Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jose Alvaro Lomeli-Nieto, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle, Christian Johana Banos-Hernandez, Jose Eduardo Navarro-Zarza, Juliana Marisol Godinez-Rubi, Samuel Garcia-Arellano, Maria Guadalupe Ramirez-Duenas, Isela Parra-Rojas, Arisbeth Villanueva-Perez, Jorge Hernandez-Bello
Summary: This study demonstrates a joint decrease of the three active TGF-beta isoforms in SSc patients. However, TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta R1, and TGF-beta R2 are possibly increased in clinically involved skin.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Michal Rudnik, Amela Hukara, Ievgeniia Kocherova, Suzana Jordan, Janine Schniering, Vincent Milleret, Martin Ehrbar, Karin Klingel, Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Oliver Distler, Przemyslaw Blyszczuk, Gabriela Kania
Summary: The study identified activated profibrotic features in CD14(+) monocytes and CD14(+) pulmonary macrophages in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, highlighting their capability to produce profibrotic fibronectin. This suggests that tissue-infiltrating CD14(+) monocytes/macrophages play a role in ECM production in the pathogenesis of SSc.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Silvia Grignaschi, Anna Sbalchiero, Giuseppe Spinozzi, Bianca Lucia Palermo, Claudia Cantarini, Chantal Nardiello, Lorenzo Cavagna, Carla Olivieri
Summary: This systematic review investigates the relationship between Endoglin (ENG) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) through the analysis of clinical and molecular studies. The results suggest that ENG expression is altered in SSc-affected cells and different disease phenotypes may be related to peculiar disregulations in soluble ENG concentrations.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Christopher W. Wasson, Rebecca L. Ross, Ruth Morton, Jamel Mankouri, Francesco Del Galdo
Summary: This study identified a novel role for CLIC4 in SSc myofibroblast activation, highlighting its similarities with cancer-associated fibroblasts. Inhibition of CLIC4 resulted in reduced expression of myofibroblast markers in SSc fibroblasts, indicating a direct role for CLIC4 in disease pathogenesis. CLIC4 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for SSc.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Xi Xie, Haina Gan, Jing Tian, Fen li, Jinwei Chen, Jia Wang, Jiafeng Liao, Shu Li
Summary: T-614 inhibited dermal fibroblasts activation and skin fibrosis in experimental SSc models by regulating TGF-beta 1/smad pathway.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiao Chen, Min Wei, Guo-Dong Li, Qi-Liang Sun, Jia-Qi Fan, Jun-Yi Li, Chun-Mei Yun, Dao-Ming Liu, Hong Shi, Yi-Qing Qu
Summary: The study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of YPF on pulmonary fibrosis. It was found that YPF may have significant therapeutic potential for pulmonary fibrosis by targeting various compounds and pathways, possibly attributed to its ability to up-regulate CAV1 expression and inhibit pulmonary fibrosis through modulation of the TGF-beta 1/Smad2 signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Brooke King, Bradley A. Krisanits, Qi J. Guo, Bobbie Blake, Lourdes M. Nogueira, Gurbani Jolly, Arabia Satterwhite, David P. Turner, Stanley Hoffman, Ashley Evans-Knowell, Victoria J. Findlay
Summary: In the US, there is a persistent mortality disparity between black and white women with breast cancer, with black women having a 41% higher death rate. Recent studies suggest that this racial disparity may be related to biological factors.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Eleonora Adami, Sivakumar Viswanathan, Anissa A. Widjaja, Benjamin Ng, Sonia Chothani, Nevin Zhihao, Jessie Tan, Pei Min Lio, Benjamin L. George, Umut Altunoglu, Kakaly Ghosh, Bhairav S. Paleja, Sebastian Schafer, Bruno Reversade, Salvatore Albani, Andrea Low Hsiu Ling, Steven O'Reilly, Stuart A. Cook
Summary: This study found that IL11 levels are elevated in patients with SSc and TGF beta induces IL11 secretion in HDFs. IL11 stimulates ERK activation in HDFs, promoting fibrosis phenotypes such as cell migration and extracellular matrix secretion, while inhibiting IL11 signaling reduces TGF beta-induced HDF proliferation and matrix production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pauline Rozier, Marie Maumus, Claire Bony, Alexandre Thibault Jacques Maria, Florence Sabatier, Christian Jorgensen, Philippe Guilpain, Daniele Noel
Summary: This study demonstrates that T beta-Fb is a relevant model for mimicking the main characteristics of SSc fibroblasts and investigating the mechanism of action of ASCs. Furthermore, ASC-derived EVs were shown to be more effective than parental cells, suggesting that the TGF beta 1-induced pro-fibrotic environment may alter the function of ASCs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh, Vahid Mohammadi, Reza Elahi
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination, neurodegeneration, and scar formation. Dysregulated immune response plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MS. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a cytokine that has three isoforms with similar structures but potentially different functions.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
M. Vishnupriya, M. Naveenkumar, K. Manjima, N. Sooryasree, T. Saranya, S. Ramya, S. Harysh Winster, M. Paulpandi, V Balachandar, N. Arul
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-COV 2, is a global pandemic leading to respiratory complications and severe immune disruptions. Pulmonary fibrosis is a significant post-COVID-19 complication, with potential for amelioration through MSC therapy and immunomodulatory effects targeting the TGF-beta signaling pathway. More pilot studies are needed to determine the efficacy and outcomes of this approach.
EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paria Bayati, Mahsa Kalantari, Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan, Hadi Poormoghim, Nazanin Mojtabavi
Summary: Systemic sclerosis is a rheumatoid disease characterized by skin tightening or organ dysfunction. MiR-27a, a microRNA associated with fibrosis and cancer, was found to be down-regulated in the blood of SSc patients. It targets factors contributing to SSc and may have potential therapeutic and diagnostic value.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jingjing Zhang, Jinxin Qiu, Wenyong Zhou, Jianping Cao, Xuefei Hu, Wenli Mi, Bing Su, Bin He, Ju Qiu, Lei Shen
Summary: This study identifies neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) as a tissue-specific marker of lung-resident ILC2s, which enhances their function and type 2 immune response by upregulating IL-33 receptor ST2 expression. Inhibition of Nrp1 suppresses IL-5 and IL-13 production by ILC2s and protects mice from the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jose Alvaro Lomeli-Nieto, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle, Jose Eduardo Navarro-Zarza, Christian Johana Banos-Hernandez, Samuel Garcia-Arellano, Anabell Alvarado-Navarro, Brian Uriel Anaya-Macias, Edith Oregon-Romero, Carlos Eduardo Fuentes-Baez, Isela Parra-Rojas, Jorge Hernandez-Bello
Summary: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), a chronic autoimmune disease, is characterized by immune disorder, microvascular damage, and fibrosis. This study found that the variants +869T > C and +915G > C in the TGFB1 gene are associated with an increased risk of SSc in the Southern Mexican population. Furthermore, these genetic variants were shown to result in lower mRNA expression of TGFB1.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alberto Lozano-Ros, Maria L. Martinez-Gines, Jose M. Garcia-Dominguez, Sara Salvador-Martin, Haydee Goicochea-Briceno, Juan P. Cuello, Ariana Meldana-Rivera, Yolanda Higueras-Hernandez, Maria Sanjurjo-Saez, Luis A. Alvarez-Sala-Walther, Luis A. Lopez-Fernandez
Summary: Vitamin D plays a significant role in regulating multiple sclerosis. This study analyzed the regulatory effect of vitamin D on the TGF-beta signaling pathway in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The results showed that the regulation of TGF-beta pathway genes by vitamin D is indirect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Flora Yan, Dylan A. Levy, Chun-Che Wen, Cathy L. Melvin, Marvella E. Ford, Paul J. Nietert, Phayvanh P. Pecha
Summary: Rural-dwelling children experience longer wait times and driving distance to tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. This study suggests that rurality may be a potential barrier to surgical intervention, highlighting the need for further investigation into geographic access as an important determinant of care in pediatric SDB.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melanie L. Davis, Brian Neelon, Paul J. Nietert, Lane F. Burgette, Kelly J. Hunt, Andrew B. Lawson, Leonard E. Egede
Summary: This study highlights the importance of accounting for spatial heterogeneity in propensity score analysis, and suggests the need for clinical care and management strategies that are culturally sensitive and racially inclusive. Incorporating spatial random effects improves inferences and reduces bias, especially when dealing with unmeasured geographic confounders. The results demonstrate the impact of geographic clustering on racial disparities in diabetes specialty care among military veterans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GEOGRAPHICS
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Zachary D. Zuschlag, Ebele Compean, Paul Nietert, Steven Lauzon, Mark Hamner, Zhewu Wang
Summary: The study found that the absence of the 10R/10R genotype of the DAT1 gene is associated with an increased risk of developing PTSD and higher CAPS total scores. This suggests that certain genotypes of the DAT1 gene may play a role in the development of PTSD in combat veterans.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Janardan P. Pandey, Paul J. Nietert, Ronald T. Kothera, Lisa L. Barnes, David A. Bennett
Summary: In European American individuals, neither GM nor HLA alleles were associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) individually or epistatically. However, in African American individuals, there was a significant interaction between the presence of GM 3 and the HLA-C allele, leading to a greater likelihood of developing AD. This suggests that specific GM and HLA alleles may interact to contribute to the risk of AD.
