Associations between residential greenness and the predicted 10-year risk for atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease among Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to build environments, especially residential greenness, offers benefits to reduce the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). The 10-year ASCVD risk is a useful indicator for long-term ASCVD risk, but the evidence on the association and potential pathway of residential greenness in mitigating its development remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the associations between residential greenness and the 10-year predicted ASCVD risks, and potentially mediation effect on this association by air pollution, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). METHODS: The baseline of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study, enrolling 99,556 adults during 2018-2019, was used in this cross-sectional study. The participants' 10-year ASCVD risks were predicted as low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups, based on the six risk factors: age, smoking, hypertension, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high total cholesterol (TC). The 3-year mean value within the circular buffer of 500 m and 1000 m of Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI500m and EVI1000m) were used to assess greenness exposure. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between residential greenness and the 10-year ASCVD risks. Stratified analyses by sex, age and smoking status were performed to identify susceptible populations. Causal mediation analysis was used to explore the mediation effects of air pollution, BMI and PA. RESULTS: A total of 75,975 participants were included, of which 17.9 % (n = 13,614) and 5.6 % (n = 4253) had the moderate and high 10-year ASCVD risks, respectively. Compared to the low-risk group, each interquartile increase in EVI500m and EVI1000m reduced the ASCVD risk of the moderate-risk group by 4 % (OR = 0.96 [0.94, 0.98]) and 4 % (OR = 0.96 [0.94, 0.98]), respectively; and reduced the risk of the high-risk group by 8 % (OR = 0.92 [0.90, 0.96]) and 7 % (OR = 0.93 [0.90, 0.97]), respectively. However, the increased greenness did not affect the ASCVD risk of the high-risk group when compared to the moderate-risk group. Effects of residential greenness on the ASCVD risk were stronger in women than in men (p < 0.05), and were not observed in those aged ≥55. PA and BMI partially mediated the association between greenness and the 10-year ASCVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: ASCVD prevention strategies should be tailored to maximize the effectiveness within the groups with different ASCVD risks, better at early stages when the ASCVD risk is low.

Efficacy of probiotics against dental caries in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dental caries causes serious consequences and the financial burden of society especially in children with high morbidity rate. Here we carried out a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the efficacy of probiotics against dental caries in children. Forty-three RCTs were eligible for this meta-analysis after searching the PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science from the inception through October 2021. Pooled estimates demonstrated that treatment with probiotics significantly reduced noncavitated (dicdas2-6mft) (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.3 to -0.06, p = 0.002) and cavitated (dicdas5-6mft) carious lesions in children (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.5 to 0.14, p = 0.0004). Probiotics also reduced prevalence of noncavitated (dicdas2-6mft) carious lesions (RR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.67 to-0.97, p = 0.02). Salivary Streptococcus mutans was declined after intervention (SMD = -1.17, 95% CI: -1.85 to -0.5, p = 0.0007), while Lactobacillus counts were upregulated (SMD = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.46-1.92, p = 0.001). However, no significant effects in total bacteria counts and salivary pH were observed. Our findings suggest that probiotics especially Lactobacillus could be a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical applications in children dental caries.

Residential greenness and dyslipidemia risk: Dose-response relations and mediation through BMI and air pollution.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on associations of residential greenness with dyslipidemia is limited, particularly regarding dose-response relations and mediation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations between greenness and dyslipidemia, non-linear dose-response relationships and mediators. METHODS: This cross-sectional study draws on the 2018 Fujian Behavior and Disease Surveillance (FBDS) cohort that used multi-stage stratified random sampling from the general population of Fujian Province, China. Participants with one or more abnormities in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were classified as having dyslipidemia. Residential greenness was operationalized as 3-year average of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI500m) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI500m). A doubly robust approach was used for effect quantification. Dose-response relations were studied with natural cubic splines. Mediation via physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 was also examined. RESULTS: Data from 43,183 participants were analyzed. Increases in NDVI500m and EVI500m residential greenness were associated with decreased dyslipidemia risk and improved blood lipids. Non-linear dose response relationships were discovered. Significant reduction of dyslipidemia risk was observed at levels of EVI500m > 0.48 and NDVI500m > 0.65. Joint mediation effects of PA, BMI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and SO2 on the associations of NDVI500m and EVI500m with dyslipidemia risk were 49.74% and 44.64%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increased residential exposure to greenness was associated with decreased risk of dyslipidemia. A non-linear dose-response relationship between greenness and dyslipidemia suggests that specific thresholds of greenness need to be reached in order to achieve effects. BMI, PM2.5, and PM10 partially mediated the association.

