How Robust is the Evidence for Prehabilitation in Cancer Surgery?: A Systematic Review and Fragility Index Analysis.

Background: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the effectiveness of prehabilitation on improving postoperative outcomes for cancer surgery is increasing. Fragility index (FI) and reverse fragility index (RFI) represent the minimum number of participants whose status needs to change from an "event" to a "non-event," thereby the results change from statistically significant to nonsignificant (or vice versa for RFI). Fragility quotient (FQ) allows for the FI or RFI to be standardized to the sample size of the study.

Neutralizing activity against Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5 following the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Objectives: Despite the availability of bivalent vaccines targeting both the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and Omicron subvariants, vaccination rates remain low in South Korea. This study aims to evaluate the neutralizing activity against Omicron subvariants following the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as to assess the need for additional vaccinations.

Methods: Between April and November 2022, the authors assessed the neutralizing activity of the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose in 63 patients undergoing chemotherapy using an ELISA-based surrogate Virus Neutralization Test (sVNT).

Spatiotemporal regulation by downstream genes of in the olfactory system: from development to function.

Introduction: Olfaction is important for the quality of life; however, in Kallmann syndrome (KS), defective development results in olfactory dysfunction. Notably, the mechanism underlying olfactory development, especially in the olfactory epithelium (OE), which detects olfactory signals, remains unclear. Mutations in PROK2, which encodes prokineticin-2, have been identified in approximately 9% of the KS patients with olfactory defects.

Disruption of SAP1 confers vanillin tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The objectives of this study were to identify genes associated with vanillin tolerance and to elucidate the link between vanillin tolerance and oxidative stress and the hog1 pathway activation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of biofuels and renewable chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, one strain tolerant to vanillin stress was isolated through a transposon-mediated mutant library, and the disrupted gene was identified as SAP1. In addition, this phenotype associated with vanillin tolerance was confirmed by deletion and overexpressing of this corresponding gene.

Microbial riboflavin inhibits ceramide synthase 3 to lower ceramide (d18:1/26:0) and delay colorectal cancer progression.

Ceramide metabolism dysregulation links to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, yet the mechanism remains unknown. d18:1/26:0 ceramide (C26) levels were elevated in patients with CRC and mouse models, which activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by binding its extracellular region to promote cancer cell proliferation. The rise of C26 levels was mainly driven by heightened ceramide synthase 3 (CERS3) activity.

Bacteroides celer sp. nov. and Bacteroides mucinivorans sp. nov., isolated from human feces, and the reclassification of Bacteroides koreensis Shin et al. 2017 and Bacteroides kribbi Shin et al. 2017 as later heterotypic synonyms of Bacteroides ovatus Eggerth and Gagnon 1933 (Approved Lists 1980).

Two novel, Gram-stain-negative, anaerobic, and non-motile bacterial strains, designated KFT8T and CG01T, were isolated from the feces of healthy individuals without diagnosed diseases and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both strains belong to the genus Bacteroides, with < 99.0% similarity in their 16S rRNA gene sequences to B.

Chemical Profiling and Immune-Stimulating Activity of Solvent Fractions Derived from Dietary .

Chlorella, a genus of single-celled green algae, is widely industrially cultivated as a dietary supplement ingredient due to its high protein content and various nutrients. In this study, the immune-stimulating effect of solvent fractions prepared from (CV) and (CP) was evaluated through the expression of immune-related factors, such as TNF-α and IFN-γ in T cells obtained from mice. Both species showed immunostimulatory effects in hexane and butanol fractions, but CV increased TNF-α only, while CP elevated both TNF-α and IFN-γ.

Long-term survival and quality of life in patients more than 10 years after pelvic exenteration.

Background: Pelvic exenteration is a curative treatment option for selected patients with advanced primary or recurrent pelvic cancer. This study aimed to evaluate survival and quality-of-life outcomes beyond 10 and up to 17 years following pelvic exenteration.

Method: This longitudinal study included patients who underwent pelvic exenteration between 2008 and 2014.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) Measure in an Australian Sample.

Introduction: The COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) measure developed in the United States measures the financial impact resulting from cancer and its treatment. This paper reports on an Australian cross-cultural validation of the COST measure.

Methods: Participant eligibility criteria included individuals aged ≥ 18, undergoing or completed primary treatment for cancer.

Strategies to promote the completion of patient-reported outcome measures by culturally and linguistically diverse and Indigenous Peoples in clinical care settings: A systematic review.

Purpose: There is evidence of low completion of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Indigenous Peoples with chronic health conditions. We aimed to systematically identify ways to support and promote PROM completion by CALD communities and Indigenous Peoples in clinical care settings.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collections and CINAHL databases from 1 January 2000 to 19 September 2024.

Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Mediated Assembly of Donor Polymers Enhances Efficiency and Stability of Blade-Coated Organic Solar Cells.

