Health Science Reports最新文献

{"title":"The Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis Antibodies Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Services in Urban and Rural Health Facilities in Three Regions of Burkina Faso: A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Achille Sindimbasba Nikièma,&nbsp;Armel Moumouni Sanou,&nbsp;Mamadou Ouattara,&nbsp;Barnabé Relwendé Yaméogo,&nbsp;Ad Bafa Ibrahim Ouattara,&nbsp;Mariam Seynou,&nbsp;Djara Konaté,&nbsp;Nina Geneviève Mathuola Ouattara,&nbsp;Dieudonné Ilboudo,&nbsp;Ina Marie Angèle Traoré,&nbsp;Henri Gauthier Ouédraogo","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71321","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause severe diseases to the fetus and newborns or abortion, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In Burkina Faso, while seroprevalence data for toxoplasmosis are available for urban areas, such data are scarce for rural areas. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women attending antenatal services in primary health facilities in rural and urban areas.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 in health facilities located in the Cascades (<i>n</i> = 2), Hauts-Bassins (<i>n</i> = 2), and Sud-Ouest (<i>n</i> = 2) regions. All pregnant women attending the health facilities for antenatal care who consented to participate in the study were enrolled. Venous blood samples were collected from each pregnant woman, and serum was analyzed for IgG and IgM antibodies using a rapid diagnostic test. Seroprevalences of IgM and IgG were determined. The association between seroprevalence and socio-demographic characteristics was assessed by bivariate and multivariate analyses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 2509 pregnant women were enrolled and screened. Their mean age was 25.71 years, and the overall seroprevalence (IgM-positive and or IgG-positive) was 29.33% (736) (95% CI: 27.56–31.16). Of the 736 women tested positive for both antibodies, 27 were seropositive for IgM antibody; 703 for IgG antibody and 6 for both antibody (Ig M; Ig G). No statistically differences were observed in the seroprevalence according to age, place of residence (rural, urban), and educational level of the participant (<i>p</i> = 0.002).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results of our study indicate a high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women, with no statistically difference between rural and urban areas. Some women acquired the infection during pregnancy, underscoring the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis. Health authorities should integrate toxoplasmosis diagnosis into a free antenatal screening program to facilitate the detection of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy and prevent congenital toxoplasmosis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hsr2.71321","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145223967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship Between the Socio-Demographic Index and the Burden of Depressive Disorders in Asia (2010–2021): A Population Based Study","authors":"Azam Ardeh,&nbsp;Jamile Shahverdi,&nbsp;Ali Ghiasi,&nbsp;Elham Goodarzi,&nbsp;Faezeh Zamani","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71312","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71312","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Depressive disorders represent a prevalent mental health challenge, posing a substantial threat to individuals' well-being. This study aimed to explore the burden of depressive disorders in Asia from 2010 to 2021.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study leverages population-based data from the Global Burden of Disease Study in 2021. Metrics such as prevalence, incidence, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per 100,000 people were calculated using age-standardized rates (ASR) with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). The study also investigated the association between Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and the burden of depressive disorders using Pearson correlation analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In 2021, Palestine exhibited the highest Age-Standardized Incidence Rate(ASIR) (9361.0 per 100,000), Age-Specific Prevalence Rate (ASPR) (7348.5 per 100,000), and Age-Standardized DALYs Rate (ASDR) (1375.1 per 100,000). The highest percentage increase in 2010–2021 for ASIR (47%) and for ASDR (31%) was related to Myanmar, and ASPR (27%) was related to Tunisia. Notably, across all age groups, ASDR, ASIR, and ASPR were consistently higher in women compared to men. The results of Pearson analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between ASPR (<i>r</i> = −0.228), ASDR (<i>r</i> = −0.232), and ASIR (<i>r</i> = −0.227) indices with the SDI index, but this correlation was not statistically significant(<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings highlight a disproportionately high burden of depressive disorders in South Asia, particularly in countries like Palestine and Iraq, where rising trends in DALYs and prevalence demand urgent attention. The significant negative correlation between ASPR and SDI suggests that lower socioeconomic development may exacerbate depressive disorders, even as higher-SDI countries face their own mental health challenges.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hsr2.71312","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive Modeling of Weight Loss and Metabolic Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Predictive Modeling Study","authors":"Rolando Andrade-Calle,&nbsp;Isabel de la Torre-Díez,&nbsp;Daniel de Luis-Román","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71236","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71236","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Obesity is a chronic, complicated, and progressive disease that significantly affects mortality, quality of life, and overall health in nearly 13% of the adult population worldwide. Thus, solutions like a hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean diet pattern aim to control this and other metabolic problems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study developed and measured the performance of different machine learning (ML) models designed to predict body weight loss and/or metabolic syndrome (MetS) change after a 3-month hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean pattern in obesity-diagnosed patients.