Microbial treatment of alcoholic liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aims: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by impaired liver function due to chronic alcohol consumption, even fatal in severe cases. We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether microbial agents have therapeutic potential for ALD and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results: Forty-one studies were eligible for this meta-analysis after searching the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. The combined analysis showed that microbial therapy significantly decreased hepatic enzymatic parameters, including alanine transaminase [standardized mean difference (SMD): -2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.33 to -2.07], aspartate aminotransferase (SMD: -3.37, 95% CI: -4.25 to -2.49), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (SMD: -2.07, 95% CI: -3.01 to -1.12), and alkaline phosphatase (SMD: -2.12, 95% CI: -3.32 to -0.92). Microbial agents endotoxin to enter the portal circulation and increasing reduced total cholesterol (SMD = -2.75, 95%CI -4.03 to -1.46) and triglycerides (SMD = -2.64, 95% CI: -3.22 to -2.06). Microbial agents increased amounts of the beneficial flora Lactobacillus (SMD: 4.40, 95% CI: 0.97-7.84) and Bifidobacteria (SMD: 3.84, 95% CI: 0.22-7.45), Bacteroidetes (SMD: 2.51, 95% CI: 0.29-4.72) and decreased harmful Proteobacteria (SMD: -4.18, 95% CI: -6.60 to -1.77), protecting the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and relieving endotoxin (SMD: -2.70, 95% CI: -3.52 to -2.17) into the portal vein, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (SMD: -3.35, 95% CI: -4.31 to -2.38), interleukin-6 (SMD: -4.28, 95% CI: -6.13 to -2.43), and interleukin-1ß (SMD: -4.28, 95% CI: -6.37 to -2.19). Oxidative stress was also relieved, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde levels (SMD: -4.70, 95% CI: -6.21 to -3.20). Superoxide dismutase (SMD: 2.65, 95% CI: 2.16-3.15) and glutathione levels (SMD: 3.80, 95% CI: 0.95-6.66) were elevated. Conclusion: Microbial agents can reverse dysbiosis in ALD, thus significantly interfering with lipid metabolism, relieving inflammatory response and inhibiting oxidative stress to improve liver function.

Associations and pathways between residential greenness and hyperuricemia among adults in rural and urban China.

BACKGROUND: Residential greenness may decrease the risk for hyperuricemia in rural areas, but the urban-rural disparities in this association and underlying pathways have not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations and potential pathways between residential greenness and hyperuricemia in urban and rural areas. METHODS: The baseline survey of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) was used. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid (SUA) > 417 µmol/L for men and >357 µmol/L for women. The satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) were used to capture residential greenness. A propensity score inverse-probability weighting method was used to assess urban-rural differences in the associations between residential greenness and hyperuricemia, with possible mediation effects of physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), PM2.5, and NO2 examined by causal mediation analyses. RESULTS: A total of 72,372 participants were included. The increases in the EVI500m and NDVI500m residential greenness were associated with a decreased risk for hyperuricemia and the SUA level in both urban and rural areas. For example, each 0.1-unit increase in EVI500m was associated with a decreased hyperuricemia risk of 7% (OR = 0.93 [0.91, 0.96]) and a decreased SUA level of -1.77 µmol/L [-2.60, -0.93], respectively; such associations were stronger in urban areas for both the risk for hyperuricemia (OR = 0.84 [0.83, 0.86]) and SUA level (-7.18 µmol/L [-7.91, -6.46]). The subgroup analysis showed that the greenness-hyperuricemia/SUA association varied by age, sex, and annual household income. The percentage of the joint mediation effect of PA, BMI, PM2.5, and NO2 on the association between EVI500m and the risk for hyperuricemia was higher in urban (34.92%) than rural areas (15.40%). BMI, PM2.5, and PA showed significantly independently mediation effects for the greenness-hyperuricemia association in both rural and urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to residential greenness was associated with a decreased risk for hyperuricemia, partially through the pathways of PA, BMI, PM2.5, and NO2, which varied in urban and rural areas.

