Category: 8. Health

  • Study Shows That After Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Risk of a Second Cancer is Low

    Study Shows That After Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Risk of a Second Cancer is Low

    For individuals diagnosed with early breast cancer, the long-term risk of developing a second primary cancer is low—around 2% to 3% greater than the general population)—according to findings published by McGale et al in The BMJ.

    The researchers say this information can help reassure many breast cancer survivors who believe their risk of a second primary cancer is much higher than these results suggest.

    Study Background and Methodology

    Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing second primary cancers, but risk estimates from previous studies are inconsistent. The risk and type of a second cancer can also be affected by the initial treatment received, as well as social, lifestyle, and genetic factors.

    To address this uncertainty, British researchers used data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service for England to estimate the long-term risks of second primary cancers compared with the general population, and the various factors associated with these risks.

    Their findings are based on 476,373 women diagnosed in England from 1993 to 2016 with early invasive breast cancer at ages 20 to 75 years who underwent surgery.

    Key Findings

    Over a follow-up period of up to 20 years, 64,747 women developed a second primary cancer, but the absolute excess risks compared with risks in the general population were small. 

    By 20 years, 13.6% of women had developed a nonbreast cancer (mainly uterine, lung, or colorectal cancer)—2.1% more than expected in the general population. Additionally, 5.6% had developed a contralateral breast cancer—3.1% more than expected.

    When patients were grouped by age at first breast cancer diagnosis, the excess risk of a second nonbreast cancer varied little across age groups. However, the excess risk of a contralateral breast cancer was greater in younger than in older women. For example, for a woman whose first breast cancer was diagnosed at age 60, her estimated risks of developing a new cancer by the age of 80 were 17% for nonbreast cancer and 5% for contralateral breast cancer, compared to risks of 15% and 3%, respectively, for women of the same age in the general population. For a woman diagnosed at age 40, her estimated risks of developing a second cancer by the age of 60 were 6% for both nonbreast and contralateral breast cancer, compared to 4% and 2%, respectively, for women in the general population.

    When patients were grouped according to other adjuvant treatments they received after surgery, radiotherapy was associated with higher rates of contralateral breast and lung cancers, endocrine therapy with uterine cancer (along with reduced contralateral breast cancer), and chemotherapy with acute leukemia.

    Based on these results, the researchers estimate that around 7% of excess second cancers may be due to the use of adjuvant therapies but noted that their benefits outweigh this small risk in almost all circumstances where these treatments are recommended.

    The authors acknowledged that their findings may be affected by incomplete cancer registry data for some variables. They also did not have information on family history, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle choices such as smoking.

    Patient Opinions

    Still, these results are reassuring and should be shared widely, said two patient authors in a linked opinion article, who noted that finding detailed information on the risks of second cancers after breast cancer was particularly difficult. In general, the benefits of treatments in protecting patients from recurrence of breast cancer far outweigh the potential downsides, the patients wrote, and such information should be available and offered by clinicians at the time that adjuvant therapies are discussed. They acknowledged that not everyone will want all the details at diagnosis, but say it should be there for those who do want it and for those who seek it later. “Information on risks should be readily available. It helps us to plan our lives and think ahead to the future,” they concluded.

    Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit bmj.com.

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  • Hypertension Mortality Rose Significantly from 1999 to 2019

    Hypertension Mortality Rose Significantly from 1999 to 2019

    From 1999 to 2019, hypertension mortality rose significantly among US adults 45 or over that reported diabetes diagnoses, according to a study published in Diabetes Epidemiology and Management.1

    “Hypertension, or the ‘silent killer’, is high blood pressure where blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mmHg,” wrote authors of the study. “If left untreated, hypertensive patients are susceptible to disability, poor quality of life, or even fatal cardiac diseases like ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular diseases.”

    Both hypertension and diabetes are significantly prevalent among US adults. Beginning with the diabetes prevalence among US patients, up to 11.6% of Americans at any age have reported a diagnosis. Furthermore, 8.7 million US adults have met the criteria for having diabetes but were not aware or did not report it.2

    READ MORE: Community Health Programs Improved Outcomes Among Black Patients

    Hypertension, on the other hand, impacts even more US adults, especially those at increased risk of morbidity or mortality. Data show that hypertension rates among US adults are up to nearly 120 million.3

    Researchers explored hypertension as a contributing cause of death while diabetes diagnoses were considered underlying causes of death. | image credit: ruslee / stock.adobe.com

    Despite the known links between hypertension, diabetes, and increased mortality risks, the collective understanding of hypertensive mortality rates among patients with diabetes is currently lacking.1

    Older age, genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high-salt diet, alcohol consumption, environmental risk factors, and most importantly for the current study, diabetes, are all risk factors for a patient’s development of hypertension. While hypertension is known to lead to cardiovascular disease, which is often followed by increased mortality, researchers of the current study wanted to dive deeper into the survival rates among a specific subset of patients with hypertension.

    “Hypertension-related mortality trends remain unexplored in patients with diabetes,” they continued.1 “The existing literature highlights the need for a comprehensive analysis to identify disparities and the underlying factors contributing to these disparities over time. Our study meticulously investigates regional and demographic mortality trends utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC WONDER) database linked to hypertensive diseases among middle-aged (45-64 years) and older adult (≥65 years) patients with diabetes from 1999 to 2020.”

