Global Burden of Stroke Attributable to Low Physical Activity/High Body Mass Index Among People Aged 55 Years and Older.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to quantify the global stroke burden attributable to low physical activity and high body mass index in adults aged ≥55 years using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. METHODS: We extracted data on stroke mortality, disability-adjusted life years, and risk factor exposure from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study for people aged ≥55 years. We calculated the population-attributable fraction and absolute number of stroke cases and disability-adjusted life years attributable to low physical activity and high body mass index by location, age group, sex, and year. RESULTS: Globally, body mass index and physical inactivity-attributable stroke burden have declined modestly since 1990, but with diverging escalatory regional trajectories. Population growth and aging drive this rising burden. CONCLUSIONS: Multidimensional, context-specific strategies focused on modifiable lifestyle risks are imperative to address the modest declines and escalatory regional trajectories in body mass index and physical inactivity-attributable stroke burden.

Association between vitamin B2 intake and prostate-specific antigen in American men: 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of vitamin B2 in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Vitamin B2 intake has been postulated to modulate the screening rate for PCa by altering the concentration of prostate-specific antigen(PSA). However, the relationship between vitamin B2 and PSA remains indeterminate. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the association between vitamin B2 intake and PSA levels, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. METHODS: From a pool of 20,371 participants in the NHANES survey conducted between 2003 and 2010, a cohort of 2,323 participants was selected for the present study. The male participants were classified into four distinct groups based on their levels of vitamin B2 intake. We employed a multiple linear regression model and a non-parametric regression method to investigate the relationship between vitamin B2 and PSA levels. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised of 2,323 participants with a mean age of 54.95 years (± 11.73). Our findings revealed a statistically significant inverse correlation between vitamin B2 intake (mg) and PSA levels, with a reduction of 0.13 ng/ml PSA concentration for every unit increase in vitamin B2 intake. Furthermore, we employed a fully adjusted model to construct a smooth curve to explore the possible linear relationship between vitamin B2 intake and PSA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study in American men has unveiled a notable inverse association between vitamin B2 intake and PSA levels, potentially posing a challenge for the identification of asymptomatic prostate cancer. Specifically, our findings suggest that individuals with higher vitamin B2 intake may be at a greater risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in the future, possibly indicating a detection bias. These results may offer a novel explanation for the observed positive correlation between vitamin B2 intake and prostate cancer.

Ethanol Embolization of Chest Wall Arteriovenous Malformations: Four-Year Findings.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical characteristics and investigate the efficacy of ethanol embolotherapy in the treatment of chest well arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Treatment-associated complications were also explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2017 and August 2021, 32 consecutive patients (mean age, 23.7 years; age range, 5-54 years) who underwent ethanol embolotherapy for chest well AVMs under general anesthesia were included in this study. Embolization was performed through a direct puncture, transarterial catheterization, or a combination of the 2 procedures. The mean follow-up duration after the last treatment was 18.0 months (range, 3-42 months). The degree of devascularization on follow-up (assessed using angiography or computed tomography), and the clinical signs and symptoms of AVMs were evaluated as the therapeutic outcomes. The major and minor complications associated with the procedures were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 103 embolization procedures (mean, 3.2; range, 2-7) comprising 101 ethanol embolization and 2 coil embolizations were performed on 32 patients with chest wall AVMs. The AVM nidus was accessed through the transarterial approach alone in 4 patients, by direct puncture in 11, and a combined procedure in 17 patients. Overall, more than 80% of the procedures were performed using the combined approach. Complete AVM devascularization was achieved in 12 (37.5%) patients. Moreover, 76% to 99% AVM was achieved in 18 patients (56.3%), and 50% to 75% in 2 patients (6.3%). Bleeding, pain, heart failure, and cosmetic deformities were the indications for treatment. For 3 patients (3/32, 9.4%) who had bleeding, the treatment stopped the hemorrhage. Complete pain relief was reported in 8 patients (8/32, 25.0%), whereas complete relief from congestive heart failure post-embolization was observed in 5 of the 6 patients with congestive heart failure (5/6, 83.3%). Complete correction of cosmesis deformities after embolization was achieved in 10 patients (10/32, 31.3%). Two patients who underwent surgery to correct persistent deformity after embolization only showed insignificant improvement. In addition, 6 (18.8%) patients developed 13 complications including blister, necrosis, hemothorax, transient hemoglobinuria, and transient pulmonary artery hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol embolotherapy is a safe and effective procedure for chest well AVMs. Surgery is required for some patients with residual cosmesis deformity. CLINICAL IMPACT: Currently, there is no standard treatment for chest well AVMs due to their rarity and high heterogeneity. The present study shows that thanol embolotherapy is a safe and clinically effective treatment procedure for the chest well AVMs. Transarterial embolization in combination with direct puncture embolization can reach the AVM nidus. Ethanol embolotherapy can achieve complete obliteration of the AVM nidus in the majority of patients. Surgery may still be needed to correct cosmetic deformity after embolization. The present study provides valuable evidence to inform clinical decision-making.

