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Abstract. Background:. Early detection of gastric cancer (GC) has been the topic of major efforts in China. This study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with GC and to provide evidence for the selection of a high-risk population of GC. Methods:. Based on the cancer screening cohort of the National Cancer Screening Program in Urban China, GC patients diagnosed by endoscopy and pathological examinations constituted the case group, and controls were 1:3 matched by sex and age (±5 years) individually. The variables were selected by univariable analysis of factors such as body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, lifestyle, stomach disease history, and family history of GC; and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of GC and to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of related factors and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results:. A total of 215 GC cases and 645 matched healthy controls were included in the final analysis, with a median age of 61 years for the case and control groups. Overall analysis showed that high educational level (above primary school) (OR = 0.362, 95% CI = 0.219–0.599, P

Zn-based alloys are considered as new kind of potential biodegradable implanted biomaterials recently. The difficulty of metal implanted biomaterials and bone tissue integration seriously affects the applications of metal implanted scaffolds in bone tissue-related fields. Herein, we self-designed Zn0.8Mn and Zn0.8Mn0.1Li alloys and CaP coated Zn0.8Mn and Zn0.8Mn0.1Li alloys, then evaluated the degradation property and cytocompatibility. The results demonstrated that the Zn0.8Mn0.1Li alloys had profoundly modified the degradation property and cytocompatibility, but Zn0.8Mn0.1Li alloys had particularly adverse effects on the surface morphology of osteoblasts. The results furtherly showed that the CaP-coated Zn0.8Mn and Zn0.8Mn0.1Li alloys scaffold had better biocompatibility, which would further guarantee the biosafety of this new kind of biodegradable Zn-based alloys implants for future clinical applications.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder with no structural damage, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Studies have shown that the brain–gut axis is closely related to the occurrence of IBS. However, studies of IBS related to the brain–gut axis have not been systematically analyzed by bibliometrics and visual analysis. This study is based on 631 publications in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) to analyze hot spots and trends in this field. The collaborations between different authors, institutions, countries, and keywords were bibliometrically analyzed by CiteSpace software. Meanwhile, VOSviewer analyzed the references. The results show that since 2012, the number of publications has been growing rapidly. According to the collaborative network analysis, the United States, the National University of Ireland, Cork, and J.F. Cryan are the countries, institutions, and authors contributing the most, respectively. Through keywords and literature analysis, mechanisms and therapy associated with IBS and the brain–gut axis have still been a research focus in recent years. Furthermore, the physiological and pathological mechanisms of the brain–gut axis influencing IBS (related to gastrointestinal dysfunction, vagus nerve, visceral pain, intestinal flora, serotonin, tryptophan metabolism, stress, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and malonyldialdehyde) are the future research trends, especially the mechanisms related to intestinal flora. This is the first bibliometric and visualization analysis of IBS and brain–gut axis-related literature to explore research hotspots and trends.

Abstract. Background:. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, but its burden is not uniform. GLOBOCAN 2020 has newly updated the estimates of cancer burden. This study summarizes the most recent changing profiles of cancer burden worldwide and in China and compares the cancer data of China with those of other regions. Methods:. We conducted a descriptive secondary analysis of the GLOBOCAN 2020 data. To depict the changing global profile of the leading cancer types in 2020 compared with 2018, we extracted the numbers of cases and deaths in 2018 from GLOBOCAN 2018. We also obtained cancer incidence and mortality from the 2015 National Cancer Registry Report in China when sorting the leading cancer types by new cases and deaths. For the leading cancer types according to sex in China, we summarized the estimated numbers of incidence and mortality, and calculated China's percentage of the global new cases and deaths. Results:. Breast cancer displaced lung cancer to become the most leading diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2020. Lung, liver, stomach, breast, and colon cancers were the top five leading causes of cancer-related death, among which liver cancer changed from the third-highest cancer mortality in 2018 to the second-highest in 2020. China accounted for 24% of newly diagnosed cases and 30% of the cancer-related deaths worldwide in 2020. Among the 185 countries included in the database, China's age-standardized incidence rate (204.8 per 100,000) ranked 65th and the age-standardized mortality rate (129.4 per 100,000) ranked 13th. The two rates were above the global average. Lung cancer remained the most common cancer type and the leading cause of cancer death in China. However, breast cancer became the most frequent cancer type among women if the incidence was stratified by sex. Incidences of colorectal cancer and breast cancer increased rapidly. The leading causes of cancer death varied minimally in ranking from 2015 to 2020 in China. Gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach, colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancers, contributed to a massive burden of cancer for both sexes. Conclusions:. The burden of breast cancer is increasing globally. China is undergoing cancer transition with an increasing burden of lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and breast cancers. The mortality rate of cancer in China is high. Comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to target China's changing profiles of the cancer burden.