    While using CDC data to explore mortality rates and risk factors in this study, researchers only explored diabetes as an underlying cause of death and hypertension as a contributing cause. Despite both being factors that led to mortality, a contributing cause of death is considered a non-immediate factor contributing to a fatal outcome not related to a disease or condition that caused death.4 Underlying causes of death, however, are defined as diseases or injuries that introduced individuals to the process leading directly to death.5

    Researchers explored the data and separated study participants by race, age, place of death, urban or rural classification, and more. The analysis included individuals 45 to 85 years old and up, separated into groups of 10-year intervals. They then used CDC data to determine participants’ age-adjusted (AAMRs) and crude mortality rates (CMRs).

    Throughout the 20-year study period, researchers uncovered a total of 538,649 deaths (50.8% women; 28.94% aged 75-84 years) in the US due to hypertensive diseases among patients with diabetes from 1999 to 2019.

    Regarding the study population’s change in mortality rates, where higher numbers constitute greater mortality, the overall mortality in this analysis increased significantly throughout the study period. For AAMR, rates began at 8.3 in 1999 and increased to 25.76 in 2019, with researchers observing a steady increase year over year.

    CMRs for the study population’s 5 age groups separated by 10-year intervals were highest among participants over 84 years old, at 105.54, gradually decreasing as ages were reduced. Men saw greater increases in mortality rates throughout the period when compared with women, while AAMRs were highest among Black patients and the greatest increase in mortality was observed among American Indian patients.

    “There was an abrupt increase in mortality rates from 1999 to 2001, following which a progressive increase was observed until 2019,” wrote the authors.1 “This pattern was largely consistent for both genders, with men having higher overall AAMR than females. Second, non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest AAMR compared with other racial groups in this age strata of ≥45 years.”

    Above all other findings in the analysis, researchers uncovered a significant increase in AAMRs and CMRs throughout the 1999-2019 time period. While disparities were uncovered among specific age groups, races, and locations, researchers suggested that further research and public health strategies can help bolster understanding of hypertension-related mortality among all populations with diabetes.

    “This nationwide study reveals a rising trend in hypertensive disease-related mortality among US adults aged 45 and above with diabetes from 1999 to 2019, with notable disparities across sex, race, region, urbanization, and states,” they concluded.1 “These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, improved health care access, and tailored public health strategies to address the growing burden of hypertension-related mortality in populations with diabetes.”

    READ MORE: Diabetes Resource Center

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    References
    1. Raza A, Kalpina F, Ijaz S, et al. Hypertensive disease mortality trends among middle-aged and older adults with diabetes mellitus in the United States, 1999-2019: a nationwide analysis. Diabetes Epidemiology and Management. Published online July 30, 2025:100277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.deman.2025.100277
    2. National diabetes statistics report. CDC. May 15, 2024. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
    3. Estimated hypertension prevalence, treatment, and control among U.S. adults. May 12, 2023. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/data-reports/hypertension-prevalence.html
    4. Glossary: contributory cause of death. Eurostat. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Glossary:Contributory_cause_of_death
    5. Cause of death. CDC. June 9, 2025. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/sources-definitions/cause-of-death.htm

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  • Early aspirin discontinuation safe after complete revascularization in acute MI

    Early aspirin discontinuation safe after complete revascularization in acute MI

    Among low-risk patients with acute MI who underwent early complete revascularization and received one month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy was noninferior to continued DAPT for adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, while reducing bleeding risk. These late-breaking findings were presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine.

    Current ESC Guidelines recommend 12 months of DAPT − aspirin plus a potent P2Y12 inhibitor − after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for MI. 

    No randomized trials have previously assessed early aspirin discontinuation in acute MI patients who achieve early, complete revascularization with modern stents. In such cases, bleeding risk may outweigh residual ischaemic risk, making antiplatelet therapy de-escalation attractive.”


    Professor Giuseppe Tarantini, Principal Investigator of the TARGET-FIRST trial, University of Padua, Italy

    In this open-label randomized controlled trial conducted at 40 European centres, eligible adults with an ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) or non-STEMI underwent complete revascularization within seven days using a contemporary drug-eluting stent and completed one month of DAPT without adverse events. They were randomized 1:1 to continue DAPT or switch to P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy for 11 months. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, MI, stent thrombosis, stroke or Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3/5 bleeding at 11 months. Noninferiority was defined as an absolute difference ≤1.25 percentage points in the upper bound of the two-sided 95% CI.

    The mean age of the 1,942 randomized patients was 61 years and 21.6% were women.

    The primary endpoint occurred in 2.10% of the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group and 2.18% of the continued DAPT group (difference -0.09 percentage points; 95% CI -1.39 to 1.20; p=0.021 for noninferiority). MI occurred in 0.7% vs. 1.1%, definite/probable stent thrombosis in 0.1% vs. 0.0% and ischaemic stroke in 0.3% vs. 0.2%, respectively. BARC type 3/5 bleeding occurred in 0.7% in each group.

    The main secondary endpoint (BARC type 2/3/5 bleeding) was significantly lower with P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy (2.65% vs. 5.57%; hazard ratio [HR] 0.46; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.75; p=0.002). The patient-oriented composite outcome (all-cause death, MI, stent thrombosis, stroke, repeat ischaemia-driven revascularization or BARC type 2/3/5 bleeding) occurred in 4.5% in the monotherapy group and 7.2% in the DAPT group (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.89). Therapy adherence at 11 months was high in both groups (86.9% with monotherapy and 88.6% with DAPT).

