This study was to determine the frequency of HPV-hr and describe the distribution by categories (HPV16, HPV18, HPV-hr non16/18) among unvaccinated asymptomatic women in Peru over a 6-year period (2013-2018). In addition, the disease clearance rate is assessed in a percentage of cases. Of the 6,665 samples, 2,240 (33.6%) tested positive for HPV. Among the positive cases, single-genotype infections were caused by HPV-16 (14.8%), followed by HPV-18 (2.2%) and clustered high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes (66.7%). Multiple HPV-16 infections were more common than HPV-18 infections. In addition, 22 cases (1%) presented with infection with HPV-16, HPV-18, and HR-HPV genotypes. A subset of 116 samples from patients with 1 to 2 years of follow-up was analyzed further. Clearance rates were high, at 68.8% for HPV-16 infections and 67.5% for HR-HPV infections. However, the elimination rate of multiple infections with HPV-16 and HR-HPV genotypes was slightly lower, at 55.6%.

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal malignancies. The connection between parasitic infections and cancer development has become an interesting subject. This study evaluates the impact of Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) excretory-secretory (ES) antigens on various cellular processes, including cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and the expression of markers such as SOX-9, β-catenin, CD44, and CD133 in A549 lung cancer cells. F. hepatica was collected from sheep livers, washed, and cultured in RPMI medium for ES antigens preparation. A549 lung cancer cells were cultured and treated with varying concentrations of ES antigens. The cytotoxic effects of ES antigens on A549 cells were assessed with the MTT test. Apoptosis, necrosis, cell cycle, and ROS levels were quantified using flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was used to analyse the expression levels of SOX-9, β-catenin, CD44, and CD133 genes. The protein concentration of the antigens was between 60 and 270µg/ml after 24 and 48h. The MTT cytotoxicity assay revealed a complex dose-dependent relationship between F. hepatica ES antigens and cancer cell viability. Lower concentrations (45 to 150µg/mL) of these antigens were associated with decreased cancer cell viability, whereas higher concentrations (165 to 240µg/mL) unexpectedly enhanced cell survival. Treatment with 60, 90, and 255µg/mL of ES antigen enhanced apoptosis, whereas 135 and 195µg/mL reduced apoptosis rates compared with the control group. There was a significant reduction in the population of cells at the S phase of the cell cycle at 135 and 195µg/mL of ES antigen. In comparison, an increase in the population of cells in the S phase was observed at 255µg/mL, suggesting that antigen concentration affects cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Some concentrations (195 and 255µg/mL) of ES antigen were associated with increased expression of stem cell markers, including CD133, SOX9, and β-catenin. Notably, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed across all concentrations. F.hepatica ES antigens may play a dual role in lung cancer cells. These antigens may possess properties that might potentially protect cancer cells from apoptosis. Conversely, in different doses, the antigens may induce cytotoxic effects, increasing cell death. This controversial data highlights the complexity of F. hepatica antigen interactions with cancer cells, which may be related to time and dose-dependency of their antigen treatment.

ObjectiveThe Clitoria ternate flowers are widely used for its anthocyanin pigmentation. However, the flowers’ colour ranges from white to light blue to deep blue, purple or even pink. The butterfly pea flower colours are known to be influenced by variety and not environmental factors. Despite its interest there is a lack of understanding of the level of gene expression between varieties, in producing blue and white butterfly pea flowers. Hence, transcriptome assembly of genes expressed in different butterfly pea flowers and subsequent understanding of the key genes will help in increasing the pigments accordingly.Data descriptionAn RNA library was generated from RNA extracted from three different sources of flower petals as in white, light blue and dark blue butterfly pea flowers and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq Platform. These data sets were then used to produce and assemble the first transcriptome assembly based on Clitoria ternate or commonly known as butterfly pea, paving way for anthocyanin related gene identification.

Plant-derived environmental DNA (eDNA) considerably improved our ability to study terrestrial arthropod communities. However, bee pollinators are still underrepresented in eDNA analyses. Here we designed several PCR primers based on previously published primers, to enrich insect eDNA from plant-derived eDNA. We validate the primers with a focus on their utility to reconstruct pollinator communities, particularly bees. We tested our primers using mock communities of different bee species and field collected flower eDNA samples. All our primers are highly promising to enrich insect eDNA from plant material. They recovered all bee species from the mock communities and approximated their relative abundance. Moreover, we found highly diverse insect communities from field-collected samples using the new primers. Interestingly, the original, unmodified primer performed, for the small dataset we analysed, slightly better for recovering bees compared to the ones designed by us especially for bees. Combining all primers seems to be the most effective. Our study highlights the great promise of eDNA metabarcoding for the monitoring of plant associated insects, especially bees. Each of the primer sets tested show similar results in bee and arthropod community diversity making them a good choice for monitoring arthropods and especially bee pollinators.

