Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine最新文献

Mental health diagnostics is undergoing a transformation, with a shift away from traditional categorical systems like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), and toward innovative frameworks like the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). These emerging models prioritize dimensional and biobehavioral approaches in order to overcome limitations such as oversimplification, comorbidity and heterogeneity. This editorial explores the challenges of implementing these paradigms, such as the need for empirical validation, interdisciplinary collaboration and clinician training. It highlights the importance of advanced tools, biomarkers and technological integration to improve precision in diagnosis and treatment. Future research directions include creating reliable dimensional assessment methods, conducting longitudinal studies and fostering interdisciplinary networks. By bridging traditional and emerging frameworks, the field can progress toward personalized, biologically informed mental health treatment. This transition necessitates collaboration among researchers, clinicians and policymakers to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for those affected by mental health disorders.

Background: Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease characterized by increased bone fragility. As it is characterized as a general skeletal disease, changes can also be seen in the stomatognathic system (edentulism, wrong fitting of dentures, etc.). The question is whether early changes in the salivary mineral content and acid-base balance may reflect skeletal status and risk of bone fracture.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether minerals in the saliva were associated with skeletal fractures in a population of postmenopausal women.

Material and methods: In this observational study, dental examinations along with the collection of saliva were conducted in 117 randomly recruited women (mean age 64.6 ±5.9 years). The study group included 23 study participants with fractures, of which 10 had a history of osteoporotic fractures. Saliva samples for mineral content including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), as well as salivary pH were collected and analyzed to determine associations between salivary mineral content and fracture risk.

Results: As a result, the median pH value was 6.8, and the median levels for Cu (0.35 μmol/L), Zn (0.61 μmol/L), Ca (0.7 mmol/L), and P (6.64 mmol/L) were observed. No differences were noted in salivary mineral content and acid-basic balance between the fractured and non-fractured participants.

Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that salivary mineral content has limited usability in predicting skeletal fragility in postmenopausal women when used alone.

Background: Lipedema is characterized by the painful abnormal deposition of adipose tissue in the lower limbs and is often misdiagnosed as obesity. Considering the numerous bothersome physical symptoms of lipedema, women with lipedema may have greater disability and emotional problems than women with lifestyle-induced obesity.

Objectives: Our study aims to assess disability, anxiety and depression symptoms in women with lipedema compared to women with overweight/obesity.

Material and methods: Women with lipedema (n = 45, with a mean age of 41 years) and women who are overweight/obese (n = 43, with a mean age of 44.95 years) were asked to complete the following questionnaires: The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS II), Beck's Depression Inventory - II (BDI-II), and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results: Despite the higher BMI in the overweight/obesity group, the group with lipedema was more disabled in numerous domains of the WHO-DAS II questionnaire, including Life activities - domestic, work and school responsibilities and Participation in society When the influence of BMI was adjusted, a difference in the domain of Mobility was also present. The study groups did not differ in anxiety and depression symptoms.

Conclusions: We showed that behavioral impairment was the main factor affecting functioning in women with lipedema. Emotional symptoms did not differentiate the study groups. Leg volumes and adipose tissue pain intensity were associated with greater disability in women with lipedema, and should be considered in managing women with this condition and in future research estimating the effectiveness of lipedema treatment.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex, heterogeneous disease with multiple extrapulmonary manifestations, among which vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are very common in COPD and are associated with the health status and clinical outcomes of COPD patients.

Objectives: This paper aims to analyze the impact of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and daily sitting time (DST) and their interactions on serum vitamin D in patients with COPD.

