Lifestyle behaviors and sun exposure among individuals diagnosed with skin cancer: a cross-sectional analysis of 2018 BRFSS data

Evaluating the effect of childhood sunburn on the risk of cutaneous melanoma through Mendelian randomization

Despite numerous observational studies indicating an increased risk of cutaneous melanoma (CM) due to childhood sunburn, no studies have established a definitive cause-and-effect relationship. Therefore, our objective was to employ a Mendelian randomization (MR) design to explore a possible causal association between childhood sunburn and the risk of CM. To investigate the causal relationship between childhood sunburn and CM, we used large-scale genetic summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including childhood sunburn (n = 346,955) and CM (n = 262,288), building upon previous observational studies. In the analysis, we mainly used the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method of the random effects model, supplemented by the weighted median method and MR-Egger method. The results of the IVW method demonstrated that genetically predicted childhood sunburn was significantly associated with higher odds of CM, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.418 (95%CI, 1.426-4.099; p = .001). The weighted median method and MR-Egger regression also demonstrated directionally similar results (both p < .05). Furthermore, both the funnel plot and the MR-Egger intercepts showed the absence of directional pleiotropy between childhood sunburn and CM. Our study offers potential evidence linking genetically predicted childhood sunburn with CM, underscoring the need for individuals with a history of childhood sunburn to be extra vigilant regarding the occurrence of CM.

Innovation in Hyperinsulinemia Diagnostics with ANN-L(atin square) Models

Hyperinsulinemia is a condition characterized by excessively high levels of insulin in the bloodstream. It can exist for many years without any symptomatology. The research presented in this paper was conducted from 2019 to 2022 in cooperation with a health center in Serbia as a large cross-sectional observational study of adolescents of both genders using datasets collected from the field. Previously used analytical approaches of integrated and relevant clinical, hematological, biochemical, and other variables could not identify potential risk factors for developing hyperinsulinemia. This paper aims to present several different models using machine learning (ML) algorithms such as naive Bayes, decision tree, and random forest and compare them with a new methodology constructed based on artificial neural networks using Taguchi's orthogonal vector plans (ANN-L), a special extraction of Latin squares. Furthermore, the experimental part of this study showed that ANN-L models achieved an accuracy of 99.5% with less than seven iterations performed. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights into the share of each risk factor contributing to the occurrence of hyperinsulinemia in adolescents, which is crucial for more precise and straightforward medical diagnoses. Preventing the risk of hyperinsulinemia in this age group is crucial for the well-being of the adolescents and society as a whole.

Facile Preparation of Silk Fabrics with Enhanced UV Radiation Shielding and Wrinkle Resistance by Cross-Linking Light-Responsive Copolymers

Enhanced UV radiation shielding is realized by cross-linking the light-responsive copolymer poly(di(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol methacrylate-co-6-(4-phenylazo-phenoxy)hexyl methacrylate), abbreviated as PMOEA, with silk fabrics. Owing to the existence of the azobenzene component in 6-(4-phenylazo-phenoxy)hexyl methacrylate, UV radiation can be significantly absorbed in an aqueous PMOEA solution by the trans-cis isomerization of azobenzene. After immobilization onto the silk fabrics by the cross-linker 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, the cross-linked copolymer-coated silk fabrics present an enhanced capability of UV radiation absorption. More than 70% of the UV radiation is efficiently shielded by the cross-linked copolymer-coated silk fabrics, which is double that of the original silk fabrics. Considering the limited amount of the light-responsive copolymer applied (5 wt %), UV protection is successfully realized for the silk fabrics. In addition, the cross-linked copolymer layer also forms covalent bonds with the hydroxyl and amino groups on the silk fabrics. Wrinkles on the silk fabrics, typically caused by the movement of the silk chains, are suppressed by the formed covalent bonds, significantly hindering such chain movement. Therefore, the wrinkle resistance capability is also improved by cross-linking PMOEA on silk fabrics. As the glass transition temperature of the copolymer is lower than room temperature, the hand feel of silk fabrics is not affected by the cross-linking layer. Based on these advantages, the cross-linked copolymer-coated silk fabrics can be used for light clothes to shield against UV radiation from the sun during outdoor activities in summer.