    Professor Tarantini concluded: “In low-risk acute MI patients with early complete revascularization and no complications after one month of DAPT, switching to P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy-maintained protection from ischaemic events and reduced bleeding. These results reflect the benefits of modern stents, high procedural success and optimal medical therapy, making early aspirin discontinuation feasible in this selected population.

    Source:

    European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

    Journal reference:

    Tarantini, G., et al. (2025). Early Discontinuation of Aspirin after PCI in Low-Risk Acute Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine. doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2508808

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  • Playing joyful music helps ease motion sickness symptoms

    Playing joyful music helps ease motion sickness symptoms

    Scientists studying ways of improving motion sickness have found that playing different types of music may help people recover more effectively. Using a specially calibrated driving simulator, they induced car sickness in participants and then played different types of music while they tried to recover. Soft and joyful music produced the best recovery effects, while sad music was less effective than doing nothing at all. 

    “Motion sickness significantly impairs the travel experience for many individuals, and existing pharmacological interventions often carry side-effects such as drowsiness,” explained Dr. Qizong Yue of Southwest University, China, corresponding author of the article in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. “Music represents a non-invasive, low-cost, and personalized intervention strategy.” 

    Controlling carsickness 

    For those who get carsick, there’s nothing worse – and feeling tense in anticipation of possible sickness can trigger a physical reaction, bringing sickness on more quickly. Because music can be used to alleviate tension, Yue and his team wondered if it could help people who get carsick. 

    The researchers started by developing a model to induce motion sickness. They recruited 40 participants to screen routes on a driving simulator and select the best route for making people feel carsick. They then screened a group of participants for their previous susceptibility to carsickness and selected 30 who reported moderate levels of past carsickness. 

    These participants wore electroencephalogram (EEG) caps, to try to identify quantifiable signals of carsickness in the brain’s activity. They were divided into six groups – four that received a music intervention, one that received no music, and one whose simulators were stopped when they started to report that they might feel slightly carsick. The last group acted as a comparative sample for the EEG data. They’d received the same stimuli as the other 25 participants, but weren’t allowed to become nauseous, so the difference between their brain activity and the other participants’ should help identify signals characteristic of carsickness. 

    First, the participants sat still in the simulator for a few minutes to capture baseline EEG signals from their brains. Then they performed a driving task and reported their level of carsickness to the scientists. Once they stopped driving, the participants in the music groups were played music for 60 seconds, and then asked to report how sick they felt. 

    All in your head? 

    The scientists found that joyful music alleviated carsickness the most, reducing it by 57.3%, very closely followed by soft music, at 56.7%. Passionate music reduced motion sickness by 48.3%, while playing sad music turned out to be slightly less effective than doing nothing. The control group reported a reduction of carsickness symptoms by 43.3% after their rest, while those who listened to sad music reported a reduction of only 40%. 

    The EEG data, meanwhile, showed that participants’ brain activity in the occipital lobe changed when they reported carsickness. The EEG measured less complex activity in this brain region when participants said they felt quite sick. The better recovering participants said they felt, the more the activity measured by the EEG returned to normal levels. It’s possible that soft music relaxes people, relieving tension which exacerbates carsickness, while joyful music might distract people by activating brain reward systems. Sad music could have the opposite effect, by amplifying negative emotions and increasing overall discomfort. 

    However, the scientists pointed out that further work is needed to confirm these results.

    The primary limitation of this study is its relatively small sample size. This constraint results in limited statistical power.” 


    Dr. Qizong Yue of Southwest University, China

    More research with larger samples will be needed to validate EEG patterns as a quantitative indicator of motion sickness, and to improve our understanding of the impact of music on motion sickness. The researchers also call for studies under real-life conditions, which could impact the brain differently compared to simulated roads. They plan to follow up these experiments with investigations of different forms of travel-sickness and the role played by personal musical taste. 

    “Based on our conclusions, individuals experiencing motion sickness symptoms during travel can listen to cheerful or gentle music to achieve relief,” said Yue. “The primary theoretical frameworks for motion sickness genesis apply broadly to sickness induced by various vehicles. Therefore, the findings of this study likely extend to motion sickness experienced during air or sea travel.” 

    Source:

    Journal reference:

    Li, Y., et al. (2025). A study on the mitigating effect of different music types on motion sickness based on EEG analysis. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1636109

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  • CARB-X funds development of novel diagnostic for lower respiratory tract infections

    CARB-X funds development of novel diagnostic for lower respiratory tract infections

    CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) announced today that it is awarding $1 million to biotechnology company Zeteo Tech to advance work on a noninvasive diagnostic test that can diagnose lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) from exhaled breath.

    The funding will enable Maryland-based Zeteo Tech to execute a workplan for BreathBiomics, a noninvasive diagnostic platform that employs a matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) assay to analyze breath aerosol to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections, differentiate active infection from colonization, and assess antibiotic susceptibility. 

    CARB-X says the company will use the money to explore the use of breath samples from children as an alternative to bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum collection, the methods typically used to collect samples from children with suspected LRTIs. The hope is that a rapid, less invasive diagnostic test for LRTIs like pneumonia, which claims the lives of 700,000 children under 5 years annually, could expedite diagnosis, reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment, and guide more effective treatment for drug-resistant LRTIs.

    Focus on novel diagnostics for LRTIs

    The award is the latest from CARB-X’s March 2024 funding round, which is focused on four distinct product themes, including proof-of-concept for tests using novel sample types to diagnose LRTIs.