Material and methods: Participants aged ≥40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the USA from 2007 to 2012 who had undergone pulmonary function tests and vitamin D tests were selected as the study participants. Participants' LTPA and DST were assessed using the General Practice Assessment Questionnaire (GPAQ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between serum vitamin D, LTPA, DSA and the combination of the 2 in patients with COPD, and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results: This study included 1,448 samples. The mean vitamin D concentration of the samples was (68.27 ±26.78) nmol/L; 360 participants (24.86%) had vitamin D deficiency and 539 participants (37.22%) had vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D and 25(OH)D3 expression levels differed across the 4 groups (150 min/week and DST > 8 h revealed the highest vitamin D expression levels, while LTPA 8 h showed the lowest. Vitamin D was weakly correlated with FEV1, FVC, BMI, age, and LTPA (p < 0.01), but not with DST. Body mass index (BMI) was weakly positively correlated with DST (r = 0.142, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Serum physical activity and DST independently affect vitamin D levels in COPD patients; therefore, increasing physical activity and minimizing DST may help improve vitamin D levels and prevent vitamin D deficiency.

In the last 4 years, the journal Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine has made significant strides in adapting to changes in scientific publishing. It has maintained high levels of citations and submitted manuscripts, publishing a considerable number of articles ahead of print releases to minimize wait times. With a solid reputation and a growing base of over 7,000 reviewers, the journal upholds rigorous ethical standards and thorough statistical verification for all manuscripts. Bibliometric indicators showcase the impact of Adv Clin Exp Med, including an increased impact factor, CiteScore, Index Copernicus Value (ICV) and recognition in indexes and bases like Scopus and PubMed Central (PMC). International cooperation support for early-career researchers are key focuses, with efforts to provide guidelines, online meetings, and social media promotion. Various materials for authors prepared by the editorial staff are discussed, including detailed instructions for authors, tips regarding graphical abstracts and choosing a checklist, as well as ethical guidelines, a brochure on the rules of statistical analysis and data presentation, and technical requirements for figures. The journal also emphasizes data sharing, detailed procedures for errata and retractions, and clear policies concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Calls for submissions show authors the optimal direction for creating original, innovative scientific papers. Financing from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education ensures the financial stability of the journal. By adapting to the evolving landscape of scientific communication, Adv Clin Exp Med remains dedicated to facilitating open access publishing and disseminating high-quality medical research to its readers.

Background: Resveratrol (RSV) exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiaging, and cardioprotective properties. However, due to its hydrophobic nature, it is prone to instability and oxidation, which significantly limit its biomedical applications.

Objectives: The aims of this study were: 1) To prepare and characterize hydrogels and micelles by mixing the synthesized PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM copolymer and RSV in an aqueous environment; 2) To investigate the molecular interactions between the polymer and RSV; 3) To evaluate various properties of the polymeric micelles and hydrogels; 4) To determine the efficiency of RSV release from the polymeric micelles.

Material and methods: A well-defined PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM block copolymer was synthesized and purified. Gel permeation chromatography and 1H NMR were used to characterize the chemical composition and molecular weight of each copolymer. The encapsulation of RSV and its interaction with PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM were confirmed using 2D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY). The lower critical solution temperature (LCST), critical micelle concentration (CMC) and structure of the polymeric micelle were characterized using surface tension measurements, a viscometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The rheological behavior of the RSV-loaded hydrogels was also investigated.

Results: The results showed that the RSV-loaded micelles were successfully prepared. The LCST and CMC of PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM polymeric micelles were determined to be 35°C and 0.005 g/L, respectively. The micelles have a spherical profile with a particle size of 100 nm and a narrow size distribution.

Conclusions: Resveratrol can be encapsulated within polymeric micelles formed by PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM block copolymer below the LCST. Its molecules are incorporated into the hydrophobic domains of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM), forming a molecular complex. The point of molecular interaction is primarily at the phenolic region of RSV. Below LCST, PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM behaves as a polymeric surfactant at low concentrations and as an associating polymer at high concentrations. At high polymer concentrations, PNIPAM-b-PEO-b-PNIPAM formed a hydrogel. Above LCST, it was released from the polymeric micelles.