Absolute Ethanol Embolization of Lip Arteriovenous Malformations: Observational Results from 10 Years of Experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ethanol embolization of lip arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients with lip AVMs were treated with 173 ethanol embolization procedures. Lip AVMs were treated with direct puncture alone in 21 patients (35 procedures, 20.2%), transarterial embolization alone in 13 patients (18 procedures, 10.4 %), and a combination of both in 60 patients (120 procedures, 69.3%). Adjunctive surgical resection was performed after embolization for cosmetic purposes based on the patient's request, including patient preference, functional impairment, and skin necrosis. The mean duration of follow-up was 30.9 months ± 27.6. The follow-up included clinic visits and telephonic questionnaires to evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms of AVMs as well as quality of life measures. RESULTS: Of 76 patients, 51 showed 100% devascularization of AVMs, as determined using arteriography, followed by 23 with 76%-99% devascularization and 2 with 50%-75% devascularization. Of the 76 patients, 40 achieved complete symptom relief and 25 achieved major improvements in cosmetic deformity after embolization. Additionally, 54 patients achieved satisfactory function and aesthetic improvement with ethanol embolotherapy alone, whereas 22 achieved similar outcomes with a combination of ethanol embolotherapy and surgical intervention. Thirty-three adverse events (including 1 major) were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol embolization of lip AVMs, as a mainstay, is efficacious in managing these lesions, with acceptable complications. Surgical resection after embolization may improve function and cosmesis in a subset of patients.

Association between dietary theobromine with depression: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible link between dietary theobromine intake and symptoms of depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: These results are based on the responses of 3637 people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2017-2018. Participants' daily theobromine intake was determined using a 24-h food questionnaire from the 2017-2018 cycle. Presence of depression was defined as a score of 5 or above on the Patient Health Questionnaire. Association between theobromine intake and depression was examined using a multivariate logistic regression adjusting for several relevant sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 6903 participants were included in the study. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed a correlation between depressive symptoms and theobromine intake (OR:1.17, 95%CI:1.02-1.34). CONCLUSIONS: Our cross-sectional population based study suggests that increased theobromine intake is associated with increased risk for depression. Nevertheless, more investigations are needed to confirm our findings.

Initial CT-based radiomics nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury: a multicenter development and validation study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a radiomic prediction model using initial noncontrast computed tomography (CT) at admission to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: A total of 379 TBI patients from three cohorts were categorized into training, internal validation, and external validation sets. After filtering the unstable features with the minimum redundancy maximum relevance approach, the CT-based radiomics signature was selected by using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) approach. A personalized predictive nomogram incorporating the radiomic signature and clinical features was developed using a multivariate logistic model to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with TBI. The calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness of the radiomics signature and nomogram were evaluated. RESULTS: The radiomic signature consisting of 12 features had areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.734, 0.716, and 0.706 in the prediction of in-hospital mortality in the internal and two external validation cohorts. The personalized predictive nomogram integrating the radiomic and clinical features demonstrated significant calibration and discrimination with AUCs of 0.843, 0.811, and 0.834 in the internal and two external validation cohorts. Based on decision curve analysis (DCA), both the radiomic features and nomogram were found to be clinically significant and useful. CONCLUSION: This predictive nomogram incorporating the CT-based radiomic signature and clinical features had maximum accuracy and played an optimized role in the early prediction of in-hospital mortality. The results of this study provide vital insights for the early warning of death in TBI patients.

