 1) entails a structural defect in the cerebellum, involving the herniation of cerebellar tonsils toward the foramen magnum. The symptomatic or asymptomatic nature of CM 1 is contingent upon the condition of malformation in the spinal cord. This review presents an updated perspective on the prevalence of CM 1, its pathogenesis, genetic associations, and treatment. CM 1 exhibits a higher prevalence in adult females than males. Despite the incomplete understanding of the exact cause of CM 1, recent research suggests the involvement of both genetic and environmental factors in its development. One of the reasons for the occurrence of CM 1 in individuals is the smaller posterior cranial fossa, which manifests as typical morphological features. Additionally, environmental factors can potentially interact with genetic factors, modifying the observable characteristics of the disease and affecting the symptoms, severity, and development of the condition. Notably, headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and neurological deficits may be exhibited by individuals with CM 1, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serves as an alternative diagnostic technique for monitoring the symptoms of CM 1. Multiple genetic factors are likely to contribute to a cascade of abnormalities in CM 1. Early studies provided evidence, including clustering within families, bone development, and co-segregation with known genetic syndromes, establishing CM 1’s association with a genetic basis. Furthermore, surgery is the only available treatment option to alleviate symptoms or hinder the progression of damage to the central nervous system (CNS) in CM 1 cases.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00212024-09-20T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0022<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>The SARS-CoV-2 virus produces severe acute respiratory syndrome. The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is determined by a number of factors, including inherited ones.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objectives</title><p>Our goal is to investigate the link between <italic>ACE2 G8790A</italic> (rs2285666) and <italic>AT2R A1675G</italic> (rs14035430) gene polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients with and without lung involvement.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title><p>A total of 160 COVID-19 patients were divided into 2 groups based on their clinical symptoms: those without lung involvement (control group) and those with lung involvement (infected group). The <italic>ACE2 G8790A</italic> and <italic>AT2R A1675G</italic> gene polymorphisms were analyzed using the PCR-RFLP methods.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>The GG genotype, G allele of <italic>ACE2 G8790A</italic>, and GG genotype of <italic>AT2R A1675G</italic> were significantly higher in the control group and had a protective effect against COVID-19 as well as decreased the development of lung involvement (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.10–0.84; OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.22–0.72; and OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14–0.78, respectively). Moreover, we found that the AA genotype, A allele of <italic>ACE2 G8790A</italic>, and AG genotype of <italic>AT2R A1675G</italic> increased the risk of COVID-19 in the infected group (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.18–10.3; OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.39–4.48; and OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.28–7.38, respectively).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>These results revealed that a greater frequency of COVID-19 lung involvement in the Turkish population was connected with the AA genotype, the A allele of <italic>ACE2 G8790A</italic>, and the AG genotype of <italic>AT2R A1675G</italic>.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00222024-09-20T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0024<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Data about prediction of left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD)/three-vessel disease (TVD) in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) are lacking.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objectives</title> <p>This study aimed to develop a model for predicting patients at risk of LMCAD/TVD.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title> <p>This study used retrospective data from patients with CCS scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and who were retrospectively recruited between January 2018 and December 2020. Predictors were obtained and analyzed by using logistic regression analysis, and generated the prediction score. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. The cut-off value and area under the curve (AUC) were analyzed by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>We recruited 162 patients with CCS. There were 75 patients in the non-LMCAD/TVD and 87 patients in the LMCAD/TVD groups. After the multivariate analysis, new onset of heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and suspected CAD, ST elevation (STE) in aVR, STE in V₁ and lateral ST depression (STD) were associated with increased risk of LMCAD/TVD. Based on these 4 predictors, the prediction score was created. The cut-off value of the prediction score by using ROC curve analysis was 3.0. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 71.26%, 86.67%, 86.11%, and 72.22%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.855.