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It can be divided into 2 main types, namely non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Most patients with NSCLC are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and current treatments have limited success. Moreover, relapsing tumors that often appear after surgical or drug treatment are particularly difficult to treat. The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been proposed as a key factor contributing to the development of resistance to therapy, recurrence and metastasis. Targeting CSCs is a potential strategy for eradicating tumors. However, due to the tumor-type specificity and cellular plasticity, the real clinical application of lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) has not been realized. This review details the existing phenotypic markers of LCSCs and the limitations of their identification and summarizes the roles of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the existence and maintenance of LCSCs, as well as the contribution and controversy of cellular plasticity theory on LCSCs. It is expected that future research on LCSCs can solve the present problems, and approaches targeting LCSCs may be applied in the clinic as soon as possible.

Background: Accumulating evidence has supported the effect of antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer therapy. However, an ADCP-based signature to predict the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) has not been established.

Objectives: We aimed to develop an ADCP-based signature to improve the prognosis prediction of GC.

Material and methods: Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis genes that exhibited a differential expression were characterized, followed by the construction and validation of the ADCP-based signature. The potential association between the ADCP-based signature and TME was explored, and the features of the signature genes were investigated. Finally, a predictive nomogram was established based on the ADCP-based signature.

Results: Four ADCP-related genes, MKNK2, VCAN, LRAT, and GNGB, were identified to construct the ADCP-based signature, and a high ADCP score predicted an unfavorable prognosis in GC patients (p < 0.05). The ADCP-based signature was significantly associated with immune cells, immune checkpoints and immune signaling pathways (p < 0.05). Gastric cancer patients with high ADCP scores benefited less from immunotherapy compared to those with low ADCP scores. A nomogram including age, stage and risk score of the ADCP-based signature was constructed to predict the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probabilities, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.669, 0.675 and 0.685, respectively.

Conclusions: The ADCP-based signature may serve as a new option for prognosis prediction and the personalized treatment of GC patients.

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by rapid onset, rapid development and a high short-term mortality rate. Systemic inflammation exerts an effect on the disease progression of ACLF.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to explore the clinical significance that the inflammatory response has on the disease process of hepatitis B virus acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) patients, to further compare the values of different inflammation-related biomarkers in the prognosis evaluation of HBV-ACLF patients, and to combine inflammatory-related markers to establish a new prediction model.

Material and methods: Baseline admission data and 90-day outcomes were collected from 247 patients who met the inclusion criteria. According to the 90-day survival situation, they were divided into a survival group and a death group. The differences in baseline data and inflammation levels between the 2 groups were compared. A regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for 90-day mortality and establish a new model.

Results: The study found that the differences between the survival group and the death group were statistically significant in terms of age, total bilirubin (Tbil), prothrombin time (PT), international standardized ratio (INR), inflammation level, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) series scores (p < 0.05). The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR)-integrated iMELD model (MLR-iMELD) can effectively predict the 90-day survival rate of HBV-ACLF patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUROC) of the new model was 0.792, and the best cutoff for predicting the prognosis of 90 days for patients was -0.33 (sensitivity 0.577 and specificity 0.898).

Conclusions: The higher the level of inflammation in patients with HBV-ACLF, the greater the risk of 90-day death. Compared with other inflammation-related markers, the MLR-iMELD model can better predict the 90-day survival rate of HBV-ACLF patients.

Sleep disorders have emerged as a significant public health issue, adversely affecting quality of life and precipitating severe complications. The association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and otolaryngological manifestations appears to be underrecognized. This study posits that manifestations in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) among patients with OSAS and users of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are relatively common. Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, this systematic review, registered at PROSPERO (No. CRD42023452473), involved a comprehensive search of the MEDLINE databases. We included studies published in English from 1979 to March 2021 that explored the linkages between OSAS, CPAP and otolaryngological manifestations. A total of 29 articles were reviewed, with findings indicating 12 studies on ear dysfunctions, 11 on nose dysfunctions and 6 on pharynx dysfunctions. Reported symptoms included hearing dysfunction, vestibular function disorders, cerebrospinal fluid leak, Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, rhinosinusitis, olfaction and taste disorders, dysphagia, dry mouth, and gastroesophageal reflux. The etiology of these ailments varies, yet an understanding of these symptoms can improve the diagnosis to confirm or rule out OSAS. Early identification of ENT symptoms related to OSAS may facilitate prompt diagnosis and mitigate serious complications.