Trans-ophthalmic arterial ethanol embolotherapy for arteriovenous malformations: a single-center experience.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)-derived ophthalmic artery (OphA) branches are not common, and their management is very challenging. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Trans OphA ethanol embolotherapy for these lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients with AVMs fed by OphA, who underwent transOphA embolization using ethanol from February, 2015 to December, 2019. Sixty-six transOphA embolotherapy procedures (range, 1-4 procedures; mean, 2.5 procedures) were performed. Devascularization degree, visual field, visual acuity, and quality-of-life outcomes were compared and analyzed at follow up (mean, 32.6 months; month range 10-60). Complications were recorded. Twenty-five of the 26 patients (96%) reported complete or > 90% AVM devascularization while one patient (4%) showed > 70% devascularization. Eleven patients (42%) presented with visual acuity impairments; among them, 6 had improvements while 4 were completely relieved. Eight patients (30.7%) presented visual field defects, 3 had improvements while 4 were completely relieved. Ten patients (38.4%) presented with diplopia and exophthalmos with 2 being completely relieved while 6 had major improvements. Bleeding was controlled in all cases (100%). All patients (100%) exhibited cosmetic deformities with 17 being completely relieved. Moreover, all patients (100%) exhibited impaired daily life, which was resolved in 21 patients with 5 patients reporting major improvements. After endovascular treatment, there was no vision loss, death, or permanent disability in any patient. TransOphA ethanol embolotherapy is efficacious and safe for symptomatic resolution or improvement of AVMs fed by OphA with acceptable complications without the risk of visual impairment.

Intraosseous Arteriovenous Malformations in the Extremities Managed with Coils and Absolute Ethanol Treatment.

BACKGROUND: The extremity intraosseous arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare high flow vascular lesions for which the treatment remains challenging. The aim of the study wasto assess treatment methods, interim results, and complications of coils and absolute ethanol in managing extremity intraosseous AVMs via direct puncture approach. METHODS: From 2009 to 2017, 12 patients (mean age, 27.5 years; range, 3-54 years) with extremity intraosseous AVMs underwent staged coils and absolute ethanol treatment via the direct puncture approach. All patients were symptomatic before the procedure as per the Schobinger staging system. The mechanical detachable coils and undetachable coils were used first followed by the injection of absolute ethanol used as a sclerosant agent via a direct puncture approach. Follow-up evaluation (6 to 72 months; mean, 23.5 months), including imaging and symptoms and signs, was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Twenty-seven absolute alcohol procedures were performed for patients with intravascular sclerosis (range: 1-3, mean: 2) with one procedure required per patient (n = 2), 2 per patient (n = 5), or 3 per patient (n = 5). The average stretched length of the total coils per patient was 843.33 cm. The amount of absolute ethanol used ranged from 10 mL to 45 mL (mean, 25.69 mL) in a single session. Nine of twelve patients (75%) exhibited complete responses, and 3 patients (25%) exhibited partial responses. One patient experienced minor complication of transient motor nerve injury and completely recovered half a month later. No major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides strong evidence, suggesting that direct puncture and coils with absolute ethanol approach is an effective and safe treatment in patients with extremity intraosseous AVMs, yielding minor complications and good results.

A Novel Anisotropic Hydrogel with Integrated Self-Deformation and Controllable Shape Memory Effect.

