A novel reverse perilesional home phototherapy can promote the repigmentation of vitiligo patches with complete leukotrichia: A 12-week, open-label, double-arm, multicenter, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Existing phototherapies are ineffective for treating patients with vitiligo with complete leukotrichia. We compared the efficacy of reverse perilesional irradiation, during which only the lesional areas are covered, with conventional narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) home phototherapy for repigmentation of non-segmental vitiligo in patients with complete leukotrichia. METHODS: This was a 12-week, open-label, double-arm, multicenter clinical trial, with a total of 121 patients with non-segmental vitiligo who were randomly divided into two groups (both received topical tacrolimus): the conventional NB-UVB irradiation (CI) and reverse perilesional NB-UVB irradiation (RI) groups. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in improvement from baseline was observed in the RI group compared with the findings in the CI group (-30.8% ± 11.8% vs. -25.5% ± 11.05%, respectively [p = .010]; pair-wise comparison p = .900 at week 4, p = .104 at week 8, and p = .010 at week 12). At week 12, the average percentage change from baseline of leukotrichia in the irradiation area significantly decreased from 100% to 82.2% ± 13.65% in the RI group, and from 100% to 88.7% ± 9.64% in the CI group (p = .027). Adverse events were minor, including desquamation, dryness, erythema, and blisters. No severe or lasting side effects were observed during the study. CONCLUSION: RI mediated better repigmentation of vitiligo with complete leukotrichia than CI.

Dose-response associations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and triglyceride-glucose index with arterial stiffness risk.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index are novel indexes for insulin resistance (IR). We aimed to evaluate associations of TG/HDL-C and TyG with arterial stiffness risk. METHODS: We enrolled 1979 participants from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study, examining arterial stiffness by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Logistic and linear regression models were employed to calculate effect estimates. For meta-analysis, we searched relevant articles from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to August 26, 2023. The fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled estimates. We evaluated dose-response associations using restricted cubic splines. RESULTS: For cross-sectional studies, the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) for arterial stiffness were 1.12 (1.01-1.23) and 1.78 (1.38-2.30) for per 1 unit increment in TG/HDL-C and TyG. In the meta-analysis, the pooled ORs (95% CIs) were 1.26 (1.14-1.39) and 1.57 (1.36-1.82) for per 1 unit increment of TG/HDL-C and TyG. Additionally, both TG/HDL-C and TyG were positively related to PWV, with ß of 0.09 (95% CI 0.04-0.14) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.35-0.78) m/s. We also found linear associations of TG/HDL-C and TyG with arterial stiffness risk. CONCLUSIONS: High TG/HDL-C and TyG were related to increased arterial stiffness risk, indicating TG/HDL-C and TyG may be convincing predictors of arterial stiffness.

Lifestyle behaviors and risk of cardiovascular disease and prognosis among individuals with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 71 prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Healthy lifestyle behaviors (LBs) have been widely recommended for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite a large number of studies exploring the association between combined LBs and CVD, a notable gap exists in integration of relevant literatures. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to analyze the correlation between combined LBs and the occurrence of CVD, as well as to estimate the risk of various health complications in individuals already diagnosed with CVD. METHODS: Articles published up to February 10, 2023 were sourced through PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Eligible prospective cohort studies that reported the relations of combined LBs with pre-determined outcomes were included. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using either a fixed or random-effects model. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were as well performed. RESULTS: In the general population, individuals with the healthiest combination of LBs exhibited a significant risk reduction of 58% for CVD and 55% for CVD mortality. For individuals diagnosed with CVD, adherence to the healthiest combination of LBs corresponded to a significant risk reduction of 62% for CVD recurrence and 67% for all-cause mortality, when compared to those with the least-healthy combination of LBs. In the analysis of dose-response relationship, for each increment of 1 healthy LB, there was a corresponding decrease in risk of 17% for CVD and 19% for CVD mortality within the general population. Similarly, among individuals diagnosed with CVD, each additional healthy LB was associated with a risk reduction of 27% for CVD recurrence and 27% for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Adopting healthy LBs is associated with substantial risk reduction in CVD, CVD mortality, and adverse outcomes among individuals diagnosed with CVD. Rather than focusing solely on individual healthy LB, it is advisable to advocate for the adoption of multiple LBs for the prevention and management of CVD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42023431731.