Background and Purpose: Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease, featuring microvascular abnormalities and elevated levels of bradykinin. Contact activation of Factor XII can initiate the plasma kallikrein‐kinin cascade, producing inflammation and angioedema. The role of Factor XII in psoriasis is unknown. Experimental Approach: The effects of deficiency of Factor XII or its enzymatic substrate, prekallikrein, were examined in the imiquimod‐induced mouse model of psoriasis. Skin microcirculation was assessed using intravital confocal microscopy and laser Doppler flowmeter. A novel antibody blocking Factor XII activation was evaluated for psoriasis prevention. Key Results: Expression of Factor XII was markedly up‐regulated in human and mouse psoriatic skin. Genetic deletion of Factor XII or prekallikrein, attenuated imiquimod‐induced psoriatic lesions in mice. Psoriatic induction increased skin microvascular blood perfusion, causing vasodilation, hyperpermeability and angiogenesis. It also promoted neutrophil‐vascular interaction, inflammatory cytokine release and enhanced Factor XII / prekallikrein enzymatic activity with elevated bradykinin. Factor XII or prekallikrein deficiency ameliorated these microvascular abnormalities and abolished bradykinin increase. Antagonism of bradykinin B2 receptors reproduced the microvascular protection of Factor XII / prekallikrein deficiency, attenuated psoriatic lesions, and prevented protection by Factor XII / prekallikrein deficiency against psoriasis. Furthermore, treatment of mice with Factor XII antibody alleviated experimentally induced psoriasis and suppressed microvascular inflammation. Conclusion and Implications: Activation of Factor XII promoted psoriasis via prekallikrein‐dependent formation of bradykinin, which critically mediated psoriatic microvascular inflammation. Inhibition of contact activation represents a novel therapeutic strategy for psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccination is a key public health measure to mitigate the crippling effects of the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccination began in adults and targeted adolescents at a later stage. However, medical decision-making on its uptake among the latter was unknown, which could be affected by their literacy and concerns about the vaccine. The study aimed to elucidate the awareness, concerns and barriers of adolescents toward the COVID-19 vaccine.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey using a self-developed questionnaire was conducted between June to November 2021. The adolescent participants were students from institutes of post-secondary education who were recruited via convenience sampling. The data were collated from an officially approved electronic platform, audited and analyzed. Continuous and categorical variables were expressed as mean (standard deviation) and percentages, respectively.ResultsA total of 460 adolescents participated in the study (mean age: 16.99 ± 0.99; 73% female). Most of them (91.5%) were aware of the COVID-19 vaccines. The main barriers to vaccination were uncertainty about long-term health risks (38.6%) and vaccine efficacy (37.3%). Regarding the potential vaccine side effects, they were concerned about: anaphylactic shock (73.2%), low blood pressure (58.3%) and fast heartbeat (58.0%). Only 58% expressed willingness for repeated COVID-19 vaccination.ConclusionDespite high COVID-19 vaccine awareness, the adolescents were concerned about the potentially severe but rare side-effects. The study identified apprehension regarding vaccine efficacy and the potential long-term health impact as the main barriers to vaccination. Future studies should address these concerns to scale vaccination programs among adolescents.

This study aims to investigate the effects of nano zinc oxide (ZnO) loaded on eggshell on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (AA) and Actinomyces viscosus in order to find new oral antibacterial agents. The AA standard strain ACTT 700685 and A. viscosus standard strain ACTT 27044 were used as experimental strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of nano-ZnO loaded on eggshell against AA and A. viscosus were determined. By prolonging the action time, the MIC of nano-ZnO loaded on eggshell against AA was decreased from 160 to 20 μg/mL, and the MBC was decreased from 2560 to 80 μg/mL. The MIC of nano-ZnO loaded on eggshell against A. viscosus was 640 μg/mL and the MBC was 2560 μg/mL, which were not associated with the action time. Nano-ZnO loaded on eggshell has certain inhibitory effects on the growth of AA and A. viscosus.