Although shape memory polymers have been highlighted widely and developed rapidly, it is still a challenging task to realize complex temporary shapes automatically in practical applications. Herein, a novel shape memory hydrogel with the ability of self-deformation is presented. Through constructing an anisotropic poly(acrylic acid)-polyacrylamide (PAAc-PAAm) structure, the obtained hydrogel exhibits stable self-deformation behavior in response to pH stimulus, and the shapes that formed automatically can be fixed by the coordination between carboxylic groups and Fe3+ ; therefore, self-deformation and shape memory behaviors are integrated in one system. Moreover, the magnitude of auto-deformation and shape memory could be adjusted with the concentration of corresponding ions, leading to programmable shape memory and shape recovery processes.

Insight into astrocyte activation after optic nerve injury.

In response to optic nerve damage, astrocytes become reactive. This reactivity can be identified by the presence of morphological and molecular changes throughout the retina and optic nerve as well as the formation of a glial scar. The process of astrocyte activation exhibits spatial and temporal characteristics, and it is finely regulated by complex signaling mechanisms. Excessive astrocyte activation plays a crucial role in progressive optic nerve injury. This review focuses on the spatial and temporal characteristics and mechanisms of astrocyte activation and discusses the modulation of astrocyte activation. Further insight into astrocyte activation might provide targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Overexpression of Wnt3a facilitates the proliferation and neural differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro and after transplantation into an injured rat retina.

Neural stem cell-based therapy is a promising option for repair after injury. However, poor stem cell proliferation and insufficient differentiation of the stem cells into neurons are still difficult problems. The present study investigated whether transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) genetically modified to express Wnt3a is a promising approach to overcome these difficulties. We explored the possibility that Wnt3a might contribute to the therapeutic effect of NSC transplantation in retinal repair. The relative promotion of proliferation and neural differentiation by modified NSCs was investigated in a rat model of optic nerve crush. A recombinant lentivirus (Lenti-Wnt3a) was engineered to express Wnt3a. NSCs infected with control lentivirus (Lenti-GFP) or Lenti-Wnt3a were transplanted into the subretinal space immediately after the optic nerve crush. The proliferation and neural differentiation activity of the NSCs were assessed in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of Wnt3a in NSCs induced activation of Wnt signaling, promoted proliferation, and directed the differentiation of the NSCs into neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Our study suggests that Wnt3a can potentiate the therapeutic benefits of NSC-based therapy in the injured retina.

Global burden of asthma in young adults in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: Systematic analysis of the Global burden of disease study 2019.

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease, with onset usually occurring during childhood or adolescence. The aim of this study was to estimate the dynamic changes in the burden of asthma disease among adolescents (aged 15-39 years). Between 1990 and 2019, our comprehensive analysis spanned 204 nations and territories to ascertain the global prevalence of asthma. This extensive evaluation meticulously quantified the disease's burden by examining a range of critical metrics-including mortality rates, prevalence figures, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)-across diverse demographics. Our investigation systematically segmented the data by age, gender, and year, as well as by geographical regions and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), offering an in-depth perspective on the multifaceted impact of asthma worldwide. From 1990 to 2019, there was a global increase in the incidence cases of asthma among young adults, with the number rising from 6487957.18 (95 %UI: 4578735.08-8736387.55) to 7604488.39 (95 % UI:5428024.98-10177808.25). The prevalence rate of asthma among young adults exhibited a decline from 580.09 per 1,00,000 (95 %UI:481.37-757.28) to 504.28 per 1,00,000 (95 %UI:400.64-633.26). It is also noteworthy that the incidence rates in the remaining SDI regions, although lower, also showed varying degrees of increase in 2015. The age-standardized disease burden rate for asthma among young adults has exhibited a decline over the course of the previous three decades. Nevertheless, regions characterized by lower SDI demonstrate elevated age-standardized mortality rates for asthma, thereby warranting focused attention and prioritized allocation of medical resources.

