Background: The relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and cancer remains controversial. The authors aimed to assess the association between Metabolic Syndrome and cancer risk at different locations using a Mendelian randomization approach. Methods: The authors extracted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MetS and its components from public databases for populations of European ancestry. Causal effects were estimated using inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO. Sensitivity analyses were performed using Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plots. In addition, the authors calculated the Statistical power. Finally, the authors applied the False Discovery Rate (FDR) to correct our results. Results: IVW methods showed that Genetically predicted Metabolic Syndrome may be a potential risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma ( P =0.031, P-FDR=0.093). Metabolic Syndrome was not causally associated with cancers at other sites (lung, thyroid, breast, prostate, kidney, bladder, colorectal, esophagus, and stomach). In further analyses, WC may increase the risk of lung ( P =0.003, P-FDR=0.018), and esophageal ( P =0.011, P-FDR=0.066) cancers and decrease the risk of prostate cancer ( P =0.006, P-FDR=0.001). Furthermore, hypertension may reduce the risk of Hepatic cancer ( P =0.014, P-FDR=0.084). Conclusion: Our study suggests that genetically predicted Metabolic Syndrome may increase the risk of some cancers. Prevention and treatment of Metabolic Syndrome may help to prevent the development of related cancers.

Background: The mechanism underlying skin photoaging remains elusive because of the intricate cellular and molecular changes that contribute to this phenomenon, which have yet to be elucidated. In photoaging, the roles of keratinocytes and fibroblasts are vital for maintaining skin structure and elasticity. But these cells can get photo-induced damage during photoaging, causing skin morphological changes. Recently, the function of natural active ingredients in treating and preventing photoaging has drawn more attention, with researches often focusing on keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Methods: We searched for studies published from 2007 to January 2024 in the Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases through the following keywords: natural plant, natural plant products or phytochemicals, traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese herbal, plant extracts, solar skin aging, skin photoaging, and skin wrinkling. This review conducted the accordance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Results: In total, 87 researches were included in this review (Figure 1). In keratinocytes, natural compounds may primarily regulate signal pathways such as the NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and Nrf2/ARE pathways, reducing inflammation and cellular damage, thus slowing skin photoaging. Additionally, in fibroblasts, natural active ingredients primarily promote the TGF-β pathway, inhibit MMPs activity, and enhance collagen synthesis while potentially modulating the mTOR pathway, thereby protecting the dermal collagen network and reducing wrinkle formation. Several trials showed that natural compounds that regulate keratinocytes and fibroblasts responses have significant and safe therapeutic effects. Conclusion: The demand for natural product-based ingredients in sunscreen formulations is rising. Natural compounds show promising anti-photoaging effects by targeting cellular pathways in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, providing potential therapeutic strategies. However, comprehensive clinical studies are needed to verify their efficacy and safety in mitigating photoaging, which should use advanced pharmacological methods to uncover the complex anti-photoaging mechanisms of natural compounds.

Background: Utilizing the traditional Cox regression model to identify the factors affecting the risk of mortality due to microinvasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (micSCC) may produce skewed results. Since cause-specific mortality can guide clinical decision-making, this study employed the Fine-Gray model based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify significant predictive variables for the risk of micSCC-related mortality. Methods: This study used the information of patients with micSCC who were listed in the SEER database during 2000–2015. Cox regression and Fine-Gray models were utilized for the multivariable analysis, and Gray’s test and the cumulative incidence function were used for the univariable analyses. Results: There were 100 patients who died from other reasons and 38 who died from micSCC among the 1259 qualified patients with micSCC. Most were female, white, married, had localized metastasis, etc. According to the univariable Gray’s test (P < 0.05), the cumulative incidence rate for events of interest was strongly associated with age, sex, marital status, American Joint Committee on Cancer staging, radiation status, summary stage, chemotherapy status, surgery status, and tumor size. Multivariable Cox regression analysis and multivariable competing-risks analysis indicated that age, tumor size, and income were independent risk variables for the prognosis of patients with micSCC. In both age and tumor size variables, the competing-risks model showed a slight decrease in the hazard ratio and a slight narrowing of the 95% confidence interval compared with the Cox regression model. However, this pattern is not evident in the income variable. Conclusions: This study established a Fine-Gray model for identifying the independent risk factors that influence the risk of mortality among patients with micSCC. This study uncovers that, in the context of competing risks, age, tumor size, and income serve as independent risk factors influencing the risk of mortality due to micSCC among patients. Our findings have the potential to provide more accurate risk assessments for patient outcomes and contribute to the development of individualized treatment plans.

Purpose This study utilizes a meta-analytic approach to investigate the effects of cryoablation and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy on perioperative outcomes, postoperative renal function, and oncological results in patients. Methods This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database) were systematically searched to identify relevant studies published in English up to November 2023. The primary outcomes were perioperative results, complications, postoperative renal function and oncologic outcomes. Review Manager 5.4 was used for this analysis. Results This study included a total of 10 studies comprising 2,011 patients. Compared to RAPN (Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy), the CA (Cryoablation) group had a shorter hospital stay [MD -1.76 days; 95% CI -3.12 to -0.41; p = 0.01], less blood loss [MD -104.60 ml; 95% CI -152.58 to -56.62; p < 0.0001], and fewer overall complications [OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86; p = 0.004], but a higher recurrence rate [OR 7.83; 95% CI 4.32 to 14.19; p < 0.00001]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of operative time, minor complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 1-2), major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 3-5), changes in renal function at 12 months post-operation, RFS (Recurrence-Free Survival), and OS (Overall Survival). Conclusion The evidence provided by this meta-analysis indicates that the therapeutic effects of Cryoablation (CA) are similar to those of Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy (RAPN) in terms of perioperative outcomes and renal function. However, the recurrence rate of tumors treated with CA is significantly higher. Systematic review registration The study has been registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42023465846).

Background: The aging of skin is a diversified biological phenomenon, influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, the specific mechanism of skin photoaging is not yet completely elucidated. Methods: Gene expression profiles for photoaging patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) collection. We conducted single-cell and intercellular communication investigations to identify potential gene sets. Predictive models were created using LASSO regression. The relationships between genes and immune cells were investigated using single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and gene set variance analysis (GSVA). The molecular processes of important genes were studied using gene enrichment analysis. A miRNA network was created to look for target miRNAs connected with important genes, and transcriptional regulation analysis was used to identify related transcription factors. Finally, merging gene co-expression networks with drug prediction shows molecular pathways of photoaging and potential treatment targets. Furthermore, we validated the role of key genes, immune cell infiltration, and the Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in photoaging, which were identified through bioinformatics analysis, using in vivo reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence labeling, and Western blotting. Results: This study discovered three key genes, including Atp2b1, Plekho2, and Tspan13, which perform crucial functions in the photoaging process. Immune cell infiltration analysis showed increased M1 macrophages and CD4 memory T cells in the photoaging group. Further signaling pathway analysis indicated that these key genes are enriched in multiple immune and metabolic pathways. The significant roles of Atp2b1, Plekho2, Tspan13, M1 macrophages infiltration, CD4 memory T cells infiltration and the AMPK pathway in photoaging was validated in vivo. Conclusion: This research revealed the underlying molecular mechanisms of photoaging, indicating that key genes such as Atp2b1 and Tspan13 play crucial roles in the regulation of immune cell infiltration and metabolic pathways. These findings provide a new theory for the treatment of photoaging and provide prospective targets for the advancement of relevant drugs.