Bmc Med
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Birth weight is considered not only to undermine future growth, but also to induce lifelong diseases; the aim of this study is to explore the relationship between birth weight and adult bone mass. ⋯ The observational analyses suggested that higher birth weight was associated with the increased adult bone area but decreased BMD. By leveraging the genetic instrumental variables with maternal- and fetal-specific effects on birth weight, the observed relationship could be reflected by both the direct fetal and indirect maternal genetic effects.
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West Africa has recorded a relatively higher proportion of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases than the rest of the world, and West Africa-specific host factors could play a role in this discrepancy. Here, we assessed the association between COVID-19 severity among Ghanaians with their immune profiles and ABO blood groups. ⋯ The findings suggest that genetic background and pre-existing immune response patterns may in part shape the nature of the symptomatic response against COVID-19 in a West African population. This study offers clear directions to be explored further in larger studies.
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The beneficial role of gut microbiota and bacterial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is well recognized, although the available literature around their role in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been inconsistent. ⋯ Overall, lower fecal concentrations of the three major SCFAs are associated with higher risk of CRC and incidence of CRC.
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Strategies to improve activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are needed. Preclinical studies showed that antiangiogenic agents and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors might sensitize tumors to immunotherapy. Here, we investigated the tolerability, safety, and preliminary antitumor activity of camrelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in combination with apatinib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitor, and fuzuloparib, a PARP inhibitor, in patients with recurrent or metastatic TNBC. ⋯ Combination of camrelizumab plus apatinib and fuzuloparib showed manageable safety profile and preliminary antitumor activity in patients with recurrent or metastatic TNBC.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of high-polyphenol Mediterranean diet on visceral adiposity: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial.
Mediterranean (MED) diet is a rich source of polyphenols, which benefit adiposity by several mechanisms. We explored the effect of the green-MED diet, twice fortified in dietary polyphenols and lower in red/processed meat, on visceral adipose tissue (VAT). ⋯ A green-MED diet, enriched with plant-based polyphenols and lower in red/processed meat, may be a potent intervention to promote visceral adiposity regression.