Association of dietary live microbe intake with various cognitive domains in US adults aged 60 years or older.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether dietary live microbe intake is associated with various cognitive domains using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014. And the specific relationship between low, medium and high dietary live microbe intake groups and cognitive ability of the elderly. Dietary live microbe intake was calculated from 24-h diet recall interviews. Cognitive function was assessed using the number symbol substitution test (DSST, which measures processing speed), the animal fluency test (AFT, which measures executive function), the Alzheimer's Registry sub-test (CERAD, which measures memory), and the Composite Z-score, which adds the Z-values of individual tests. Multiple linear regression models and restricted cubic bar graphs were used to investigate the relationship between live microbe intake and cognitive performance. A total of 2,450 participants aged 60 or older were included. Live microbe intake was positively correlated with cognitive ability on the whole. Specifically, when the intake of low, medium and high live microbe was > 2640 g, > 39 g and > 0 g respectively, the CERAD, DSST, AFT and compositive-Z score of the subjects increased with the increase of microbial intake (P < 0.05). In American adults age 60 or older, higher intakes of live microbes were associated with better cognitive performance, especially after a certain amount was reached.

Novel radiopaque ethanol injection: physicochemical properties, animal experiments, and clinical application in vascular malformations.

BACKGROUND: Despite the efficacy of absolute ethanol (EtOH), its radiolucency introduces several risks in interventional therapy for treating vascular malformations. This study aims to develop a novel radiopaque ethanol injection (REI) to address this issue. METHODS: Iopromide is mixed with ethanol to achieve radiopacity and improve the physicochemical properties of the solution. Overall, 82 male New Zealand white rabbits are selected for in vivo radiopacity testing, peripheral vein sclerosis [animals were divided into the following 5 groups (n = 6): negative control (NC, saline, 0.250 ml/kg), positive control (EtOH, 0.250 ml/kg), low-dose REI (L-D REI, 0.125 ml/kg), moderate-dose REI (M-D REI, 0.250 ml/kg), and high-dose REI (H-D REI 0.375 ml/kg)], pharmacokinetic analyses (the blood sample was harvested before injection, 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, 40 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h after injection in peripheral vein sclerosis experiment), peripheral artery embolization [animals were divided into the following 5 groups (n = 3): NC (saline, 0.250 ml/kg), positive control (EtOH, 0.250 ml/kg), L-D REI (0.125 ml/kg), M-D REI (0.250 ml/kg), and H-D REI (0.375 ml/kg)], kidney transcatheter arterial embolization [animals were divided into the following 4 groups (n = 3): positive control (EtOH, 0.250 ml/kg), L-D REI (0.125 ml/kg), M-D REI (0.250 ml/kg), and H-D REI (0.375 ml/kg); each healthy kidney was injected with saline as negative control], and biosafety evaluations [animals were divided into the following 5 groups (n = 3): NC (0.250 ml/kg), high-dose EtOH (0.375 ml/kg), L-D REI (0.125 ml/kg), M-D REI (0.250 ml/kg), and H-D REI (0.375 ml/kg)]. Then, a prospective cohort study involving 6 patients with peripheral venous malformations (VMs) is performed to explore the clinical safety and effectiveness of REI. From Jun 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023, 6 patients [age: (33.3 ± 17.2) years] with lingual VMs received sclerotherapy of REI and 2-month follow-up. Adverse events and serious adverse events were evaluated, whereas the efficacy of REI was determined by both the traceability of the REI under DSA throughout the entire injection and the therapeutic effect 2 months after a single injection. RESULTS: The REI contains 81.4% ethanol (v/v) and 111.3 mg/ml iodine, which can be traced throughout the injection in the animals and patients. The REI also exerts a similar effect as EtOH on peripheral venous sclerosis, peripheral arterial embolization, and renal embolization. Furthermore, the REI can be metabolized at a similar rate compared to EtOH and Ultravist® and did not cause injury to the animals' heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys and brain. No REI-related adverse effects have occurred during sclerotherapy of VMs, and 4/6 patients (66.7%) have achieved complete response at follow-up. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, REI is safe, exerts therapeutic effects, and compensates for the radiolucency of EtOH in treating VMs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered as No. ChiCTR2300071751 on May 24 2023.