    “Diagnosing lower respiratory tract infections rapidly and accurately remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in critical care settings,” CARB-X research and development (R&D) chief Erin Duffy, PhD, said in a press release. “We look forward to seeing how Zeteo’s technology performs in early-stage development and what insights it may bring to inform improved patient outcomes.”

    Since its inception in 2016, CARB-X has supported 118 early-stage R&D projects designed to prevent, treat, and diagnose antibiotic resistant infections. Twenty-two of those projects have advanced into or completed clinical trials. 

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  • Low-Density Lipoprotein and High-Density Lipoprotein as Biomarkers for

    Low-Density Lipoprotein and High-Density Lipoprotein as Biomarkers for

    Introduction

    Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic nonspecific intestinal diseases, including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), characterized by remission and relapse. The current incidence of IBD in Asia is 1.4 cases per 100,000.1 Among the Asia Pacific Crohn’s and Colitis Epidemiologic Study countries, the incidence of IBD in India is 9.3 per 100,000 person-years and in China is 3.3 per 100,000.1 Gut microbiota, immune response, external environment and individual genetic susceptibility are closely related to the occurrence and development of IBD.2,3 IBD is currently incurable and has a tendency to recur and exacerbate. Effective monitoring and evaluation of the disease is required, which helps physicians to adjust treatment plans in a timely manner based on disease activity, lesion severity, complications, and patient response to drugs. Endoscopic assessment is considered to be the “gold standard” for evaluating intestinal lesions and plays a very important role. However, endoscopy is an invasive procedure with certain risks, which often makes patients feel uncomfortable and is expensive. Frequent endoscopy is painful for patients. In clinical practice, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are the most commonly used biomarkers for monitoring IBD activity. However, the two are easily affected by various factors in the body, and are also elevated in infection, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.4 Fecal calprotectin (FC) has begun to be used in the assessment of intestinal inflammation in some regions. However, due to the fact that there is no uniform standard for its cut-off value, and the technical conditions of detection FC are limited, it is still not widely used in medical institutions. Therefore, we need to find a more widely applicable and easily detectable biomarker to monitor the activity of the disease.

    Studies have shown that inflammation and lipid metabolism interact with each other.5,6 Inflammation can lead to the accumulation of intracellular lipids and the loss of the function of lipoproteins. Conversely, the imbalance of lipid metabolism can also cause inflammatory responses and the release of inflammatory factors. Dyslipidemia has been demonstrated in some chronic inflammatory diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has a particular pattern of dyslipoproteinemia characterized by low HDL levels and increased triglycerides in flares aggravated.7 Atherosclerosis is considered a chronic inflammatory process, and dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Diets high in saturated fatty acids and processed meats have been found to exacerbate the risk of IBD.8 In contrast, a high-fiber diet was associated with a 40% reduction in CD risk.9 This may be attributed to the production of short-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties by colonic bacteria during digestion of dietary fiber.10 It has been reported that six lipid species and seven metabolites were significantly altered in IBD patients, with the majority belonging to glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, and sphingolipid metabolisms.11 Compared to CD, five lipid species and only one metabolite were significantly increased in UC. It is suggested that serum lipid and metabolite profiles may be used as monitoring indicators for IBD and to distinguish CD from UC.11 In the treatment of IBD, delivery systems using a variety of materials such as polymers, silica, chitosan (CS), liposomes and cell membranes have been successfully developed. Cell membrane nanomaterials composed of phospholipids and glycoproteins have been used for drug delivery in inflammatory bowel disease.12

    There are geographical differences in the incidence and clinical manifestations of IBD. At present, there are inconsistent conclusions about serum lipid levels in IBD patients, and there is a lack of research on the correlation between IBD disease activity and serum lipid levels. The aim of this study was to describe the LDL and HDL levels of Chinese IBD patients, to explore their correlation with IBD disease activity and their value in disease activity assessment.

    Methods

    Study Design and Patient

    In this retrospective study, electronic medical charts of patients with IBD were collected from Wuhan Union Hospital and Tongji Hospital, which are top tertiary referral centres and IBD centres in China. Between December 2015 and December 2022, data on patient demographic information, clinical symptoms, comorbidities, complications, treatments, laboratory test, imaging examination, endoscopy findings and pathology reports were collected. The diagnosis of IBD was confirmed after review of admission notes, laboratory, radiological, endoscopic and histological reports. Lipid measurements were obtained for each patient only on the second day of admission. Inclusion criteria were as follows: a) age from 18 to 65 years; b) all patients underwent endoscopy and the clinical data were complete. Exclusion criteria were as follows: a) combined with other autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, etc; b) a history of hyperlipidemia, liver cirrhosis, asthma, malignancy; c) currently experiencing bacterial or viral infection; d) a history of taking lipid-lowering drugs or were taking lipid-lowering drugs. Healthy subjects were included as the control group.

    Assessment of Disease Activity

    The Montreal classification was used to classify the location and behavior of the disease.13 Clinical disease activity was measured by the Harvey–Bradshaw Index (HBI)14 for CD and the modified Mayo clinical score for UC.15 Clinical activity was defined as HBI >4 for CD or Mayo clinical score >2 for UC. Crohn’s Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) score was used for endoscopically active of CD patients, CDEIS ≤ 3 suggested inactive.16,17 The Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) served for endoscopic scoring and a UCEIS = 0 indicated remission.18 All patients underwent endoscopy by experienced physicians.