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The data set was provided by a clinical trial of 893 obese patients. Five machine learning architectures were implemented: Logistic Regression, Decision Tree Classifier, Random Forest Classifier, eXtreme Gradient Boosting Classifier (XGBoost), and Support Vector Classifier. Performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC curve were used to assess the prediction models. The influence of the predictors was also evaluated in every case.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>For body weight loss prediction, Stacking and Random Forest models outperformed the other models, with accuracies of 81.37% and 76.44% and AUC of 86.79% (95% CI: 82.9%–90.4%) and 86.25% (95% CI: 82.3%–89.9%), respectively. For MetS change, Stacking had the best performance, with an accuracy of 85.90% and an AUC of 83.65% (95% CI: 76.9%–89.8%). For the prediction model of body weight loss and MetS change, Stacking was the best algorithm, with an accuracy of 94.74% and an AUC of 95.35% (95% CI: 88.7%–99.9%). Furthermore, variables associated with metabolic and inflammatory markers exhibited stronger correlations with the outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Machine learning models, especially ensemble methods like Stacking and XGBoost, effectively predict body weight loss and MetS improvement in obese patients following a Mediterranean diet. Key predictors include age, insulin resistance markers, and inflammatory biomarkers. Integrating these predictive tools can significantly enhance personalized dietary interventions, optimizing treatment outcomes in clinical practice.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hsr2.71236","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Letter to the Editor: The Lineage and Sublineage Investigation of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 in Tehran, Iran, During 2022–2023","authors":"Shanza Shakir,&nbsp;Syed Hassan Ali,&nbsp;Javed Iqbal","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71260","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71260","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;We have read the article published by Khezeli et al., titled &lt;i&gt;“The Lineage and Sublineage Investigation of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 in Tehran, Iran, During 2022–2023: A Cross-Sectional Study”&lt;/i&gt; (Health Science Reports, 2025). In this study, he highlights the geographic diversity of distinct HPV 16 sublineages worldwide and found that lineages A and D were dominant in Tehran, Iran. However, there are some limitations that we want to emphasize to further magnify this novel topic; Firstly, this study included only 120 participants, which made the study's sample size small, and all data were collected from participants in Tehran only. The study's small sample size may raise the margin of random error and reduce the study's statistical power, due to which it limits the ability to find significant relationships. Additionally, collecting data from a specific geographic area limits the generalizability and leads to selection bias in the main findings for the entire Iranian population. A study conducted by Siavash Chalabiani et al., collected HPV type 16 data from 2,969 women across 24 provinces in Iran [&lt;span&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;]. The significant number of participants and geographically varied sample of this study ensures greater accuracy and lesser uncertainty; improve statistical power and reduce selection bias, which strengthens the generalizability and reliability of the findings. Secondly, this study focuses only on E6 gene analysis, which provides limited insights into the genetic diversity of this virus. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is the more effective method to evaluate the full spectrum of HPV 16 sublineage diversity. As evidenced by studies that located several variations in HPV 16 genomes from various populations, WGS enables to find the wider variety of genetic variants throughout the entire genome, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (Indels) [&lt;span&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;]. WGS, including E6, E7, E1, E2, and the long control region (LCR) is necessary for precise lineage categorization since the behavior of the virus and its correlation with cervical cancer can be greatly impacted by mutations in all these areas. Cervical cancer may arise as a result of the integration and mutation of E1 and E2, which may increase the expression of virus genes E6 and E7. The E1 gene is involved in the replication of the viral genome and the E2 gene has a negative impact with the production of oncogenes. The E6 and E7 genes are primarily responsible for HPV's ability to cause cervical cancer [&lt;span&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;].&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Additionally, this study would not be able to differentiate between D1 and D4 sublineage, using E6 gene analysis only, results in a gap in phylogenetic resolution. A single gene analysis might not be able to fully reflect the complexity of genetic variants, unlike the phylogenetic analyses, which were carried out with MAUVE. MAUVE phylogenetic analysis evaluates the genetic composition of sublineages like D1 and D4. MAUVE","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hsr2.71260","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the Intricate Causal Nexus Between 91 Circulating Inflammatory Proteins and Perianal Abscess Through a Comprehensive Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis","authors":"Menghan Zhou,&nbsp;Shuning Liu,&nbsp;Junpeng Guo","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71294","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hsr2.71294","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;We read with great interest the article titled “Unveiling the Intricate Causal Nexus Between 91 Circulating Inflammatory Proteins and Perianal Abscess Through a