Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions May Attenuate Acute Exacerbations of Asthma: Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan.

Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were widely used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, however their impact on acute asthma exacerbations (AEs) is not well studied.

Methods: We had retrospectively collected patients with asthma AEs between 2019 and 2020 and retrieved data from the Chang Gung Research Database, including clinical manifestations, medications, pulmonary function, clinic and emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Results: A total of 39,108 adult patients with asthma were enrolled, of whom 1502 were eligible for analysis.

METTL3/miR-192-5p/SCD1 Axis Regulates Lipid Metabolism to Affect T Cell Differentiation in Asthma.

This study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying T-cell differentiation in asthma. Flow cytometry was performed to detect Th cells. LC-MS/MS was performed to assess lipid metabolism.

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Rubber Dam Use among Tunisian Dentists: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Context: Despite its undeniable advantages, the rubber dam (RD) is still struggling to claim its rightful place as the most effective used isolation tool in endodontics. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of RD use during endodontic treatment and to identify factors associated with its use by Tunisian dentists.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Measurement of Fluoride Ion Release From Restorative Material Using an Ion-Selective Electrode and Ultraviolet-Visible Light Spectrophotometer.

Background: Importance of fluoride in dental restorative materials for preventing secondary caries. Several commercially available tooth-colored dental restorative materials, such as glass ionomer cement, resin composites, and compomers were used for this study.

Aim: To evaluate the amount of fluoride release from tooth-colored restorative materials [Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement (GC Fuji II)], Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement (ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE), and Giomer (BEAUTIFIL II LS)] using ion-selective electrode (ISE) and spectrophotometer using zirconyl alizarin red dye method.

Management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a review for clinicians.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is an aggressive liver malignancy that arises from second-order biliary epithelial cells. Its incidence is gradually increasing worldwide. Well-known risk factors have been described, although in many cases, they are not identifiable.

An estrogen receptor β-targeted near-infrared probe for theranostic imaging of prostate cancer.

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is aberrantly expressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Therefore, a diagnostic and therapeutic ERβ probe not only helps to reveal the complex role of ERβ in prostate cancer (PCa), but also promotes ERβ-targeted PCa therapy. Herein, we reported a novel ERβ-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe D3 with both imaging and therapeutic functions, which had the advantages of high ERβ selectivity, good optical performance, and strong anti-interference ability.

Parasitic infection prevalence in tuberculosis patients and their household contacts in the Littoral Region of Cameroon.

Background: Parasitic infections are known to suppress the cell mediated immunity that protects against tuberculosis. The status of parasitic infections among bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis patients and their household contacts in Cameroon is not well established. This study aimed at reporting the status of parasitic infections in TB patients and their household contacts with keen interest in associated risk factors to disease exposure.

Safety and Efficacy of a 6-Month Placement of a Fully Covered Self-Expanding Metallic Stent for Refractory Benign Biliary Stricture: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background And Aim: Managing benign biliary stricture endoscopically is complicated and challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 6-month placement of a fully covered self-expanding metallic stent for refractory benign biliary stricture.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with refractory benign biliary stricture (13 with chronic pancreatitis and 9 without) were recruited from five higher tertiary care centers.

Tumor-Stroma Ratio is a Critical Indicator of Peritoneal Metastasis in Gastric Cancer.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the correlation between the tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) and peritoneal metastasis (PM) in gastric cancer (GC) and constructs a diagnostic model based on preoperative examination data.

Methods: To determine the feasibility of obtaining TSR in GC patients through preoperative examinations, the consistency of TSR between endoscopic biopsy tissues and postoperative histopathological tissues was evaluated. Additionally, the correlation between TSR and PM in GC was analyzed using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets.

Depression-related innate immune genes and pan-cancer gene analysis and validation.

Background: Depression, a prevalent chronic mental disorder, presents complexities and treatment challenges that drive researchers to seek new, precise therapeutic targets. Additionally, the potential connection between depression and cancer has garnered significant attention.

Methods: This study analyzed depression-related gene expression data from the GEO database.

The value of a metabolic and immune-related gene signature and adjuvant therapeutic response in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by a dismal prognosis. Treatment outcomes exhibit substantial variability across patients, underscoring the urgent need for robust predictive models to effectively estimate survival probabilities and therapeutic responses in PDAC.

Methods: Metabolic and immune-related genes exhibiting differential expression were identified using the TCGA-PDAC and GTEx datasets.

Comprehensive analysis of ferroptosis-related genes reveals potential therapeutic targets in osteoporosis patients: a computational analysis and experiments.

Background: Ferroptosis-related genes have been reported to play important roles in many diseases, but their molecular mechanisms in osteoporosis have not been elucidated.

Methods: Based on two independent GEO datasets (GSE35956 and GSE35958), and GSE35959 as the validation dataset, we comprehensively elucidated the pathological mechanism of ferroptosis-related genes in osteoporosis by GO analyses, KEGG analyses and a PPI network. Then, We used Western Blot (WB) and Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to verify the expression level of KMT2D, a ferroptosis-related hub gene, in clinical samples.

