Br J Psychiatry. 2025 Aug 19:1-2. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2024.290. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:40827330 | DOI:10.1192/bjp.2024.290
Sci Prog. 2025 Jul-Sep;108(3):368504251370988. doi: 10.1177/00368504251370988. Epub 2025 Aug 19.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveDNA methylation is a key regulator of gene expression and plays a crucial role in cancer development. However, the mechanisms driving gene-specific methylation remain unclear. This study investigates the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating promoter methylation of specific genes, aiming to uncover miRNA-driven modulation of gene methylation in cancer.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) database, comprising 813 cell lines. Spearman’s rank correlation was performed between the expression levels of 734 miRNAs and the methylation levels of 20,587 genes, focusing on CpG islands in promoter regions. Linear regression analysis was used to validate the relationship between selected miRNAs and gene clusters. Bioinformatics screening identified statistically significant miRNA-gene pairs involved in promoter methylation.ResultsThe analysis revealed 25 target genes whose promoter methylation was significantly associated with the expression of four miRNAs (hsa-miR-200a, hsa-miR-200b, hsa-miR-200c, and hsa-miR-141). These correlations were most pronounced in colorectal, gastric, lung, and ovarian cancers. Notably, cancer-related genes such as ST14, OVOL1, and EPCAM were identified as targets, supporting the hypothesis that miRNAs regulate promoter methylation in these genes.ConclusionOur findings suggest that specific miRNAs induce promoter methylation in cancer-related genes, thereby influencing gene expression. This study expands our understanding of the role of miRNAs in tumor development and highlights the potential of miRNA-based therapies in cancer treatment. As this is a computational study, further experimental validation is required to confirm the proposed regulatory mechanisms.
PMID:40827314 | DOI:10.1177/00368504251370988
Acta Odontol Scand. 2025 Aug 19;84:446-456. doi: 10.2340/aos.v84.44231.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate young individuals’ esthetic perception of color on the buccal surface of maxillary anterior teeth, self-perception of own tooth color, and general dental esthetic estimates by using a web-based survey.
METHODS: A digital questionnaire was advertised on social media in 2024, targeting 18-30-year-olds in Sweden. The questionnaire included attitudes toward own tooth color, cases with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), fluorosis (F), white spot lesions (WSL), and general dental esthetic estimates. Chi2 assessed differences between groups, and the independent sample T-test calculated mean differences in responses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Out of 2,082 respondents (55% women, 43% men, mean age 25.1 years), 77% rated their tooth color as acceptable, with no gender or age differences (p > 0.05). Pigmented fluorosis was rated as nonacceptable by 94% of the respondents, followed by cases with WSLs. At least 90% cited deviant color on a part of a tooth (DCP) as a reason for nonacceptance. Even tooth color (mean, standard deviation [SD]: 8.02, 2.36) was rated more important than white teeth (mean, SD: 7.25, 2.04), p < 0.001.
CONCLUSION: De- and hypomineralization on maxillary anterior teeth are perceived negatively by young individuals in terms of dental esthetics. An even tooth color was valued higher than white teeth.
PMID:40827308 | DOI:10.2340/aos.v84.44231
Archaeol Anthropol Sci. 2025;17(9):184. doi: 10.1007/s12520-025-02296-2. Epub 2025 Aug 16.
ABSTRACT
The El Jobo projectile points represent a distinctive design innovation of Late Pleistocene Neotropical human groups. This technology, characterized by its fusiform/lanceolate shape, has been recorded mainly in northwestern Venezuela in a variety of geographical areas and in association with megafauna killing/butchering sites. To characterize it, address its significance, and analyse possible continental relationships, four consecutive approaches were conducted. A representative sample of El Jobo projectile points was subject to technological approximation, morphological classification, outline-based geometric morphometric analysis, and elemental composition analysis. Six morphological types were recognized, for which a common series of manufacture steps was hypothesized. Mainly collateral and irregular flaking patterns were identified, also recording new basal variability, including fluting, fluting-like and reconfiguration techniques. The four most representative morphological types were subjected to morphometric analysis. Elliptic Fourier and Principal Component analyses identified at least three clusters, with width variation mainly distinguishing their shapes, and statistical tests determined significative differences between the main morphological types. The elemental analysis revealed the main use of quarzitic rocks, with variations in elemental composition indicative of diverse sources. The observed variability and cumulative evidence of El Jobo projectile points suggests their adaptation to diverse hunting strategies. The wide geographic distribution of tools and the morphometric comparison with a Monte Verde projectile suggest potential long-distance connections of El Jobo with other projectile point technologies across the continent.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-025-02296-2.
PMID:40827306 | PMC:PMC12357808 | DOI:10.1007/s12520-025-02296-2
Sex Med. 2025 Aug 17;13(4):qfaf060. doi: 10.1093/sexmed/qfaf060. eCollection 2025 Aug.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although common repeat number polymorphisms in 3 hormone-related genes (AR, CYP19A1, and ESR2) have been implicated in the variations in several sexually dimorphic phenotypes, their contributions to the variations in gender identity (GI) and sexual orientation (SO) remain to be clarified.
