Int J Med Sci
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Influence of Intermittent Fasting on Selected Human Anthropometric Parameters.
Background: Intermittent fasting may be an effective tool for weight loss, but it is still unclear from previous studies to date whether it is as effective as a continuous energy restriction in terms of reducing adipose tissue and whether it leads to unwanted muscle loss. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intermittent fasting (IF) with continuous energy restriction (CER) on the body weight and body composition and to assess the effect of intermittent fasting also in isolation from the energy restriction. Methods: After completion of a three-week dietary intervention, differences in the weight loss and differences in the body composition were compared between three groups. ⋯ The IF without ER group showed the lowest mean fat-free mass loss (0.2 ± 1.3 kg), which reached statistical significance compared to the IF with ER group (p=0.027). Conclusion: The results showed a comparable effect in the weight loss and body fat reduction regardless of the timing of the food intake. The diet quality, together with the energy intake, appeared to be one of the most important factors influencing the body composition.
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Objective: This study aimed to build and validate a practical web-based dynamic prediction model for predicting renal progression in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). Method: A total of 359 PMN patients from The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University and 102 patients with PMN from The Second Hospital of Longyan between January 2018 to December 2023 were included in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Renal progression was delineated as a decrease in eGFR of 30% or more from the baseline measurement at biopsy or the onset of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). ⋯ The developed web-based dynamic prediction model, available online at http://imnpredictmodel1.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp, showed good discrimination (C-statistic = 0.72) and calibration (Brier score, P = 0.155) in the validation cohort. Conclusion: We developed a web-based dynamic prediction model that can predict renal progression in patients with PMN. It may serve as a helpful tool for clinicians to identify high-risk PMN patients and tailor appropriate treatment and surveillance strategies.
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Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) represents a severe complication of systemic infection, characterized by significant cardiac dysfunction. This study examines the role of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and Inverted Formin 2 (INF2) in the pathogenesis of SIC, focusing on their impact on mitochondrial homeostasis and dynamics. Our research demonstrates that silencing DNA-PKcs alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte death and dysfunction. ⋯ Moreover, DNA-PKcs deletion counteracts LPS-induced shifts towards mitochondrial fission, indicating its regulatory influence on mitochondrial dynamics. Conclusively, our research elucidates the intricate interplay between DNA-PKcs and INF2 in the modulation of mitochondrial function and dynamics during sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy. These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning SIC and suggest potential therapeutic targets for mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction in this critical condition.
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Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology on rectus abdominis muscles (RAMs) in Asian individuals, hypothesizing that HIFEM is safe and effective for body contouring in this population and that volumetric assessment provides more accurate results than thickness measurements alone. Methods: In this prospective, single-center pilot study, six Asian participants (3 males, 3 females; mean age 45.5 years) underwent HIFEM training. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before treatment and at 2- and 3-months post-treatment to assess RAM volume and thickness. ⋯ Conclusion: This pioneering study establishes the safety and effectiveness of HIFEM technology for RAM training in Asian individuals. The discrepancy between volume and thickness changes highlights the importance of volumetric assessment in evaluating muscle remodeling. While limited by small sample size and short follow-up, this research provides a foundation for further investigation of HIFEM technology in diverse populations and underscores its potential as a non-invasive approach in aesthetic medicine.
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Background: The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Gastrokine-1 (GKN1) is associated with lung cancer but its association with prognosis is not clear. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 888 patients with lung cancer. The association between GKN1 polymorphism rs4254535 and prognostic was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method, Log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model. ⋯ The recessive CC genotype of non-smoking patients has a better prognosis, compared to the TT + TC genotype. Additionally, in the dominant TT + TC genotype and C allele, no family history patients had a significantly better prognosis, compared to the TT genotype. Conclusion: For lung cancer patients, GKN1 polymorphism rs4254535 may be a protective genetic marker and predicts the prognosis of lung cancer patients.