OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the determinants linked to stunting among infants and young children aged 0-23 months in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur.

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 628 primary caregivers with infants and young children aged 0-23 months in four municipalities of the Fourth District of Camarines Sur, Philippines, using a two stage stratified random sampling design. Data on sociodemographic and economic factors were collected through face-to-face interviews. Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were assessed using a list-based approach, while weight and length were evaluated using the World Health Organization Anthro Plus software. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were done using R statistical software version 4.3.1.

The study revealed that the prevalence of stunting was of significant public health concern, reaching 42.8%. Holding other variables constant, age of the child (OR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.63-0.94), having college undergraduate mothers (OR=0.26; 95% CI: 0.05-1.28), and belonging to a poor income household (OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.14-0.88) were associated with stunting among infants aged 0.01-6.00 months. Moreover, after controlling for the confounding effects of other variables, age (OR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.14) and sex of the child (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.05-2.28) were associated with stunting among older children aged 6.00-23.99 months.

This study emphasizes the challenge of stunting in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur. None of the IYCF indicators were associated with stunting; however, maternal education, the child’s age, sex, and socioeconomic status were identified as significant factors influencing stunting. Addressing these determinants through targeted interventions focusing on improving maternal education and enhancing socio-economic conditions were crucial to reducing stunting in the study areas.

Tumor progression is closely related to tumor tissue metabolism and reshaping of the microenvironment. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a representative hypoxic tumor, has a heterogeneous internal metabolic environment. To clarify the relationship between different metabolic regions and the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) in OSCC, Single cell (SC) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) sequencing of OSCC tissues were performed. The proportion of TME in the ST data was obtained through SPOTlight deconvolution using SC and GSE103322 data. The metabolic activity of each spot was calculated using scMetabolism, and k-means clustering was used to classify all spots into hyper-, normal-, or hypometabolic regions. CD4T cell infiltration and TGF-β expression is higher in the hypermetabolic regions than in the others. Through CellPhoneDB and NicheNet cell-cell communication analysis, it was found that in the hypermetabolic region, fibroblasts can utilize the lactate produced by glycolysis of epithelial cells to transform into inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs), and the increased expression of HIF1A in iCAFs promotes the transcriptional expression of CXCL12. The secretion of CXCL12 recruits regulatory T cells (Tregs), leading to Treg infiltration and increased TGF-β secretion in the microenvironment and promotes the formation of a tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. This study delineates the coordinate work axis of epithelial cells-iCAFs-Tregs in OSCC using SC, ST and TCGA bulk data, and highlights potential targets for therapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Tumor Microenvironment

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Cell Hypoxia/physiology*

Background and Objectives: Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of D-galactose (D-gal) accelerates aging and develops aging models. A low dose of long-term use and a high dose of short-term use of D-gal can induce natural aging in mice, like brain, cardiac, liver, renal, and skin aging, and erectile dysfunction. Our research aims to determine whether a high dose of short-term use of D-gal. i.p. in rats can induce natural aging and affect the following parameters: body weight (BW), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and myostatin. Methods: A daily D-gal i.p. dose of 300 mg/ml/kg for seven days was carried out to induce aging parameters in the rats. After seven days, the body and gastrocnemius circumference of the rats were weighed, and biochemical analysis for SOD, VEGF, CRP, and myostatin in the blood plasma was done. Results: The data obtained were analyzed using nonparametric statistics Friedman test and Mann-Whitney test. After the seven day-intervention, both the control (NaCl 0.9% i.p.) and the high dose of short-term use of D-gal i.p. groups showed no significant difference in the body weight and gastrocnemius circumference. However, D-gal administration could increase the blood plasma level of SOD, VEGF, CRP, and myostatin. Conclusion We conclude that a high dose of short-term intraperitoneal D-galactose can be administrated to induce aging in rat models. The SOD, VEGF, CRP and myostatin can be used as aging parameters.
Aging ; Galactose ; Myostatin ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Child ; Humans ; Human Growth Hormone/therapeutic use* ; Growth Disorders/therapy*

Jasmonic acid (JA), a plant endogenously synthesized lipid hormone, plays an important role in response to stress. This manuscript summarized the biosynthesis and metabolism of JA and its related regulatory mechanisms, as well as the signal transduction of JA. The mechanism and regulatory network of JA in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses were systematically reviewed, with the latest advances highlighted. In addition, this review summarized the signal crosstalk between JA and other hormones in regulating plant resistance to various stresses. Finally, the problems to be solved in the study of plant stress resistance mediated by JA were discussed, and the application of new molecular biological technologies in regulating JA signaling to enhance crop resistance was prospected, with the aim to facilitate future research and application of plant stress resistance.
Signal Transduction ; Cyclopentanes ; Oxylipins ; Plant Growth Regulators

