Future Science OA最新文献

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.

Background: Older adults experienced disproportionate morbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the independent contribution of population ageing to cross-national variation in reported COVID-19 case rates remains insufficiently examined.

Research design and methods: This global ecological study analyzed data from 215 "countries" to assess whether ageing independently predicts COVID-19 case rates, which are influenced by national testing capacity and reporting practices. Confounding variables included economic affluence, the Henneberg Index, urbanization, and vaccination coverage. Analyses comprised bivariate correlations, principal component analysis, and multiple linear regression (enter and stepwise), with subgroup analyses by income level, development status, and World Health Organization region.

Results: Population ageing demonstrated a strong bivariate association with COVID-19 case rates; however, its independent contribution was modest. In adjusted models, population ageing remained statistically significant but explained only 1.7% of the total variance, whereas economic affluence and the Henneberg Index emerged as dominant predictors. The association between ageing and reported case rates was strongest in high-income settings.

Conclusions: Population ageing contributes modestly to cross-national variation in COVID-19 case rates. Broader structural factors and the Henneberg Index play a substantially larger role, underscoring the importance of public health strategies that strengthen surveillance capacity and interpretation of pandemic data at the global level.

Aims: Chronic inflammation and ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress drive tissue damage and skin photoaging. This study evaluates Aloe vera-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (Av-PDENs) as a natural bioactive platform for modulating inflammation and supporting tissue repair.

Materials & methods: Av-PDENs were isolated via polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS-HRMS). Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by measuring nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, interleukin-6, and macrophage polarization. Anti-photoaging effects were assessed in UVB-irradiated 1BR3 fibroblasts through ROS measurement, collagen type I expression and secretion, and scratch migration assay.

Results: Av-PDENs were spherical (mean diameter: 173 nm) and contained stress-response proteins. In macrophages, 40 µg/mL Av-PDENs reduced nitric oxide (NO) (46.90%) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (28.67%), with decreasing trends in interleukin-6 and M1 polarization. In fibroblasts, 80 µg/mL Av-PDENs significantly decreased UVB-induced ROS by 43.55%. Notably, 40 µg/mL Av-PDENs restored collagen type I expression, increased secretion by 40.2%, and achieved 90% wound closure at 96 hours, significantly surpassing the 80 µg/mL group.

Conclusions: Overall, Av-PDENs exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities, supporting potential cosmeceutical application.

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.

Aims: Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) is a key metabolic enzyme involved in endogenous metabolism; however, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern, biological function, and potential clinical relevance of FMO3 in CRC.

Materials and methods: Publicly available transcriptomic datasets were analyzed to assess FMO3 expression and its association with clinical characteristics. Immunohistochemistry and in vitro functional assays were performed to evaluate the effects of FMO3 on CRC cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, migration, and invasion. Bioinformatics analyses were used to explore potential signaling pathways and immune-related associations.

Results: FMO3 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines and was associated with unfavorable clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. Silencing of FMO3 inhibited CRC cell proliferation by inducing G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest and suppressed migration and invasion by reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related phenotypes. Mechanistically, FMO3 depletion attenuated PI3K/AKT signaling activity. In addition, FMO3 expression was correlated with immune cell infiltration patterns and immune checkpoint-related molecules.

Conclusions: FMO3 promotes malignant progression of colorectal cancer and may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. Further in vivo and mechanistic studies are warranted to validate these findings.

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.