AIM: To clarify the possible association between the repeat number polymorphisms and gender phenotype variations in the general population.
METHODS: We used paper-based questionnaires to select 80 individuals with atypical gender phenotypes (the case group) and 114 control individuals (the control group) from 736 university students. The case group was further divided into two subgroups: one consisted of individuals with low GI scores (the atypical GI subgroup), and the other consisted of individuals with non-heterosexual orientation (the atypical SO subgroup). Repeat numbers of the longer and shorter alleles in each participant (Alleles 1 and 2) were examined through microsatellite analysis. Repeat numbers of AR in females were adjusted for the X chromosome inactivation status.
OUTCOMES: We examined the statistical differences in the repeat numbers between the case and control groups, and between each subgroup and the control group.
RESULTS: The overall differences between the case and control groups and between each subgroup and the control group were small. However, the repeat numbers of AR in males of the case group were larger than those of the control group (P = 0.049), and the repeat numbers of ESR2 Allele 1 were larger in males of the atypical GI subgroup than in those of the control group (P = 0.046). In addition, females in the atypical SO subgroup had smaller repeat numbers of CYP19A1 Allele 2 than control females (P = 0.011).
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These results indicate the complex genetic basis of gender phenotype variations.
STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This is the first study that addresses the possible association between common polymorphisms in hormone-related genes and gender phenotypes in the general population. Given the small number of our subjects and the modest differences in the repeat numbers between the case and control groups, our results await further validation.
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the contribution of repeat number polymorphisms of the 3 genes to gender phenotype variations in the general population is small, although the repeat numbers of AR and ESR2 are potentially associated with atypical gender phenotypes in males.
PMID:40827304 | PMC:PMC12358044 | DOI:10.1093/sexmed/qfaf060
Int J Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 18;18(8):1544-1552. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2025.08.17. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To estimate if nanopore targeted sequencing (NTS) could identify pathogens causing postoperative endophthalmitis and further determine the feasibility of clinical application of NTS.
METHODS: A total of 55 patients (55 eyes) with postoperative endophthalmitis were retrospectively included in this study with their medical records. Intraocular fluid samples were examined by NTS and microbial culture. All included patients had undergone examinations including measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy; additionally, they underwent B-ultrasound, anterior segment photography, and fundus photography if necessary.
RESULTS: Among 55 patients with postoperative endophthalmitis, the age was 65.25±15.04y and there were 30 female (54.54%) patients. Forty-one (74.54%) vitreous humor samples and fourteen (25.45%) aqueous humor samples were sent for both NTS and microbial culture. NTS had a notable higher detection rate than microbial culture in detecting pathogens (90.91% vs 38.18%, χ 2=33.409, P<0.001). NTS exhibited high sensitivity of pathogen detection in both microbial culture positive and negative samples (100% and 85.29%, respectively). In 16 of 21 (76.19%) patients who showed culture-positivity, their results corresponded with those of NTS. Moreover, in two patients (9.52%), NTS showed a better species resolution than microbial culture; in three patients (14.28%), NTS identified additional pathogens. As for fungus, the positive detection rate of NTS was significantly higher than that of microbial culture (20% vs 3.64%, χ 2=7.066, P=0.008). Also, NTS could detect multi-infection by bacteria and fungi than microbial culture (32.73% vs 0, χ 2=21.522, P<0.001). NTS could detect bacteria as well as fungi simultaneously within 48h in all patients. Meanwhile, NTS had a shorter detection time than microbial culture (1.13±0.34 vs 2.67±0.55d, Z=-9.218, P<0.001). After the NTS results were obtained, 15 patients received additional intravitreal/intracameral anti-infection treatment. At follow-up, there was a statistically significant improvement in the visual acuity relative to the baseline (Z=-5.222, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: NTS can provide rapid identification and highly sensitive detection of pathogens among patients with postoperative endophthalmitis, which can guide anti-infection treatment and improve visual prognosis.
PMID:40827301 | PMC:PMC12311465 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2025.08.17
Int J Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 18;18(8):1456-1463. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2025.08.05. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the expression of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome-related dry eye (SSDE) and to explore their correlation with clinical features, dendritic cell activation, and serological indicators.
METHODS: A total of 53 SSDE patients and 62 non-Sjögren’s syndrome dry eye (NSSDE) patients were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed, including the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaires, Schirmer I test (SIT), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining score (CFS), and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). PBMCs were isolated, and IRFs expression levels were analyzed using Western blotting (WB) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Serological indicators, including antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-Ro60, anti-Ro52, and anti-La autoantibodies, were detected. Statistical analyses evaluated correlations between IRFs expression and clinical parameters.
