White and brown adipose tissue functionality is impaired by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure

Journal of Molecular Medicine - Chronic exposure to high levels of particulate matter (PM) is correlated to a higher prevalence of cardio-metabolic disturbances. Adipose tissue represents a pivotal...     

Liver fibrosis scores and risk of liver-related mortality in young adults with chronic hepatitis B: A cohort study

The predictive role of noninvasive liver fibrosis scores on liver-related mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B below 40 years of age remains unclarified. We examined the association of liver fibrosis scores with liver-related mortality in young (<40 years) and older adults with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A cohort study was performed in 21,360 HBsAg-positive Korean adults without liver cirrhosis or liver cancer at baseline who were followed up for up to 18 years. The liver fibrosis scores were determined using the fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) and aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI). Patients’ vital status and cause of death were ascertained through the National Death Records. During a median follow-up of 10.2 years, 283 liver-related deaths were identified (liver-related mortality, 127.4/10⁵ person-years). The liver fibrosis scores were significantly associated with increased risks of liver-related mortality; this association did not differ by age group (<40 vs. ≥40 years). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for liver-related mortality comparing intermediate and high to low FIB-4 scores were 4.23 (1.99–9.00), and 15.16 (5.18–44.38), respectively, among individuals under 40, and 4.46 (3.03–6.56) and 22.47 (15.11–33.41), respectively, among older individuals. These associations were similar in analyses using APRI. In this cohort of HBsAg-positive individuals, the liver fibrosis scores were associated with increased risks of liver-related mortality in young and older adults. The liver fibrosis scores have a role in predicting liver mortality, even in young adults with HBV.     

Melatonin and verteporfin synergistically suppress the growth and stemness of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics

The prevalence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has continued to rise for decades. However, drug resistance to chemotherapeutics and relapse, mediated by cancer stem cells (CSCs), remains a significant impediment in clinical oncology to achieve successful treatment. Therefore, we focused on analyzing CSCs in HNSCC and demonstrated the effect of melatonin (Mel) and verteporfin (VP) on SCC-25 cells. HNSCC CSCs were enriched in the reactive oxygen species-low state and in sphere-forming cultures. Combination treatment with Mel and VP decreased HNSCC viability and increased apoptosis without causing significant damage to normal cells. Sphere-forming ability and stem cell population were reduced by co-treatment with Mel and VP, while mitochondrial ROS level was increased by the treatment. Furthermore, the expression of mitophagy markers, parkin and PINK1, was significantly decreased in the co-treated cells. Mel and VP induced mitochondrial depolarization and inhibited mitochondrial function. Parkin/TOM20 was localized near the nucleus and formed clusters of mitochondria in the cells after treatment. Moreover, Mel and VP downregulated the expression of markers involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. The migration capacity of cells was significantly decreased by co-treatment with Mel and VP, accompanied by the down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Taken together, these results indicate that co-treatment with Mel and VP induces mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in the apoptosis of CSCs. Mel and VP could thus be further investigated as potential therapies for HNSCC through their action on CSCs.     

Shoulder and elbow pain in junior high school baseball players: Results of a nationwide survey

BackgroundDespite proposals and guidelines to prevent baseball injuries in young players by societies and organizations, many shoulder and elbow injuries continue to occur among junior high school baseball players. In order to investigate the training conditions of junior high school baseball players and the risk factors for shoulder and elbow pain in the players, we conducted a questionnaire survey among junior high school baseball players throughout the country.MethodsThe questionnaire survey was conducted among junior high school baseball players in September 2016.ResultsA total of 11,134 junior high school baseball players belonging to 495 teams responded to the survey. Among these, 4004 players trained every day of the week and 1151 players played baseball games every month with no off-season. Among 9752 players who did not have shoulder and/or elbow pain in the spring and summer of 2015, 19.2% of players experienced elbow pain over the course of one year, 13.6% of players experienced shoulder pain, and 28.0% complained of shoulder and/or elbow pain. The frequency of elbow pain was more than that of shoulder pain. At risk for shoulder pain were pitchers and catchers and second-year students, while risk factors for elbow pain were playing pitcher and catcher positions, pitching or throwing ≥300 balls per week, playing ≥10 games on average per month and being left-handed.ConclusionRisk factors for shoulder pain were different from those for elbow pain. To prevent elbow pain, coaches should pay attention to pitchers and catchers and left-handed players and not allow players to pitch or throw ≥300 full-power balls per week or participate in ≥10 games per month. They should also pay attention to pitchers and catchers and second-year students to prevent shoulder pain. It is important for coaches to train multiple pitchers and catchers.