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>The CCS patients with new onset of HF or LVSD and suspected CAD, STE in aVR, and STE in V₁ and lateral STD were associated with increased risk of LMCAD/TVD. The novel prediction score could predict LMCAD/TVD in those patients with acceptable sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00242024-09-20T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0020ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00202024-09-20T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0017<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>The antioxidant system in a preterm neonate is premature. The imbalance between the prooxidant and antioxidant systems can make these neonates prone to oxidative stress. Birth asphyxia is one of the factors that can disturb this balance.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title><p>We studied the prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) in the diagnosis and developmental prognosis of preterm neonates with asphyxia.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title><p>This cohort study has been conducted between 2016 and 2022 with 2 years follow-up on 183 premature neonates admitted to Ghaem Hospital Mashhad, by using a convenience sampling method. The data-collection tool and the researcher-made checklist included the mothers' and the neonate's information, and the third segment included laboratory information. PAB was studied by using standard solutions and the Enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) method. After discharging the newborns from the hospital, they were under follow-up at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months, by using the Denver II test. PAB was compared among newborns with asphyxia, those without asphyxia, and also newborns with normal and abnormal outcomes in both groups.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>The mean ± standard deviation of the PAB factor reported is as follows: in newborns without asphyxia (21.00 ± 18.14 HK), those with asphyxia (31.00 ± 45.42 HK), in newborns with asphyxia having abnormal outcomes (40.00 ± 60.84 HK), and those having normal outcomes (21.00 ± 18.67 HK) (<italic>P</italic> ≤ 0.05). PAB results &gt;25 HK have been used for the diagnosis of asphyxia prognosis in newborns, with 83.3% sensitivity and 81% specificity.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title><p>The PAB index showed a significant increase after asphyxia. It can be used as a diagnostic marker for the prognosis of premature newborns with asphyxia. Thus, diagnosis and prognosis of asphyxia in premature newborns can be predicted by using the PAB index.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00172024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0015<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Immunosuppressive medications play a pivotal role in kidney transplantation, and the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), including cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (TAC), are considered as the backbone of maintenance immunosuppressive regimens. Since the introduction of CNIs in kidney transplantation, the incidence of acute rejection has decreased, and allograft survival has improved significantly. However, CNI nephrotoxicity has been a major concern, believed to heavily impact long-term allograft survival and function. To address this concern, several CNI-sparing regimens were developed and studied in randomized, controlled, clinical trials, aiming to reduce CNI exposure and preserve long-term allograft function. However, more recent information has revealed that CNI nephrotoxicity is not the primary cause of late allograft failure, and its histopathology is neither specific nor pathognomonic. In this review, we discuss the historical development of maintenance immunosuppressive regimens in kidney transplantation, covering the early era of transplantation, the CNI-sparing era, and the current era where the alloimmune response, rather than CNI nephrotoxicity, appears to be the major contributor to late allograft failure. Our goal is to provide a chronological overview of the development of maintenance immunosuppressive regimens and summarize the most recent information for clinicians caring for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00152024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0018<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) caused by <italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</italic> commonly presents with the classic triad of polyarthritis, tenosynovitis, and dermatitis. There is no clinical and microbiological data of DGI in Thailand.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title><p>To study the clinical features, outcomes of treatments, and antimicrobial susceptibility data of DGI patients.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title><p>All medical records of DGI patients at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) from January 2002 through September 2019 were reviewed and analyzed. The patients were defined as definite DGI (the clinical features and the evidence of gonococcal infection) and probable DGI (clinical features with response to treatment with third-generation cephalosporins and with no evidence of gonococcal infection).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>There were 41 patients (27 definite and 14 probable DGI), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.4 and median age of 30 years. The middle-age and elderly group accounted for 20% of the patients. The clinical features were fever (90.27%), arthritis (92.7%), tenosynovitis (63.4%), and genitourinary symptoms (29.3%). The most common pattern of joint involvement was oligoarthritis (52.6%). The majority of the patients had good clinical outcomes, while complications occurred in 4.8% of the patients including osteomyelitis and pyomyositis. All 19 antimicrobial-susceptibility results were susceptible to ceftriaxone.