The association of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) exposure on omega-3 fatty acids metabolism: evidence derived from the United States general population.

This study investigated the association between exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and serum omega-3 fatty acid levels in the general U.S. population, using data from 1,350 adults in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Elevated urinary phthalate levels in endometrial cancer patients: Evidence from a comparative study.

Phthalates are common plasticizers with endocrine-disrupting properties. Although laboratory studies suggest links to estrogen-dependent cancers, their association with endometrial cancer (EC) in humans remains unclear. This study investigated urinary phthalate metabolite levels in relation to EC and explored potential lifestyle and dietary contributors to phthalate exposure.

Patient-reported outcomes between proton and photon therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: A longitudinal cohort study.

Background And Purpose: This study aimed to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials And Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care center from 2021 to 2023. Newly diagnosed NPC patients were assessed using the modified 28-item symptom distress scale at seven time points, from baseline (T0) to one year post-radiotherapy (RT) (T6).

The significance of organophosphate flame retardants in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Taiwan, and has a poor prognosis despite treatment advances. Emerging evidence suggests environmental contaminants, including organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), as potential cancer contributors. This study aims to investigate the association between exposure to OPFRs and ESCC.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 prevents esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from reactive carbonyl species-induced cell death and promotes its progression.

Introduction: Chronic alcohol consumption and tobacco usage are major risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption lead to oxidative stress and the generation of reactive carbonyl species (RCS) which induce DNA damage and cell apoptosis. This phenomenon contributes to cell damage and carcinogenesis in various organs including ESCC.

Hypoalbuminemia is Associated with Higher 90-Day Mortality and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis Receiving Radiotherapy-Based Therapy.

Background: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is common among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) due to shared etiologic factor, alcohol. For non-metastatic ESCC (nmESCC) patients with cirrhosis, surgery is often contraindicated or associated with high morbidity, therefore radiotherapy-based therapy was commonly applied. This study aims to investigate prognosticators for overall survival (OS) in nmESCC and cirrhotic patients receiving radiotherapy-based therapy.

Effects of urinary organophosphate flame retardants in susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in school-age children.

Our previous studies have revealed a correlation between urinary phthalates (PAE) metabolites and parabens and PM exposure and susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-age children. Our goal was to examine the relationships between urinary organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and their metabolites and the susceptibility to ADHD in the same cohort of children. We recruited 186 school children, including 132 with ADHD and 54 normal controls, living in southern Taiwan to investigate five OPFRs (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl phosphate (TDCPP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP)) and five OPFR metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-chloroethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BCEP), di-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (DBEP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) in urine.

Number of Retrieved Lymph Nodes during Esophagectomy Affects the Outcome of Stage III Esophageal Cancer in Patients Having Had Pre-Operative Chemo-Radiation Therapy.

Lymphadenectomy plays a crucial role in the surgical management of early- stage esophageal cancer. However, few studies have examined lymphadenectomy outcomes in advanced stages, particularly in patients who initially underwent concurrent chemoradiation therapy. This retrospective study investigates the effect of lymphadenectomy in patients diagnosed with AJCC 8th-edition clinical stage III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received concurrent preoperative chemoradiation.

Hypoalbuminemia and hypercalcemia are independently associated with poor treatment outcomes of anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Recent randomized phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RMHNSCC). However, a large proportion of such patients still have poor response. This study aimed to identify biomarkers for predicting anti-PD-1 ICI treatment outcomes .

Urine Phthalate Metabolites are Elevated in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Associated with Advanced Cancer Stage and Poor Survival.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of phthalate in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: A total of 116 ESCC patients and 58 controls without any known histories of malignancies were enrolled. All eight urine phthalate metabolites were measured to assess phthalate levels.

Association between exposure to organophosphate flame retardants and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in lung cancer patients.

Background: Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are extensively distributed in our environment, prompting concerns about potential health hazards, including lung injuries resulting from OPFR exposure.

Methods: The present study recruited 125 lung cancer patients, assessing their exposure to 10 OPFR compounds through urine samples. The final analysis comprised 108 participants after excluding those lacking epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status and those with chronic kidney disease.

Nephrotoxicity of organophosphate flame retardants in patients with chronic kidney disease: A 2-year longitudinal study.

Humans are extensively exposed to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), an emerging group of organic contaminants with potential nephrotoxicity. Nevertheless, the estimated daily intake (EDI) and prognostic impacts of OPFRs have not been assessed in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this 2-year longitudinal study of 169 patients with CKD, we calculated the EDIs of five OPFR triesters from urinary biomonitoring data of their degradation products and analyzed the effects of OPFR exposure on adverse renal outcomes and renal function deterioration.

