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Hans India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Skin cancer surges worldwide in older men in last 30 years: Study
New Delhi: There has been a sharp uptick in the burden of skin cancer, especially in older adults, in the last three decades, according to a study. Besides ageing, researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China attributed the surge to the increase in population growth. The study also cited a disproportionately higher burden of skin cancers in countries with higher sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. 'The older population (particularly male individuals and those living in high-SDI countries) is facing a substantial growing burden of skin cancer,' said the team in the paper published in JAMA Dermatology. 'The results highlight the urgency for more effective prevention and management strategies targeting high-risk groups,' they added. In the study, researchers analysed about 4.4 million new skin-cancer cases -- melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma -- recorded in 2021 among older adults aged above 65 years and older. The data is based on the Global Burden of Diseases 2021, covering 204 countries and territories. The findings showed that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma -- that starts as a growth of cells on the skin -- soared by roughly 2 per cent per year from 1990 to 2021. Basal cell carcinoma -- most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, such as the face; and melanoma -- the most serious type of skin cancer -- showed similarly steady gains. Further, the study found that squamous cell carcinoma produced the steepest toll in terms of healthy years lost (DALYs) by 2021 compared with three decades earlier. New Zealand and Australia recorded the highest 65 and older melanoma rates in 2021. East Asia experienced the most rapid rise in basal cell carcinoma burden from 1990 to 2021, with average annual percentage increases exceeding 6 per cent for incidence, prevalence, and DALYs. "These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and resource allocation to address the growing public health challenge of skin cancer among the ageing population,' the researchers said.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Improving child health: insights from pediatric patient-reported outcome measures
GA, UNITED STATES, March 18, 2025 / / -- Patient-reported outcome measures ( PROMs) are crucial tools for assessing the health and well-being of children, yet their application in pediatrics faces unique challenges due to developmental differences. A recent study provides a comprehensive overview of systematic reviews (SRs) on pediatric PROMs, analyzing 44 SRs published between 2006 and 2022. The study highlights the most recommended PROMs, such as the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and identifies gaps in methodological quality and reporting. This research underscores the need for more diverse and high-quality studies to improve the selection and application of PROMs in pediatric healthcare. Children's health assessments differ significantly from adults due to varying cognitive abilities, language skills, and developmental stages. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which are self-reported questionnaires, offer valuable insights into a child's health status, but their design and implementation in pediatrics are complex. Challenges include determining the appropriate age for self-reporting and ensuring the reliability of proxy reports from parents or caregivers. Previous studies have shown that children as young as 8 can reliably report their health, but younger children often require proxy reports, which may not accurately reflect their experiences. Based on these challenges, there is a pressing need for more in-depth research to optimize the use of PROMs in pediatric healthcare. A team of researchers from Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and other institutions published a review (DOI: 10.1002/pdi3.77) on June 1, 2024, in Pediatric Discovery, providing an extensive overview of systematic reviews on pediatric PROMs. The study analyzed 44 SRs, identifying 123 recommended PROMs and evaluating their methodological quality. The research highlights the most frequently used PROMs, such as the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and calls for improvements in the reporting of psychometric properties and the development of tailored tools for assessing pediatric PROMs. The study reviewed 44 SRs, encompassing 1,888 studies and 635 different PROMs, with 123 PROMs being recommended. The most frequently recommended PROM was the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), followed by the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire. These PROMs were primarily used to assess quality of life, body functions, and emotional functions. The study found that 36 different conditions were addressed, with mental, behavioral, or neurodevelopmental disorders being the most common. However, the methodological quality of the SRs varied, with only 22.7% scoring high on the AMSTAR tool. Key issues included inconsistent reporting of measurement properties, such as content validity and internal consistency, and a lack of clarity on the appropriate age for self-reporting. The study also highlighted the need for more diverse PROMs to cover a broader range of pediatric conditions and improve the evidence base for their use in clinical practice. Dr. Yaolong Chen, a lead researcher on the study, emphasized, 'The findings highlight the importance of improving the methodological quality of systematic reviews on pediatric PROMs. We need more standardized reporting and tailored tools to ensure that clinicians can select the most appropriate measures for children's health assessments.' The study's findings have significant implications for pediatric healthcare. By identifying gaps in the current use of PROMs, the research paves the way for more targeted and effective health assessments in children. Improved PROMs can enhance communication between healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, leading to better long-term care management. Future research should focus on developing more diverse PROMs, standardizing reporting methods, and determining the optimal age for self-reporting to ensure reliable and valid health assessments in pediatric populations. This will ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for children and adolescents worldwide. DOI 10.1002/pdi3.77 Original Source URL Lucy Wang BioDesign Research Legal Disclaimer:
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New insights into hypospadias: SOX9's role in urethral formation revealed
GA, UNITED STATES, March 18, 2025 / / -- A recent study has uncovered the pivotal role of the transcription factor SOX9 in the development of hypospadias, a common congenital condition that affects male children. The research highlights how SOX9 regulates critical molecular pathways involved in urethral development, including the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The study reveals that reduced SOX9 expression leads to impaired EMT and abnormal Wnt signaling in tissues affected by hypospadias. These findings provide new insights into the condition's molecular underpinnings, potentially paving the way for innovative, targeted therapies. Hypospadias is a widespread congenital disorder, characterized by an abnormal placement of the urethral opening, impacting as many as 3.42% of male children worldwide. Beyond the physical consequences, this condition can lead to psychological and fertility issues. Surgical repair remains the only current treatment, but complications are common, and the genetic and cellular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. With the prevalence of hypospadias on the rise, coupled with the challenges of surgical treatment, a deeper understanding of its molecular causes is urgently needed. Published (DOI: 10.1002/pdi3.94) on May 14, 2024, in Pediatric Discovery, the study conducted by researchers from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University delves into the role of SOX9 in the development of hypospadias. The study investigates the expression of SOX9 in foreskin tissues from hypospadias patients, focusing on its influence on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The research team analyzed foreskin samples from 15 children with hypospadias, comparing them with normal foreskin tissues from children undergoing circumcision. Using molecular techniques such as transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence, the researchers found that SOX9 expression was notably downregulated in hypospadias tissues. This downregulation was linked to reduced expression of key components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, including Wnt3a, LEF1, and GSK3β. Additionally, mesenchymal markers like Vimentin and α-SMA were also diminished, while epithelial markers such as E-cadherin, Occludin, and ZO-1 were elevated, suggesting a disrupted EMT process. Inhibition of SOX9 in foreskin fibroblasts replicated these effects, further confirming SOX9's crucial role in regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and EMT during urethral development. Dr. Xing Liu, the lead researcher, stressed the significance of the findings: 'This is the first study to pinpoint SOX9 as a key player in hypospadias development. By understanding how SOX9 governs Wnt/β-catenin signaling and EMT, we can identify potential new therapeutic strategies to treat this condition.' The implications of these findings extend beyond basic science, with significant potential for clinical application. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms of hypospadias, the study uncovers new therapeutic targets that could lead to non-surgical treatments. Additionally, these insights into the genetic basis of the condition could improve surgical outcomes, offering better predictions and tailored approaches. The research also opens up new possibilities for early diagnosis and intervention, which could help mitigate the psychological and fertility-related challenges faced by affected individuals. DOI 10.1002/pdi3.94 Original Source URL Funding information This work was financed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81970571), Natural Science Foundation Project of Science and Technology Commission of Chongqing (2022NSCQ-MSX0328) and Chongqing Medical University Program for Youth Innovation in Future Medicine. Lucy Wang BioDesign Research