    Statistical Analysis

    Continuous variables were described as medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs), and categorical variables were expressed as counts and percentages. We adopted the Mann–Whitney U-test or Kruskal–Wallis test to analyze continuous variables. Spearman’s rank correlation (r) served as exploring associations between two variables. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to estimate the thresholds for LDL, HDL, CRP and ESR in assessing moderate-severe disease activity. Comparing the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the thresholds. All of the data were analyzed in SPSS version 22.0 and MedCalc 19.5.6. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

    Results

    A total of 490 patients with IBD (280 CD and 210 UC) and 200 healthy controls were enrolled in this study (Table 1). In CD patients, the median age was 28 years (IQR, 23–38), and 202 (72.1%) cases were male. There were 62.9% of male in UC and the median age was 45 years (IQR, 33–53). Ileocolon (L3) was the most common disease location in CD and left-sided colitis disease extent in UC.

    Table 1 Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the Study Population

    Serum Biomarkers Levels and Lipid Profile in Patients with IBD

    The median LDL level was 2.11 mmol/L in CD and 2.25 mmol/L in UC, both lower than 2.64 mmol/L (p<0.001) in healthy control. And the median HDL level of IBD patients was also lower than that of healthy controls (CD, 1.03 mmol/L vs 1.23 mmol/L, p<0.001; UC, 1.08 mmol/L vs 1.23 mmol/L, p<0.001). Compared with healthy controls, the levels of CRP (p<0.001) and ESR (p<0.001) were significantly higher in IBD patients (Table 2).

    Table 2 Laboratory Findings of IBD Patients and Healthy Controls

    In CD, there were no statistically significant differences in LDL levels between different disease activity groups (66 remission; 98 mild disease activity; 73 moderate disease activity; 43 severe disease activity) (p=0.5). On the contrary, there were statistically significant differences in HDL, CRP, ESR, PLT, albumin, and BMI levels (p<0.001). In CD patients with severe disease activity, the levels of HDL and albumin were lowest, conversely, both were highest in CD remission patients (Table 3). In UC, there were statistically significant differences in LDL, HDL, CRP, ESR, PLT, and albumin levels between different disease activity groups (16 remission; 63 mild disease activity; 105 moderate disease activity; 26 severe disease activity) (p<0.001). The levels of LDL, HDL and albumin were lowest in patients with severe disease activity, while they were highest in UC remission patients (Table 4).

    Table 3 Comparison Between Indicators Classified According to Different Activity Groups of CD

    Table 4 Comparison Between Indicators Classified According to Different Activity Groups of UC

    Serum LDL and HDL Levels with IBD Disease Activity

    LDL levels were not correlated with HBI, CDEIS, CRP levels, and ESR levels in patients with CD, however, there was a negative correlation between HDL and HBI (rs= −0.0341, p<0.001, CDEIS (rs= −0.304, p<0.001), CRP (rs= −0.557, p<0.001) and ESR (rs= −0.484 p<0.001), respectively. In UC patients, both LDL levels and HDL levels were negatively correlated with Mayo clinical scores, UCEIS, CRP levels and ESR levels respectively. The correlation of HDL and Mayo clinical scores was stronger than that of LDL and Mayo clinical scores. Besides, the correlation of HDL and UCEIS was stronger than that of LDL and UCEIS. The relationships between LDL, HDL and inflammatory markers were similar to those described above (Table 5, Figures 1 and 2).

    Table 5 Correlation Between LDL, HDL and IBD Disease Activity

    Figure 1 The correlation between LDL, HDL and disease activity in CD patients.

    Figure 2 The correlation between LDL, HDL and disease activity in UC patients.

    The Value of LDL and HDL in the Evaluation of Moderate-Severe IBD Activity

    Patients with CD and UC were divided into remission-mild activity and moderate-severe activity, respectively. In CD, the accuracy of HDL in evaluating moderate-severe disease activity was similar to that of CRP and ESR (AUC=0.617 vs AUC=0.671, and AUC=0.691, respectively), and, the specificity of HDL (65.85%) was higher than CRP (52.44%) and ESR (60.98%). In this study, LDL (p=0.6099) could not be used to distinguish between remission-mild and moderate-severe CD activity (Table 6 and Figure 3).

    Table 6 Receiver‐operating Characteristic Analysis of LDL and HDL in Evaluating Moderate- Severe Activity in IBD Patients

    Figure 3 Receiver‐operating characteristic analysis of LDL and HDL in evaluating moderate- severe activity in CD patients.

    In UC, both LDL and HDL could be used to evaluate whether the disease was moderate-severe activity. The sensitivity of LDL was slightly higher than that of CRP (65.65% vs 60.31%, p=0.0390). The specificity and sensitivity of HDL in evaluating moderate-severe disease activity were 87.34% and 46.56%, respectively (Table 6 and Figure 4).

    Figure 4 Receiver‐operating characteristic analysis of LDL and HDL in evaluating moderate- severe activity in UC patients.

