Future Science OA最新文献

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the causes of cervical and other cancers globally, but vaccination rates are low in Lebanon. Parental decisions may be influenced by cultural sensitivities, misinformation, and financial constraints.

Objective: This study evaluates the prevalence of HPV vaccination among children in Lebanon and identifies demographic, socioeconomic, and informational determinants of parental choice.

Methods: A survey was conducted at two hospital-based universities in Beirut between August 2022 and March 2024 as part of a cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was given to Lebanese parents of children aged 9-18 to assess HPV knowledge, vaccine awareness, and barriers. Data were examined in SPSS, with bivariate and multivariate analyses to reveal predictors of vaccine uptake.

Results: Among 100 participating parents, 23% reported vaccinating their children. Females were more likely to be vaccinated than males (p = 0.04). Awareness that HPV causes cancer and affects both genders was significantly associated with uptake (p = 0.049). High cost was a major barrier (p = 0.002), while doctors were the most trusted source of information.

Conclusion: HPV vaccination rates among Lebanese children remain low due to financial barriers and limited awareness. Targeted education and integration into national immunization programs are essential.

Aim: Keloids are regarded as an inflammatory skin disease with altered metabolic demands. Calcium ions are known to regulate cell movement. Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) not only balances glucose metabolism but also acts as a multifunctional cytokine, as those calcium ions do. Here, for the first time, we aimed to explore the intracellular calcium level controlled by PGI in keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and normal fibroblasts (NFs). In addition, whether PGI regulates the biological functions of KFs via the inflammatory status was investigated.

Methods: The inflammatory status, fibrotic activity, and migration ability of KFs and NFs were evaluated via RT-PCR, western blot analysis, and scratch assay. We inhibited PGI with erythrose 4-phosphate (ER4P) to determine whether PGI regulates KF migration.

Results: The upregulation of PGI expression was measured in both KFs and keloid tissues. Suppressing PGI inhibited SMA and type I collagen expression, and cell migration in KFs. Indeed, PGI regulated inflammation and calcium influx in KFs.

Conclusions: Our study is the first to show that PGI regulates the migration of KFs via a calcium influx-dependent inflammatory response and that blocking PGI might be a therapeutic strategy for keloids.

Introduction: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for over 75% of bladder cancer cases worldwide and is associated with high recurrence rates and significant surveillance costs. Advances in diagnostic modalities, risk stratification, and bladder-preserving therapies have transformed management strategies.

Areas covered: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from 70 key publications identified through a comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2005-2025). Topics include clinical presentation, diagnostic innovations such as enhanced cystoscopy and urinary biomarkers, contemporary risk stratification models, and evolving treatment paradigms including intravesical therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy.

NMIBC management is shifting toward precision-based, multimodal approaches that integrate molecular biomarkers, immunotherapy, and novel drug delivery systems. While early-phase trials show promise, large-scale studies and real-world data are essential to validate these strategies. Personalized surveillance using circulating and urinary tumor DNA may reduce procedural burden and improve outcomes, marking a paradigm shift toward adaptive, patient-centered care.

Aim: To investigate the expression of Ly1 antibody-reactive clone (LYAR) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and predict potential drugs targeting its sensitivity.

Methods: We assessed the standardized mean difference (SMD) of LYAR mRNA expression across 20 GC datasets (1,804 GC samples, 858 normal tissues) using multi-center high-throughput data, in-house immunohistochemistry, and CCLE cell expression data. Clinical and pathological relevance of LYAR was evaluated using metrics such as receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios. Additionally, upstream transcriptional regulation and enrichment analyses were performed, and drug sensitivity analysis identified potential drugs for high LYAR expression.

Results: LYAR expression was significantly upregulated in GC (SMD: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.89-1.51). The area under the curve was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.92), with sensitivity 0.74 (95% CI: 0.66-0.81) and specificity 0.89 (95% CI: 0.82-0.94). MYC potentially enhances LYAR expression, promoting GC progression. High LYAR expression indicates sensitivity to AZD compounds.

Conclusion: LYAR overexpression promotes GC progression and tumorigenesis, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Background: Enhancing communication practices among pharmacy professionals is essential for patient-centered care.

Methods and materials: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of licensed pharmacists from June 2022 to January 2023. Out of 640 pharmacists, 577 participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 90.2%. Participants completed a questionnaire covering demographics and their knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers regarding PCC. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors influencing PCC-related scores.

Results: The results indicated good knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy toward PCC. Higher PCC scores were associated with older age, postgraduate education, chain pharmacy employment, leadership roles, greater experience, and international or regional education. Key barriers included workload, staff shortages, time constraints, and an unsupportive work environment.

Conclusion: The findings, based on self-reported perceptions, suggest standard communication guidelines and awareness programs are warranted to facilitate PCC integration and enhance pharmacy professionals' confidence and skills in patient-centered care.

Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a condition resulting from hypoestrogenism, characterized by symptoms such as vaginal dryness, irritation, urinary urgency, and sexual dysfunction. While conventional treatments include local estrogen therapy and non-hormonal alternatives, evidence suggests a therapeutic role for vitamin D.

Research design and methods: This study assessed the efficacy of vaginal vitamin D supplementation in alleviating GSM symptoms and evaluated clinical factors. Two cohorts were analyzed: 110 postmenopausal women with GSM symptoms and 39 participants aged 35-85 for age-related analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26.

Results: Findings revealed associations between age and pelvic exam outcomes, with older women more likely to exhibit atrophic cervix, while younger participants presented with cervicitis. Delivery mode was also significantly correlated with pelvic exam findings (p = 0.040). Notably, all patients receiving vitamin D (10/10) achieved symptom remission at 3 months versus 34% (10/29) in controls (p = 0.00044), though limited by the small n and observational design of the study. Extended treatment showed 96.7% remission in vitamin D vs. 62.9% controls (aRR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.05-1.50, p = 0.024. Vitamin D + probiotics yielded 100% remission.

Conclusions: These support vitamin D as effective non-hormonal GSM therapy, pending larger RCTs.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common adult kidney malignancy, yet regional data from the Middle East are limited. This study characterized the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and survival features of RCC in a Jordanian cohort.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 295 RCC cases (2020-2024) from Yarmouk University affiliated hospitals was conducted. Clinical and pathological parameters, immunohistochemical markers, and survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests.

Results: Clear-cell RCC was the predominant subtype (72.2%), followed by papillary (10.5%), chromophobe (9.1%), and others (8.1%). The mean age was 62.1 years, with male predominance (66.4%). Clear-cell RCC showed higher rates of high-grade histology, sarcomatoid and rhabdoid differentiation, capsule invasion, renal vein involvement, and metastasis (p < 0.05), while chromophobe RCC was indolent with no metastases. CK7, Hale's iron, and c-kit characterized chromophobe RCC, vimentin was typical of clear-cell, and AMACR of papillary RCC. Survival was significantly worse with older age, higher T stage, sarcomatoid features, and higher ISUP grade, while nephrectomy type had no effect.

Conclusions: Clear-cell RCC demonstrated aggressive pathology, whereas chromophobe RCC was indolent. Age, subtype, stage, and sarcomatoid features were key prognostic factors, highlighting the need for early detection and expanded nephron-sparing surgery in the region.

Objective: To examine the role of relaxed natural selection, measured using the Henneberg Index (I_bs), in influencing adolescent obesity prevalence across 191 countries.

Methods: Population-level variables, including adolescent obesity prevalence, I_bs (Henneberg Index), GDP PPP, urbanization, and calorie intake, were obtained from United Nations sources. The relationship between the Henneberg Index and adolescent obesity was analyzed using curvilinear and linear regression models with raw and log-transformed data to address non-homoscedasticity. Regional correlations were explored by grouping countries.

Results: A significant correlation (r∼0.5) between the Henneberg Index and adolescent obesity was found and remained consistent through third-order polynomial regression and partial correlations after adjusting for GDP PPP, urbanization, and calorie intake. The correlation was stronger in developing countries compared to developed ones. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified the Henneberg Index as the second most significant predictor of adolescent obesity, following GDP PPP. Calorie intake did not significantly predict adolescent obesity in the models.

Conclusions: Reduced natural selection, facilitated by medical practices allowing individuals with obesity-linked traits to reproduce, may contribute to the population-level accumulation of these traits, increasing adolescent obesity. These findings underscore the need to consider evolutionary and genetic factors alongside environmental and socioeconomic determinants in developing obesity prevention strategies.

Objective: Transcriptome and proteome analyses may yield inconsistent predictions regarding tumor prognosis. The clinical and pathological significance of ASPM expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. This study investigates the expression and prognostic value of ASPM, focusing on its role in chemotherapy outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed the prognostic relevance of ASPM using bioinformatics, immunohistochemical staining of LUAD tissue microarrays, and proteomics data. Further, in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of ASPM overexpression on cell proliferation and sensitivity to cisplatin.

Results: Bioinformatics analysis revealed that ASPM's prognostic significance differed between transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. Immunohistochemistry showed that high ASPM expression predicted improved overall survival only in LUAD patients undergoing chemotherapy, not in those without. Proteomics analysis identified ASPM-related signatures enriched in cell cycle and mitosis pathways. In vitro, ASPM overexpression promoted tumor cell proliferation and enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity.

Conclusion: ASPM exhibits a dual role in LUAD prognosis, acting as a marker for improved chemotherapy outcomes while promoting tumor proliferation. These findings underscore ASPM's potential as a therapeutic target and predictive marker for personalized treatment in LUAD.