Quality Matters: Effect of High-Quality Early Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer.

Context: Early palliative care (EPC) is an integral treatment for advanced cancer patients, improving quality of life and symptom management, but the impact of its quality on outcomes is less understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the quality of EPC and analyze its longitudinal association with depression levels, quality of life (QoL), patient survival, and self-management strategies in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This secondary analysis included 144 advanced cancer patients from a randomized controlled trial in South Korea.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis by antibiotics increases FAdV-4 susceptibility and alters antiviral immunity in chickens.

Immune regulation is significantly affected by gut microbial community. For example, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by gut symbionts, function as beneficial immune regulators. Antibiotics are widely used in the poultry industry to improve feed efficiency and prevent diseases; however, this treatment strategy disrupts the normal flora but how they might impact on resistance to enteric pathogen is not known.

Fractionated Gamma Knife Radiosurgery as a Primary Treatment for Large Brain Metastases.

Background: To assess the effectiveness of fractionated Gamma Knife radiosurgery (fGKS) as a primary treatment for newly diagnosed large (> 10 cm³) brain metastases.

Methods: Ninety-three patients with newly diagnosed large brain metastases, comprising 99 lesions, who underwent fGKS were included in this retrospective study. Tumor and edema volumes were measured using follow-up magnetic resonance imaging for longitudinal analysis.

Methanolic extract of Korean Red ginseng attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced cognitive impairment: A comparative study.

Korean ginseng is classified into White or Red ginseng based on its processing methods. Traditional Korean medicine recognizes the differing effects and medicinal properties between White or Red ginseng. This study aimed to compare the effects and mechanisms of action of methanolic extracts of White ginseng and Red ginseng (WG and RG, respectively) in a vascular dementia (VaD) mouse model.

The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma in embryo culture to obtain high-quality embryos.

Transferring high-quality embryos is crucial for in vitro fertilization success, as they lead to better clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Researchers have investigated adding supplements to culture media to enhance embryo quality because culture conditions greatly affect embryo quality and development. This study assessed whether adding autologous platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors and cytokines to the culture media could produce more usable and high-grade embryos.

Impact of tumor size and sex on diagnostic discrepancies in renal mass imaging.

Renal masses identified on CT or MRI scans may raise suspicion of malignancy, leading to radical or partial nephrectomy; however, pathology reports may reveal benign conditions. This study aimed to identify clinical and radiological factors associated with discrepancies between imaging and pathology reports, which may inform strategies to enhance diagnostic accuracy. We retrospectively reviewed 132 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy between April 2022 and October 2024.

Interaction effect of comorbid depression and proactive positivity coping strategy on the 1-year survival of patients with advanced cancer: a nationwide multicentre study in South Korea.

Background: Comorbid depression and poor performance status are associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Coping strategies based on "proactive positivity" may facilitate adaptation to functional decline and limited life expectancy. However, few studies have examined the impact of the interaction between depressive symptoms and coping strategies on survival outcomes in this population.

Pretreatment Axillary Nodal Volume as a Prognostic Factor for Breast Cancer.

We evaluated the prognostic value of pretreatment axillary nodal volume in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy. We retrospectively reviewed 302 breast cancer patients with biopsy-proven axillary LN involvement who received neoadjuvant systemic therapy. Axillary nodal volumes were obtained from pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging.

Enhanced Tribological and Electrical Performance of Graphene-Coated Polyetheretherketone Nanocomposites.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is widely used across various industries due to its high thermal stability, chemical resistance, and superior mechanical properties. However, its tribological and electrical properties require enhancement for advanced applications. This study investigates the effect of graphene coating on PEEK microspheres to improve their performance.

Evaluating the effects of volume censoring on fetal functional connectivity.

Advances in neuroimaging have enabled non-invasive investigation of fetal brain development in vivo. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has provided critical insights into emerging brain networks in fetuses. However, acquiring high-quality fetal rs-fMRI remains challenging due to the unpredictable and unconstrained motion of the fetal head.

Controlled liquid crystal behavior of graphene oxide/single walled carbon nanotube mixtures for continuous multi hole wet spinning.

Liquid-crystalline (LC)-spinning of graphene oxide (GO) is a promising method for producing conducting fibres. However, achieving continuous wet-spinning via a multi-hole spinneret with organic solvent-based spinning dopes remains challenging, primarily because of the limitations in coagulation without ion crosslinking agents, such as Ca and Fe. In this study, we report the colloidal engineering of an LC GO-based spinning dope with highly oxidised single-walled carbon nanotubes (ox-SWCNTs) for continuous multi-hole wet-spinning.

Serum miR-329-3p as a potential biomarker for poor ovarian response in an in vitro fertilization.

