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Acta Dermato-venereologica May 2024An association between psoriasis and cancer risk has been suggested in prior studies, but few have focused on head and neck cancers. Using the Korean National Health...
An association between psoriasis and cancer risk has been suggested in prior studies, but few have focused on head and neck cancers. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, the relevance between psoriasis and head and neck cancer risks was investigated in a cross-sectional study of 3,869,264 individuals over 20 years of age, who received general health examination in 2009 and were followed until 2020. Head and neck cancer incidence rates were compared between individuals with and without psoriasis, and contributing factors were analysed. The head and neck cancer risk was significantly increased in the psoriasis group compared with the non-psoriasis group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.74; p = 0.01) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, income, smoking, alcohol, exercise, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. The risk was especially elevated for nasopharyngeal (HR 2.04; 95% CI 1.12-3.70; p = 0.02) and salivary gland cancer (HR 1.96; 95% CI 1.08-3.56; p = 0.03). Alcohol consumption significantly influenced the risk, particularly for oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancer. Our study provides insights into the potential risks of head and neck cancer in patients with psoriasis, which could aid in refining patient management strategies.
Topics: Humans; Psoriasis; Male; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Republic of Korea; Risk Factors; Adult; Incidence; Aged; Risk Assessment; Databases, Factual; Alcohol Drinking; Young Adult; Time Factors
PubMed: 38757177
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.18487 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024The oral cavity stands as one of the pivotal interfaces facilitating the intricate interaction between the human body and the external environment. The impact of diverse... (Review)
Review
The oral cavity stands as one of the pivotal interfaces facilitating the intricate interaction between the human body and the external environment. The impact of diverse oral microorganisms on the emergence and progression of various systemic cancers, typified by oral cancer, has garnered increasing attention. The potential pathogenicity of oral bacteria, notably the anaerobic and , has been extensively studied and exhibits obvious correlation with different carcinoma types. Furthermore, oral fungi and viruses are closely linked to oropharyngeal carcinoma. Multiple potential mechanisms of oral microbiota-induced carcinogenesis have been investigated, including heightened inflammatory responses, suppression of the host immune system, influence on the tumor microenvironment, anti-apoptotic activity, and promotion of malignant transformation. The disturbance of microbial equilibrium and the migration of oral microbiota play a pivotal role in facilitating oncogenic functions. This review aims to comprehensively outline the pathogenic mechanisms by which oral microbiota participate in carcinogenesis. Additionally, this review delves into their potential applications in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. It proves to be a valuable resource for researchers investigating the intricate connection between oral microbiota and systemic cancers.
PubMed: 38756728
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1369834 -
MBio May 2024Successful host tissue colonization is crucial for fungal pathogens to cause mycosis and complete the infection cycle, in which fungal cells undergo a series of...
Successful host tissue colonization is crucial for fungal pathogens to cause mycosis and complete the infection cycle, in which fungal cells undergo a series of morphological transition-included cellular events to combat with hosts. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their mediated networks regulating fungal pathogen colonization of host tissue are not well characterized. Here, a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network was identified in an insect pathogenic fungus, , that controlled insect hemocoel colonization. was highly expressed in fungal cells after reaching insect hemocoel and controlled the yeast ( blastospores)-to-hyphal morphological switch, evasion of immune defense response, and fungal virulence. Comparative analysis of RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing identified a core set of BbHCR1 target genes during hemocoel colonization, in which and were targeted to limit the rapid switch from blastospores to hyphae and fungal virulence. Two targets encoding hypothetical proteins, HP1 and HP2, were activated and repressed by BbHCR1, respectively, which acted as a virulence factor and repressor, respectively, suggesting that BbHCR1 activated virulence factors but repressed virulence repressors during the colonization of insect hemocoel. BbHCR1 tuned the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, which linked its regulatory role in evasion of immune response. Those functions of BbHCR1 were found to be collaboratively regulated by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases via phosphorylation. These findings have drawn a regulatory network in which Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases phosphorylate BbHCR1, which in turn controls the colonization of insect body cavities by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.IMPORTANCEFungal pathogens adopt a series of tactics for successful colonization in host tissues, which include morphological transition and the generation of toxic and immunosuppressive molecules. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their linked pathways that regulate tissue colonization are not well characterized. Here, we identified a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network that controls the insect fungal pathogen, , colonization of insect hemocoel. During these processes, BbHCR1 targeted the fungal central development pathway for the control of yeast (blastospores)-to-hyphae morphological transition, activated virulence factors, and repressed virulence repressors by tuning the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. The BbHCR1 regulatory function was governed by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases. These findings led to a new regulatory network composed of Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases and BbHCR1 that control insect body cavity colonization by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.
PubMed: 38747587
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03504-23 -
Cureus May 2024Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the head and neck, lungs, abdominal and pelvic cavities, and...
Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the head and neck, lungs, abdominal and pelvic cavities, and wounds. It is caused by different actinomycetes like , , , , and . Reported infections caused by actinomycetes include pulmonary actinomycosis, pelvic and abdominal infections, bone or artificial joint infections, endocarditis, complicated urinary tract infections, and soft tissue abscesses. The combination of pulmonary actinomycosis with gastric cancer is exceptionally rare in clinical practice, and the presence of actinomycetal infection alongside tumors in elderly patients poses significant challenges in treatment. This article presents the diagnosis and treatment process of an elderly patient with pulmonary actinomycosis and gastric adenocarcinoma.
PubMed: 38746489
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60180 -
Science Progress 2024A significant body of evidence indicates that climate change is influencing many aspects of avian ecology. Yet, how climate change is affecting, and is expected to...
A significant body of evidence indicates that climate change is influencing many aspects of avian ecology. Yet, how climate change is affecting, and is expected to influence some aspects of the breeding ecology of cavity-nesting birds remains uncertain. To explore the potential linkage between timing of first clutch, and the influence of ambient temperature on hatching success, we used Eastern Bluebird () nest records over a nine-year period from Alabama, USA. We investigated changes to annual clutch initiation dates, as well as variability in hatching success associated with ambient air temperatures during the incubation period. Using a simple linear model, we observed earlier annual egg laying dates over the nine years of this study with a difference of 24 days between earliest egg-laying date of the season. Daily temperature minima increased 2 °C across the nine-year time frame of this study. These data also indicate that Eastern Bluebird hatching success was the highest when mean ambient air temperature during incubation was between 19 °C and 24 °C (78%, as opposed to 69% and 68% above and below this temperature range, respectively). Our findings of increasing maxima, earlier maxima each year, and the lower minima of temperatures within our study area could expand the breadth of temperatures experienced by nesting Eastern Bluebirds possibly exposing them to temperatures outside of what promotes nesting success. These findings with a cavity-nesting bird highlight an optimal range of ambient temperatures associated with highest hatching success, conditions likely to be affected by climate change.
Topics: Animals; Climate Change; Nesting Behavior; Temperature; Reproduction; Songbirds; Alabama; Seasons; Birds
PubMed: 38745552
DOI: 10.1177/00368504241245222 -
Journal of Medicine and Life Jan 2024Primary segmental omental torsion (PSOT) is a very rare cause of acute abdominal pain, and it may often imitate the clinical picture of acute appendicitis. In instances...
Primary segmental omental torsion (PSOT) is a very rare cause of acute abdominal pain, and it may often imitate the clinical picture of acute appendicitis. In instances of acute abdominal pain without anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, omental torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis. Any misdiagnosis may lead to major complications such as intraabdominal abscesses and adhesions. A 63-year-old overweight man with a body mass index (BMI) of 41 Kg/m presented to the emergency department on a remote island with acute abdominal pain. His medical history included type 2 diabetes mellitus managed with insulin, essential hypertension, osteoarthritis, and no previous abdominal operations. He reported a sharp pain originating in the epigastrium and the right hypochondrium that started five days prior. Physical examination revealed rebound tenderness and guarding across the abdomen with a positive McBurney sign. However, the patient did not report vomiting and was not nauseous. Vital signs were as follows: blood pressure 116/56 mmHg, heart rate 98 beats/min, respiratory rate 19 breaths/min, and a temperature of 38.2 C. Laboratory results showed a white blood cell count of 10.6, neutrophils of 8.11, C-reactive protein (CRP) 74 mg/l, haemoglobin11.6 g/dl, and hematocrit 36.9%. Due to the absence of a radiographer at the hospital during that period, no imaging investigations were conducted. Diagnostic laparoscopy demonstrated diffused hemoperitoneum and necrotic mass at the site of the hepatic flexure. Initially suspected to be an advanced colon cancer, the decision was made to proceed with open surgery. The necrotic segment of the omentum was found at the right superior point of attachment of the omentum to the hepatic flexure. Consequently, the necrotic segment of the omentum was resected. A thorough investigation of the abdominal cavity did not detect any other abnormalities or pathologies. The patient recovered uneventfully and was transferred to the surgical ward. Torsion of the omentum is a very rare cause of acute abdominal pain. This case highlights the necessity of considering PSOT in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain, especially in cases where symptoms are suggestive of appendicitis but diagnostic findings are negative.
Topics: Humans; Appendicitis; Omentum; Male; Middle Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Torsion Abnormality; Abdominal Pain; Acute Disease
PubMed: 38737669
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0429 -
International Journal of Oral Science May 2024Emerging regenerative cell therapies for alveolar bone loss have begun to explore the use of cell laden hydrogels for minimally invasive surgery to treat small and...