Intervention Effect of Group Sensory Integration Training on Social Responsiveness and N170 Event-Related Potential of Children with Autism.

The objective of this study was to examine the intervention effect of group sensory integration training on social responsiveness, and the latency and amplitude of N170 event-related potential of children with autism. The social responsiveness scale was employed to assess alterations in the social response of individuals with ASD before and after training, while event-related potentials were utilized to measure changes in N170 latency and amplitude. This study revealed that group sensory integration training can significantly enhance social responsiveness in children diagnosed with ASD. Children with ASD exhibit atypical N170 responses to faces in the right parietal region. The latency of N170 changes may serve as a valuable indicator for assessing the effectiveness of an intervention or diagnosing ASD.

Miscarriage and stillbirth in relation to risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between pregnancy loss and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains a matter of debate. Our intention in conducting this meta-analysis was to analyze the relationship between miscarriage and stillbirth and risk of CVDs. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to May 30, 2023 for all relevant studies. The random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We evaluated RR estimates for the risk of CVDs with each additional miscarriage and stillbirth through generalized least squares regression. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were incorporated into the meta-analysis. For women with a history of miscarriage, the pooled RRs for the risk of total CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and total CVD deaths were 1.16 (95 % CI 1.10-1.22), 1.26 (1.12-1.41), 1.13 (1.03-1.24), and 1.20 (1.01-1.42), respectively. For women with a history of stillbirth, the pooled RRs for the risk of total CVDs, CHD, stroke, and total CVD deaths were 1.60 (1.34-1.89), 1.30 (1.12-1.50), 1.37 (1.06-1.78), and 1.95 (1.05-3.63), respectively. With each additional miscarriage, the risk increased for total CVDs (1.08, 1.04-1.13), CHD (1.08, 1.04-1.13), and stroke (1.05, 1.00-1.10). With each additional stillbirth, the risk increased for total CVDs (1.11, 1.03-1.21) and CHD (1.13, 1.07-1.19). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that both miscarriages and stillbirths are related to a higher risk of total CVDs, CHD, stroke, and total CVD deaths. The risk of total CVDs and CHD increased with the number of miscarriages or stillbirths.

The Uridylyl Transferase TUT7-Mediated Accumulation of Exosomal miR-1246 Reprograms TAMs to Support CRC Progression.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in promoting tumor growth and dissemination, motivating a search for key targets to interfere with the activation of TAMs or reprogram TAMs into the tumor-suppressive type. To gain insight into the mechanisms of macrophage polarization, a designed co-culture system is established, allowing for the education of macrophages in a manner that closely mimics the intricacies of TAMs in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Through database mining, exosomal miR-1246 is identified and is then validated. Exosomal miR-1246-driven polarization of TAMs disrupts the infiltration and function of CD8+ T cells. Mechanically, the amassment of exosomal miR-1246 stems from TUT7-mediated degradation of small noncoding RNA, a process stabilized by SNRPB, but not the precursor of miR-1246. Moreover, an Exo-motif is present in the exosomal miR-1246 sequence, enabling it to bind with the exosomal sorting protein hnRNPA2B1. RNA-seq analysis reveals that exogenous miR-1246 modulates the polarization of TAMs at a post-transcriptional level, emphasizing the pivotal role of the NLRP3 in macrophage polarization. In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of exosomal miR-1246 as a trigger of macrophage reprogramming and uncover a novel mechanism for its enhanced presence in the TIME.

Efficacy and safety of Ruxolitinib, Crisaborole, and Tapinarof for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: a Bayesian network analysis of RCTs.