This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt the Cognitive Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients into Thai (T-CASP). It is also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties, including validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy, for detecting post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) among patients with non-aphasic stroke. A total of 66 stroke patients from a neurology clinic completed the Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and T-CASP. All participants scored above the cutoff on the TMSE; therefore, the MoCA was used as the reference instrument. T-CASP scores showed a strong positive correlation with the MoCA (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Internal consistency of the original T-CASP was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.67) and improved after removal of items C2 (Comprehension) and C4 (Drawing a picture series) (Cronbach's α = 0.72). Test-retest reliability was excellent for both the original version (ICC = 0.89) and the modified version excluding items C2 and C4 (ICC = 0.87). Both versions demonstrated high diagnostic performance, with sensitivity of 79.5% and 72.7%, specificity of 95.5% and 99.5%, and area under the ROC curve values of 0.87 and 0.84, respectively. Taken together, these findings suggest that the T-CASP shows promise as a screening tool for PSCI in Thai patients.

Magrolimab (ONO-7913) is an anti-cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) monoclonal antibody. This was a phase 1, open-label, uncontrolled, dose-escalation study that assessed the tolerability and safety of intravenous magrolimab (priming dose: 1 mg/kg; maintenance dose: 20 mg/kg [Cohort 1] or 30 mg/kg [Cohort 2]; 28-day treatment cycle) in Japanese adult patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced or metastatic solid tumors, ≥ 1 measurable lesion, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 0–1, and an expected survival ≥ 3 months. Seven patients were enrolled and received magrolimab (Cohort 1, n = 4; Cohort 2, n = 3) with the median follow-up of 170.0 (34–491) days. All 7 patients discontinued the magrolimab monotherapy, and 4 (57.1%) patients completed the study as per the protocol. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in both cohorts, and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. All patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) but not any serious adverse events, TEAEs leading to treatment discontinuation or interruption, or TEAE-related deaths. No complete or partial responses occurred, while the disease control rate was 42.9% (best overall response: stable disease, n = 3; disease progression, n = 3; not evaluable, n = 1). Magrolimab was well tolerated in Japanese patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Trial registration: NCT04403308, submitted on May 21, 2020.

Cognitive health in the elderly is linked to modifiable factors, including nutrition-related elements such as obesity, eating habits, and micronutrient deficiencies. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between serum magnesium levels and cognitive function among Palestinian elderly. A total of 200 older adults were included in the study (36.5% men and 63.5% women); the mean age was 64.6 ± 3.3 years. The mean cognitive function, as measured by the MoCA score, was 24.5 ± 3.66, whereas the average scores were 5.4 ± 1.19 for ADL and 6.2 ± 3.2 for IADL. The results indicated a substantial correlation between serum magnesium levels, IADL, smoking status, and cognitive performance. Sociodemographic characteristics, sleep quality, physical activity, body mass index, malnutrition, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet exhibited no significant correlation with serum magnesium levels. To conclude, serum magnesium levels were associated with smoking, cognitive function, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Magnesium did not significantly correlate with Activities of Daily Living (ADL). These associations should be interpreted cautiously, as cognitive function is influenced by multiple additional factors not captured in this study.

This study aimed to learn from the experiences of patients who have undergone medical rehabilitation following hip or knee arthroplasty in the Netherlands and Germany. A qualitative focus group study was conducted among Dutch revision total hip and knee arthroplasty patients who had experience with initial rehabilitation in the Netherlands plus inpatient rehabilitation in Germany as part of the ‘Common Care’ pilot project. The focus group was recorded, transcribed verbatim and pseudonymised. A thematic analysis using an inductive approach was performed. Five patients and two family members joined the focus group. Analysis revealed five themes: language, location, therapy content, outcomes and structure. Content-wise, therapy, outcomes and structure of rehabilitation in Germany were perceived as more beneficial. In terms of location and language, patients favoured the Dutch approach. Participants generally expressed higher levels of satisfaction with the German rehabilitation trajectory versus the Dutch. The German approach’s main advantages were the more extensive therapy content and supervision plus a feeling of faster recovery, the Dutch were the home-sweet-home feeling, language and travel distance. Future research should further evaluate effects of rehabilitation policies especially on return to work.