Emerging regenerative cell therapies for alveolar bone loss have begun to explore the use of cell laden hydrogels for minimally invasive surgery to treat small and spatially complex maxilla-oral defects. However, the oral cavity presents a unique and challenging environment for in vivo bone tissue engineering, exhibiting both hard and soft periodontal tissue as well as acting as key biocenosis for many distinct microbial communities that interact with both the external environment and internal body systems, which will impact on cell fate and subsequent treatment efficacy. Herein, we design and bioprint a facile 3D in vitro model of a human dentine interface to probe the effect of the dentine surface on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) encapsulated in a microporous hydrogel bioink. We demonstrate that the dentine substrate induces osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated hMSCs, and that both dentine and β-tricalcium phosphate substrates stimulate extracellular matrix production and maturation at the gel-media interface, which is distal to the gel-substrate interface. Our findings demonstrate the potential for long-range effects on stem cells by mineralized surfaces during bone tissue engineering and provide a framework for the rapid development of 3D dentine-bone interface models.
Topics: Humans; Dentin; Osteogenesis; Cell Differentiation; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Tissue Engineering; Calcium Phosphates; Hydrogels; In Vitro Techniques; Bioprinting; Tissue Scaffolds; Surface Properties; Extracellular Matrix; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38734663
DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00298-9 -
BMC Veterinary Research May 2024Hydrops fetalis (HF) is fluid accumulation in fetus body cavities and subcutaneous tissue. The condition has been described in various farm and companion animal species,...
BACKGROUND
Hydrops fetalis (HF) is fluid accumulation in fetus body cavities and subcutaneous tissue. The condition has been described in various farm and companion animal species, including dogs. Most of cases result from a heart defect. Exact nature of this defect is rarely clarified.
CASE PRESENTATION
A newborn, male French bulldog puppy with severe HF underwent a full anatomopathological examination to diagnose the primary cause of HF. Based on the anatomopathological examination, fetal ultrasound, and micro-computed tomography, transposition of the great arteries with hypoplasia of the ascending aorta, aortic arch interruption, ostium secundum atrial septal defect, severe tricuspid valve dysplasia, as well as hypoplasia of pulmonary vessels and lungs were diagnosed.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of HF caused by severe, complex congenital heart defects with concurrent pulmonary vessel and lung hypoplasia.
Topics: Animals; Hydrops Fetalis; Male; Lung; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Heart Defects, Congenital; X-Ray Microtomography; Animals, Newborn
PubMed: 38734649
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04060-5 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024In light of falling global autopsy rates, one of the causes of which is the resulting body disfigurement, it has become crucial to search for new, minimally invasive...
In light of falling global autopsy rates, one of the causes of which is the resulting body disfigurement, it has become crucial to search for new, minimally invasive post-mortem diagnostic tools. One of these methods is videoautopsy, a minimally invasive autopsy technique using endoscopic methods. In the years 2020-2023, 15 videoautopsies were conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in order to determine the usefulness of the method in forensic approaches. Each post-mortem examination included laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, followed by a classic autopsy to assess the effectiveness of the method. In total, the endoscopic examination allowed for determining the cause of death in 53.3% of cases, and when the cause of death was located in the abdominal cavity or chest, the percentage increased to 80%. Traumatic lesions had good recognition efficiency. In addition, it was also possible to collect material for histopathological and toxicological tests. Retroperitoneal organs were difficult to assess. The main limitation of the method is the inability to assess the inside of the skull and the structures of the central nervous system. Videoautopsy may become an important tool in post-mortem diagnostics and in forensic cases, especially when the alternative is to not perform an autopsy. Further research is necessary to standardise the examination protocol, optimise the instrumentation, and assess the potential synergistic effect with other methods of minimally and non-invasive post-mortem examination.
PubMed: 38732299
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14090884 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024As a new form for supplying vitamin C, orally disintegrating films (ODFs) were developed C based on hyaluronic acid (HA) under varying casting conditions and the...
As a new form for supplying vitamin C, orally disintegrating films (ODFs) were developed C based on hyaluronic acid (HA) under varying casting conditions and the properties were analyzed. The films with different thicknesses (2, 3, and 8 mm, for CT2, CT4, and CT8, respectively) were produced by adjustments made to casting height. Two types of 8 mm thick ODFs produced by single or double casting (4 + 4 mm for CTD4+4) methods were also compared. As film thickness increased, water vapor permeability and tensile strength also increased. Even at equal thickness, manufacturing with double casting exhibited a stronger texture and reduced disintegration compared to single casting. All ODFs met the World Health Organization's recommended daily vitamin C intake (45 mg/day) with a single sheet. Films showed over 80% dissolution in various solvents, adhering to the Hixson-Crowell cube root law, indicating vitamin C release occurred via porous penetration of the eluate. For CT2, CT4, and CTD4+4, vitamin C release was primarily governed by diffusion within the gel matrix and HA erosion. However, for CT8, HA erosion-induced release somewhat dominated. Based on the sensory test, it seems desirable to adjust the thickness of the film to 2 or 4 mm, because a thickness greater than that increased the foreign body sensation due to prolonged residence in the oral cavity.
PubMed: 38731789
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091418