Effect of Switching Antiretroviral Treatment Regimen in Patients With Drug-Resistant HIV-1 Infection: Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen switches on the mortality of patients with HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) is limited. OBJECTIVE: We aim to provide policy guidance for ART regimen selection and evaluate the effectiveness of ART regime switches for people living with HIV and HIV-1 drug resistance. METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study included 179 people living with HIV and HIV-1 drug resistance from 2011 to 2020. The time that participants switched treatment regimens either to protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART regimens (PIs) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based ART regimens (NNRTIs) was taken as an observation starting point and followed up every 12 months. The parametric g-formula was used to estimate the 5-year risk of mortality under the situations of (1) natural course, (2) immediate switch to NNRTIs, (3) immediate switch to PIs, and (4) if CD4(+) T cells<200 switched to PIs. RESULTS: The follow-up time of the 179 patients ranged from 30 to 119 months. The median follow-up time was 90 months. During a follow-up of 15,606 person-months, 27 individuals died in the cohort. The estimated 5-year risk of mortality under natural course, immediate switch to NNRTIs, immediate switch to PIs, and if CD4(+), and switch to PIs if T cells<200 were 11.62% (95% CI 7.82-17.11), 31.88% (95% CI 20.79-44.94), 2.87% (95% CI 0.32-7.07), and 5.30% (95% CI 2.07-10.21), respectively. The risk ratios (RRs) of immediate switch to NNRTIs, immediate switch to PIs, and switch to PIs if CD4(+) T cells<200, compared with natural course mortality rate, were 2.74 (95% CI 2.01-3.47), 0.25 (95% CI: 0.04-0.54), and 0.46 (95% CI 0.22-0.71), respectively. The risk differences were 20.26% (95% CI 10.96-28.61), -8.76% (95% CI -13.34 to -5.09) and -6.32% (95% CI -9.75 to -3.11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that a PI-based ART regimen was beneficial for reducing mortality in people living with HIV and HIV-1 drug resistance. More effort should be given to find HIV-1 drug resistance earlier to ensure a timely adjustment to PI-based ART, thereby maximizing the benefit of early switch treatment for people living with HIV and HIV-1 drug resistance.

Ethnic disparities in the association between ambient air pollution and risk for cardiometabolic abnormalities in China.

BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs), which, however, may be stronger in vulnerable populations, such as minorities. The variation of the association between ambient air pollution and CAs between the majority (Han) and minority populations in China have been poorly studied. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to estimate and compare the Hans' and minorities' risks for CAs associated with long-term exposure to ambient air pollution in Southwest China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the basis of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort. CAs were defined by the presence of at least three pre-defined metabolic dysfunctions (central obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose). The concentrations of ambient air pollutants, including particulate matters (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), were generated from random forest models on the basis of multi-source data. One- and two-pollutant regression models were fit to assess associations between air pollutant exposure and CA risks. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the associations. RESULTS: The final sample included 51,037 Hans and 28,702 minority participants. The prevalence of CAs was 25.0%, slightly higher in the minorities (25.5%) than the Hans (24.4%). The higher risks for CAs in the overall population were associated with each 10 µg/m3 increase in the exposure to PM1 (OR = 1.07 [1.05-1.09]), PM2.5 (OR = 1.11 [1.06-1.17]), PM10 (OR = 1.04 [1.03-1.06]), and NO2 (OR = 1.04 [1.03-1.07]). Compared to the Hans, the higher risks for CAs were observed in the minorities for PM1 (OR = 1.35 [1.18-1.53]), PM2.5 (OR = 1.61 [1.34-1.93]), and PM10 (OR = 1.15 [1.07-1.23]). The associations of metabolic dysfunctions (CA components) with ambient air pollution also varied between the Han and minority populations. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between exposure to ambient air pollution and CA risks were stronger in the minorities than Hans. Our findings provide a better understanding of ethnic disparities in CA risks when being exposed to ambient air pollution in China, which also have important implications for other low- and middle-income countries where less health resources (e.g., cohort populations) are available to conduct such studies.

Associations and pathways between residential greenness and metabolic syndromes in Fujian Province.

