Characteristics and Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers in Severe Trauma Patients Admitted to the Trauma Intensive Care Unit

Purpose A retrospective descriptive study was performed to develop strategies to manage or prevent pressure ulcers in patients with severe trauma being cared for in the trauma intensive care unit (TICU). Methods Study data was compiled from 315 patients with severe trauma (injury severity score ≥ 15) who were admitted to a general hospital from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021 and were being cared for in the TICU. For patients with pressure ulcers, the characteristics and associated factors of pressure ulcers were examined. Results There were 42 severe trauma patients (13.3%) with pressure ulcers, of which, 50.0% of cases occurred at the site of the coccyx. In 50% of patients, Stage 2 pressure ulcers were observed. The mean onset day of pressure ulcers was 9.74 days after admission. The occurrence of diabetes, critical care triage score, length of stay in intensive care, death, shock, dialysis, ventilator application, endotracheal intubation, peripheral insertion central catheter insertion, A-line insertion, body protector application, sedatives, blood pressure boosters, nasal cannula, high-flow oxygenators, oxygen tip application, drainage insertion, nasogastric tube nutrition, and ventilator application period were investigated. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the influencing factors for the development of pressure ulcers were endotracheal intubation, length of stay in the TICU, and age, in that order. Conclusion By identifying the characteristics and risk factors associated with pressure ulcers in patients with severe trauma, strategies can be developed to better prevent or manage pressure ulcers in the future

Phylogeography of cliff-dwelling relicts with a highly narrow and disjunct distribution in the western Mediterranean

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The high biodiversity in the Baetic-Rifan hotspot of Mediterranean region is shaped by complex geological and climatic histories and has been a subject of recent intensive studies. However, very little is known about phylogenetic and biogeographic history of three rare and critically endangered cliff-dwelling species of Sonchus in section Pustulati in this region. METHODS: We investigated the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of populations based on nuclear (ITS/ETS) and plastid (3’trnL–ndhJ/ psaI–accD ) DNA sequences, and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). We performed a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock analysis with ITS data to estimate divergence times for major lineages. KEY RESULTS: ITS/ETS and AFLP phylogenies showed high concordance and contrasted with cpDNA data. The divergence between S. masguindalii and S. fragilis was dated at 5.48 Ma, between S. fragilis and S. pustulatus at 3.89 Ma, and between the Baetic and Rifan S. pustulatus at 1.18 Ma. Within each distribution area, AFLP data showed a relatively high genetic structuring and moderate genetic diversity, the latter being impoverished in the Baetic populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results further confirm the hybrid origin of S. pustulatus , a critically endangered species. The origin and diversification of lineages appear to have occurred on the temporary land bridge that joined Iberian and North Africa during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.96–5.33 Ma) and the subsequent Zanclean flood that progressively refilled the Mediterranean Basin (5.33–3.60 Ma). The only Baetic populations of S. pustulatus most likely originated from the Rifan ones.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España) BES–2007–17066 CGL2006–00817 CGL2010-1651

RECIPE: How to Integrate ChatGPT into EFL Writing Education

The integration of generative AI in the field of education is actively being explored. In particular, ChatGPT has garnered significant interest, offering an opportunity to examine its effectiveness in English as a foreign language (EFL) education. To address this need, we present a novel learning platform called RECIPE (Revising an Essay with ChatGPT on an Interactive Platform for EFL learners). Our platform features two types of prompts that facilitate conversations between ChatGPT and students: (1) a hidden prompt for ChatGPT to take an EFL teacher role and (2) an open prompt for students to initiate a dialogue with a self-written summary of what they have learned. We deployed this platform for 213 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in EFL writing courses and seven instructors. For this study, we collect students' interaction data from RECIPE, including students' perceptions and usage of the platform, and user scenarios are examined with the data. We also conduct a focus group interview with six students and an individual interview with one EFL instructor to explore design opportunities for leveraging generative AI models in the field of EFL education

Purification and characterization of angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptide from the jellyfish, Nemopilema nomurai

The Nemopilema nomurai hydrolysate was produced by the reaction of papain, and an angiotensin-Ι converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptide was purified by using the molecular cut-offs membrane filter, the gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex LH-20 and the reverse phase chromatographic method using C18 and C12 columns. Purification yield of the active peptide was estimated to be 0.2 ± 0.1%, starting from the lyophilized jellyfish. The infrared (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) spectrometer analyses elucidated that the structure of the purified peptide is tyrosine-isoleucine (Tyr-Ile). The inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) and Ki values were calculated to be 2.0 ± 0.3 μg/ml and 3.3 ± 0.3 μM, respectively, which acts as a competitive inhibitor to ACE.Keywords: Angiotensin-Ι converting enzyme, Jellyfish, Nemopilema nomurai, Papain hydrolysate, Tyrosine-IsoleucineAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(15), pp. 1888-189

Emerging biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis is an immuneâ mediated skin disease which affects 2â 4% of the worldwide population. Approximately 20â 30% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a frequently destructive and disabling condition. As skin manifestations precede joint symptoms in nearly all patients with PsA, identification of biomarkers for early prediction of joint damage is an important clinical need. Because not all patients with PsA respond to treatment in the same fashion, identification of biomarkers capable of predicting therapeutic response is also imperative. Here, we review existing literature and discuss current investigations to identify potential biomarkers for PsA disease activity, with particular emphasis on microRNAs as novel markers of interest. Serum (soluble) biomarkers, peripheral osteoclast precursor as cellular biomarkers, and genetic loci associated with skin and joint disease are also reviewed. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(12):923â 927, 2015Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136299/1/iub1453.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136299/2/iub1453_am.pd

Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human IRF-5 and Their Use in Identifying the Binding of IRF-5 to Nuclear Import Proteins Karyopherin-α1 and -β1

PURPOSE: IRF-5 is a direct transducer of virus-mediated and TLR-mediated signaling pathways for the expression of cytokines and chemokines which form homodimers or heterodimers with IRF-7. However, direct IRF-5-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are not available at present. These could be used to further evaluate the functions of IRF-5. In this study, we produced and characterized three mouse mAbs to human IRF-5. The binding of IRF-5 to nuclear import proteins was first identified using a mAb. MATERIALS AND METHODS: His-tagged human IRF-5 protein spanning amino acid residues 193-257 was used as an antigen and three mAbs were produced. The mAbs were tested with ELISA, Western blot analysis (WB), immunofluorescent staining (IF), and immunoprecipitation (IP). In addition, the nuclear import protein which carried phosphorylated IRF-5 was identified using one of these mAbs. RESULTS: MAbs 5IRF8, 5IRF10 and 5IRF24 which reacted with the recombinant His-IRF-5(193-257) protein were produced. All mAbs bound to human IRF-5, but not to IRF-3 or IRF-7. They could be used for WB, IF, and IP studies. The binding of phosphorylated IRF-5 to karyopherin-alpha1 and -beta1 was also identified. CONCLUSION: Human IRF-5-specific mAbs are produced for studying the immunologic roles related to IRF-5. Phosphorylated IRF-5 is transported to the nucleus by binding to nuclear import proteins karyopherin-alpha1 and -beta1.ope