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of VX765 on osteoarthritis (OA) and chondrocytes inflammation in rats. METHODS: Chondrocytes were isolated from the knee joints of 4-week-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The third-generation cells were subjected to cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) analysis to assess the impact of various concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 μmol/L) of VX765 on rat chondrocyte activity. An in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cell inflammation model was employed, dividing cells into control group, LPS group, VX765 concentration 1 group and VX765 concentration 2 group without obvious cytotoxicity. Western blot, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and ELISA were conducted to measure the expression levels of inflammatory factors-transforming growth factor β ₁ (TGF-β ₁), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Additionally, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were employed to assess the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Thirty-two SD rats were randomly assigned to sham surgery group (group A), OA group (group B), OA+VX765 (50 mg/kg) group (group C), and OA+VX765 (100 mg/kg) group (group D), with 8 rats in each group. Group A underwent a sham operation with a medial incision, while groups B to D underwent additional transverse incisions to the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament, with removal of the medial meniscus. One week post-surgery, groups C and D were orally administered 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg VX765, respectively, while groups A and B received an equivalent volume of saline. Histopathological examination using HE and safranin-fast green staining was performed, and Mankin scoring was utilized for evaluation. Immunohistochemical staining technique was employed to analyze the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and collagen type Ⅱ. RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay indicated a significant decrease in cell viability at VX765 concentrations exceeding 10 μmol/L ( P<0.05), so 4 μmol/L and 8 μmol/L VX765 without obvious cytotoxicity were selected for subsequent experiments. Following LPS induction, the expressions of TGF-β ₁, IL-6, and TNF-α in cells significantly increased when compared with the control group ( P<0.05). However, intervention with 4 μmol/L and 8 μmol/L VX765 led to a significant decrease in expression compared to the LPS group ( P<0.05). Western blot and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated a significant upregulation of Nrf2 pathway-related molecules Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expressions by VX765 ( P<0.05), indicating Nrf2 pathway activation. Histopathological examination of rat knee joint tissues and immunohistochemical staining revealed that, compared to group B, treatment with VX765 in groups C and D improved joint structural damage in rat OA, alleviated inflammatory reactions, downregulated MMP-13 expression, and increased collagen type Ⅱ expression. CONCLUSION VX765 can improve rat OA and reduce chondrocyte inflammation, possibly through the activation of the Nrf2 pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Collagen Type II/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/pharmacology* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Osteoarthritis/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Dipeptides ; para-Aminobenzoates

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup (DMS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table (n=12), including control (normal saline), LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg, and LPS+Dexamethasone (DXM, 5 mg/kg) groups. After pretreatment with DMS and DXM, the ALI mice model was induced by LPS, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration, cell counts and inflammatory cytokines. The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was calculated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 β in BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of Claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes. Compared with the LPS group, the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 β (P<0.01). Meanwhile, DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5, VE-cadherin and VEGF (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier. It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Claudin-5/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Lung/pathology* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Background and Objectives: Malnutrition is a serious public health problem in developing countries, including Indonesia. Based on RISKESDAS 2018, the prevalence of stunting aged 13-15 years in Takalar Regency is 24.83%. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting and the determinants of stunting in adolescent girls aged 13-15 years in the South Galesong District, Takalar Regency. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using purposive sampling method that included 247 adolescent girls in selected junior high schools. Data collection used questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. An anthropometric measurement was converted to the indices of nutritional status using World Health Organization Anthro Plus software. Results: The prevalence of stunting was 25.1%. Bivariate analysis showed determinant factors related significantly to stunting were energy intake (p<0.001), protein intake (p<0.001), iron intake (p<0.005), and zinc intake (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed determinant factors related significantly to stunting were zinc intake (p<0.001, OR=7.993), protein intake (p<0.05, OR=2.248), and knowledge level (p<0.05, OR=2.032). Conclusion The occurrence of stunting is related to the quality and quantity of food and the level of adolescent knowledge about balanced nutrition. It is necessary to hold educational programs and interventions on improving nutrition initiated by stakeholders and the department of health, in this case, the health center is needed to reduce stunting rates, especially among adolescents.
Malnutrition ; Growth Disorders ; Adolescent

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the global cardiac sphericity index (GCSI) of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses, small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses, and growth-restricted fetuses scanned at term in a government tertiary hospital, maternal high risk (MHR) and to determine the association between the GCSI of these three groups of fetuses and their neonatal outcomes. Methodology: The study prospectively evaluated and compared the GCSI of AGA, SGA, and growth-restricted fetuses. Pregnant women at term seen at the outpatient department and scanned at the MHR clinic then eventually delivered in the same hospital from March to May 2022 were included in this study. Results: GCSIs were measured with 147 fetuses (106 AGA, 38 SGA, and 3 growth‑restricted fetuses). The result indicated that the GCSI of AGA fetuses was higher than that of the SGA and growth‑restricted fetuses. This study found that there is a significantly higher frequency of abnormal GSCI among SGA and growth‑restricted fetuses. This study also found that there is no statistically significant correlation between the GCSI measurements of these three groups of fetuses and their neonatal outcomes. Conclusions Abnormal GCSIs were found in fetuses with an estimated fetal weight <10th percentile (more specifically in growth‑restricted fetuses than in those who are just SGA) as compared with AGA fetuses. However, the correlation between an abnormal GCSI in any of these three groups of fetuses and their neonatal outcomes needs further investigation.
Fetal Growth Retardation