Comprehensive Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis,” [&lt;span&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;] which offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and the risk of perianal abscess (PA). The authors' use of a comprehensive bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) approach is commendable, as it minimizes confounding and reverse causation, providing more robust evidence than traditional observational studies. Their identification of both risk-associated and protective inflammatory proteins sheds new light on the potential pathophysiological mechanisms of PA and highlights possible biomarkers for future clinical applications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;First, we acknowledge the careful selection of 91 inflammatory proteins and the use of multiple sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of the findings. However, the GWAS datasets were predominantly derived from European ancestry populations, and some protein exposures had relatively modest sample sizes. Moreover, potential confounders such as lifestyle factors, comorbid conditions, or environmental exposures were not fully accounted for in the MR framework. These limitations may affect the strength and generalizability of the causal inferences [&lt;span&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;]. We suggest that future work consider incorporating larger, multi-ethnic datasets and performing multivariable MR to adjust for potential residual confounding and improve external validity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Second, it is commendable that the study individually assessed numerous inflammatory proteins, revealing both risk factors (e.g., IL-18R1, IL-33) and protective factors (e.g., IL-2, PD-L1). Nonetheless, treating each protein as an independent exposure may oversimplify the intricate interplay between inflammatory pathways. In reality, many cytokines function in networks, where synergistic or antagonistic effects may shape disease risk. Employing multivariable or mediation MR models could help clarify whether certain proteins act as upstream regulators or downstream mediators within shared inflammatory pathways [&lt;span&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;]. Such an approach would provide a more mechanistic understanding of how inflammatory cascades collectively contribute to PA development.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lastly, while the study established causal associations, the clinical phenotype of PA was considered as a binary outcome. PA itself has heterogeneous presentations, ranging from simple abscesses to recurrent or fistula-associated forms, which may have distinct inflammatory profiles. Stratifying PA cases by clinical subtype or severity, could yield more nuanced insights into which inflammatory proteins are most relevant to disease progression [&lt;span&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;]. Furthermore, functional validation in patient-derived tissue or animal models would help bridge the gap between genetic associations and bio","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12485221/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145214032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strengthening Community Health Workers' Role in Noncommunicable Disease Prevention: Lessons From Tanzania for the Philippine Public Health System","authors":"Richard Ian Mark T. Necosia,&nbsp;Joanne Vivien B. Necosia","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71216","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hsr2.71216","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;A recent study by Mashauri et al. [&lt;span&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;] on the knowledge, attitudes, and role in noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention and control among community health workers (CHWs) in northern Tanzania addresses a common problem globally: CHWs are underutilized despite their potential for delivering primary-level interventions. Their results indicate that over half of Tanzanian CHWs are educated (92.1%) and have a positive attitude (100%) to prevent NCDs, but the actual practice is varied: 26.7% took part in NCDs screening, 41.4% took part in the community mobilization [&lt;span&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;]. These deficiencies of training and access to screening instruments mirror some of the challenges facing many developing countries, such as the Philippines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In 2024, the World Health Organization projected that Filipinos had a 24.5% chance of dying before age 70 years from cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases, higher than the Western Pacific regional average of 15.6% [&lt;span&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;]. Additionally, the mortality from NCDs rose from 651 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 714 per 100,000 in 2021, thus emphasizing the rising and immediate need for effective community-based intervention [&lt;span&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;]. Despite contributing to the provision of frontline healthcare services, the participation of barangay health workers (BHWs) in the organized prevention of NCDs remains low because of enduring system constraints. A recent qualitative study from the Philippines about an urban district indicated that although the BHWs were involved with NCDs- screening, patient support and health education, several challenges were noted for them, which included poor training, poor access to health facilities, health-related economic burden, and low knowledge about preventive health behaviors in the community [&lt;span&gt;3&lt;/span&gt;]. These barriers limit BHW participation in comprehensive NCD care and bring to the fore the imperatives for structural and capacity-building policy responses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We note that the Tanzanian study provides a road map. Occupational training, home visit frequency, task confidence, and screening tools availability were significant predictors of doorstep worker participation [&lt;span&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;]. These results are similar to those reported in the Southeast Asian studies where a community-based task shifting in NCDs control significantly enhance early detection and saves the long-term cost when properly supported [&lt;span&gt;4&lt;/span&gt;].