Objective: Several miRNAs have been identified as differentially expressed in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) compared to those with normal responses. This study aims to assess the potential of serum miR-329-3p as a biomarker for diagnosing POR.

Methods: We conducted a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to confirm the target genes of miR-329-3p.

Deep-learning based Embedding of Functional Connectivity Profiles for Precision Functional Mapping.

Spatial correlation of functional connectivity profiles across matching anatomical locations in individuals is often calculated to delineate individual differences in functional networks. Likewise, spatial correlation is assessed across average functional connectivity profiles of groups to evaluate the maturity of functional networks during development. Despite its widespread use, spatial correlation is limited to comparing two samples at a time.

Important radiological and clinicopathological risk factors for the recurrence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms after surgical resection.

Objectives: To assess significant radiological and clinicopathological risk factors for post-surgery recurrence in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).

Materials And Methods: Patients with IPMNs who underwent surgery from 2011 to 2021 at a single center were retrospectively included. Two reviewers evaluated CT findings according to international guidelines.

A Multicenter Phase II Study of Modified FOLFIRINOX for First-line Treatment for Advanced Urachal Cancer (ULTMA; KCSG GU20-03).

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of the first-line modified FOLFIRINOX in patients with advanced urachal cancer.

Materials And Methods: The ULTIMA trial (NCT04611724) is a single-arm, open-label, multicenter phase II study evaluating modified FOLFIRINOX (Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 over 2 hours, Irinotecan 150 mg/m2 over 1.5 hours, Leucovorin 400 mg/m2 over 2 hours, and 5-FU 2400 mg/m2 over 46 hours) plus prophylactic pegteograstim in patients with recurrent or metastatic urachal cancer every 2 weeks for up to 12 cycles, or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Small pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (≤ 2 cm): different imaging and clinicopathologic features according to extrapancreatic extension.

Purpose: To assess features of small pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (s-PDA, ≤ 2 cm) according to extrapancreatic extension (EPE) and predictors for recurrence.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with s-PDA who underwent surgery between January 2004 and October 2021. Preoperative CT or MRI images were reviewed by two reviewers.

Identification of novel 7-hydroxycoumarin derivatives as ELOC binders with potential to modulate CRL2 complex formation.

The VHL-containing cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL2) complex is an E3 ligase commonly used in targeted protein degradation (TPD). Hydroxyproline-based ligands that mimic VHL substrates have been developed as anchor molecules for proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in TPD. To expand the chemical space for VHL ligands, we conducted fragment screening using VHL-ELOB-ELOC (VBC) proteins.

Hydrogen Bond-Driven Hierarchical Assembly of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Ultrahigh Textile Capacity.

Hydrogen-bond-driven 1D assembly of carbon nanotubes dispersed in organic solvents remains challenging owing to difficulties associated with achieving high oxidation levels and uniform dispersion. Here, we introduced a bioinspired wet-spinning method that utilizes highly oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in organic solvents without superacid or dispersants. By incorporating submicrometer-sized graphene oxide nanosheets, we facilitated the ejection of 1.

Effects of bladder neck sparing on continence outcomes of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systemic review and metaanalysis.

Restoration of postoperative urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is affected by diverse factors. We compared the pad-free and positive margin rates of patients who underwent RARP with or without bladder neck sparing (BNS) for prostate cancer. During this systematic review and metaanalysis, we performed an electronic search of the Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed to find original articles comparing RARP with and without BNS for prostate cancer.

Important ultrasonography and CT findings and prognostic factors of incidentally detected gallbladder cancer.

Aims: To evaluate important imaging findings and prognostic factors of incidentally detected gallbladder cancer (IDGC). Materials and methods: Patients with surgically proven IDGC (n=85) and benign GB diseases (n=100) were retrospectively enrolled. All patients had preoperative CT and eighty-two patients had US images.

A Promising Approach to Ultra-Flexible 1 Ah Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Using Oxygen-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries represent a promising solution for achieving high energy densities exceeding 500 Wh kg, leveraging cathode materials with theoretical energy densities up to 2600 Wh kg. These batteries are also cost-effective, abundant, and environment-friendly. In this study, an innovative approach is proposed utilizing highly oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (Ox-SWCNTs) as a conductive fibrous scaffold and functional interlayer in sulfur cathodes and separators, respectively, to demonstrate large-area and ultra-flexible Li-S batteries with enhanced energy density.

Phase 2 trial of avelumab in combination with gemcitabine in advanced leiomyosarcoma as a second-line treatment (EAGLES, Korean Cancer Study Group UN18-09).

Background: In this single-arm, multicenter, phase 2 trial, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of avelumab plus gemcitabine in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS) who failed on first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients with advanced LMS received avelumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 (for up to 24 months) plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle until they developed disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR).