Nevin Manimala

Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 6;14(1):26942. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-76314-z.

ABSTRACT

With increasing life spans, breast cancer (BC) survivors may face the possibility of developing second primary cancer (SPC), which can considerably shorten survival. Lung cancer (LC) is a common SPC among BC survivors. This study explored the association between these two cancers through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. A bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was conducted with BC genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) included 228,951 individuals and the GWAS summary statistics from the Transdisciplinary Research in Cancer of the Lung (TRICL) of LC included 112,781 individuals. The IVW method and MR-RAPS method showed a causal effect of overall BC on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) (IVW: OR = 1.060, 95% CI = 1.008-1.116, P = 0.024; MR-RAPS: OR = 1.059, 95% CI = 1.005-1.116, P = 0.033), which indicated that patients with BC had an increased risk of LUAD. However, there is no strong evidence for a causal effect of LUAD on BC. Our study revealed a causal effect of BC on second primary LUAD, suggesting that we should intensify screening for second primary LC in BC survivors. Early intervention and treatment for patients with second primary LC are needed to reduce mortality in BC survivors.

PMID:39505936 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-76314-z

Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 6;14(1):27006. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-73403-x.

ABSTRACT

The historical restriction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has been lifted by certified MRI-conditional systems in recent years. Mixed-brand CIED systems consisting of a generator from one manufacturer and at least one lead from another manufacturer are not certified for MRI. We evaluated the temporal trend in the prevalence of mixed-brand systems in the era of MRI-conditional systems. Data were analyzed on 5853 CIEDs implanted de novo between 2012 and 2022 in 81 Italian centers linked to the nationwide Home Monitoring Expert Alliance network. The percentage of mixed-brand implants was calculated by device type (pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD], cardiac resynchronization therapy [CRT] device) and over time. A mixed-brand system was implanted in 4.1% (95% CI, 3.6-4.6%) of analyzed patients or, by device type, in 4.5% (3.5-5.7%) of pacemaker patients, 1.1% (0.7-1.7%) of ICD patients, and 6.8% (5.7-7.9%) of CRT pacemaker/defibrillator patients (p < 0.001). Prevalence of mixed-brand implants exhibited significant temporal fluctuations, first declining from 6.6% (2012-2014) to 1.3% (2019), and then increasing to 5.1% (2022). Temporal changes were statistically significant for pacemakers (p < 0.001) and CRT devices (p = 0.001), but not for ICDs (p = 0.438). In the decade between 2012 and 2022, mixed-brand CIED systems were more prevalent in patients treated with pacemakers and CRT devices than in ICD recipients. A decline in the prevalence of mixed-brand systems was observed after the introduction of MRI-conditional systems, reaching a minimum in 2019, followed by a progressive increase in the subsequent years.

PMID:39505923 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-73403-x

Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 6;14(1):26953. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-75131-8.

ABSTRACT

To analyze the factors affecting stigma and quality of life in hemiplegic stroke patients following suicide attempts in nursing homes and to provide a theoretical basis for developing interventions in clinical care. General demographic information, the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI), and the Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were used to investigate 259 patients with hemiplegia after stroke following nursing home suicide from January to April 2024. Univariate statistical analyses were performed to assess the impact of potential determinants on quality of life. Multiple regression models and stratified analyses with smoothed curve fitting were used for further evaluation. Multiple regression modeling showed that the factors influencing the quality of life in hemiplegic stroke patients following suicide attempts in nursing homes were stigma, Age, marital status, education, type of occupation, monthly household income, and duration of illness. The level of quality of life before unadjusted variables was strongly associated with high school and college education (β = 11.9, 95% CI: 8.2-15.6; P < 0.001), (β = 13.1, 95% CI: 9.2 -16.9; P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders such as marital status (Married, Unmarried), Age (< 30, 30-40, 40-50, > 50) (β = 8.1, 95% CI: 4 .6-11.6; P < 0.0001). (β = 9.5, 95% CI: 6.0-13.1;P < 0.0001), the results were not significantly different. Curve fitting revealed threshold nonlinear associations between intrinsic and extrinsic stigma and quality of life, with quality of life decreasing as stigma increased. Conclusion Stigma is negatively correlated with the level of quality of life in hemiplegic stroke patients following suicide attempts in nursing homes. Different demographic profiles moderated patients’ quality of life levels, and effective psychological intervention strategies should be used to improve patients’ quality of life.

PMID:39505922 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-75131-8

Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 6;14(1):26894. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74718-5.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the association between coal dust exposure and the occurrence of dyslipidemia in coal mine workers, and identify relevant risk factors. Methods: We selected a population who underwent occupational health examinations at Huainan Yangguang Xinkang Hospital from March 2020 to July 2022. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of dyslipidemia, and their baseline information was collected, including records of coal dust exposure. We employed single-factor analysis to identify risk factors for dyslipidemia and adjusted for confounding factors in the adjusted models. Additionally, we explored the effects in different populations using stratified analysis, smooth curve fitting, and propensity score matching. Finally, we confirmed the causal relationship between coal dust exposure and dyslipidemia by examining tissue sections and lipid-related indicators in a mouse model of coal dust exposure. Results A total of 5,657 workers were included in the study, among whom 924 individuals had dyslipidemia and 4,743 individuals did not have dyslipidemia. The results of the single-factor analysis revealed that dust exposure, age, BMI, blood pressure, and smoking were statistically significant risk factors for dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). Additionally, the three multivariate models, adjusted for different confounders, consistently showed a significant increase in the risk of dyslipidemia associated with coal dust exposure (Model 1: OR, 1.869; Model 2: OR, 1.863; Model 3: OR, 2.033). After conducting stratified analysis, this positive correlation remained significant. Furthermore, propensity score matching analysis revealed that with increasing years of work, the risk of dyslipidemia gradually increased, reaching 50% at 11 years. In the mouse model of coal dust exposure, significant coal dust deposition was observed in the lungs and livers of the mice, accompanied by elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Conclusion Exposure to coal dust significantly increases the risk of developing dyslipidemia, and this positive correlation exists in different populations, particularly with increasing years of work, resulting in a higher risk.

PMID:39505893 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-74718-5

Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 6;14(1):26975. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-75128-3.

ABSTRACT

Dental practice management is usually a mandatory course for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. However, learners and educators may encounter challenges in gaining experiences in real-life dental practice. The concept of a gamified virtual tour could have potential to improve dental practice management skills. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the educational impact of a gamified virtual dental clinic (GVDC) on dental practice management skills among dental undergraduates (UG) and postgraduates (PG). All participants were assigned to complete the GVDC. Pre- and post-knowledge assessments were administered to evaluate knowledge acquisition. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to investigate user perceptions toward the use of GVDC. There were 20 dental undergraduates and 20 orthodontic residents participating in UG and PG groups, respectively. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in their assessment scores after completing the GVDC (P < 0.001). Although the pre-knowledge assessment score of the PG group was notably higher than that of the UG group (P = 0.041), there was no statistically significant difference in their post-knowledge assessment score (P = 0.491). Participants had positive perceptions of GVDC in terms of usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Overall, the GVDC demonstrated positive educational impacts on acquiring knowledge and understanding of dental practice management, with participants expressing favorable perceptions of this immersive learning intervention.

PMID:39505891 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-75128-3

Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 6;15(1):9573. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54035-1.

ABSTRACT

Atopic eczema may be related to multiple subsequent adverse health outcomes. Here, we provide evidence to judge and compare associations between eczema and a comprehensive set of outcomes. We conducted 71 cohort studies (age, sex, general practice-matched) using Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum primary care records (1997-2023), comparing up to 3.6 million people with eczema to 16.8 million without. Eczema was associated with subsequent diagnosis of outcomes with adjusted hazard ratios (99% confidence intervals) from Cox regression of up to 4.02(3.95-4.10) for food allergy (rate difference [RD] per 1,000 person-years of 1.5). Besides strong associations with atopic and allergic conditions (e.g., asthma 1.87[1.39-1.82], RD5.4) and skin infections (e.g., molluscum contagiosum 1.81[1.64-1.96], RD1.8), the strongest associations were with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1.85[1.66-2.06], RD0.02), Alopecia Areata (1.77[1.71-1.83], RD0.2), Crohn’s disease (1.62[1.54-1.69], RD0.1), Urticaria (1.58[1.57-1.60], RD1.9), Coeliac disease (1.42[1.37-1.47], RD0.1), Ulcerative colitis (1.40[1.34-1.46], RD0.1), Autoimmune liver disease (1.32[1.21-1.43], RD0.01), and Irritable bowel syndrome (1.31[1.29-1.32], RD0.7). Sensitivity analyses revealed the impact of consultation bias or choice of cohort age cut-off on findings. Comparatively large HRs in severe eczema were seen for some liver, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular conditions, osteoporosis, and fractures. Most cancers and neurological conditions were not associated with eczema.

