Int J Med Sci
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The skin is directly exposed to atmospheric pollutants, especially particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the air, which poses significant harm to skin health. However, limited research has been performed to identify molecules that can confer resistance to such substances. Herein, we analyzed the effect of fermented sea tangle (FST) extract on PM2.5-induced human HaCaT keratinocyte damage. ⋯ Interestingly, pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK treatment enhanced the anti-apoptotic effect of FST extract in PM2.5-treated cells. Our results indicate that FST extract prevents PM2.5-induced cell damage via inhibition of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human keratinocytes. Accordingly, FST extract could be included in skin care products to protect cells against the harmful effects of PM2.5.
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Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a gastrointestinal cancer, is associated with poor prognosis. Prognostic models predict the likelihood of disease progression and are important for the management of patients with ESCC. The objective of this study was to develop a prognostic model for ESCC using bioinformatics analysis. ⋯ B3GNT3 was significantly downregulated in ESCC tumor tissues and negatively associated with lymph node metastasis. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that B3GNT3 may play a role in immune regulation by regulating M2 macrophages. Conclusion: This study developed a new prognostic model for ESCC and identified B3GNT3 as a potential biomarker negatively associated with lymph node metastasis, which warrants further validation.
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Background: Limited research has examined the association between Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) and mortality, particularly in individuals with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This study investigates the correlation between OBS and H. pylori infection and their impacts on all-cause mortality within a cohort of individuals, considering both infected and uninfected individuals. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018, comprising 4,532 participants, were analyzed. ⋯ Conclusion: In this sample, higher OBS was associated with lower H. pylori infection risks. Dietary OBS correlated significantly with all-cause mortality in H. pylori-positive individuals, while lifestyle OBS was notably associated with mortality in H. pylori-negative participants. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings.
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Introduction: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with clinical features of retinal dystrophy, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, renal anomalies, learning disabilities, hypogonadism, and genitourinary abnormalities. Nevertheless, previous studies on the phenotypic traits of BBS heterozygous carriers have generated inconclusive results. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of BBS heterozygosity on carriers when compared to non-carriers within the Taiwanese population. ⋯ When stratified by BMI level, obese males with the MKS1 rs199910690 variant and obese females with the BBS2 rs773862084 variant exhibited a negative association with CKD development. Conclusion: We found that aside from the association with overweight and obesity, heterozygous BBS mutations did not appear to increase the predisposition of individuals to comorbidities and metabolic diseases. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic susceptibility associated with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), further research is warranted.
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Background: To evaluate the predictive effect of transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length and cervical elasticity examination on cervical insufficiency in twin pregnancies. Methods: Data from twin pregnant women in our hospital were collected retrospectively, including relevant vaginal ultrasound parameters (e.g., cervical length, cervical elasticity score, and the strain value of each part of the cervix). We assessed the risk factors using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to evaluate the predictive effect of each factor on the occurrence of cervical insufficiency. ⋯ The area under the curve of cervical insufficiency predicted by the cervical elasticity score at 12-14 weeks of pregnancy was greater than that predicted by the cervical length at the same time, and the area under the curve of cervical insufficiency predicted by the elasticity score and pre-pregnancy body mass index during the same period was the largest. Conclusions: The cervical elasticity score at 12-14 weeks of gestation effectively predicted the occurrence of cervical insufficiency. The combination of the cervical elasticity score and pre-pregnancy body mass index predicted cervical insufficiency in women with twin pregnancies.