Given the lack of head-to-head studies of novel non-steroidal molecule topical therapies in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD), network meta-analyses (NMAs) can provide comparative efficacy and safety data for clinical decision-making. In this NMA, we performed a literature search until 01 March 2023 for eligible studies written in English using databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Only double-blind randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with topical Ruxolitinib, Crisaborole, or Tapinarof versus vehicle for patients with mild-to-moderate AD were included. Baseline and follow-up data were extracted. Efficacy was evaluated using Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) achieving "clear" or "almost clear," with 2 points or more improvement from baseline at the end of treatment, referred to as "IGA success." For binary outcomes, we analyzed in random-effects Bayesian NMA consistency models to compare the efficacy of these 3 topical therapies by odds ratio (OR) with 95% credibility interval (CrI). Overall, 10 phase 2 or phase 3 RCTs were identified, which included 4010 patients with mild to moderate AD. Compared with the topical vehicle control, all these 3 treatments had higher response rate of "IGA success" at the end of trial (Ruxolitinib 1.5% b.i.d: OR, 11.94; 95%CrI, 6.28-23.15; Crisaborole 2% b.i.d: OR, 2.08; 95%CrI, 1.46-3.52; Tapinarof 1% b.i.d: OR, 2.64; 95%CrI, 0.75-9.70). Notably, Ruxolitinib 1.5% b.i.d. had the highest probability of achieving "IGA success" in ranking analysis (Rank 1, SUCRA = 0.75) and lower risk of AE (Rank 8, SUCRA = 0.22). Besides, there was no difference in treatment-related adverse events between 3 therapies. Heterogeneity was not significant across studies.

Evaluating AI in medicine: a comparative analysis of expert and ChatGPT responses to colorectal cancer questions.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health challenge, and patient education plays a crucial role in its early detection and treatment. Despite progress in AI technology, as exemplified by transformer-like models such as ChatGPT, there remains a lack of in-depth understanding of their efficacy for medical purposes. We aimed to assess the proficiency of ChatGPT in the field of popular science, specifically in answering questions related to CRC diagnosis and treatment, using the book "Colorectal Cancer: Your Questions Answered" as a reference. In general, 131 valid questions from the book were manually input into ChatGPT. Responses were evaluated by clinical physicians in the relevant fields based on comprehensiveness and accuracy of information, and scores were standardized for comparison. Not surprisingly, ChatGPT showed high reproducibility in its responses, with high uniformity in comprehensiveness, accuracy, and final scores. However, the mean scores of ChatGPT's responses were significantly lower than the benchmarks, indicating it has not reached an expert level of competence in CRC. While it could provide accurate information, it lacked in comprehensiveness. Notably, ChatGPT performed well in domains of radiation therapy, interventional therapy, stoma care, venous care, and pain control, almost rivaling the benchmarks, but fell short in basic information, surgery, and internal medicine domains. While ChatGPT demonstrated promise in specific domains, its general efficiency in providing CRC information falls short of expert standards, indicating the need for further advancements and improvements in AI technology for patient education in healthcare.

Identification of Shared Biomarkers and Immune Infiltration Signatures between Vitiligo and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Background: Vitiligo and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are concomitant autoimmune diseases characterized by the destruction of melanocytes or thyrocytes. We aimed to explore the immunological mechanism of this comorbidity and screen their potential biomarkers. Methods: We downloaded the microarray datasets from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune-related genes (IRGs) were selected. The immune-related differentially expressed genes (IRDEGs) were obtained by taking the intersection. Candidate biomarkers were elected by Cytoscape software. CIBERSORT was used to depict immune cell infiltration prospects. Correlation analysis was conducted between infiltrating cells and several indicators. The results were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: Three datasets and 60 IRDEGs were obtained in total. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the T cell receptor signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, receptor-ligand activity, and signaling receptor activator activity were significantly enriched. We screened out four hub genes, including IFNG, STAT1, IL1B, and CXCL10. The ROC curve indicated the highest diagnostic value of CXCL10 in both vitiligo and HT. Immuno-infiltration analysis revealed significant changes in T cell subsets and macrophage subtypes, which were correlated with four hub genes, melanocyte markers, and thyroid-specific antigens. qPCR validated the hub genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with comorbidity. Conclusion: IFNG, STAT1, IL1B, and CXCL10, were the key IRDEGs to vitiligo and HT. These genes may participate in the comorbidity by remodeling the immune cell infiltration pattern, and cross-expressed antigens may mediate the common damage of melanocytes and thyroid tissues.