NEUROLOGY-GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Nadirah El-Amin, Steven D. Lauzon, Paul J. Nietert, Julie Kanter
Summary: Individuals with sickle cell disease are at higher risk of venous thrombo-embolism, including pulmonary embolisms, with high mortality rates. Current lack of validated models for predicting PEs leads to frequent CT scans. This study aimed to evaluate clinical biomarkers, including the Wells score, to create a more accurate diagnostic algorithm for predicting PEs in SCD patients.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Mileka Gilbert, Beatrice Goilav, Joyce J. Hsu, Paul J. Nietert, Esra Meidan, Annabelle Chua, Stacy P. Ardoin, Scott E. Wenderfer, Emily von Scheven, Natasha M. Ruth
Summary: The study found that there were significant differences in treatment choices between pediatric rheumatologists and nephrologists in treating refractory proliferative LN or LN flare, with rheumatologists more often choosing rituximab. More research is needed to understand the reasons behind this disparity. Collaborative efforts in developing consensus treatment plans for pediatric LN are crucial.
PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Samar M. M. Hammad, Olivia C. Harden, Dulaney A. Wilson, Waleed O. Twal, Paul J. Nietert, Jim C. Oates
Summary: SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease with African American SLE patients showing higher levels of certain sphingolipids, which are correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Janardan P. Pandey, Aryan M. Namboodiri, Paul J. Nietert, Lisa L. Barnes, David A. Bennett
Summary: The study revealed that FCGRIIB and PILRA genotypes may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, particularly the significant impact of the FCGRIIB C allele in African Americans.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Maria Fatima Falangola, Xingju Nie, Ralph Ward, Siddhartha Dhiman, Joshua Voltin, Paul J. Nietert, Jens H. Jensen
Summary: This study found significant differences in dMRI values in the BF of 2-month-old 3xTg-AD mice compared to normal control mice, as well as age-related changes between 2 and 8 months, including a decrease in fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity, and an increase in radial kurtosis. These dMRI changes likely reflect the complex aging and pathological microstructural changes described in this region, and could serve as potential in vivo biomarkers for AD disease progression.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Steven D. Lauzon, Wenle Zhao, Paul J. Nietert, Jody D. Ciolino, Michael D. Hill, Viswanathan Ramakrishnan
Summary: Minimization is a common method for controlling baseline covariate imbalance at the randomization phase of clinical trials, but it may not preserve allocation randomness as well as other methods, making it vulnerable to predictability and bias. In comparison, minimal sufficient balance method has been found to have the least impact on power and bias in covariate-adjusted analyses, making it a recommended alternative to minimization in clinical trials.
STATISTICAL METHODS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Xingbao Li, Benjamin A. Toll, Matthew J. Carpenter, Paul J. Nietert, Morgan Dancy, Mark S. George
Summary: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of using rTMS for smoking cessation in cancer patients. The results showed that 5 sessions of daily rTMS over the left DLPFC may help reduce smoking and cue craving in cancer patients who smoke cigarettes. However, further research is needed to determine its therapeutic effect and adverse effects.
JOURNAL OF SMOKING CESSATION
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Fatema Khamdan, McKenzie A. Dirr, Pelin Sagut, Caroline J. Brailsford, Jacob A. Williams, Paul J. Nietert, Dirk M. Elston
Summary: This study aimed to quantify cytologic features in benign and premalignant/malignant squamous cell lesions in order to improve the characterization of malignancy criteria. The presence and quantity of specific cytological features were evaluated in histopathology slides, and certain nuclear features were found to have a higher association with premalignancy/malignancy, providing guidance for histologic evaluation.
JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jody D. Ciolino, Cathie Spino, Walter T. Ambrosius, Shokoufeh Khalatbari, Shari Messinger Cayetano, Jodi A. Lapidus, Paul J. Nietert, Robert A. Oster, Susan M. Perkins, Brad H. Pollock, Gina-Maria Pomann, Lori Lyn Price, Todd W. Rice, Tor D. Tosteson, Christopher J. Lindsell, Heidi Spratt
Summary: Rigorous scientific review of research protocols is crucial for funding decisions and participant protection. Biostatisticians play a vital role in evaluating method rigor and reproducibility. This work aims to provide guidance for biostatisticians on key elements to consider during protocol review.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mary Dooley, Annie N. Simpson, Paul J. Nietert, Dunc Williams, Kit N. Simpson
Summary: As healthcare costs rise, there is a lack of consensus among researchers on what constitutes small or large cost savings. Other fields of research have developed methods to define minimal important differences for planning studies. Three approaches (anchor-based, distribution-based, consensus-based) are used to identify magnitudes for resource measures, with a recommendation to explore both Delphi and distribution-based method when acceptable anchors are not available.
HEALTH SERVICES AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Robert A. Oster, Katrina L. Devick, Sally W. Thurston, Joseph J. Larson, Leah J. Welty, Paul J. Nietert, Brad H. Pollock, Gina-Maria Pomann, Heidi Spratt, Christopher J. Lindsell, Felicity T. Enders
Summary: While graduate courses in CTS tend to cover many statistical fundamentals, learning gaps exist, particularly for more specialized competencies. Educational material to fill these gaps is necessary for learners pursuing these activities.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2021)