    Discussion

    In this study, we evaluated the correlation of LDL and HDL with inflammatory bowel disease activity and their value as potential biomarkers of IBD. We found that LDL levels and HDL levels in IBD patients were significantly lower than those in healthy subjects. Both were correlated with disease activity, and this correlation was more significant in UC patients. In addition to being involved in cholesterol transport, LDL and HDL were also associated with inflammation and sepsis recovery,19 and some studies had found the changes of lipid profile in IBD patients. In 1996, Becker et al found that CD patients who underwent ileal resection had low cholesterol and high triglyceride (TG) levels.20 Later, Romanato et al reported significantly lower LDL and HDL levels in patients with CD recurrence than in remission.21 In a prospective study that followed 701 IBD patients, it was found that compared with the general population, IBD patients had lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL and HDL, higher TG levels, and this lipid pattern was more significant in CD patients than in UC patients.22 However, a study by Sappati Biyyani et al showed that compared with the control group, IBD patients had lower TC and HDL-C levels but higher LDL-C and TG levels, which was inconsistent with the above studies.23 Our results showed that Chinese IBD patients have low LDL and HDL levels. LDL demonstrates higher sensitivity than CRP in assessing patients with moderate-to-severe UC, which helps to better assess these individuals. HDL has a higher specificity than CRP and ESR in CD and UC. Detection of HDL might help assess moderate to severe IBD patients, and detection of LDL might help identify moderate to severe UC patients. In clinical practice, adding these indicators can help improve the accuracy of the assessment.

    Inflammation and lipid metabolism interact. SLE had a particular pattern of dyslipoproteinemia characterized by elevated levels of very low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides and lower HDL-C, called the “lupus pattern”.24 Multiple mechanisms can induce an altered lipoprotein metabolism in SLE, such as the production of autoantibodies against lipoprotein lipase. Also, the presence of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gmay downregulate lipolytic enzyme activity, resulting in dyslipidemia.23 IL-6 and acute phase protein participated in lipid metabolism, inhibit LPL activity of adipocytes and thus interfered with serum lipoprotein metabolism. TNF-α can mediate some of the effects of IL-6, as well as induce lipolysis and triglyceride synthesis.25,26 It has been found that Infliximab induction therapy is associated with a significant increase in abdominal fat tissue in CD patients.27 HDL-IgG antibody can be detected in SLE and RA, which was considered to be closely related to HDL dysfunction.28,29 The highest anti-HDL levels were found in systemic autoimmune rheumatic conditions (MCTD, pSS, and AAV) as well as in IBD, whereas increased anti-HDL levels were not observed in organ-specific autoimmune diseases.30 A remarkable finding was the difference in anti HDL levels among different immune-driven diseases. An increased CVD risk has been documented in IBD, especially during disease flares, suggesting the involvement of immune-driven mechanisms and blood lipid outcomes were effected by anti-HDL.30

    The exact mechanism of HDL decrease in inflammation was not clear and may involve multiple pathways. It is demonstrated that human acute inflammation can induce selective remodelling of HDL with induction of specific HDL lipases, suppression of CETP and LCAT activity, HDL enrichment with SAA, loss of specific small-medium sized HDL particles, and reduction in selective HDL cholesterol efflux functions.31 In acute inflammation, the synthesis of apo A-1 in liver decreased, and a large amount of serum amyloid A protein (SAA) was produced. SAA replaces apo A-1 to combine with HDL, which accelerated the clearance of HDL.31,32 But over-expression of SAA in non-acute inflammatory stage does not lead to the decrease of HDL level.33 The inflammatory reaction reduced the lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), led to the decrease of cholesteryl ester formation, and affected the synthesis of HDL. Cytokines can induce the increase of enzymes that metabolize key components of HDL, such as secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and endothelial lipase, leading to change the stability and metabolism of HDL.32

    IBD patients display dyslipidemia with significantly lower HDL cholesterol. The intestine was the second most important site of HDL production, low HDL cholesterol has traditionally been interpreted to be the consequence of IBD.34 However, research shows that in addition to its role in reverse cholesterol transport, HDL had anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and cytoprotective effects.35 Gerster et al found that HDL and apoA-I suppress intestinal inflammation, both in vitro and in vivo.34 In an in vivo model of intestinal inflammation, colonoscopy and histology showed increased mucosal damage and inflammation in apoA-I knockout mice, which lack HDL. In contrast, transgenic mice overexpressing human apoA-I, which has very high plasma levels of HDL, were protected from intestinal inflammation.34 A prospective study of approximately 10 million individuals found a association between serum lipid profiles and the incidence of IBD.36 In individuals without concomitant use or history of statin, low level of TC, LDL‐C, HDL‐C were associated with developing CD, and low serum TG levels were related to development of UC.36 The use of certain medications, such as long-term antibiotics, birth control pills, and statins, has been associated with an increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease.12 Such findings may implicate pre-clinical inflammation with increased catabolism or increased retention of lipids rather than decreased production. HDL also decreased cholesterol levels in lipid rafts of cell membranes by promoting a removal of cholesterol from peripheral cells, leading to decreased number of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and impaired T-cell activation.37

    In the latest therapeutic strategy for IBD, the use of activated immune cell membrane (eg, macrophage membrane, neutrophil membrane) to encapsulate nanoparticles or drugs can form an excellent delivery system.12,38 This immune cell membrane encapsulation has the effect of immune escape, extending the circulation time of drugs in the blood, and achieving precise targeting of inflammation.12 This strategy provides a new idea for improving the efficacy of clinical targeted therapy for IBD. In another study, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) was prepared as EcN ghosts for drug delivery.39 It demonstrated excellent safety and effectiveness.