RESULTS: Compared to NSSDE, the relative mRNA and protein expression of the IRF-8 was significantly upregulated in patients with SSDE (P<0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed in IRF-1, IRF-3, IRF-5, and IRF-7 (P=0.12, P=0.10, P=0.66, P=0.96). Correlation analysis revealed that IRF-8 expression was positively associated with CFS and OSDI scores (r=0.57, r=0.38, both P<0.05). Moreover, IRF-8 expression correlated with corneal dendritic cell (DC) density and size, and the number of dendrites (r=0.43, r=0.40, r=0.65, all P<0.05). IRF-8 expression was significantly elevated in patients positive for anti-Ro60, anti-Ro52 and anti-La autoantibodies (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: In SSDE, IRF-8 is upregulated and associated with clinical features, DC activation, and serological indicators. These findings suggest that IRF-8 plays a critical role in SSDE pathogenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment.
PMID:40827300 | PMC:PMC12311448 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2025.08.05
Int J Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 18;18(8):1498-1505. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2025.08.11. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To determine the differences in levels of systemic C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) and sex-based differences in CRP levels.
METHODS: Blood samples from patients with GA and controls were collected in a prospective age-related macular degeneration (AMD) registry from August 2014 to June 2021. AMD was confirmed using multimodal imaging and the Beckman and Consensus of Atrophy Meeting criteria for GA. High-sensitivity serum CRP levels were measured using an automated nephelometer. A non-parametric (rank-based) linear regression model was fit with an interaction between sex and GA.
RESULTS: There were 97 GA patients and 139 controls, with females comprising 55% and 66% of each cohort, respectively. There is no difference in CRP between cases and controls, with a median (interquartile range) of 1.2 (0.6-2.6) mg/L in GA patients versus 1.3 (0.8-2.9) mg/L in controls (P=0.52). Although females had higher CRP levels compared to males in both the GA and control groups, this difference did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons.
CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in systemic CRP levels between GA cases and controls.
PMID:40827292 | PMC:PMC12311458 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2025.08.11
Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025 Aug 18. doi: 10.1007/s00266-025-05154-7. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The postauricular injection technique is a needle-based technique that places soft tissue fillers behind the ears into the supra-periosteal plane of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The resulting clinical effect pushes the auricles more laterally mimicking the inverse effects of a surgical otoplasty.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the aesthetic outcome of the postauricular injection technique by having the treatment results evaluated by several international, independent, and blinded reviewers.
METHODS: 2D frontal before and after images of 30 Chinese patients (29 females, 1 male) with a mean age of 37.70 (9.4) years and a mean BMI of 19.56 (1.2) kg/m2 were collected, randomized to sequence and patient order, and sent out to 14 independent international raters who were not involved in the treatment planning or treatment process. The mean follow-up period for the picture-based rating was 2.73 (2.0) months whereas the average amount of product administered per facial side was 4.08 cc (1.7).
RESULTS: This study revealed that the postauricular injection technique was evaluated to increase attractiveness, decrease un-attractiveness, and result in a younger facial appearance. Individual and detailed features like facial shape, facial fullness, temporal volume, midfacial volume, jawline contouring failed to reach statistical significance despite showing improvements.
CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the postauricular injection technique is able to increase facial attractiveness, decrease facial un-attractiveness, and result in a younger facial appearance in a Chinese patient population. Individual and detailed features like facial shape, facial fullness, temporal volume, midfacial volume, and jawline contouring failed to reach statistical significance despite showing improvements. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
PMID:40826291 | DOI:10.1007/s00266-025-05154-7
Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Aug 19;40(1):337. doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04582-w.
ABSTRACT
This study primary aimed to evaluate the effect of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on the elasticity of the supraspinatus tendon in participants with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and secondary aimed to evaluate the effect of HILT on pain and function. This randomized controlled double-blind study included 66 participants diagnosed with SIS and were randomly assigned into HILT group (HILT and physical therapy) and control group (sham HILT and physical therapy) and received 10 sessions (five days a week during two weeks). Supraspinatus tendon elasticity was measured by shear wave elastography (SWE). Pain and function were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), respectively. Measurements were made at baseline and after treatment. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was accepted as 1.37 for VAS and 13.2 for SPADI. There was no difference in SWE measurements before and after treatment in both groups (p > 0.05). VAS and SPADI showed clinically and statistically significant improvement in the HILT and control groups (p < 0.001). The r value for VAS and SPADI in the HILT group was calculated as 0.97; and 0.97 for VAS and 0.96 for SPADI in the control group. A statistically significant difference was found in VAS and SPADI in the HILT group compared to the control group (p = 0.010, p < 0.001, respectively). However, the differences were not clinically significant (mean differences 0.5 and 6.41, respectively). This study concluded that HILT applied together with physical therapy had no effect on tendon elasticity in the short term. Besides, HILT combined with physical therapy is statistically more effective in reducing pain and improving function than physical therapy alone.
PMID:40826289 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-025-04582-w