&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hence, we present the following policy perspectives tailored to the Philippine context:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Embed BHW Responsibilities in NCD Programs. The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and Local Government Units (LGUs) need to require the participation of BHWs in NCD-intensive trainings, capacity development activities, including hypertension clubs, diabetes screening days, and regular monitoring. This official title not only defines roles and responsibilities but also legitimizes BHWs in the eyes of","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12485220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"To the Editor: Community Prevalence of Vitamin C Deficiency and Nutrition","authors":"Joris Delanghe,&nbsp;Marc De Buyzere,&nbsp;Marijn Speeckaert","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71314","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hsr2.71314","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;We were interested in reading the paper by Carter et al. [&lt;span&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;]. In this study, the relatively low serum vitamin C levels in Australians were linked to the average Australian diet. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, less than 5% of the population had an inadequate intake of vitamin C based on estimated average requirement (EAR). However, the classical view of vitamin C deficiency (formulated by Szent-Györgyi) as an exclusively nutritional disorder needs to be tailored. In large epidemiological surveys, the correlation between vitamin C intake and vitamin C concentration was shown to be rather weak. Hence, only 17% of the variance in serum vitamin C concentration can be explained by dietary vitamin C intake. Vitamin C status is determined not only by dietary vitamin C content but also by the rate of vitamin C breakdown. Lifestyle (e.g., smoking) and environmental factors, biological factors (e.g., inflammation, iron excess), and pathological conditions (e.g., hemolysis, malabsorption) have a negative effect on vitamin C status.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;An increasing number of genetic factors has also been associated with vitamin C metabolism. Several vitamin C affecting polymorphisms show a marked geographical distribution. One of the most thoroughly monitored is the polymorphism of haptoglobin (Hp), which is a plasma protein with three phenotypes &lt;i&gt;Hp 1-1&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-1&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt;. The Hp phenotypes differ in antioxidant capacity, with &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; being the worst at binding free hemoglobin and preventing oxidant stress. &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; individuals are characterized by persistently lower serum ascorbate concentrations resulting from decreased uptake regardless of dietary intake. A significantly faster depletion of vitamin C in &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; subjects is observed compared to &lt;i&gt;Hp 1-1&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-1&lt;/i&gt; subjects, both in vivo and in vitro due to increased oxidative turnover and poorer perfusion and stabilization of ascorbate in the presence of redox-active iron [&lt;span&gt;2&lt;/span&gt;]. A gene-diet interaction study further revealed that &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; individuals were up to 2.8 times more likely to be vitamin C deficient when intake was below the RDA, compared to &lt;i&gt;Hp 1&lt;/i&gt; carriers. Importantly, actual data from an Australian cohort of over 4,200 individuals reported the distribution of &lt;i&gt;Hp&lt;/i&gt; phenotypes as follows: &lt;i&gt;Hp 1-1&lt;/i&gt; in ~15%, &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-1&lt;/i&gt; in ~47%, and &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; in ~38%. This means that more than one-third of Australians carry the &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; phenotype and are therefore potentially more vulnerable to low vitamin C status, regardless of dietary intake. Furthermore, approximately 17.4% of Australians were identified as having at least some Asian ancestry in 2021, which also indicates a high prevalence of the &lt;i&gt;Hp 2-2&lt;/i&gt; phenotype. These direct data reinforce the argument that Australia's population-level risk for vitamin C deficiency cannot be fully understood without accounting for underlying genetic diversi","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12485279/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145214059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidermal Keratinocyte Cells in Laboratory, Clinical Trials, and Market: A Narrative Review","authors":"Sona Zare,&nbsp;Alireza Jafarzadeh,&nbsp;Solmaz Zare,&nbsp;Mohammad Ali Nilforoushzadeh,&nbsp;Amir Shamloo","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71277","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hsr2.71277","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The skin serves essential protective and regulatory functions. In severe injuries such as burns, keratinocytes—being the main epidermal cells—play a pivotal role in skin regeneration through secretion of growth factors and cytokines. This review explores the biology of keratinocytes and their application in treating skin disorders and developing skin substitutes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing studies on the therapeutic use of allogeneic and autologous keratinocytes in wound healing and skin regeneration. Research on cultured epidermal substitutes, including keratinocyte-based grafts and engineered skin constructs, was also reviewed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings indicate that autologous keratinocyte transplantation—such as auto-dermatoplasty using a patient's own skin—has been highly effective in treating extensive burns and postsurgical wounds. However, in cases where sufficient donor skin is unavailable, alternative approaches such as keratinocyte culture combined with collagen gel and fibroblasts have shown promising results. Clinical studies demonstrate that epidermal keratinocyte-based therapies significantly reduce scarring, enhance wound healing, and improve survival rates in patients with severe burns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Given their high proliferation capacity, accessibility, and ability to differentiate into epidermal layers, keratinocytes represent a valuable tool for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Future advancements in keratinocyte-based therapies and bioengineered skin substitutes hold significant potential for improving outcomes in patients with critical skin injuries.