Background: Greenness exposure is beneficial to human health, but its potential mechanisms through which the risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) could be reduced have been poorly studied. We aimed to estimate the greenness-MetS association in southeast China and investigate the independent and joint mediation effects of physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), and air pollutants on the association. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 38,288 adults based on the Fujian Behavior and Disease Surveillance (FBDS), established in 2018. MetS was defined as the presence of three or more of the five components: abdominal obesity, elevated triglyceride, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), high blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. The residential greenness exposure was measured as the 3-year mean values of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) within the 250, 500, and 1,000 meters (m) buffer zones around the residential address of each participant. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the greenness-MetS association. The causal mediation analysis was used to estimate the independent and joint mediation effects of PA, BMI, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm (PM2.5), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Results: Each interquartile range (IQR) increase in greenness was associated with a decrease of 13% (OR = 0.87 [95%CI: 0.83, 0.92] for NDVI500m and OR = 0.87 [95%CI: 0.82, 0.91] for EVI500m) in MetS risk after adjusting for covariates. This association was stronger in those aged < 60 years (e.g., OR = 0.86 [95%CI: 0.81, 0.92] for NDVI500m), males (e.g., OR = 0.73 [95%CI: 0.67, 0.80] for NDVI500m), having an educational level of primary school or above (OR = 0.81 [95%CI: 0.74, 0.89] for NDVI500m), married/cohabitation (OR = 0.86 [95%CI: 0.81, 0.91] for NDVI500m), businessman (OR = 0.82 [95%CI: 0.68, 0.99] for NDVI500m), other laborers (OR = 0.77 [95%CI: 0.68, 0.88] for NDVI500m), and non-smokers (OR = 0.77 [95%CI: 0.70, 0.85] for NDVI500m). The joint effect of all six mediators mediated about 48.1% and 44.6% of the total effect of NDVI500m and EVI500m on the MetS risk, respectively. Among them, BMI showed the strongest independent mediation effect (25.0% for NDVI500m), followed by NO2 and PM10. Conclusion: Exposure to residential greenness was associated with a decreased risk for MetS. PA, BMI, and the four air pollutants jointly interpreted nearly half of the mediation effects on the greenness-MetS association.

Changes in patterns of take-away food ordering among youths before and after COVID-19 lockdown in China: the COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS).

BACKGROUND: The lockdown due to COVID-19 may have led to changes in food ordering patterns among youths, which could affect their dietary patterns and the operation of the restaurant industry. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on patterns of take-away food ordering among youth in China. METHODS: The COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS) was conducted among youths at three educational levels (high or vocational school, college, and graduate school) in China in early May 2020. Information on patterns of take-away food ordering in the months immediately before and after the COVID-19 lockdown period (23 January to 8 April 2020) was collected through an online questionnaire survey. RESULTS: A total of 10,082 participants were included in the analysis. Participants ordering food more than once per week dropped from 15.4 to 9.2%, while 81.1% of participants have never ordered food at both time points. Graduate students, although experiencing a decrease in food ordering for more than once per week (from 33.3 to 10.7%), were more likely to order food compared to undergraduate and high school students. A slight increase was observed for ordering fried food or hamburgers and for breakfast and midnight snacks. CONCLUSIONS: The youth have generally ordered take-away food less frequently after COVID-19 lockdown, and the times and types of ordering have both changed. These findings would contribute solid evidence to the current knowledge pool for reference of health promotion communities to keep youth's lifestyles healthy and of the restaurant industry to achieve more cost-effective operation in China during future health emergencies.

Effectiveness of Probiotics and Prebiotics Against Acute Liver Injury: A Meta-Analysis.

Background and Aims: Acute liver injury (ALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by rapid loss of liver function, which may progress to life-threatening liver failure. We conducted this meta-analysis to examine the evidence on the effects of probiotics or prebiotics on ALI. Methods and Results: Several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, were scrutinized from the inception through February 2021 by combining key search terms, yielding 26 eligible studies, which concluded that modulation of gut microbiota significantly decreased aspartate transaminase [standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.03 to -1.00], alanine aminotransferase (SMD: -1.42, 95% CI: -1.85 to -0.98), and bilirubin (SMD: -0.91, 95% CI: -1.33 to -0.49). In addition, administration of probiotics or prebiotics also promoted proliferation of Bifidobacterium (SMD: 1.21, 95% CI: -0.18 to 2.60) and inhibited Enterococcus (SMD: -1.00, 95% CI: -1.39 to -0.61), contributing to lower levels of endotoxin (SMD: -2.14, 95% CI: -2.91 to -1.37). Tight junction protein ZO-1 (SMD: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.14 to 3.76) was upregulated after intervention, thereby reducing bacterial translocation to the liver [odds ratio (OR) = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.13-0.44] and mesenteric lymph node (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.26), with decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (SMD: -2.84, 95% CI: -3.76 to -1.93) and interleukin-6 (SMD: -2.62, 95% CI: -4.14 to -1.10). Oxidative stress was also relieved by reducing malondialdehyde (SMD: -1.83, 95% CI: -2.55 to -1.10) while elevating superoxide dismutase (SMD: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.00-2.55) and glutathione (SMD: 1.83, 95% CI: 0.76-2.91). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that probiotics and prebiotics could be a promising therapeutic strategy in ALI and possess a potential for clinical applications. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=255888, CRD42021255888.