Peripheral arterial rather than venous blood is a better source of circulating tumor cells in early lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer. Identification of a more suitable sample source could be a breakthrough towards enhancing CTC detectability in early-stage lung cancer. We investigated the differences in detectable CTCs between peripheral arterial and venous blood in early- and mid-stage lung cancer patients undergoing surgery and analyzed the association between clinicopathological factors and detectable CTCs in peripheral arterial and venous blood. METHODS: Peripheral arterial and venous blood was collected in 5-mL samples from 56 patients with surgically resected and pathologically clear at early- or mid-stage lung cancer. Blood specimens were enriched for CTCs based on isolation by size of epithelial tumor cells. The CTCs were identified using Swiss Giemsa staining and immunohistochemistry for CD45/CD31. RESULTS: In stage I lung cancer, CTC-positive rate was significantly higher in peripheral arterial than in venous blood (45.45% vs. 17.39%). There was no significant difference in the number of detectable CTCs between peripheral arterial and venous blood. A low degree of differentiation was associated with a high positive rate of CTCs in peripheral venous blood. The number of circulating tumor microemboli was significantly higher in patients with tumor size >3 cm compared with ≤3 cm. CONCLUSION: CTC levels in peripheral arterial and venous blood differed little in lung cancer patients.Compared to peripheral venous blood, peripheral arterial blood had a higher CTC positivity rate in early-stage lung cancer.This study was favorable for early detection and monitoring of lung cancer.

Adaptive spline surface fitting with arbitrary topological control mesh.

Reconstructing a spline surface from a given arbitrary topological triangle mesh is a fundamental and challenging problem in computer-aided design and engineering. This paper introduces a novel surface fitting method utilizing G-NURBS capable of handling control meshes with arbitrary topologies. This method employs adaptive control point adjustment, guided by the geometric attributes of the input model, ensuring precise representation of sharp features such as edges and corners. Two primary strategies are employed: a parameter correspondence approach designed for sharp features and a control mesh iterative refinement technique that incorporates geometrical feature information. The proposed method has been tested and evaluated on various CAD models to demonstrate its effectiveness. This method can achieve higher fitting accuracy while faithfully preserving the geometrical features with fewer control points.

Understanding the impact of chronic diseases on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy using propensity score matching: Internet-based cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether chronic diseases are associated with higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and explore factors that influence COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in patients with chronic diseases. BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy has been acknowledged as one of the greatest hazards to public health. However, little information is available about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among patients with chronic diseases who may be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection, severe disease or death. METHODS: From 6 to 9 August 2021, we performed an internet-based cross-sectional survey with 22,954 participants (14.78% participants with chronic diseases). Propensity score matching with 1:1 nearest neighbourhood was used to reduce confounding factors between patients with chronic diseases and the general population. Using a multivariable logistic regression model, the factors impacting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were identified among patients with chronic diseases. RESULTS: Both before and after propensity score matching, patients with chronic diseases had higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy than the general population. In addition, self-reported poor health, multiple chronic diseases, lower sociodemographic backgrounds and lower trust in nurses and doctors were associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among patients with chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic diseases were more hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine. Nurses should focus on patients with chronic diseases with poor health conditions, low socioeconomic backgrounds and low trust in the healthcare system. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinical nurses are recommended to not only pay more attention to the health status and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with chronic diseases but also build trust between nurses and patients by improving service levels and professional capabilities in clinical practice. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients or the public were not involved in setting the research question, the outcome measures, or the design or implementation of the study. However, all participants were invited to complete the digital informed consent and questionnaires.

Temporal changes in factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese adults: Repeated nationally representative survey.

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been cited as one of the main obstacles impacting vaccine coverage. However, factors that affect hesitancy may change over time. Understanding these evolving concerns and adapting strategies accordingly are crucial for effectively addressing vaccine hesitancy effectively and promoting public health. We aimed to explore the temporal changes in factors associated with COVID-19 VH during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the dynamic evolution of VH. Methods: In August 2022 and February 2023, repeated online surveys were undertaken to collect information from 5378 adults across four regions of China. Multiple linear regression models assessed the influencing factors of COVID-19 VH. The association between protective motive theory (PMT) (perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy) and VH was evaluated by structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: Repeated measures showed that 573 (10.7%) and 1598 (29.7%) of the 5378 participants reported COVID-19 VH in the baseline and follow-up surveys, respectively. Educational levels, chronic disease, history of allergy, COVID-19 infection, and trust in medical staff and vaccine developers were positively associated with COVID-19 VH (P＜0.05). The application of SEM revealed that perceived severity, susceptibility, vaccination barriers, and self-efficacy in the PMT directly impacted on VH (P＜0.05). In addition, severity, susceptibility, benefits, and barriers had a significant direct effect on self-efficacy as ß = 0.113, ß = 0.070, ß = 0.722, ß = -0.516 respectively with P < 0.001. Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 VH was relatively low in the baseline survey and much higher in the follow-up survey, with a significant increase in hesitancy rates among mainland Chinese residents. Acknowledging the substantial impact on the shaping of COVID-19 VH, one must consider factors including perceived severity, susceptibility, vaccination barriers, and self-efficacy.