Glial cells activation potentially contributes to the upregulation of stromal cell-derived factor-1α after optic nerve crush in rats.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) plays an important role after injury. However, little is known regarding its temporal and spatial expression patterns or how it interacts with glial cells after optic nerve crush injury. We characterized the temporal and spatial expression pattern of SDF-1α in the retina and optic nerve following optic nerve crush and demonstrated that SDF-1α is localized to the glial cells that are distributed in the retina and optic nerve. CXCR4, the receptor for SDF-1α, is expressed along the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The relative expression levels of Sdf-1α mRNA and SDF-1α protein in the retina and optic nerve 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after injury were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, and the Cxcr4 mRNA expression was determined using real-time PCR. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical approaches were used to detect the localization of SDF-1α and CXCR4 after injury. The upregulation of Sdf-1α and Cxcr4 mRNA was detected as early as day one after injury in the retina and day two in the optic nerve, the expression peaks 5-7 days after injury. The expression of Sdf-1α and Cxcr4 mRNA was maintained for at least 14 days after the optic nerve crush injury. Furthermore, SDF-1α-positive zones were distributed locally in the reactive glial cells, which suggested potential autocrine stimulation. CXCR4 was mainly expressed in the GCL, which was also adjacent to the the glial cells. These findings suggest that following optic nerve crush, the levels of endogenous SDF-1α and CXCR4 increase in the retina and optic nerve, where activated glial cells may act as a source of increased SDF-1α protein.

[Clinical analysis of interventional embolization for 9 cases with frontal arteriovenous malformation].

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of interventional embolization in the treatment of frontal arteriovenous malformation (AVM). METHODS: A retrospective study was used to analyze 9 patients with frontal AVM who were treated in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The patients were treated with interventional embolization under the guidance of DSA. The scope of lesions was observed through DSA, and the injection dose of sclerosing agent was predicted so that the drug could be injected into the lesion cavity. The efficacy, adverse reactions and complications of all patients were observed and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 9 patients, there were 7 males(77.8%) and 2 females(22.2%), aged from 1.5-20 years old. Local swelling or mass was the main reported symptom(66.7%). The blood supply arteries of the cases involved in this study included superficial temporal artery and ophthalmic artery. All patients received interventional embolization treatment under general anesthesia, a total of 19 times (each patient received 1-6 times, average 2.1 times/person), and the average single dose of absolute ethanol was 9.0 mL. A total of 80 coils (4.2 coils/time on average) were used for 5 times (80 coils/19 times) with absolute ethanol embolization. In addition, bleomycin was used 3 times, pingyangmycin was used 2 times, and 3% polydocanol was used 1 time to assist embolization. Among the 9 cases included in this study, 4 cases were cured, 3 cases were basically cured, 2 cases were improved, and the effective rate of treatment was 100%. No local or systemic complications were reported in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of frontal arteriovenous malformation, correct diagnosis according to clinical and imaging manifestations, and interventional embolization with anhydrous ethanol according to DSA angiography results can reduce trauma, improve symptoms, control lesions, and obtain relatively satisfactory treatment results. This scheme is safe and effective.

Assessing volatile organic compounds exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in US adults.

Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals widely used in People's Daily life. There is increasing evidence of the cumulative toxicity of VOCs. However, the association between VOCs and the risk of COPD has not been reported. Objective: We comprehensively evaluated the association between VOCs and COPD. Methods: Our study included a total of 1,477 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including VOCs, COPD, and other variables in the average US population. Multiple regression models and smooth-curve fitting (penalty splines) were constructed to examine potential associations, and stratified analyses were used to identify high-risk groups. Results: We found a positive association between blood benzene and blood o-xylene concentrations and COPD risk and identified a concentration relationship between the two. That is, when the blood benzene and O-xylene concentrations reached 0.28 ng/mL and 0.08 ng/mL, respectively, the risk of COPD was the highest. In addition, we found that gender, age, and MET influence the relationship, especially in women, young people, and people with low MET. Significance: This study revealed that blood benzene and blood o-xylene were independently and positively correlated with COPD risk, suggesting that long-term exposure to benzene and O-xylene may cause pulmonary diseases, and providing a new standard of related blood VOCs concentration for the prevention of COPD.