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>During the past 2 decades in KCMH, the age of the DGI patients tends to be older, and there is no gender difference as in the historical studies. The clinical features are still similar to the previous studies. The majority of the patients had good clinical outcomes. There is no case of ceftriaxone-resistant <italic>N. gonorrhoeae</italic>.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00182024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0014ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00142024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0013ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00132024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0016<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>Catheter-related candidemia (CRC) is a serious catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) caused by <italic>Candida</italic> spp., with higher mortality than CRBSIs caused by other organisms.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title><p>To identify the risk factors for <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI. The clinical characteristics of 297 patients with CRBSI in a local hospital from January 2007 to June 2015 were collected, including 33 <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI and 264 non-<italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Method</title><p>The associations of <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI with the clinical variables were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>Multivariate analysis showed that glucocorticoid use (odds ratio [OR] = 10.313, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.032–52.330, <italic>P</italic> = 0.005) and parenteral nutrition (OR = 5.400, 95% CI = 0.472–61.752, <italic>P</italic> = 0.0175) were independent risk factors for <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI. The most prevalent species were <italic>Candida tropicalis</italic> (42.4%) and <italic>Candida albicans</italic> (36.36%). Of the 33 <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI cases, 31 (93.93%) had indwelling central venous catheters (CVC) for ≥14 d. The mortality of <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI was remarkably higher than that of bacteria CRBSI. Patients with timely catheter removal and appropriate antifungal treatment had dramatically increased 28-d survival compared with those with untimely catheter removal + inappropriate antifungal treatment (88.89% vs. 0, <italic>P</italic> = 0.006).</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title><p>The study identified glucocorticoid use and parenteral nutrition as independent risk factors for <italic>Candida</italic> CRBSI. The outcome of candidemia was associated with the duration of CVC indwelling and antifungal treatment.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00162024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0019<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>During breast cancer treatment, approximately half of the patients are prescribed psychotropic medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram oxalate is an SSRI used as an antidepressant.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objectives</title><p>In this study, by creating a breast cancer microenvironment with THP-1, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer co-culture models were created.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title><p>MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and THP-1 cell lines to determine the concentration range of the cytotoxic effect of escitalopram oxalate MTS and MTT test were used. IC₅₀ values were determined by the xCELLigence real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system. Apoptotic activities and cytokine levels were determined by flow cytometry.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>In the xCELLigence real-time analysis made according to the results, the IC₅₀ value of escitalopram oxalate was measured as 13.7 μM for MCF-7 and 10.9 μM for MDA-MB-231. The IC₅₀ value was measured as 54.6 μM for MCF-7 and 58.4 μM for MDA-MB-231 in xCELLigence analysis with tamoxifen. According to the MTS test results, the IC₅₀ value of tamoxifen for THP-1 was 92.03 μM and the IC₅₀ value for escitalopram oxalate was 95.32 μM. In the co-culture model, the immunological effects of escitalopram oxalate on MCF-7 cells were 2.8%, 11.1%, 15.6%, 10.6%, and 12.1% for interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α, respectively, while MDA effects on MB-231 cells, respectively, were 2.1%, 15.9%, 16.2%, 8.8%, and 11.8%.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title><p>According to the results obtained, it was concluded that the immunological effects of escitalopram oxalate are more effective than tamoxifen and that it can be used as an adjunctive agent in breast cancer treatment.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00192024-06-28T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0011<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Thailand has been administering the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment for &gt;20 years. Due to limited resources being available, efforts have been directed toward utilizing rhGH at the lowest feasible dose. However, there is currently a lack of evidence in terms of the efficacy and outcomes.