Novel Insights Into the Interactions Between the Gut Microbiome, Inflammasomes, and Gasdermins During Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer in Western countries. Inflammation is a well-known driver of colonic carcinogenesis; however, its role in CRC extends beyond colitis-associated cancer. Over the last decades, numerous associations between intestinal dysbiosis and CRC have been identified, with more recent studies providing mechanistic evidence of a causative relationship. Nonetheless, much remains to be discovered regarding the precise implications of microbiome alterations in the pathogenesis of CRC. Research confirms the importance of a bidirectional crosstalk between the gut microbiome and the mucosal immune system in which inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes that can sense “danger signals,” serve as conduits by detecting microbial signals and activating innate immune responses, including the induction of microbicidal activities that can alter microbiome composition. Current evidence strongly supports an active role for this “inflammasome–microbiome axis” in the initiation and development of CRC. Furthermore, the gasdermin (GSDM) family of proteins, which are downstream effectors of the inflammasome that are primarily known for their role in pyroptosis, have been recently linked to CRC pathogenesis. These findings, however, do not come without controversy, as pyroptosis is reported to exert both anti- and protumorigenic functions. Furthermore, the multi-faceted interactions between GSDMs and the gut microbiome, as well as their importance in CRC, have only been superficially investigated. In this review, we summarize the existing literature supporting the importance of the inflammasome–microbiota axis, as well as the activation and function of GSDMs, to gain a better mechanistic understanding of CRC pathogenesis.

The causative relationship between natural resource rent and economic growth: evidence from Ghana’s crude oil resource extraction

Purpose While the relationship between natural resource rent and economic growth is well documented in the literature, not much robust analysis has been done to estimate the causative relationship between oil resource rent and economic growth in Ghana. This might be due to the fact that commercial production of crude oil started not long ago in Ghana. This paper aims to examine the causal relationship between oil resource rent and economic growth for the period of 2011 to 2020 in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study incorporates economic growth as a function of oil resource rent, non-oil revenue, foreign direct investment, capital and interest rate in a Cobb–Douglass production function/model. The study used four different estimation strategies including the autoregressive distributed lags model, Toda–Yamamoto test approach, nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags model and nonlinear Granger causality. Findings The main finding revealed that 1% increase in oil resource rent generates 0.84% increase in economic growth of Ghana in the long run. Contrary, the authors find an insignificant positive effect of oil resource rent on economic growth of Ghana in the short run for the period under study. The result from the Toda–Yamamoto test approach also showed a unidirectional causality running from oil resource rent to economic growth of Ghana, providing evidence in support of the resource blessing hypothesis in Ghana. The results are robust to two different alternative estimation strategies. Originality/value The causal relationship between crude oil resource rent and economic growth is examined.

Santri Perception to Islamic Bank: Are there no Differences with Conventional Banks?

Several studies show no difference in practice and academics in general between Islamic banks and conventional banks. However, they are both very different. This research analysed the perceptions of santri/students of Islamic boarding schools regarding no differences between Islamic banks and conventional banks. This research was quantitative with an in-depth descriptive analysis. The research sample used a blend of purposive and judgment techniques applied to santri from several large Islamic boarding schools in Banyuwangi. The analytical method used a two-way causative relationship using multiple regression. The research used a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale and in-depth interviews with santri. Santri's view of Islamic banks differed from that of regular banks. Santri strongly believes in Islamic banking, while the majority is not traditional but represents Islamic ideals. Islamic bank workers, nevertheless, have shown Islam's greater identity than standard banks and imply that no disparities in Islamic banks are shown to be stigmatic.

Acute corneal graft rejection after anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccination: A report of four cases

Purpose This study intends to add to previous reports on acute corneal graft rejection following anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccination, providing data to corroborate a possible causative relationship between anti-COVID-19 immunization and corneal graft rejection, regardless of vaccine or graft type. Methods and Results This report describes 4 cases of acute-onset rejection as early as 5 days following the first dose of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccine types not yet referred for corneal allograft. Patients were individually given the Moderna messenger RNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine (2 patients) and the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, AZD1222 (2 patients). Conclusions Even though a direct causative effect is hard to prove, temporal proximity between anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccines of different types and consecutive reports of corneal graft rejection indicates the need for further investigation. Consistent advice must be given to corneal transplant patients regarding such risk.

Coexistence of Craniopharyngioma and Cranial Fibrous Dysplasia: A Clinicopathological Study of 5 Cases and Literature Review

Background: Craniopharyngioma (CP) and cranial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) are both rare embryonic benign cranial diseases that most commonly present during childhood or adolescence. Co-existence of CP and CFD is extremely rare, which has never been reported before.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 5 patients coexisted with CP and CFD in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2003 to January 2021. Their clinicopathological features, treatment modalities, and outcomes were summarized. Moreover, a comprehensive literature review was conducted, and in order to explore the potential connection leading to this coexistence, the CFD characteristic GNAS gene and corresponding Gsα protein were tested in the CPResults: There were 4 males and 1 female (median age, 39 years) in the present series. The symptoms mainly included headache, dizziness, fatigue, polyuria/polydipsia, hypogonadism and blurred vision. Sphenoidal bone is the most common involved bone by CFD (n =4). Four patients had undergone surgery to remove the CP (1 transsphnoid and 3 transcranial). Complete and subtotal resection were achieved in 2 cases respectively. The tumor subtypes were 3 adamantinomatous, 1 unknown subtype. The common postoperative complications are pan-hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, and hypothyroidism. The mean follow-up time was 57.2 months. Postoperative hormone replacement was required in 2 patients. 3 patients underwent a genetic study of tumor specimens. GNAS mutations were not detected, but they were positive for Gsα protein. Conclusions: Though the definite causative relationship has not been proved, the coexistence of CP and CFD should not completely be excluded potential interplay or atypical FD course for the uncommon manifestations of CPs. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are more challenging than for solitary CPs for the deformations of skull base, as of now, management strategies are aimed at surgical treating the CP and regularly monitoring the CFD.