The risk of free flap revision and subsequent medical costs in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background: Few studies have examined the preoperative risks and healthcare costs related to free flap revision in hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) patients.

Methods: A 20-year retrospective case-control study was conducted using the Chang Gung Research Database, focusing on HPC patients who underwent tumor excision and free flap reconstruction from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2019. The impacts of clinical variables on the need for re-exploration due to free flap complications were assessed using logistic regression.

Association between organophosphate flame retardant exposure and lipid metabolism: data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are emerging environmental pollutants that can be detected in water, dust, and biological organisms. Certain OPFRs can disrupt lipid metabolism in animal models and cell lines. However, the effects of OPFRs on human lipid metabolism remain unclear.

Similar survival after endoscopic submucosal dissection and esophagectomy in early esophageal cancer and synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancer.

Background: Early-stage esophageal cancer is treated using endoscopic submucosal dissection and esophagectomy. Field cancerization in patients with early-stage esophageal cancer affects treatment outcomes and causes synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancers. We hypothesized that esophagectomy could provide better overall and relapse-free survivals in patients with esophageal cancer and synchronous or metachronous head and neck cancer.

FDG PET/CT and Endoscopic Ultrasound for Preoperative T-Staging of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performances of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and FDG PET/CT in the preoperative T-staging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and determine whether their innovative coordination achieves better prediction. In total, 100 patients diagnosed with ESCC, 57 without (CRT) and 43 with (CRT) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, undergoing EUS and FDG PET/CT, followed by surgical resection of the tumor, were included in this analysis. EUS classified T-stages based on the depth of primary tumor invasion, and FDG PET/CT used thresholded maximal standardized uptake value (SUV) classifications.

Levels of organophosphate flame retardants and their metabolites among 391 volunteers in Taiwan: difference between adults and children.

Background: Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are ubiquitous in the environment. The compositions and concentrations of different OPFRs metabolites vary in different environments depending on different human activities. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the exposure of different age groups to OPFRs in Taiwan.

Evaluation of Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) Domains in the Assessment of the Quality of Life in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: Few instruments are available for assessing the otorhinologic-related quality of life (QOL) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Therefore, we evaluated whether the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) could be applied to these patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with NPC, who had been treated with standard protocol and followed up in our institute between 2019 and 2022, were invited to join the cross-sectional study during their clinic visits.

Urinary levels of organophosphate flame retardants metabolites in a young population from Southern Taiwan and potential health effects.

Background: Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are widely distributed in the environment and their metabolites are observed in urine, but little is known regarding OPFRs in a broad-spectrum young population from newborns to those aged 18 years.

Objectives: Investigate urinary levels of OPFRs and OPFR metabolites in Taiwanese infants, young children, schoolchildren, and adolescents within the general population.

Methods: Different age groups of subjects (n=136) were recruited from southern Taiwan to detect 10 OPFR metabolites in urine samples.

Low p16 Cytoplasmic Staining Predicts Poor Treatment Outcome in Patients with p16-Negative Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving TPF Induction Chemotherapy.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been proven to be associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and diffuse p16 unclear staining is usually considered as HPV-positive. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of p16 cytoplasmic staining in HNSCC prognosis. A total of 195 HNSCC patients who received docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluouracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy were enrolled.

Long-term survival after pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with lung metastasis.

Objectives: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis has a poor prognosis, and the only treatment modality is systemic therapy such as chemotherapy. Previous studies showed that pulmonary metastasectomy may provide benefits and has been suggested in selected patients with colorectal cancer, renal cancer, and sarcoma. However, there were few literatures evaluating the impact and treatment outcome of pulmonary metastasectomy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with isolated lung metastases.

The associations between renal disease severity and exposure to organophosphate flame retardants in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are emerging and widespread environmental pollutants with potential health hazards, including nephrotoxicity. However, the exposure patterns and nephrotoxic potential of OPFRs are yet to be investigated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 166 patients with CKD stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and severity of proteinuria.

Effect of glycated hemoglobin A1c on the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: A multi-institutional database cohort study.

Objectives: Few studies have evaluated the impact of blood glucose levels on cancer prognosis. We investigated the association between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

Materials And Methods: A 19-year retrospective cohort study of OSCC patients was performed using the Chang Gung Research Database to identify and enroll 7279 patients diagnosed with OSCC between January 2001 and June 2020.

Targeting MYO1B impairs tumorigenesis via inhibiting the SNAI2/cyclin D1 signaling in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Myosin-related proteins play an important role in cancer progression. However, the clinical significance, biological functions, and mechanisms of myosin 1B (MYO1B), in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unclear. The clinical relevance of MYO1B, SNAI2, and cyclin D1 in ESCC was determined by immunohistochemistry, Oncomine, and GEPIA databases.