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Reappraisal on Bedtime Procrastination and Sleep Quality in Higher Educational Context: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study.

Background: While bedtime procrastination is commonly associated with adverse outcomes such as poor sleep quality, the mechanisms mediating these effects remain underexplored. Grounded in the Self-Regulation Model of Behavior and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study examines the mediating role of cognitive reappraisal in the relationship between bedtime procrastination and sleep quality over time.

Methods: Employing a longitudinal design, the study examined the progression of bedtime procrastination, cognitive reappraisal, and sleep quality among university students at three distinct time points throughout an academic semester.

DNA Methyltransferase Inhibition Upregulates the Costimulatory Molecule ICAM-1 and the Immunogenic Phenotype of Melanoma Cells.

In cutaneous melanoma, epigenetic dysregulation is implicated in drug resistance and tumor immune escape. However, the epigenetic mechanisms that influence immune escape remain poorly understood. To elucidate how epigenetic dysregulation alters the expression of surface proteins that may be involved in drug targeting and immune escape, we performed a 3-dimensional surfaceome screen in primary melanoma cultures and identified the DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine as significantly upregulating the costimulatory molecule ICAM-1.

Peripheral DNA Methylation of Cortisol- and Serotonin-Related Genes Predicts Hippocampal Volume in a Pediatric Population.

Background: Hippocampal volume increases throughout early development and is an important indicator of cognitive abilities and mental health. However, hippocampal development is highly vulnerable to exposures during development, as seen by smaller hippocampal volume and differential epigenetic programming in genes implicated in mental health. However, few studies have investigated hippocampal volume in relation to the peripheral epigenome across development, and even less is known about potential genetic moderators.

Triglyceride-glucose index as a marker for visceral obesity in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has emerged as a validated and cost-effective indicator of insulin resistance (IR). Given the significant association between visceral obesity and IR, this study aimed to investigate the utility of the TyG index in estimating visceral obesity in patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: The visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and VFA-to-SFA ratio (VSR) were determined through the analysis of CT images at the lumbar 3 level.

Salt use patterns and heavy metal urinary excretion.

Background: Salt usage patterns have been associated with a risk of multiple diseases; however, their relationship with heavy metal exposure has not been extensively studied.

Methods: This study analyzed survey data from 11,574 NHANES participants. Weighted linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between the type of salt used by participants, the frequency of adding salt at the table, and the frequency of adding regular or seasoned salt to cooking or food preparation, and urinary concentrations of 10 heavy metals.

Association between lipid accumulation product and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study based on U.S. adults.

Background: Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), which is derived from measurements of waist circumference and triglyceride (TG) levels, serves as a comprehensive indicator of lipid accumulation. Emerging research indicates that lipid accumulation dysfunction might significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the investigation into the association between LAP and COPD risk is still insufficient, particularly in population-based research.

The association of visceral fat metabolism score with hyperuricemia-evidence from NHANES 1999-2018.

Objectives: Despite substantial evidence that visceral obesity is an epidemiological risk factor for hyperuricemia (HUA), studies on the connection between the Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF) and HUA remain insufficient. This research focused on METS-VF's potential role as a risk factor for HUA.

Methods: Notably, 8,659 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 were enrolled in this study.

The association between dietary creatine intake and cancer in U.S. adults: insights from NHANES 2007-2018.

Background: Creatine has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. However, its impact on tumors remains uncertain.

Methods: This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018 to investigate the relationship between dietary creatine intake and cancer in American adults.

The association between dietary omega-3 intake and osteoporosis: a NHANES cross-sectional study.

Background: Recent research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in bone metabolism through their influence on bone mineral density (BMD) and the regulation of bone turnover markers. However, epidemiological evidence linking omega-3 intake to the risk of developing osteoporosis is still emerging and remains inconclusive. This study aims to clarify the role of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Association between serum pyridoxal 5'-phosphate levels and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings based on NHANES 2005-2010.

Objective: Vitamin B6 is involved in regulating a variety of biological reactions in cell metabolism, and possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological functions. 5'-pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) is the main biologically active form of vitamin B6. There is currently no research on the correlation between serum PLP levels and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence.

Surgical management of endometrial cancer in patient with musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome harboring pathogenic variants in CHST14 (mcEDS-CHST14): A case report.

Introduction: Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (mcEDS) is a rare autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by systemic depletion of dermatan sulfate. Symptoms characteristic of mcEDS include multiple contractures, fragile skin with subcutaneous bleeding, and hypermobile joints, which suggest difficulty in perioperative management. However, safe surgical techniques and perioperative management of this disorder remain unknown because of its rarity.

Pancreas divisum unmasked: a case report.

Pancreas divisum occurs during development when the ventral and dorsal buds of the pancreas do not fuse. It is the most common congenital anomaly of the pancreas. Patients with this condition are usually asymptomatic, but almost 25% of these patients experience recurrent pancreatitis, which may progress to chronic pancreatitis.