    Intestinal microbiota stability is an important factor affecting nutrient absorption, metabolism, immune regulation, and resistance to pathogen infection.40 Encapsulation of drugs with unique cell membranes, such as probiotic outer membranes, fungal cell membranes, can minimize the influence of the GI environment, target inflammatory sites in the gut, and improve the efficacy and safety of probiotics and drugs.12,41

    Patients with IBD had slightly lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but the risk of cardiovascular diseases was increased. It may be linked to chronic systemic inflammation rather than to traditional cardiovascular risk factors.42 Ridker et al found that reducing inflammation reduced the risk of cardiovascular events without affecting lipid levels in a non-IBD population.43 Decrease in LDL and HDL may indicate impaired intestinal absorption, as CD may involve the whole GI tract, including the small bowel. Subclinical stage of the disease may hinder the absorption of dietary intake in the small bowel. The distal ileum was the main site of bile acid absorption and a common lesion site in IBD, especially in CD. Intestinal malabsorption caused the loss of bile acids and cholesterol through the stool, leading to low lipoprotein levels. A prospective study of CD patients undergoing intestinal surgery showed that TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels were significantly increased in patients in remission compared that in recurrent activity.21,44 Our study showed that LDL was not associated with CD activity, which may be related to intestinal malabsorption due to CD may involve the whole digestive tract.

    This study had some limitations. Firstly, this was a retrospective study in a single center, which was a tertiary referral center treating complex IBD cases. The results may be influenced by selection bias and memory bias, and the effect of lipid profile on IBD incidence could not be assessed. Second, our study did not assess lipid profiles in IBD patients who were not 18 to 65 years old, and the correlation between lipid profile and disease activity in these individuals was not clear. Furthermore, this study did not evaluate the relationship between lipoproteins and FC, which was considered as a marker reflecting endoscopic lesions in IBD, and only included inflammatory markers CRP and ESR. Finally, given that our study is retrospective, further mechanistic studies and large-scale prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the serum levels of LDL and HDL in IBD patients were lower than those in healthy subjects. LDL was negatively correlated with disease activity in UC, and HDL was negatively correlated with that in both CD and UC. HDL was more specific than traditional inflammatory markers CRP and ESR in distinguishing between moderate to severe and non-moderate to severe disease activity. We propose LDL and HDL as potential biomarkers for assessing IBD activity with further research, LDL and HDL may be used in the assessment of disease activity in clinical practice.

    Ethics Statement

    The study was carried out according to the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Commission of Tongji Medical College. All data were anonymized to maintain participants’ privacy. This study was observational and met all the following criteria: a) the risk to the subjects of this study was minimal; b) waiving informed consent will not affect the rights and health of the subjects; c) due to the long time span of case collection and the loss of contact information of some patients, it was impossible to contact them; d) a commitment was made to inform the subjects of the relevant information at an appropriate time after the end of the study; e) the study could not be conducted effectively without waiver of informed consent. So, the requirement of informed consent was waived.

    Author Contributions

    All authors made substantial contributions to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing for important intellectual content; have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted; gave final approval of the version to be published; agree to take responsibility and be accountable for the contents of the article.

    Funding

    This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number [82270559, 82070572, 81770554, 82273321, 81974383, 81772607].

    Disclosure

    The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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  • Why younger women are facing higher breast cancer risk: Know causes and symptoms

    Why younger women are facing higher breast cancer risk: Know causes and symptoms

    Breast cancer remains a major health concern, with cases rising among younger women under 50. Research shows an increase in estrogen-receptor positive tumours, which grow in response to estrogen, highlighting the importance of understanding hormone-driven cancers. Awareness of breast cancer risk influences health monitoring and preventive behaviours, including regular screening and self-examination. Recognising common symptoms such as lumps, nipple changes, and skin dimpling, along with understanding causes and risk factors like genetics, hormones, lifestyle, and environmental exposures, is crucial. Practising early detection and adopting healthy habits are essential strategies for effectively managing breast cancer in younger women.

    Understanding risk perception and health monitoring in younger women at risk of breast cancer

    A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs examined younger women at increased risk of breast cancer. It explored how their perception of risk affected psychological well-being and health monitoring behaviours. The research found that heightened awareness of personal risk influenced both mental health and the likelihood of performing regular breast checks. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both emotional and behavioural aspects of breast cancer risk to support younger women in early detection and preventive care.

    Breast cancer and its common symptoms

    Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. It can originate in different parts of the breast, such as the ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma). Some tumours are hormone-sensitive, meaning they grow in response to hormones like estrogen or progesterone.Early detection is critical, as treatment is most effective when cancer is identified at an initial stage.Common symptoms of breast cancerRecognising symptoms early can save lives. Common signs include:

    • A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
    • Changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
    • Dimpling or puckering of the skin
    • Nipple discharge, inversion, or pain
    • Redness, swelling, or warmth in the breast

    Not all lumps are cancerous, but any unusual changes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional promptly.

    Estrogen-receptor positive tumours on the rise

    Younger women at increased risk for breast cancer are showing a higher prevalence of estrogen-receptor positive tumours, which grow in response to estrogen, a hormone in the body. In simple terms, these tumours have receptors that “feed” on estrogen, making the hormone a key factor in their growth. In contrast, estrogen-receptor negative tumours do not rely on estrogen and are becoming less common. The study also highlighted that awareness of personal risk influences women’s health monitoring behaviours, emphasising the need for early detection, education, and targeted preventive strategies to manage hormone-driven cancers effectively.Estrogen-receptor positive tumours grow in response to estrogen.Estrogen-receptor negative tumours are decreasing.Risk awareness affects monitoring and health behaviours.