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title> <p>To evaluate the auxological outcomes of growth hormone (GH) treatment and the GH secretion ability after reaching final adult height (FAH) and discontinuing rhGH.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title> <p>Data of 40 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics, auxological data, and results of biochemical and endocrine investigations before and during rhGH treatment were evaluated. In addition, GH retesting was performed in 24 patients using the insulin tolerance test.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>Twenty patients (50%) had complete growth hormone deficiency (GHD), defined as peak stimulated GH level &lt;5 ng/mL, and the remaining patients had partial GHD. Most patients were male (n = 25, 62.5%). The mean age at which rhGH was initiated was 8.9 years. Patients with partial GHD received a higher dose of rhGH than those with complete GHD (30.9 µg/kg/d vs. 26.2 µg/kg/d, <italic>P</italic> = 0.02). Patients with complete and partial GHD reached FAH at height standard deviation scores (SDSs) of −0.65 and −1.47, respectively. The factors associated with obtaining a good clinical response in terms of height gain included peak-stimulated GH level, age of puberty, and age of discontinuing rhGH. After completing the rhGH treatment, 13 of the 24 patients showed normal GH secretion. Patients with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) were likely to have persistent GHD through adulthood (n = 8, 88.9%).</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title> <p>This study has demonstrated that the use of low-dose rhGH could result in healthy populations achieving optimal FAHs. Patients with MPHD might not require retesting as they were likely to have persistent GHD. The results obtained in this research highlight the benefits of the treatment. This treatment can be applied in resource-limited countries.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00112024-04-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0008<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The diagnostic approach for patients with tremor is challenging due to the complex and overlapping phenotypes among tremor syndromes. The first step in the evaluation of tremor is to identify the tremulous movement and exclude the tremor mimics. The second step is to classify the tremor syndrome based on the characteristics of tremor from historical clues and focused examination (Axis 1). Comprehensive tremor examinations involve the assessment of tremor in different conditions (rest, action or mixed, position or task-specific), distribution of tremor (upper limb, lower limb, head, jaw), positive signs for functional tremor (FT) if suspected (distractibility, entrainment, co-contraction), and associated neurological signs including parkinsonism, dystonic posture, cerebellar/brainstem signs, neuropathy, and cognitive impairment. A pivotal feature in this step is to determine any distinct feature of a specific isolated or combined tremor syndrome. In this review, we propose an algorithm to assess upper limb tremors. Ancillary testing should be performed if clinical evaluation is unclear. The choice of investigation depends on the types of tremors considered to narrow down the spectrum of etiology (Axis 2). Laboratory blood tests are considered for acute onset and acute worsening of tremors, while structural neuroimaging is indicated in unilateral tremors with acute onset, nonclassical presentations, and a combination of neurological symptoms. Neurophysiological study is an important tool that aids in distinguishing between tremor and myoclonus, etiology of tremor and document specific signs of FT. Treatment is mainly symptomatic based depending on the etiology of the tremor and the patient’s disabilities.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00082024-04-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0010<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>The triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype, characterized by loss of HER2, estrogen, and progesterone receptors, displays aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis compared to other BC subtypes. Since the TNBC cells are devoid of receptors, endocrine therapy is an ineffective option for TNBC patients, necessitating canonical chemotherapy strategies to treat TNBC. It is crucial to use alternative and natural agents to support chemotherapy in TNBC.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objectives</title> <p>To clarify the molecular mechanism of the tumorigenic effects of gambogic acid (GA) on TNBC cells with different epithelial character since GA has a wide spectrum of anticancer activity for most cancer types.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title> <p>We determined the cytotoxic dose of GA incubation of TNBC cells (MDA-MB-231 and BT-20 cells) for 24 h. We performed the MTT test and toluidine blue (TB) staining protocol for TNBC cells. We analyzed E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Bax, and neuroserpin mRNAs in both cells by qPCR. We evaluated apoptosis using DAPI staining and assessed the ROS using the 2ʹ,7ʹ-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) method.