Background and Aim: Airline pilots (APs) are often characterized by a sed-entary lifestyle, predisposing them to adverse cardiometabolic consequences. In this cross-sectional study, we used transient elastography (TE) to investigate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis among apparently healthy APs. Materials and Methods: The study cohort consisted of 137 male APs of Caucasian descent who voluntarily underwent TE. To evaluate the extent and severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, we employed established cut-off values for the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Results: Of the APs, 34 (24.8%) were diagnosed with TE-defined steato-sis. Specifically, 25 APs (18.2%) exhibited mild steatosis, 6 (4.4%) mod-erate steatosis, and 3 (2.2%) severe steatosis. The majority of participants (80 APs or 58.4%) showed no signs of liver fibrosis based on LSM values. However, 49 APs (35.8%) were diagnosed with mild fibrosis (F1), 7 (5.1%) with significant fibrosis (F2), and one (0.7%) with advanced fibrosis (F3). None of the pilots had F4 (cirrhosis). In multivariable linear regression analysis, BMI was the sole independent predictor of both CAP (β=0.34, p
Introduction Water is essential for life and is vital for almost all functions of the human body. Recent studies have shown that treating water with magnets can alter its physicochemical properties, including intracluster bonds and water-ion interactions. Magnetized water also undergoes modifications in its physicochemical characteristics, such as pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. While there is a significant amount of literature on the use of magnetized water in agricultural settings, research on its potential biomedical applications is still limited. Based on previous findings indicating a potential relationship between autophagy activation and hair loss reversal, a pilot study was designed to explore the effects of topically applied magnetized saline water in patients with androgenetic alopecia. The hypothesis was that the process of water magnetization, which promotes the creation of hydroxyl ions, could potentially induce hair growth through the induction of alkali-induced autophagy in the scalp. Methods We recruited 20 Caucasian men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia (Norwood-Hamilton stages II−III). Initially, we conducted a 12-week open-label study to evaluate the potential of a topical lotion containing 95% magnetized saline water (2 mL applied once daily) to increase hair count and hair mass index (HMI). Subsequently, we investigated the effect of the lotion on two autophagy markers (Beclin-1 and LC3B) in scalp biopsies from a subgroup of 10 men. Results Hair count significantly increased after 12 weeks of topical treatment with magnetized saline water (from 20.6 ± 9.8 at baseline to 32.5 ± 12.4 at 12 weeks, P < 0.001). Similarly, the mean HMI increased from 37.8 ± 11.4 at baseline to 45.1 ± 13.6 at 12 weeks (P < 0.01). At the molecular level, the topical lotion effectively increased Beclin-1 levels in scalp biopsies by 44% at 12 weeks as compared to the baseline. Similarly, LC3B levels increased by 36% from baseline to 12 weeks, indicating that the lotion effectively activated autophagy in the scalp. Conclusions After 12 weeks of topical treatment, a lotion containing magnetized saline water activated scalp autophagy and significantly increased hair count and HMI in men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia.
Background/Objectives: Physical exercise reduces breast cancer (BC) risk and improves survival, yet the biological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Exercise may modulate systemic immunity and local immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined the effects of exercise on immune cells and immune-related markers in patients with BC. Methods: This study followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251082444). Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception through December 2025. Randomized controlled trials evaluating exercise interventions in patients with BC or BC survivors and reporting immune cell outcomes were included. Meta-analyses were performed on studies reporting natural killer cells, natural killer cell activity, T-cell subpopulations, and B cells. Results: A total of 18 studies involving 911 participants (539 in exercise intervention groups) were included in the systematic review, with eight studies included in meta-analyses. Exercise interventions did not show significant effects on circulating natural killer cell counts, natural killer cell activity, T-cell subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+), or B-cell levels when compared to control groups. Conclusions: Exercise does not appear to induce consistent changes in resting circulating immune cell populations in patients with BC or BC survivors, indicating that exercise is immunologically safe while potentially exerting effects beyond circulating cell counts. Further large-scale research is required.