Conjugated polymers can undergo complex, concentration-dependent self-assembly during solution processing, yet little is known about its impact on film morphology and device performance of organic solar cells. Herein, lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) mediated assembly across multiple conjugated polymers is reported, which generally gives rise to improved device performance of blade-coated non-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells. Using D18 as a model system, the formation mechanism of LLC is unveiled employing solution X-ray scattering and microscopic imaging tools: D18 first aggregates into semicrystalline nanofibers, then assemble into achiral nematic LLC which goes through symmetry breaking to yield a chiral twist-bent LLC.

Euglena gracilis-derived β-glucan ameliorates particulate matter (PM)-induced airway inflammation by modulating nuclear factor kappa B, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathways in A549 cells and BALB/c mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of β-glucan derived from Euglena gracilis (EGB), an edible microalga, on particulate matter (PM)-induced airway inflammation in A549 cells and BALB/c mice. EGB effectively suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8) and mediators (iNOS, COX-2), while inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways triggered by PM exposure and reducing nuclear NF-κB levels. Additionally, EGB decreased PM-induced ROS production and increased the protein levels of NRF2 and HO-1, along with genes encoding antioxidant enzymes (catalase, GPx, SOD1), associated with elevated nuclear NRF2 levels.

Evaluating the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Self-Help via an OTT Platform on Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Prospective Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Previous research showed the benefits of mindfulness meditation on the mental health and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Traditionally, these programs relied on in-person interactions, but the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic necessitated alternative delivery methods. This study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of a mindfulness-based self-help (MBSH) program via Netflix for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

The Impact of Subjective Socioeconomic Status and Job Satisfaction on Psychological Symptoms of Economically Active People With Disabilities.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of subjective socioeconomic status (SES) and job satisfaction on psychological symptoms of economically active people with disabilities. Data from the Korean Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED) from 2016 to 2018 were assessed using a longitudinal analysis. A total of 1591 individuals were included as the study population.

sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the gut of marine sandworm ().

A novel Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and ovoid cocci, designated as A1S7, was isolated from the gut of a marine sandworm (). Strain A1S7 exhibited optimal growth at temperatures of 20-30 ℃, pH 6-8 and in the presence of 2-4% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain A1S7 belonged to the genus , exhibiting a similarity of 99.

Factors associated with COVID-19 infection in pregnant women: Focusing on maternal anxiety.

Objective: Given the critical importance of maternal mental health for the well-being of both the mother and fetus, it is essential to thoroughly investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on mental health. This study aims to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 infection and mental health, underscoring the necessity of effective mental health management for pregnant women.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 97 pregnant women who visited Gachon University Gil hospital in South Korea.

Polystyrene microplastics induce activation and cell death of neutrophils through strong adherence and engulfment.

Ingested microplastics (MPs) can accumulate throughout whole body, which may induce the dysfunction of immune system. However, it remains unclear how MP exposure affects innate immune responses at the cellular level. We found that mouse neutrophils strongly bind and then engulf polystyrene MPs.

Hybrid Nanoparticles of Extracellular Vesicles and Gemcitabine Prodrug-Loaded Liposomes with Enhanced Targeting Ability for Effective PDAC Treatment.

Liposomes are applied to various anticancer treatments as representative drug delivery carriers. However, liposomes do not have their own targeting properties; therefore, there are limitations in drug delivery to specific tissues or cells. High targetability in drug delivery is an important factor in improving bioavailability and drug efficacy and reducing side effects; recent research has been actively investigated to modify the surface of liposomes to give them specific functions.

Effect of sequential delivery of 1- and 2-MHz bipolar microneedling radiofrequency energy on thermal tissue reactions in a minipig model.

Background: Bipolar microneedling radiofrequency (RF) treatment generates different patterns of thermal reactions, depending on the skin impedance and RF treatment parameters, including the frequency, power, conduction time, settings of sub-pulse packs, and penetrating depth and type of microneedles used. We compared the effect of sequential delivery of 1- and 2-MHz bipolar RF energy to in vivo minipig skin on thermal tissue reaction.

Methods: RF treatments at frequencies of 1 and 2 MHz were sequentially delivered to minipigs' skin in vivo.

The influence of postoperative morbidity on long-term quality of life outcomes following pelvic exenteration.

Introduction: Pelvic exenteration provides significant survival benefits for selected patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, in-hospital postoperative morbidity such as abdominal abscess, sepsis, and anastomotic leak remain highly prevalent, which can have short/long-term impacts on patient quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine the influence of postoperative morbidity on QoL outcomes in patients following pelvic exenteration.

Investigating the relationship between CSAT scores and prefrontal fNIRS signals during cognitive tasks using a quantum annealing algorithm.

Academic achievement is a critical measure of intellectual ability, prompting extensive research into cognitive tasks as potential predictors. Neuroimaging technologies, such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), offer insights into brain hemodynamics, allowing understanding of the link between cognitive performance and academic achievement. Herein, we explored the association between cognitive tasks and academic achievement by analyzing prefrontal fNIRS signals.