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>We determined the IC₅₀ concentrations of GA in MDA-MB-231 and BT-20 cells to be 315.8 nM and 441.8 nM, respectively. TB staining showed that BT-20 cells survive at excessive cytotoxic doses of GA, while most of the MDA-MB-231 cells were killed. Also, we found that BT-20 cells are more resistant to GA-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress than the MDA-MB-231 cells. qPCR results showed that GA upregulated neuroserpin, an oxidative stress-relieving factor in the BT-20 cells, but not in the MDA-MB-231 cells.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>The elevated level of neuroserpin could be a predictive marker to determine the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00102024-04-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0012<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>Wolffian tumors in females are rare gynecological neoplasms, with fewer than 100 cases reported. Existing literature primarily focuses on the pathology, and reports involving imaging are limited.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title> <p>This study presents a case of Wolffian tumor, emphasizing its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics to enhance preoperative diagnostic accuracy.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Case report</title> <p>A 56-year-old woman presented with a year-long history of irregular vaginal bleeding. MRI revealed a solid mass in the right adnexal region. On T2-weighted images, the mass exhibited slightly elevated signal intensity with a distinctive low-signal intensity rim. Diffusion-weighted imaging displayed markedly increased signal intensity, and the contrast enhancement was moderate. The patient underwent laparoscopic right adnexectomy and received a Wolffian tumor diagnosis. No recurrence was observed during a 6-month follow-up.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>Wolffian tumors exhibit distinctive MRI presentations. Notably, the prominent low-signal intensity rim on MRI may aid in accurate preoperative tumor diagnosis.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00122024-04-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0007ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00072024-04-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0009<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title> <p>The early diagnosis and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma may benefit from specific tumor markers to be used in clinical practice.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objectives</title> <p>To investigate whether the pGCsiRNA-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can affect the onset and progression of cholangiocarcinoma and its possible mechanism using the targeted therapy of nude mouse model of cholangiocarcinoma with attenuated <italic>Salmonella</italic> carrying the plasmid pGCsiRNA-VEGF.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title> <p>The nude mouse model of cholangiocarcinoma was established by tail vein injection of QBC939 cells and given attenuated <italic>Salmonella</italic> carrying the plasmid pGCsiRNA-VEGF. One month later, the tumor volume of nude mice was observed, and the tumor growth curve was plotted. The harvested tumors were weighed and detected for tissue structural changes and cell death status by hematoxylin–eosin staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of VEGF, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and MMP9 were detected by Western blotting and PCR, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title> <p>The tumor volume and weight of the pGCsiRNA-VEGF group were significantly smaller than those of the mock and the si-scramble groups (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). The expressions of VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9 at the transcriptional and translational levels were inhibited by pGCsiRNA-VEGF. PGCsiRNA-VEGF promoted tissue apoptosis and destroyed the tissue structure.</p> </sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title> <p>In vivo silencing of VEGF can affect cell survival and inhibit cell migration, invasion, and development, probably by enhancing apoptosis and inhibiting the expressions of MMP2 and MMP9.</p> </sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00092024-04-30T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-0003<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title><p>Hearing loss is a common sensorineural dysfunction with a high incidence in China. Although genetic factors are important causes of hearing loss, hearing-related gene detection has not been widely adopted in China.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title><p>Establishing a rapid and efficient method to simultaneously detect hotspot hearing loss gene mutations.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title><p>A reverse dot blot assay combined with a flow-through hybridization technique was developed for the simultaneous detection of 13 hotspot mutations of 4 hearing loss–related genes including <italic>GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4,</italic> and the mitochondrial gene <italic>MT-RNR1</italic>. This method involved PCR amplification systems and a hybridization platform.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title><p>The technique can detect 13 hotspot mutations of 4 hearing loss–related genes. And a total of 213 blood samples were used to evaluate the availability of this method.</p></sec> <sec><title style='display:none'>Discussion</title><p>Our reverse dot blot assay was a simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective method to identify hotspot mutations of 4 hearing loss–related genes in a Chinese population.</p></sec> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/abm-2024-00032024-03-20T00:00:00.000+00:00en-us-1