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12477492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145201296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stomatognathic Diseases Reveal Bidirectional Link Between Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Artery Calcium: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Multi-Way Array Analysis","authors":"Tuan D. Pham","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71280","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hsr2.71280","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk is crucial for effective healthcare. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a complex metabolic disorder, is closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Factors such as endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and metabolic disturbances contribute to this heightened risk. Gaining insights into this relationship can help healthcare professionals provide timely and personalized care. This study explores the bidirectional relationship between DM and coronary artery calcification (CAC), mediated by stomatognathic diseases, using advanced data science techniques.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study uses a publicly available data set of 212 patients from Dutch hospitals to explore the connections among patient characteristics, stomatognathic diseases, and CAC score. Tensor decomposition techniques were employed to investigate the relationship between DM and CAC. Patient characteristics and dental conditions were integrated into tensor models for three groups: without DM, with DM, and with CAC. Additionally, nonlinear dynamics, visual analyses, and machine learning enriched the investigation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Tensor decomposition revealed patterns across the three categories, incorporating patient characteristics and dental conditions. The <span></span><math>\u0000 <semantics>\u0000 <mrow>\u0000 <mi>k</mi>\u0000 </mrow>\u0000 <annotation> $k$</annotation>\u0000 </semantics></math>-NN (nearest neighbor) search examined similarities among tensor coefficients, highlighting a bidirectional link between DM and CAC. Fuzzy recurrence plots and entropy measures quantified distinctive patterns among subjects without DM, with DM, and with CAC.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The reciprocal interaction between DM and CAC tertiles 2 and 3 emphasizes the need for a broader analytical perspective. Incorporating patient characteristics and dental health in the analysis uncovers latent patterns, providing insights. Oral conditions emerge as key indicators, offering a detailed view of the complex relationship between DM and CAC.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12477500/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145201557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perturbation of Circulating Inflammatory Proteins Mediates the Relationship Between Cholecystectomy and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Multivariate and Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study","authors":"Cong Chen,&nbsp;Jinming Chen,&nbsp;Jilin Chen","doi":"10.1002/hsr2.71303","DOIUrl":"10.1002/hsr2.71303","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Observational studies suggest a link between cholecystectomy and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but whether cholecystectomy is an independent causal risk factor and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Inflammation, a key driver of NAFLD, is a potential mediator of this association. The aims of this study are to determine the independent causal effect of cholecystectomy on NAFLD and to quantify the mediating effect of inflammatory factors in the causal pathway of cholecystectomy and NAFLD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We employed a comprehensive Mendelian randomization (MR) framework. Multivariable MR (MVMR) assessed the independent causal effect of cholecystectomy on NAFLD after adjusting for eight common NAFLD risk factors (five lipid levels, body mass index, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension). Second, mediation MR evaluated the potential mediating role of 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the cholecystectomy–NAFLD pathway. Genetic instruments were derived from European-ancestry genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Sensitivity analyses assessed pleiotropy, heterogeneity, and robustness.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cholecystectomy demonstrated a significant independent causal effect on increased NAFLD risk after adjustment for confounders (OR = 12.988, 95% CI = 1.998–84.420, <i>p</i> = 0.007). Among 91 inflammatory proteins, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9 (TNFRSF9) mediated 10.76% of the increased risk of NAFLD associated with cholecystectomy (Mediator effect <i>β</i> = 0.522, 95% CI = 0.124–0.919, <i>p</i> = 0.01).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cholecystectomy is an independent risk factor for NAFLD. Circulating TNFRSF9 as a key inflammatory mediator explains ~10.76% of the increased NAFLD risk following cholecystectomy. These findings highlight TNFRSF9 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for preventing postcholecystectomy NAFLD, although further validation is required.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":36518,"journal":{"name":"Health Science Reports","volume":"8 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12479370/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}