Alterations in gut and genital microbiota associated with gynecological diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing number of studies have demonstrated certain patterns of microbial changes in gynecological diseases; however, the interaction between them remains unclear. To evaluate the consistency or specificity across multiple studies on different gynecological diseases and microbial alterations at different sites of the body (gut and genital tract), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to December 5, 2022(PROSPERO: CRD42023400205). Eligible studies focused on gynecological diseases in adult women, applied next-generation sequencing on microbiome, and reported outcomes including alpha or beta diversity or relative abundance. The random-effects model on standardized mean difference (SMD) was conducted using the inverse-variance method for alpha diversity indices. RESULTS: Of 3327 unique articles, 87 eligible studies were included. Significant decreases were found in gut microbiome of patients versus controls (observed species SMD=-0.35; 95%CI, -0.62 to -0.09; Shannon index SMD=-0.23; 95%CI, -0.40 to -0.06), whereas significant increases were observed in vaginal microbiome (Chao1 SMD = 1.15; 95%CI, 0.74 to 1.56; Shannon index SMD = 0.51; 95%CI, 0.16 to 0.86). Most studies of different diagnostic categories showed no significant differences in beta diversity. Disease specificity was observed, but almost all the changes were only replicated in three studies, except for the increased Aerococcus in bacterial vaginosis (BV). Patients with major gynecological diseases shared the enrichment of Prevotella and depletion of Lactobacillus, and an overlap in microbes was implied between BV, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated an association between alterations in gut and genital microbiota and gynecological diseases. The most observed results were shared alterations across diseases rather than disease-specific alterations. Therefore, further investigation is required to identify specific biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Association of methylation risk score with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nested case-control study.

AIMS: To investigate the association of methylation risk score (MRS) and its interactions with environmental factors with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study with 241 onset cases and 241 matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were employed to identify risk CpG sites. Simple and weighted MRSs were constructed based on the methylation levels of ATP-binding cassette G1 gene, fat mass and obesity associated gene, potassium voltage-gated channel member 1 gene, and thioredoxin-interacting protein gene previously associated with T2DM to estimate the association of MRS with T2DM risk. Stratified analyses were used to investigate interactions between MRS and environmental factors. RESULTS: A total of 10 CpG loci were identified from the aforementioned genes to calculate MRS. After controlling for potential confounding factors, taking tertile 1 as reference, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2DM of tertile 3 was 2.39 (1.36-4.20) for simple MRS and 2.59 (1.45-4.63) for weighted MRS. With per SD score increment in MRS, the OR (95% CI) was 1.66 (1.29-2.14) and 1.60 (1.24-2.08) for simple and weighted MRSs, respectively. J-curved associations were observed between both simple and weighted MRSs and T2DM risks. Additionally, multiplication interactions for smoking and hypertension with simple MRS on the risk of T2DM were found, similarly for smoking and obesity with weighted MRS on the risk of T2DM (all Pinteraction < .05). CONCLUSION: Elevated simple and weighted MRSs were associated with increased risk of T2DM. Environmental risk factors may influence the association between MRS and T2DM.

Interaction between intratumoral microbiota and tumor mediates the response of neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.

Background: Previous observations have demonstrated that the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is highly variable in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Recent studies focusing on the intratumoral microbiota of colorectal cancer have revealed its role in oncogenesis and tumor progression. However, limited research has focused on the influence of intratumoral microbiota on the nCRT of LARC. Methods: We explored the microbial profiles in the tumor microenvironment of LARC using RNA-seq data from a published European cohort. Microbial signatures were characterized in pathological complete response (pCR) and non-pCR groups. Multi-omics analysis was performed between intratumor microbiomes and transcriptomes. Results: Microbial α and ß diversity were significantly different in pCR and non-pCR groups. Twelve differential microbes were discovered between the pCR and non-pCR groups, six of which were related to subclusters of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) associated with extracellular matrix formation. A microbial risk score based on the relative abundance of seven differential microbes had predictive value for the nCRT response (AUC = 0.820, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study presents intratumoral microbes as potential independent predictive markers for the response of nCRT to LARC and demonstrates the underlying mechanism by which the interaction between intratumoral microbes and CAFs mediates the response to nCRT.

