The clinical significance of spondin 2 eccentric expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in bronchial asthma

The biological functions and related signaling pathways of SPON2

Spondin-2 (SPON2), also referred to as M-spondin or DIL-1, is a member of the extracellular matrix protein family known as Mindin-F-spondin (FS). SPON2 can be used as a broad-spectrum tumor marker for more than a dozen tumors, mainly prostate cancer. Meanwhile, SPON2 is also a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of certain non-tumor diseases. Additionally, SPON2 plays a pivotal role in regulating tumor metastasis and progression. In normal tissues, SPON2 has a variety of biological functions represented by promoting growth and development and cell proliferation. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the regulatory mechanisms, diagnostic potential as a broad-spectrum biomarker, diverse biological functions, involvement in various signaling pathways, and clinical applications of SPON2.

Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Transcriptional Responses to Dopamine and Cocaine in Human Cerebral Organoids

Dopamine signaling in the adult ventral forebrain regulates behavior, stress response, and memory formation and in neurodevelopment regulates neural differentiation and cell migration. Excessive dopamine levels, including those due to cocaine use in utero and in adults, could lead to long-term adverse consequences. The mechanisms underlying both homeostatic and pathological changes remain unclear, in part due to the diverse cellular responses elicited by dopamine and the reliance on animal models that exhibit species-specific differences in dopamine signaling. In this study, we use the human-derived ventral forebrain organoid model of Xiang-Tanaka and characterize their response to cocaine or dopamine. We explore dosing regimens of dopamine or cocaine to simulate acute or chronic exposure. We then use calcium imaging, cAMP imaging, and bulk RNA-sequencing to measure responses to cocaine or dopamine exposure. We observe an upregulation of inflammatory pathways in addition to indicators of oxidative stress following exposure. Using inhibitors of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we then show ROS to be necessary for multiple transcriptional responses of cocaine exposure. These results highlight novel response pathways and validate the potential of cerebral organoids as in vitro human models for studying complex biological processes in the brain.

What caregivers believe affected the quality of implementation of asthma-related family management models (AFMM) during COVID-19: A phenomenological qualitative study

PURPOSE

The recurrent COVID-19 epidemic in China has disrupted many aspects of daily life for children with asthma and their caregivers, while negatively impacting their asthma family management models (AFMM). This phenomenological qualitative study identifies what affects the quality of implementation of AFMM in this population and outlines potential coping strategies for the caregivers.

METHODS

We used purposive sampling to conduct semistructured interviews with primary caregivers of school-age children with asthma from community healthcare centers (CHCs), which focused on understanding what factors influenced caregivers' implementation of AFMM during quarantine. The Colaizzi seven-step method was used to independently code and categorize the transcript and to generate themes and identify associated key subthemes.

RESULTS

Twenty-four caregivers were interviewed, and they provided greater insight into barriers and motivators to implement AFMM. The three themes and nine relevant subthemes generated, (a) the "individual-family" internal-level factors: weak health literacy and beliefs, quietly changing family relationships, the dramatic increase in the care burden, gradual adjustment of negative psychology; (b) the "hospital-community" external-level factors: the endless power of peer support, strict community quarantine policy; and (c) the "health system-public" social-level factors: the enormous potential of internet-based telemedicine, improved public awareness of prevention, government's prompt assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

This qualitative study reveals that the quality of AFMM implementation during pandemic is impacted by three different levels. Therefore, a targeted and comprehensive caring model that provides caregivers with the necessary coping strategies around these three levels is needed to achieve better asthma control outcomes.

Exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of regeneration, anti-oxidation, anti-aging and the immune response at the post-molt stage of Eriocheir sinensis

Eriocheir sinensis is widely appreciated by the surrounding population due to its culinary delicacy and rich nutrients. The E. sinensis breeding industry is very prosperous and molting is one of the important growth characteristics. Research on the regulation of molting in E. sinensis is still in the initial stages. There is currently no relevant information on the regulatory mechanisms of heart development following molting. Comparative transcriptome analysis was used to study developmental regulation mechanisms in the heart of E. sinensis at the post-molt and inter-molt stages. The results indicated that many regulatory pathways and genes involved in regeneration, anti-oxidation, anti-aging and the immune response were significantly upregulated after molting in E. sinensis. Aside from cardiac development, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were relevant to myocardial movement and neuronal signal transduction. DEGs were also related to the regulation of glutathione homeostasis and biological rhythms in regard to anti-oxidation and anti-aging, and to the regulation of immune cell development and the immune response. This study provides a theoretical framework for understanding the regulation of molting in E. sinensis and in other economically important crustaceans.