Amid trends in non-dairy probiotic foods and functional coffees, it is timely to develop a high-count probiotic, fermented coffee beverage. Here, we aimed to enhance the viabilities of different probiotic lactobacilli strains in coffee brews by co-culturing with the probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM-I745. The growth, survival, and metabolic activities of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Limosilactobacillus fermentum PCC, and Lactobacillus gasseri LAC-343 were monitored when cultured individually or co-cultured in coffee brews with S. boulardii CNCM-I745. In co-cultures, all four probiotic lactobacilli maintained viable populations above 5.5 Log CFU/mL for at least 6 months at 4 and 25 °C. In contrast, singly cultured lactobacilli populations generally could not be detected beyond 3 months of storage at either temperature. In co-cultures, vigorous nutrient uptake (glucose, glutamate, and alanine) by the yeast limited lactic acid accumulation by the lactobacilli. Co-culturing also led to accumulations in yeast-derived metabolites (ethanol, 2/3-methylbutanol, 2,3-dimethoxystyrene, and decanoic acid), and lactobacilli-derived metabolites (4-ethylphenol), but the coffee bioactive components (caffeine, trigonelline, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) and antioxidant capacities were maintained. Overall, S. boulardii CNCM-I745 is effective in enhancing the viabilities of probiotic lactobacilli from different species, which may be useful in developing shelf-stable probiotic foods.

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) have potential carcinogenic and mutagenic activity and are generated in cooked protein‐rich foods. Adding proanthocyanidins (PAs) to these foods before frying is an effective way to reduce HCAs. In this study, polymeric PAs (PPA) and ultrasound‐assisted acid‐catalyzed/catechin nucleophilic depolymerized PAs (UAPA, a type of oligomeric PA) were prepared from Chinese quince fruits (CQF). Different levels of PPA and UAPA (0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.15%) were added to chicken meatballs and tofu; then these foods were fried, and the content of HCAs in them after frying was investigated. The results showed that PPA and, particularly, UAPA significantly inhibited the formation of HCAs in fried meatballs and tofu, and this inhibition was dose‐dependent. The inhibition of HCAs by both PPA and UAPA was stronger in the chicken meatballs than in fried tofu. The level of total HCAs was significantly reduced by 57.84% (from 11.93 to 5.03 ng/g) after treatment of meatballs with 0.15% UAPA, with inhibition rates of 78.94%, 50.37%, and 17.81% for norharman, harman, and 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP), respectively. Of note, there was a negative correlation between water, lipid, protein, creatine, and glucose content and HCA content in the crust, interior, and whole (crust‐plus‐interior) measurements of all fried samples. Interestingly, PPA and UAPA were found more effective in inhibiting HCAs in the exterior crust than in the interior of the fried chicken meatballs. These results provide evidence that further studies on the reduction of the formation of harmful HCAs in fried foods by adding CQF PAs could be valuable to the fried food industry. Practical Application: Chinese quince proanthocyanidins treatments significantly inhibited the generation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in chicken meatballs and tofu when deep‐fried. These results suggest that Chinese quince proanthocyanidins can be used as natural food additive for reducing HCAs in fried foods, laying the foundation for using Chinese quince fruit proanthocyanidins for HCA inhibition in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of studies have reported mental health problems in men with prostate cancer. Relationships of median household income and ethnicity to suicide in prostate cancer are poorly characterized. A retrospective study from database data answered this question. Median household income and ethnicity are important factors strongly related to suicide risk in prostate cancer patients, and the lower median household income individuals and non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino individuals were associated with higher suicide risk. Purpose: To determine whether socioeconomic disparities have an impact on the likelihood of suicide among prostate cancer patients. Methods: Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for patients diagnosed with malignant prostate cancer between 2005 and 2020. The socioeconomic disparities of the patients were evaluated by median household income (MHI) and ethnicit y. Ethnicit y included Spanish-Hispanic-Latino and non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino. A Cox proportional risk model was utilized. Using the Kaplan-Meier approach, the cumulative incidence of suicide mortality was measured. Results: A total of 857,418 US population with prostate cancer were included. In the multivariate analysis, individuals with MHI over $75,000 had a lower risk of suicide mortality than those with MHI between $54,999 and $74,999 in all patients (aHRs: 0.693, 95 CI%: 0.603-0.797). Spanish-Hispanic-Latino displayed lower overall suicide mortality in all patients (aHRs: 0.426, 95% CI: 0.323-0.561). In the subgroup analysis of different ages, individuals with MHI over $75,000 had a lower risk of suicide than those with MHI between $54,999 and $74,999 in patients 60 to 79 years (aHRs: 0.668, 95% CI: 0.562-0.794) and individuals with MHI below $54,999 had higher suicide risk than those with MHI between $54,999 and $74,999 in patients 80 + years (aHRs: 1.786, 95% CI: 1.100-2.902). Hispanic-Latino individuals had lower overall suicide mortality in 00 to 59 years (aHRs: 0.420, 95% CI: 0.240-0.734), 60 to 79 years (aHRs: 0.445, 95% CI: 0.319-0.621), 80 + years (aHRs: 0.363, 95% CI: 0.133-0.988). Conclusion: Socioeconomic disparities, including MHI and ethnicity, are important factors strongly related to suicide risk in prostate cancer patients. The lower MHI individuals and non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino individuals were associated with higher suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]