Identification of alpha-linolenic acid as a broad-spectrum antiviral against zika, dengue, herpes simplex, influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has garnered global attention due to its association with severe congenital defects including microcephaly. However, there are no licensed vaccines or drugs against ZIKV infection. Pregnant women have the greatest need for treatment, making drug safety crucial. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a polyunsaturated ω-3 fatty acid, has been used as a health-care product and dietary supplement due to its potential medicinal properties. Here, we demonstrated that ALA inhibits ZIKV infection in cells without loss of cell viability. Time-of-addition assay revealed that ALA interrupts the binding, adsorption, and entry stages of ZIKV replication cycle. The mechanism is probably that ALA disrupts membrane integrity of the virions to release ZIKV RNA, inhibiting viral infectivity. Further examination revealed that ALA inhibited DENV-2, HSV-1, influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection dose-dependently. ALA is a promising broad-spectrum antiviral agent.

Work-family conflict and anxiety among nurses of the maternal and child health institutions: the mediating role of job satisfaction.

Introduction: Over the past decades, anxiety has garnered significant attention from nursing population. Investigations have centered on the correlation between work-family conflict (WFC) and anxiety as well as the link between job satisfaction and anxiety among nurses. However, the role of job satisfaction plays in the relationship between work-family conflict and anxiety remains relatively unexplored. Methods: In April 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses (N = 3,770) working at the maternal and child health institutions in Henan province, China. Multiple linear regression model was used to explore the factors associated with anxiety. Model 4 in Hayes's PROCESS macro and Bootstrap method was performed to examine the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between work-family conflict and anxiety. Results: The median (interquartile range) anxiety score was 5.00 (6.00). Work-family conflict was shown to be significantly correlated to job satisfaction (r = -0.517, p < 0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.457, p < 0.01). There was a strong negative correlation between job satisfaction and anxiety (r = -0.379, p < 0.01). The study also found that nurses aged 31-40 years, those with a junior college education (p = 0.001), those with an undergraduate or above education (p < 0.001), those who reported experiencing work-family conflict (p < 0.001), and those with lower job satisfaction (p < 0.001) were more likely to experience anxiety. Additionally, job satisfaction partially (a*b = 20.90%) mediated the relationship between work-family conflict and anxiety. Conclusion: The association between work-family conflict and anxiety among nurses in maternity and child health institutions was moderated by job satisfaction. Therefore, it is critical to enhance working conditions, minimize work-family conflict, and promoting job satisfaction among nurses may help to mitigate the negative effects of work-family conflict on anxiety.

Intratumoural microbiome can predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery.

BACKGROUND: The dismal prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with characteristics of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Recent studies have confirmed the presence and potential influence of the microbiome in TME on cancer progression. Elucidating the relationship between microbes in the TME and cancer could provide valuable insights into novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for HCC and thus warrants a closer investigation of the role of intratumoural microbiome in the HCC TME. METHODS: We determined the presence of intratumoural microbiome using fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and explored the microbial community profiles in the HCC TME in paired tumour and adjacent normal tissues using 16S rDNA sequencing. Microbial signatures were characterised in the paired group, and their correlation with clinical characteristics was further investigated. We clustered the microbial signatures of tumour tissues by hepatotypes, and further analysis was performed to elucidate the independent prognostic value of the hepatotypes. RESULTS: This study revealed that microbial profiles and community networks differed notably between tumours and adjacent normal tissues. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in the HCC TME. The TME microbial profiles also revealed heterogeneities between individuals and between multiple tumour lesions. Clustering of the microbial profiles into two hepatotypes revealed different microbial network patterns. Additionally, the hepatotypes were revealed to be independent prognostic factors in patients with resected HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illuminates the microbial profiles in the TME of HCC and presents the hepatotype as a potential independent biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HCC after surgery.