Analysis of the global burden of disease study highlights the global, regional, and national trends of idiopathic epilepsy epidemiology from 1990 to 2019.

Epilepsy is a profound disorder, accounting for roughly 1% of the global disease burden. It can result in premature death and significant disability. To comprehensively understand the current dynamics and trends of idiopathic epilepsy, a deep insight into its epidemiological attributes is vital. We evaluated the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years associated with idiopathic epilepsy from 1990 to 2019 using data and methodologies from the Global Burden of Disease Study. In 2019, there were approximately 2,898,222 individuals diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Intriguingly, from 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence rate of idiopathic epilepsy was consistently lower in women compared to men. Over these three decades, global mortality connected to idiopathic epilepsy increased by 13.95%. However, within the same period, age-standardized death rates for idiopathic epilepsy decreased from 1.94 per 100,000 population to 1.46 per 100,000 population. Predictions indicate an increase in the incidence of idiopathic epilepsy across all age brackets through 2035, especially among the elderly aged 80 and above. Mortality rates are projected to climb for those aged 80 and above while remaining relatively unchanged in other age demographics. Idiopathic epilepsy continues to be a significant contributor to both disability and death. The findings of our study underscore the critical importance of incorporating idiopathic epilepsy management into modern healthcare frameworks. Such strategic inclusion can enhance public awareness of relevant risk factors and the range of available therapeutic interventions.

Correlation Between the RNA Methylation Genes and Immune Infiltration and Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pan-Cancer Analysis.

Background: RNA methylation is one of the most common RNA modifications and is dynamic and reversible. The enzymes and downstream effectors associated with RNA methylation modifications can be targeted to regulate RNA methylation levels. This mechanism can affect RNA processing, metabolism, cell proliferation and migration, and regulation of physiological or pathological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of RNA methylation-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Baseline RNA methylation data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The expression pattern, predictive value, mutational profile, and interaction network of RNA methylation genes in pancancer were examined. Then, the association between the expression of RNA methylation genes and immune infiltration was investigated. In addition, a risk score model for HCC was developed and analyzed. Results: Cancer cells had a higher expression of RNA methylation genes than normal cells in some cancer cells, and a higher expression of RNA methylation genes could negatively affect patient prognosis. Enrichment analysis revealed that RNA methylation genes are involved in the mRNA surveillance pathway and RNA degradation and transport. A 4-gene (ALYREF, NSUN4, TRMT6, YTHDF1) prognostic signature was established to predict HCC prognosis based on RNA methylation-related genes. Finally, the role of prognostic models in HCC was validated. Conclusion: RNA methylation genes can be an indicator of oncogenicity in relation to HCC prognosis and are associated with immune infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. This finding could provide clinicians with the opportunity to explore new strategic approaches.

The association of healthy eating index with periodontitis in National Health and Nutrition Examination Study 2011-2012.

Aim: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by periodontopathic bacteria that causes inflammation of the supporting tissues around teeth. Previous studies have found that daily dietary nutritional intake can influence the development of periodontal disease. However, research on the Healthy Eating Index's involvement in periodontitis is limited. The purpose of this study was to look at the link between the Healthy Eating Index and periodontitis. Methods and design: We examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), a nationally representative survey that was performed in 2-year cycles from 2011 to 2012. As part of our investigation, we used multivariate logistic regression models to investigate the independent relationship between the Healthy Eating Index and periodontitis. We used odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals to assess the significance of the connection (95% CI). Results: Individuals with a lower total healthy eating index were more likely to have periodontitis. A higher healthy diet index was associated with a lower prevalence of periodontitis (OR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.49-0.97), according to adjusted multivariate regression models. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis revealed that the non-linear relationship between HEI-2015 and periodontitis was statistically significant and that high HEI-2015 reduced periodontitis prevalence. Conclusion: The study's findings revealed that dietary structure was linked to the prevalence of periodontitis. Patients with a higher Healthy Eating Index were less likely to have periodontitis. There is a need for future prospective longitudinal studies to confirm causality.