The Role of Uterine Natural Killer Cells on Recurrent Miscarriage and Recurrent Implantation Failure: From Pathophysiology to Treatment

Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells constitute a unique uterine leucocyte subpopulation facilitating implantation and maintaining pregnancy. Herein, we critically analyze current evidence regarding the role of uNK cells in the events entailed in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriages (RM). Data suggest an association between RIF and RM with abnormally elevated uNK cells’ numbers, as well as with a defective biological activity leading to cytotoxicity. However, other studies do not concur on these associations. Robust data suggesting a definitive causative relationship between uNK cells and RIF and RM is missing. Considering the possibility of uNK cells involvement on RIF and RM pathophysiology, possible treatments including glucocorticoids, intralipids, and intravenous immunoglobulin administration have been proposed towards addressing uNK related RIF and RM. When considering clinical routine practice, this study indicated that solid evidence is required to report on efficiency and safety of these treatments as there are recommendations that clearly advise against their employment. In conclusion, defining a causative relationship between uNK and RIF–RM pathologies certainly merits investigation. Future studies should serve as a prerequisite prior to proposing the use of uNK as a biomarker or prior to targeting uNK cells for therapeutic purposes addressing RIF and RM.

Contralateral pneumothorax after central line placement in COVID-19 positive patients

Contralateral pneumothorax after percutaneous central venous catheter placement has not been previously reported. Three patients who required intubation and mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 were identified with a new pneumothorax on routine post-placement chest roentgenogram on the side opposite the catheter placement. Retrospective review of charts, radiographs, and laboratory studies. No causative relationship was identified between the percutaneous placement of the central venous catheters and the subsequent pneumothoraces identified on the contralateral side, other than the presence of active COVID-19 viral pneumonia. The timing of the contralateral pneumothoraces were coincidental the placement of the central venous catheters. We believe these pneumothoraces were a consequence of the pulmonary pathology of the COVID-19 virus.

Correlation between workload and teamwork among residents in DIEP Flap surgery

The goal of this study was to evaluate residents’ workload and teamwork and the correlation between their workload and teamwork subscales during deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap surgery. Ten residents who assisted during DIEP flap procedures completed an electronic survey following each DIEP flap procedure from July 2019 to August 2020. The survey contained items from the NASA-TLX and SURG-TLX and questions to measure teamwork subscales. Across 29 surgical cases, 38 surveys were recorded. Overall, the means of workload subscales were mostly greater than 10 and less than 15 (range=020) and the means of all teamwork subscales were greater than 15 (range=0-20). Good teamwork was correlated with lower distractions (Rs= -0.36 to -0.48) and better performance (Rs=0.35 to 0.52). Also, all the teamwork subscales were highly correlated (Rs= 0.59 to 0.92). Our findings suggest that good teamwork, low distractions, and successful performance are generally observed together; however, a causative relationship could not be established based on these results.

Is a High HDL-Cholesterol Level Always Beneficial?

The specific interest concerning HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) is related to its ability to uptake and return surplus cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver and, therefore, to its role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, but also transient ischemic attack and stroke. Previous epidemiological studies have indicated that HDL-C concentration is inversely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and that it can be used for risk prediction. Some genetic disorders are characterized by markedly elevated levels of HDL-C; however, they do not translate into diminished cardiovascular risk. The search of the potential causative relationship between HDL-C and adverse events has shifted the attention of researchers towards the composition and function of the HDL molecule/subfractions. HDL possesses various cardioprotective properties. However, currently, it appears that higher HDL-C is not necessarily protective against cardiovascular disease, but it can even be harmful in extremely high quantities.

A hospital based case control study to explore the association between Bruxism and Cardiovascular diseases in Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have a huge social and economic impact all over the world. Therefore research needs to analyse emerging risk factors for CVDs. Bruxism is a health problem that has low prevalence in the community but may be associated with CVDs. It leads to poor oral health and significantly impacts the quality of life. Studies showing association of CVDs and Bruxism are sparse and, none in Indian context.Methods: This study was conducted in two hospitals of Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh between the months of April 2020 to June 2020. Due to rising infection rates of COVID-19 cases, 160 patients were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups. 80 patients with a positive history for CVD were included as cases while another 80 patients without any known history for CVD were included in the control group. Self-reporting questionnaire and tooth wear index (TWI) were used as research instruments.Results: An unadjusted odd’s ratio of 2.43 (95% CI, 1.28-4.68) and p value of 0.0069, was found when only self-reported bruxism was taken into account. But when self-reporting of bruxism was combined with TWI, an unadjusted odd’s ratio (logit OR) of 3.16 (95% CI, 1.66-6.21) and p value of 0.000529 was found, explaining that the odds of having CVD are 3.16 times higher in patients with bruxism than in those without bruxism.Conclusions: Bruxism is significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases. More studies, with larger sample size are required to firmly establish the causative relationship between bruxism and CVDs.