Urban-rural differences in the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and obesity in China.

INTRODUCTION: Ambient air pollution might increase the risk of obesity; however, the evidence regarding the relationship between air pollution and obesity in comparable urban and rural areas is limited. Therefore, our aim was to contrast the effect estimates of varying air pollution particulate matter on obesity between urban and rural areas. METHODS: Four obesity indicators were evaluated in this study, namely, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Exposure to ambient air pollution (e.g., particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters 1.0 µm [PM1], PM2.5, and PM10) was estimated using satellite-based random forest models. Linear regression and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between air pollution particulate matter and obesity. Furthermore, the effect estimates of different air pollution particulates were contrasted between urban and rural areas. RESULTS: A total of 36,998 participants in urban areas and 31, 256 in rural areas were included. We found positive associations between long-term exposure to PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 and obesity. Of these air pollutants, PM2.5 had the strongest association. The results showed that the odds ratios (ORs) for general obesity were 1.8 (95% CI, 1.64 to 1.98) per interquartile range (IQR) µg/m3 increase in PM1, 1.89 (95% CI, 1.71 to 2.1) per IQR µg/m3 increase in PM2.5, and 1.74 (95% CI, 1.58 to 1.9) per IQR µg/m3 increase in PM10. The concentrations of air pollutants were lower in rural areas, but the effects of air pollution on obesity of rural residents were higher than those of urban residents. CONCLUSION: Long-term (3 years average) exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with an increased risk of obesity. We observed regional disparities in the effects of particulate matter exposure from air pollution on the risk of obesity, with higher effect estimates found in rural areas. Air quality interventions should be prioritized not only in urban areas but also in rural areas to reduce the risk of obesity.

Identifying prognostic biomarkers in endometrial carcinoma based on ceRNA network.

PURPOSE: Endometrial carcinoma (EC), a common gynecological malignancy with high incidence, affects the mental and physical health of women. Mounting evidence shows that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) have instrumental roles in various biological processes associated with the pathogenesis of EC. In this research, we intend to further study the mechanism of EC and the potential predictive markers of EC. METHODS: First, we obtained original data of EC RNA transcripts from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and performed differential analysis. Subsequently, according to the miRcode online software, relationship pairs of lncRNA-miRNA were constructed, and miRNA-mRNA pairs were established based on miRDB, TargetScan, and miRTarBase. Then, we constructed the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network based on lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA pairs. To further explain the function of the ceRNA network and explore the potential prognostic markers, functional enrichment analysis, and survival analysis were carried out. RESULTS: The research showed that there were 744 differential expression lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), 164 differential expression miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and 2447 differential expression mRNAs (DEmRNAs) between EC tissues and normal tissues. Subsequently, we built 103 DEmiRNA-DEmRNA interaction pairs and 369 DElncRNA-DEmiRNA pairs. Then, we established the ceRNA network of EC, including 62 DElncRNAs, 26 DEmiRNAs, and 70 DEmRNAs. Moreover, 10 of 62 lncRNAs, 19 of 70 mRNAs, and 4 of 26 miRNAs that closely related to the survival of EC with P < .05 were obtained. Notably, based on this network, it was found that LINC00261-hsa-mir-31 pair and LINC00261-hsa-mir-211 target pairs could be used as the potential prognostic markers of EC. CONCLUSION: This research recommended an available basis for the molecular mechanism of EC and prognosis prediction, which could help guide the subsequent treatments and predict the prognosis for patients with EC.

Antitumor effects of seleno-ß-lactoglobulin on human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro.

Seleno-ß-lactoglobulin (Se-ß-Lg) was synthesized using seleninic acid, an organoselenium compound, and ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg), an important component of milk. Previously, we have studied the effects of Se-ß-Lg on hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of Se-ß-Lg and its potential mechanisms of action against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). The results showed that the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Se-ß-Lg were 40.84 µg/mL for MCF-7 cells and 46.04 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells at 24 h, while the compound showed no cytotoxicity to normal breast cells. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the activation of the apoptotic signaling pathway by Se-ß-Lg was demonstrated by the incubation of cells with 80 µg/mL Se-ß-Lg and determination of the rates of apoptosis and intracellular ROS levels after the addition of 10 mM N-acetyl-l-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor. Our findings revealed highly potent anticancer activities of Se-ß-Lg against breast cancer cells and suggested that the compound may be used as a chemopreventive agent for breast cancer. Furthermore, we thoroughly elucidated the antitumor mechanism of Se-ß-Lg.