PMID:39505873 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-54035-1

Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 6;15(1):9604. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54095-3.

ABSTRACT

There is a growing interest in the health impacts of PM_2.5 originating from landscape fires. We conducted a time-series study to investigate the association between daily exposure to landscape fire PM_2.5 and hospital admissions for cardiovascular events in 184 major Chinese cities. We developed a machine learning model combining outputs from chemical transport models, meteorological information and observed air pollution data to determine daily concentrations of landscape fire PM_2.5. Furthermore, we fitted quasi-Poisson regression to evaluate the link between landscape fire PM_2.5 concentrations and cardiovascular hospitalizations in each city, and conducted random-effects meta-analysis to pool the city-specific estimates. Here we show that, on a national scale, a rise of 1-μg/m³ in landscape fire PM_2.5 concentrations is positively related to a same-day 0.16% (95% confidence interval: 0.01%-0.32%) increase in hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease, 0.28% (0.12%-0.44%) for ischemic heart disease, and 0.25% (0.02%-0.47%) for ischemic stroke. The associations remain significant even after adjusting for other sources of PM_2.5. Our findings indicate that transient elevation in landscape fire PM_2.5 levels may increase risk of cardiovascular diseases.

PMID:39505861 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-54095-3

Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 6;15(1):9587. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52472-6.

ABSTRACT

Genetic variation at the 19q13.3 KLK locus is linked with prostate cancer susceptibility in men. The non-synonymous KLK3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs17632542 (c.536 T > C; Ile163Thr-substitution in PSA) is associated with reduced prostate cancer risk, however, the functional relevance is unknown. Here, we identify that the SNP variant-induced change in PSA biochemical activity mediates prostate cancer pathogenesis. The ‘Thr’ PSA variant leads to small subcutaneous tumours, supporting reduced prostate cancer risk. However, ‘Thr’ PSA also displays higher metastatic potential with pronounced osteolytic activity in an experimental metastasis in-vivo model. Biochemical characterisation of this PSA variant demonstrates markedly reduced proteolytic activity that correlates with differences in in-vivo tumour burden. The SNP is associated with increased risk for aggressive disease and prostate cancer-specific mortality in three independent cohorts, highlighting its critical function in mediating metastasis. Carriers of this SNP allele have reduced serum total PSA and a higher free/total PSA ratio that could contribute to late biopsy decisions and delay in diagnosis. Our results provide a molecular explanation for the prominent 19q13.3 KLK locus, rs17632542 SNP, association with a spectrum of prostate cancer clinical outcomes.

PMID:39505858 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-52472-6

Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 6;15(1):9552. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53213-5.

ABSTRACT

In response to gradual nanoindentation, the surface of muscovite mica deforms by sudden stochastic nanometer-scale displacement bursts. Here, the statistics of these displacement events are interpreted using a statistical model previously used to model earthquakes to understand how chemically reactive environments alter the surface properties of this material. We show that the statistics of nanoindentation displacement bursts in muscovite mica are tuned by chemomechanical weakening in a manner similar to how the statistics of model events are tuned by a mechanical weakening parameter that describes how easily system-spanning cracks can be nucleated. Because the predictions of this model are independent of any surface defects or structural details, these results suggest this simple model can be universally used to describe chemomechanical weakening in many systems prone to slip avalanches on a wide range of spatio-temporal scales.

PMID:39505851 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-53213-5

J Aging Soc Policy. 2024 Nov 6:1-17. doi: 10.1080/08959420.2024.2423102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Increase in life expectancy around the world puts aging societies with all their challenges on the Global Public Health agenda. In Austria, additional years of life gained are not spent in good health, as healthy life expectancy is far below the European average. Using repeated cross-sectional data from three waves of the Austrian Health Interview Survey (2006, 2014 and 2019), including a total of 10,056 participants aged 65 years and above, this study examined the change in self-reported quality-of-life (QoL) over time and explored associated factors. QoL, estimated by domain scores of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, increased over time but decreased with age in all survey waves. Observed mean scores were significantly higher in males than in females in all QoL domains except the social domain but sex differences disappeared in most domains in the multivariable regression analyses. Instead, factors associated with significantly higher QoL scores included younger age, higher socioeconomic status, living in Western Austria and having no chronic conditions. Statistically significant observed sex differences in QoL in the older-aged Austrian population disappeared when adjusting for income and education. Strategies and measures to increase financial capabilities may have a significant impact on QoL and well-being in this age group.

PMID:39505834 | DOI:10.1080/08959420.2024.2423102