    Causes and risk factors of breast cancer

    Several factors may contribute to the rising trend of breast cancer in younger women:

    • Hormonal influences: Early menstruation, late menopause, and hormone-sensitive tumours.
    • Genetic factors: Mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes increase risk.
    • Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, and alcohol consumption.
    • Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals or radiation may play a role.

    Prevention and early detection

    Early detection and preventive strategies can significantly reduce risk:

    • Regular screening: Mammograms and clinical breast exams help detect tumours early.
    • Self-examination: Monthly checks can help identify unusual changes.
    • Healthy lifestyle: Balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake.
    • Genetic counselling: For those with a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing can guide preventive measures.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine or treatment.


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  • Heart Attack Survivors Can Drop Aspirin Just a Month Later – MedPage Today

    1. Heart Attack Survivors Can Drop Aspirin Just a Month Later  MedPage Today
    2. Even high-risk patients undergoing stent procedures are safe without high-intensity drug therapy: study  koreabiomed.com
    3. Early aspirin discontinuation linked to benefits in low-risk MI patients undergoing PCI: ESC Study  Medical Dialogues
    4. Early escalation, late de-escalation of antiplatelet therapy is not beneficial in patients after complex stenting: Trial  Medical Xpress
    5. New trial evidence on the use of blood thinners after coronary stenting  Medical Xpress

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  • Artificial Intelligence in Prehospital Emergency Care: Advancing Triage and Destination Decisions for Time-Critical Conditions

    Artificial Intelligence in Prehospital Emergency Care: Advancing Triage and Destination Decisions for Time-Critical Conditions


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  • Hurricane Sandy Linked to Lasting Heart Disease Risk in Elderly | Newsroom

    Hurricane Sandy Linked to Lasting Heart Disease Risk in Elderly | Newsroom

    Although the material damage from 2012’s Hurricane Sandy may have been repaired, the storm left a lasting impact on cardiovascular health, according to new findings from Weill Cornell Medicine and New York University researchers.

    The study, published Sept. 3 in JAMA Network Open, found that older adults living in flood-hit areas in New Jersey faced a 5% higher risk of heart disease for up to five years after Sandy’s landfall. This is one of the first studies to rigorously quantify long-term cardiovascular risks associated with flooding in older adults. Most studies focus on the immediate consequences of severe weather events.

    “Climate-amplified hurricanes and hurricane-related floods are expected to increase into the future,” said Dr. Arnab Ghosh, assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and an internist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, who led the research. “So, it’s essential to understand the long-term health effects on those most vulnerable.”

    Natural Controlled Experiment

    The researchers analyzed Medicare data from over 120,000 people aged 65 and older living in New Jersey, New York City, and Connecticut in the five years after the storm.

    They compared ZIP code areas that were flooded during the hurricane to nearby ZIP code areas that weren’t, matching the communities in terms of age, income, race and health status before the storm. Using advanced statistical models, the team tracked heart-related health events like heart attacks, strokes and heart failure in people who did not relocate after the hurricane.

    “Capitalizing on such a large, diverse and stable patient population as Medicare recipients, allowed our team to see broader population trends while controlling for many of the threats to validity, whether socio-economic factors or the prevalence of co-morbidities,” said senior author Dr. David Abramson, clinical professor of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Global Public Health at New York University. The researchers concluded that heart failure rates were higher in flooded areas, especially in New Jersey, and that the risk persisted for four to five years—not just weeks or months—after the storm.

    Dr. Arnab Ghosh

    They hypothesize that more people in New Jersey were directly affected by the storm’s physical and emotional stressors. Flooded zip codes in New Jersey had lower median incomes and higher area deprivation index scores, which are indicators of social and economic disadvantage. These factors are linked to worse health outcomes and lower access to care, especially after a disaster. The residents also faced lingering difficult environmental and psychological circumstances and reduced community support.

    In a related study published last month in Frontiers in Public Health, Dr. Ghosh and his colleagues found that the rate of death in elderly individuals living in areas flooded after Sandy was 9% higher on average five years later compared to those in less affected neighborhoods. The magnitude of this effect varied by region. While New York City saw an 8% increase in mortality, Connecticut had a 19% increase. However, the rest of coastal New York, including Long Island, and New Jersey seemed to escape this effect.

    “The regional differences that we noted may highlight how local environments differ and need further examination,” Dr. Ghosh said. “New York City, for example, is heavily urbanized, while impacted parts of Connecticut and New Jersey are suburban with different infrastructure and more single-family homes.”

    Taking a Longer-Term View

    The study suggests that disaster preparedness and recovery frameworks should integrate chronic disease management and long-term health monitoring, not just short-term emergency care. The findings are particularly relevant for climate resilience planning, especially in regions with aging populations and increasing hurricane exposure.

    “We are starting to appreciate that disasters are happening more frequently. But our policies and support systems for vulnerable groups after severe weather has struck haven’t been well developed,” Dr. Ghosh said.

    Given the regional variation in health outcomes, localized health system preparedness is essential, added the researchers. This includes resource allocation, training and infrastructure to manage chronic disease burdens in the aftermath of disasters.

    “With this work, we lay the groundwork to show that hurricanes can have long-term impacts on health,” said Dr. Ghosh. Building on these results, the researchers are now planning to conduct larger-scale analyses on the health consequences of other events such as wildfires and tornadoes. Another aspect they plan to study involves how increased health risks related to weather affect Medicare, Medicaid and the health care system financially.

    This work was supported with funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Center for Advancing Clinical Translational Science, both part of the National Institutes of Health, through grant numbers  R03TR004976 and K08HL163329.

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